WO2007089689A2

WO2007089689A2 - Coupling assembly for valve components

Info

Publication number: WO2007089689A2
Application number: PCT/US2007/002366
Authority: WO
Inventors: Michael A. Stein; John A. Leys
Original assignee: Entegris, Inc.
Priority date: 2006-01-30
Filing date: 2007-01-30
Publication date: 2007-08-09
Also published as: WO2007089689B1; TW200730753A; WO2007089689A3

Abstract

A system and method for coupling valve components, especially for attaching an actuator to a valve body. A first component defines a circumferential groove in its exterior surface with an aperture or recess in the bottom wall of the groove. A second component has a corresponding circumferential groove defined in its inner surface. An aperture extends through from the exterior surface of the second component into the circumferential groove. During assembly, the second component is received over the first component with the circumferential grooves aligned. The hooked end of a flexible plastic rod is inserted through the aperture of the second component and engaged in the aperture or recess in the first component. The second component is then rotated relative to the first component to draw the plastic rod into the grooves.

Description

COUPLING ASSEMBLY FOR VALVE COMPONENTS

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/763,274, filed January 30, 2006, hereby fully incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to valves, and more particularly to assembly of valve components.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Valves are widely used in industry to control the flow of fluids, including highly caustic fluids. Due to the safety and contamination risks presented by these fluids, it is important that valves handling such fluids be durably constructed with the number of potential leakage sources or seals kept to a minimum.

Diaphragm valves provide excellent sealing and isolation characteristics to contain fluid being controlled and prevent migration of the controlled fluid into the valve mechanisms or out of the valve. Diaphragm valves utilize a resilient diaphragm selectively reciprocated with an actuator to engage a valve seat and prevent the flow of fluid past the valve seat. The resilient diaphragm and seat are typically disposed in a valve body through which the flow passage is formed. In a weir-type diaphragm valve, the flow passage includes a weir, and the resilient diaphragm engages the weir to control flow of fluid over the weir. One such weir valve is described in U.S. Patent No. 6,789,781, commonly owned by the owners of the present invention and hereby fully incorporated herein by reference, hi another type of diaphragm valve, a flow chamber is disposed between an inlet passage and an outlet passage. The valve seat is disposed in the chamber at either the inlet or outlet passage, and the diaphragm has a valve portion that engages the valve seat to control flow of fluid through the valve. Such a valve is described in U.S.

Patent No. 6,575,187, commonly owned by the owners of the present invention and hereby fully incorporated herein by reference.

In either type of diaphragm valve, a reciprocating actuator assembly is coupled to a piston that positions the diaphragm. The actuator assembly is typically attached to the valve body with a threaded connection. A drawback of a threaded connection in this location, however, is that the actuator may unthread during operation of the valve. Another problem is that tools are typically required for assembly and disassembly of the threaded connection, resulting in increased time and effort in manufacture and servicing of the valve.

What is still needed in the industry is an improved coupling for valve components, particularly for an actuator to a valve body.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A system and method for coupling valve components, especially for attaching an actuator to a valve body, is provided according to the invention. According to embodiments of the invention, a cap portion is secured to the body portion of a valve without threads. The body portion defines a circumferential groove in its exterior surface with an aperture or recess in the bottom wall of the groove. The cap portion of the actuator has a corresponding circumferential groove defined in its inner surface. An elongate aperture and a second adjacent aperture extend through from the exterior surface of the cap portion into the circumferential groove. The back wall of the groove may be tapered inwardly from the edge of the elongate aperture toward the second aperture.

During assembly, the cap portion is received over the body portion with the grooves aligned. The hooked end of a resilient plastic rod is inserted through the elongate aperture and engaged in the aperture or recess in the cap portion. The cap portion is then rotated relative to the body portion to draw the plastic rod into the grooves. As the cap portion is further rotated, the plastic rod is drawn around the full length of the grooves until the opposite end of the rod reaches the second aperture. The resilience of the plastic rod then causes the end to spring outwardly and partially engage in the second aperture. In this position, the cap portion is inhibited from rotation in the opposite direction by contact of the end of the plastic rod with the edge of the second aperture. The cap portion may be disengaged from the body portion, however, by momentarily pressing the rod end inward while rotating the cap portion in the opposite direction. Once the rod end clears the second aperture, the taper in the groove enables the rod end to be guided out of the elongate aperture.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a valve according to the invention; Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the valve depicted in Fig. 1 ; Fig. 3 is an exploded view of a valve according to the invention; Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken through section 4-4 of Fig. 2 depicting the valve in a valve closed position;

Fig. 5 is a bottom plan view of a cap portion according to an embodiment of the invention; Fig. 6 is a side elevation view of the cap portion of Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken at section 7-7 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 8 is a top plan view of a body portion according to an embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 9 is a side elevation view of the body portion of Fig. 8; Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken at section 10-10 of Fig. 8;

Fig. 11 is a side elevation view of the cap and body portions of Figs. 5-10 depicted in a first stage of assembly prior to insertion of the plastic rod;

Fig. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the cap and body portions of Fig. 11 taken at section 12-12 of Fig. 11, at a further stage of assembly wherein the plastic rod has been inserted;

Fig. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the cap and body portions of Fig. 11 taken at section 13-13 of Fig. 11, at a further stage of assembly wherein the cap portion has been partially rotated to draw the plastic rod into corresponding grooves in the cap and body portions; Fig. 14 is a cross-sectional view of the cap and body portions of Fig. 11 taken at section 14-14 of Fig. 11, in a fully assembled state wherein the cap portion has been fully rotated such that the plastic rod is fully engaged in corresponding grooves in the cap and body portions; and

Fig. 15 is a plan view of a plastic rod according to an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Valve 10 generally includes body assembly 12, diaphragm assembly 14, and actuator assembly 16. Body 12 has a central portion 18 with a pair of projecting nipples 20, 22. Inlet passage 24 extends from nipple 20 into central portion 18, turning upward at weir 25 and terminating at diaphragm seat 26. Outlet passage 28 extends from weir 25 through central portion 18 and nipple 22. Mating ring 32 extends upwardly from central portion 18 defining a bore 34 for receiving diaphragm assembly 14 therein. Mating ring 32 has threaded region 36 for receiving inner threads 38 of lock ring 40. Each of nipples 20, 22, has a connector region 42 so that valve 10 may be attached to piping or tubing (not depicted). Alternatively, of course, any other type of fitting or connection may be used to connect piping or tubing to valve 10, including flare connections, straight threaded connections, or welding.

Diaphragm assembly 14 generally includes body portion 44, piston 46, and diaphragm 48. Body portion 44 has inner bulkhead 50 with boss 52 defining bore 54. Shoulder 56 projects laterally from outer surface 58 of body portion 44. Piston 46 has head portion 60 and shank portion 62. Head portion 60 has a shaped lower surface 63 for contacting diaphragm 48. Shank portion 62 is received through, and is reciprocatingly slidable in, bore 54. Seals 64 provide a seal between shank portion 62 and bore 54. Lock ring 40 has an inner shoulder portion 66 which mates with shoulder 56 to secure diaphragm assembly 14 to body assembly 12.

Actuator assembly 16 generally includes cup portion 66 and cap portion 68 which together define pressure chamber 70. Inlet passage 72 extends from pressure chamber 70 to the outside of actuator assembly 16. Cup portion 66 has outer wall 74 and inner shank portion 76. Sealing rings 78 extend outwardly from outer wall 74 to slidingly mate with the inner surface of body portion 44 of diaphragm assembly 14. Cap portion 68 has outer wall 80 and inner wall 82 which capture top edge 84 of body portion 44 therebetween. Top wall 86 has bore 88 which slidingly receives inner shank portion 76 therethrough.

In operation, air pressure is supplied to inlet passage 72, causing cup portion 66 to be forced downwardly within body portion 44, in turn causing piston 46 to be forced downwardly in body portion 44. Lower surface 63 of piston 46 bears on diaphragm 48, pressing it against diaphragm seat 26 of weir 25, thereby stopping flow of fluid through inlet passage 24 and outlet passage 28. When pressure is removed from inlet passage 72, piston 46 and diaphragm 48 are enabled to move away from weir 25, thereby allowing fluid to flow through the valve.

According to embodiments of the invention, cap portion 68 is secured to body portion 44 without threads. As depicted in Figs. 5-7, cap portion 68 has outer wall 97 with circumferential groove 98 defined in inner surface 100. Inner wall 101 extends upwards from top wall 101a, thereby defining recess 101b between outer wall 97 and inner wall 101. Elongate aperture 102 and aperture 104 extend through from exterior surface 106 of body portion 44 into groove 98. Back wall 99 of groove 98 may be tapered inwardly from edge 108 of aperture 102 toward aperture 104. Resilient plastic rod 110 has hooked end 112. As depicted in Figs. 8-10, body portion 44 has cylindrical wall structure 89 defining circumferential groove 90 in exterior surface 92, having aperture or recess 94 in bottom wall 96.

To assemble cap portion 68 to body portion 44, wall structure 89 of body portion 44 is received in recess 101b of cap portion 68 with grooves 90, 98, aligned and aperture 94 in registry with oblong aperture 102 as depicted in Fig. 11. Hooked end 112 of resilient plastic rod 110 is inserted through aperture 102 and engaged in aperture 94 in body portion 44. Cap portion 68 is then rotated in the direction of the arrow relative to body portion 44 as depicted in Figs. 12-14, drawing plastic rod 110 into grooves 90, 98. As cap portion 68 is further rotated, plastic rod 110 is drawn around the full length of grooves 90, 98, until end 114 reaches aperture 104 as depicted in Fig. 14. The resilience of plastic rod 110 causes end 114 to spring outwardly so as to be partially engaged in aperture 104. In this position, cap portion 68 is inhibited from rotation in the opposite direction by contact of end 114 with edge 116 of aperture 104.

Cap portion 68 may be disengaged from body portion 44, however, by momentarily pressing end 114 inward while rotating cap portion 68 in the direction opposite the arrow. Once end 114 clears aperture 104, the taper of groove 98 enables end 114 to be guided out of aperture 102. From this point, further rotation of cap portion 68 relative to body portion 44 causes plastic rod 112 to be rotated out of grooves 90, 98, until hooked end 112 is again aligned with aperture 102. Plastic rod 112 may then be removed and cap portion 68 separated from body portion 44.

It will be appreciated that many variations may be encompassed within the scope of the invention. Although the threadless coupling system and method described above is depicted herein as coupling an actuator and body portion of a weir valve, the system and method may be used to couple an actuator to any other type of valve, and may also be used to couple other valve components.

Claims

CLAIMS What is claimed is:

1. A valve comprising: a body portion including a cylindrical wall structure having an outer surface defining a first circumferential groove therein, the first circumferential groove presenting a back wall with a recess defined therein; a cap portion having a cylindrical outer wall and an inner wall spaced apart and concentric with the outer wall, the outer wall and inner wall defining a recess therebetween for receiving the cylindrical wall structure of the body portion, the outer wall defining a second circumferential groove facing into the recess and at least one aperture extending from an outer surface of the outer wall into the second circumferential groove; and an elongate plastic rod presenting a pair of opposing ends, wherein the cap portion is selectively operably couplable to the body portion by first engaging the cylindrical wall structure of the body portion in the recess of the cap portion with the first and second circumferential grooves in registry and the recess of the body portion registered with the at least one aperture in the cap portion, inserting one of the opposing ends of the plastic rod through the at least one aperture into the recess of the body portion, and rotating the cap portion to draw the plastic rod into the first and second circumferential grooves.

2. The valve of claim 1, wherein the aperture in the cap portion is oblong.

3. The valve of claim 1, wherein the cap portion further includes a second aperture extending from the outer surface of the outer wall into the second circumferential groove.

4. The valve of claim 1, wherein one of the opposing ends of the plastic rod is hook shaped.

5. The valve of claim 1, wherein the plastic rod is cylindrical.

. A valve comprising: a first portion including a cylindrical wall structure having an outer surface defining a first circumferential groove therein, the first circumferential groove presenting a back wall with a recess defined therein; a second portion having a cylindrical outer wall and an inner wall spaced apart and concentric with the outer wall, the outer wall and inner wall defining a recess therebetween for receiving the cylindrical wall structure of the first portion, the outer wall defining a second circumferential groove facing into the recess and at least one aperture extending from an outer surface of the outer wall into the second circumferential groove; and an elongate plastic rod presenting a pair of opposing ends, wherein the first portion of the valve is selectively operably couplable to the second portion of the valve by first engaging the cylindrical wall structure of the second portion in the recess of the first portion with the first and second circumferential grooves in registry and the recess of the first portion registered with the at least one aperture in the second portion, inserting one of the opposing ends of the plastic rod through the at least one aperture into the recess of the first portion, and rotating the second portion to draw the plastic rod into the first and second circumferential grooves.

7. The valve of claim 6, wherein the aperture in the second portion is oblong.

8. The valve of claim 6, wherein the second portion further includes a second aperture extending from the outer surface of the outer wall into the second circumferential groove.

9. The valve of claim 6, wherein one of the opposing ends of the plastic rod is hook shaped.

10. The valve of claim 6, wherein the plastic rod is cylindrical.

11. A method of coupling valve components comprising: forming a first component including a cylindrical wall structure having an outer surface defining a first circumferential groove therein, the first circumferential groove presenting a back wall with a recess defined therein; forming a second component having a cylindrical outer wall and an inner wall spaced apart and concentric with the outer wall, the outer wall and inner wall defining a recess therebetween for receiving the cylindrical wall structure of the first component, the outer wall defining a second circumferential groove facing into the recess and a first aperture extending from an outer surface of the outer wall into the second circumferential groove; providing an elongate plastic rod presenting a pair of opposing ends; and coupling the first component to the second component by first engaging the cylindrical wall structure of the second component in the recess of the first component with the first and second circumferential grooves in registry and the recess of the first component registered with the first aperture in the second component, inserting one of the opposing ends of the plastic rod through the first aperture into the recess of the first component, and rotating the second component to draw the plastic rod into the first and second circumferential grooves.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the component has a second aperture extending from an outer surface of the outer wall into the second circumferential groove, and wherein the method includes rotating the second component until the other of the opposing ends of the plastic rod is engaged in the second aperture.