US3893477A

US3893477A - Connecting devices

Info

Publication number: US3893477A
Application number: US384254A
Authority: US
Inventors: Kurt Stoll; Gerhard Hihn
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1973-07-31
Filing date: 1973-07-31
Publication date: 1975-07-08
Anticipated expiration: 1992-07-08

Abstract

An adaptor/connector for conduits for gaseous media includes a casing with a connection at one end for a pipe leading to a consumer unit and a connector combined into one unit with the casing and extending at right angles to the casing and having an outlet for connection to a power source. A central bore in the connector is connected to the central bore in the casing. An infinitely variable throttle valve in the casing is designed to determine the flow between the casing and the connector. A nonreturn valve which opens in the direction away from the connector opens into a distributor channel provided between the central bore and the central bore of the connector. This channel connects directly with the central bore of the connector and with the central bore of the casing in an area which, considering the direction of flow from the connector towards the casing, is upstream of the non-return valve element. A by-pass channel controlled by the throttle valve element is correlated to the non-return valve element in the casing, and branches off at a point downstream from the non-return valve and connects with the central bore of the casing and leads back thereinto.

Description

United States Patent [1 1 Stoll et al.

[ CONNECTING DEVICES [76] Inventors: Kurt Stoll, Lenzhalde, Esslingen;

Gerhard Hihn, Schurwaldstr. 7, Berkheim, both of Germany [22] Filed: July 31,1973

[21] Appl. No.: 384,254

Primary Examiner-Charles .1. Myhre Assistant Examiner-Ira S. Lazarus [57] ABSTRACT An adaptor/connector for conduits for gaseous media [451 July 8, 1975 includes a casing with a connection at one end for a pipe leading to a consumer unit and a connector combined into one unit with the casing and extending at right angles to the casing and having an outlet for connection to a power source. A central bore in the connector is connected to the central bore in the casing. An infinitely variable throttle valve in the casing is de signed to determine the flow between the casing and the connector. A non-retum valve which opens in the direction away from the connector opens into a distributor channel provided between the central bore and the central bore of the connector. This channel connects directly with the central bore of the connector and with the central bore of the casing in an area which, considering the direction of flow from the connector towards the casing, is upstream of the nonreturn valve element. A by-pass channel controlled by the throttle valve element is correlated to the nonreturn valve element in the casing, and branches off at a point downstream from the non-return valve and connects with the central bore of the casing and leads back thereinto.

9 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures 1 CONNECTING DEVICES BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention The invention relates to adaptor connectors for conduits carrying gaseous media, and having a casing with a first connection at one end, for example, a connection for a pipe leading to a consumer unit, and a connector, combined with the casing into one unit, which extends approximately at right angles to the casing and has an outlet that can be connected, for example, with a power source, a central bore in the casing connecting with a central bore in the connector and accommodating within it an infinitely variable throttle valve element capable of determining the flow between the casing and the connector, and a non-return valve element which opens in the direction of the connector.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a system of this type which is simple in design, inexpensive in productions, and occupies little space.

According to the invention, a distributor channel is included between the casing bore and the central bore of the connector. The channel is directly connected with the central bore of the connector, and (viewed in the flow direction from connector to casing) it is connected with the central casing bore in a zone ahead of the non-return valve element which comprises, for example, a spherical plug, a by-pass duct controlled by the throttle valve element being correlated to the nonreturn valve element inside the casing, the duct branching off the casing bore and ending in the casing bore.

The advantage of the arrangement according to the invention is that its layout is extremely compact and space saving, the throttleand non-return valves being conveniently accommodated inside an elbow connection, both parts forming a single unit which includes also the non-return valve element. Nevertheless, the design is extremely simple, the appliance being composed of simple, easily made, and inexpensive components which can be assembled without difficulty. For example, the casing, the rotatable elbow, the throttle valve element, and the non-return valve element can be combined into one part the axial length of which exceeds a component without a throttle valve element by a very small amount only. Compared with known arrangements ofa similar type where infinitely adjustable throttle valves have to be used in the compressed air cylinder for speed control of the forward and reverse strokes of the piston, which valves have to be mounted individually, the space requirements of the arrangement according to the invention are very small because the valve elements, namely the throttle valve element and the non-return valve element are accommodated inside the casing and therefore do not entail an increase of the external dimensions. The operational sequence of a rapid forward stroke followed by a slow return stroke, or vice versa, which is very often met with in practice when using pneumatically controlled equipment can be carried out without taking up undue space.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING An embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which:

FIG. 1 shows an adaptor/connector according to the invention in side view and axial section;

FIG. 2 shows the arrangement dipicted in FIG. 1 in section on the line II-II in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 shows the arrangement according to FIG. I in schematic side view, to a reduced scale;

FIG. 4 shows the arrangement according to FIG. 3 viewed from above in the direction of the arrow IV in FIG. 3; and

FIG. 5 shows an enlargement of a portion of FIG. I.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS In the embodiment shown as an example in the drawing, the adaptor/connector consists of a casing 1 with an outlet or first connection 2 at one end, which can be connected with a pipe leading to a consumer unit. and a connector 3, which extends approximately at right angles to the casing I with which it is combined into one part, and has an outlet or socket 4 for a line connecting with anenergy source. A central bore 5 in the casing connects with a central bore 6 in the connector and accommodates a non-return valve element which opens only in the direction away from the connector in the direction of arrow 8.

A distributor channel II is located between the outer surface of casing I, and the surface of the connector 3 which faces it, that is to say, part 3a of the connector which surrounds the smaller diameter part la of the casing. The distributor channel 11 is connected, on the one hand, with the central bore 6 of the connector 3 and, on the other hand, with the central casing bore 5, connection with the central casing bore being made, as described below, in a zone ahead of the non-return valve element, when viewed in the direction of flow. On the other hand, the zone behind the non-return valve element is connected with the zone in front of it through a by-pass channel which becomes effective when the non-return valve is in its closed position pressed against its seat.

The non-return valve element consists of a spherical body 9 guided in the central casing bore by a compression spring 12 which urges the ball against its seat 13, i.e. in a direction to close the valve. The valve seat 13 consists of a necked-down region in the central bore at the side of the non-return valve element adjacent the connector. A minimal gap 40 (FIG. 5) is left open for the passage of the medium between the seat of the nonreturn valve element and the element itself. The gap shown in the drawing is provided by means of channels or grooves in the seat surface where contact is made between the non-return valve and its seat. Alternatively, an arrangement could, for example, be made where the spherical body of the non-return valve element is furnished with a number of flats which are conveniently distributed evenly around the circumference. The medium can therefore reach the space ahead of the non-return valve element through the minimal gap from the space behind the non-return valve element, even with the spherical body seated firmly on the valve seat.

In the example illustrated in the drawing the member 15 which supports the spring 12 from below has a square or rectangular cross-section, while the portion la (see FIG. 2) of the connector 3 which surrounds the portion 15 has a circular bore 14, so that contact between part 15 and the circular wall which surrounds it,

is limited to positions which correspond to the corners of the rectangle or square. There are therefore four free internal spaces l6, l7, 18, 19 one of which is connected through openings 42 with the interior of the part and with passage 25. lt should be noted also that the part 15 can rotate inside the portion la as indicated by the arrow 22.

Another arrangement already mentioned when discussing the by-pass channel is a connecting channel between the connector element and the casing connection, which channel is located in the area that surrounds the seat of the non-return valve when viewed in the direction of flow, branches off this zone and connects with the space behind the spherical body through the opening 42, extending parallel to the central casing bore and connecting with the latter through a channel section 26 which has an adjustable flow cross-section, being controlled by the throttle valve element 7. This throttle valve element 7 takes the form of a screw which, as indicated by arrow 27, can be screwed into and out of a corresponding threaded bore in a nut 28 to a greater or lesser depth and which has a rounded end section 28 which extends into a space 29. The diameter of this rounded end is smaller than that of the rest of the screw, whereby a transition section or step 30 between the two parts, constitutes part of the wall of the channel section which serves as a connection between the connecting channel and the central casing bore. This step is adjustable in either direction by the screw of the throttle valve element, which means that this portion of the wall of the channel section, too, contributes towards the adjustment of the flow crosssection.

The operations of the arrangement is the following: When, for example, a pipe is joined to the connector 3 by the aid of nut 31 to provide for connection with a source of a pressure medium, a pressure P will act at the outer end of bore 6, and the medium will normally flow through the central bore 6 and thence through the distributor channel and the radial channel 20, to reach the side of the non-return valve element 9 which is opposite to the spring, and will lift the valve downward off its seat so that the medium can flow towards the consumer unit, passing through channel 32 and outlet 2. However, when it is necessary for the consumer unit to be relieved of pressure, the medium coming from the consumer unit will reach the non-return valve element and act together with the spring load to press the valve element against its seat whereupon a very small quantity of the pressure medium can flow off through the minimal gap between the nomreturn valve element and its seat formed by the grooves in the latter. The medium also flows as indicated by arrow 41 (H0. 5) through the connecting channel 25 from where it is admitted into the central bore of the casing, passing through the connecting channel-section 26. in depen dence on the position of the throttle locking element 7 the cross-section of this channei-section can be reduced or expanded appreciably. In its upper position (left hand side section, FIG. 1) the flow cross-section is fully expanded, and the medium can flow freely, as fast as desired. On the other hand, when the throttle element is in its lower position (right hand side section, FIG. 1) the flow cross-section is practically reduced to its extreme minimal size. Theoretically it could be completely closed. By this method it is possible to regulate and alter the rate of flow of the return stream. The medium leaving the central casing bore 5 reaches the distributor channel 11 through the radial channel 20, and flows on into the central bore 6 and thence towards the de-aeration system, a valve in zone P, which is not shown in the illustration, switching from working pressure to de-aeration and vice-versa.

It can be seen that the connector element is anchored between a part 28 projecting from the casing, and a mounting device 35, or between two projecting parts, using, of course, the necessary packings 36, 37. The external design of the adaptor/connector is shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, where 28 represents the upper, wider, portion of the casing, 3 is the connector element, with 3a being the portion which is in contact with the reduced diameter portion la of the casing l. The connection for pipes leading to the consumer unit is 2, and 4 is the connection to the source of a pressure medium or, when an intermediate valve is included in the system, 4 is the connection to the de-aeration system.

Although our invention has been illustrated and described with reference to the preferred embodiments thereof, we wish to have it understood that it is in no way limited to the details of such embodiments, but is capable of numerous modifications within the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus fully disclosed our invention, what we claim is:

1. An adaptor/connector for a conduit for a gaseous medium comprising a casing having a central bore with a first outlet connection at one end and a connector combined into one unit with the casing and including an inlet connection, which fits over the housing providing an annular distributing channel connected therewith, the inlet connection including a bore therethrough which extends substantially perpendicular to the bore of the housing and communicates with said annular distributing channel, and a radial channel connecting the distributing channel with the central bore, a connection between the outlet connection and the annular bore, a check valve means in such connection for normally preventing the flow of medium from the outlet channel to the annular bore, a connecting channel in the housing parallel to and separate from the annular bore, and extending from a point in the outlet member below the check valve to the end of the annular bore remote from the check valve, and a throttle valve at the end of the annular bore remote from the check valve for controlling the opening between the connecting channel and the end of the central bore remote from the check valve.

2. An adaptor/connector as claimed in claim 1 in which the check valve means comprises a valve seat, a ball engageable on the valve seat and means pressing the ball against the valve seat, and at least one passage of small cross section between the ball and the seat.

3. An adaptor/connector according to claim I in which the connector surrounds said casing and is anchored thereon in the axial direction, the portion of the connector which is in contact with the casing being held between two parts projecting from the casing; and the throttle valve element, which is coaxial with the casing and the non-return valve element, being inserted into the casing and screwed into it.

4. An adaptor/connector according to claim 3 in which the casing includes a throttle valve element and co-axially adjacent to it a part with a smaller crosssection which includes the central bore of the casing,

the connector comprising a connecting section in contact with the reduced diameter portion of the casing which it surrounds coaxially, and an outer section including the central bore which projects perpendicularly from the casing, the distributor channel being an annular channel between the outer surface of the casing and the surface of the connector which surrounds the easing, and the connectingand by-pass channel between the central bore of the casing and the distributor channel being contained inside the casing portion which has the smaller diameter.

5. An adaptor/connector according to claim 1 in which the distributor channel comprises a plurality of channel-sections distributed around the circumference of the casing portion with the smaller diameter, the cross-sections of the channel-sections being rectangular or segment-shaped, and the sections being interconneeted, the part of the connector which surrounds the casing having a circular bore, the portion of the casing which lies inside this bore having a rectangular crosssection and touching the wall of the bore only at positions which correspond to the corners of the rectangle.

6. An adaptor/connector according to claim 5 in which the distributor channel is connected with the central bore of the casing through a radial intermediate channel which, in the direction of flow from the connector towards the casing, lies ahead of the seat of the non-return valve element.

7. An adaptor/connector according to claim 1 in which a minimal gap is left open for the flowing medium between the seat of the non-return valve element and the non-retum valve element itself, even when the latter is in its closed position.

8. An adaptor/connector according to claim 1 in which ahead of the zone around the seat of the nonreturn valve element, looked at in the direction of flow from the connector towards the casing, a connecting channel branches off which extends parallel to the central bore of the casing and connects with the central bore of the casing through a connecting channel section which is disposed at right angles to the central bore of the casing, one wall of the channel section being a wall section at the throttle valve element so that its flow cross-section can be adjusted by the aid of the throttle valve element, said wall constituting. together with the connecting channel and the minimum gap between the non-return valve element and the valve seat, said bypass channel.

9. An adaptor/connector according to claim 8 in which said throttle valve element comprises a screw which can be screwed into or out of the casing in a threaded bore which is coaxial with the central bore of the casing and sealed therefrom, the screw having one end formed as a rounded, reduced-diameter portion of the valve element, the transition section between the rounded section and the main part of the valve element constituting said wall portion which can be adjusted in order to alter the flow cross-section of the connection channel.

Claims

3. An adaptor/connector according to claim 1 in which the connector surrounds said casing and is anchored thereon in the axial direction, the portion of the connector which is in contact with the casing being held between two parts projecting from the casing; and the throttle valve element, which is coaxial with the casing and the non-return valve element, being inserted into the casing and screwed into it.

4. An adaptor/connector according to claim 3 in which the casing includes a throttle valve element and co-axially adjacent to it a part with a smaller cross-section which includes the central bore of the casing, the connector comprising a connecting section in contact with the reduced diameter portion of the casing which it surrounds coaxially, and an outer section including the central bore which projects perpendicularly from the casing, the distributor channel being an annular channel between the outer surface of the casing and the surface of the connector which surrounds the casing, and the connecting- and by-pass channel between the central bore of the casing and the distributor channel being contained inside the casing portion which has the smaller diameter.

5. An adaptor/connector according to claim 1 in which the distributor channel comprises a plurality of channel-sections distributed around the circumference of the casing portion with the smaller diameter, the cross-sections of the cHannel-sections being rectangular or segment-shaped, and the sections being interconnected, the part of the connector which surrounds the casing having a circular bore, the portion of the casing which lies inside this bore having a rectangular cross-section and touching the wall of the bore only at positions which correspond to the corners of the rectangle.

7. An adaptor/connector according to claim 1 in which a minimal gap is left open for the flowing medium between the seat of the non-return valve element and the non-return valve element itself, even when the latter is in its closed position.

8. An adaptor/connector according to claim 1 in which ahead of the zone around the seat of the non-return valve element, looked at in the direction of flow from the connector towards the casing, a connecting channel branches off which extends parallel to the central bore of the casing and connects with the central bore of the casing through a connecting channel section which is disposed at right angles to the central bore of the casing, one wall of the channel section being a wall section at the throttle valve element so that its flow cross-section can be adjusted by the aid of the throttle valve element, said wall constituting, together with the connecting channel and the minimum gap between the non-return valve element and the valve seat, said by-pass channel.