WO2010075867A1

WO2010075867A1 - An axial displacing rotary spool valve and a method of operating an axially displacing rotary spool valve

Info

Publication number: WO2010075867A1
Application number: PCT/EP2008/011141
Authority: WO
Inventors: Wolfgang Boehm
Original assignee: Norgren Gmbh
Priority date: 2008-12-30
Filing date: 2008-12-30
Publication date: 2010-07-08

Abstract

Spool valve (100) and a method of operating a spool valve (100) that includes a housing (110) and a spool (125). The housing (110) defines a spool receiving portion (120) and is provided with at least a first port (111), a second port (112), a third port (115), and a fourth port (116) that extend to the spool receiving portion (120) of the housing (110). The spool (125) is located within the spool receiving portion (120) and provided with an axis (126), at least one flow channel (127) defined within an outer surface (125a) of the spool, at least one passageway (127) that extends within the spool (125), at least one means (129) for axially displacing the spool to regulate fluid flow amongst the first port (111), the second port (112), and the at least one flow channel (127), and at least one means (134) for rotating the spool to regulate fluid flow amongst the third port (115), the fourth port (116), and the at least one passageway (127).

Description

AN AXIAL DISPLACING ROTARY SPOOL VALVE AND A METHOD OF OPERATING AN AXIALLY DISPLACING ROTARY SPOOL VALVE

FIELD OF THE TNVENTION

The present invention relates to an axially displacing rotary spool valve and a method of operating an axially displacing rotary spool valve.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Spool valves are flow control devices often used in fluid power systems, including hydraulic power systems and pneumatic systems. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, such valves are provided with a housing 10 that defines a number of ports, for example ports 11-16, as well as a generally cylindrical spool receiving portion 20.

A spool 25, typically generally cylindrical in shape, is inserted into the spool receiving portion 20 of the housing 10. The valve spool 25 is provided with a plurality of flow channels, for example flow channels 26-28, that are typically arranged circumferentially around the spool 25. The various flow channels may be spaced from each other by one or more seals, for example, seals 50, which may be any suitable material, such as, an elastic material. As shown, the seals 50 extend circumferentially around the spool 25, for example, within seal receiving grooves that extend circumferentially around the spool 25.

In operation, the flow channels on the spool regulate fluid flow. In particular, in a typical arrangement, one or more flow channels on the spool fluidly communicate with two or more ports in the housing to form one or more fluid pathways. For example, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a fluid flow channel 26 may fluidly communicate with ports 11, 12 in the housing to provide a fluid pathway 30. Port 11 may function as a fluid input and port 12 may function as a fluid output or vice versa. As shown in FIGS 1 and 2, by axially displacing the spool 25 within the spool receiving portion 20 of the housing 10, the fluid flow between the ports 11, 12 may be regulated or blocked. Often times spool valves include more than one independent fluid pathway, for example independent fluid pathways 30, 31, and 32. Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that axial displacement of the spool 25 to regulate or block the fluid flow of one pathway, for example pathway 31 may affect the fluid flow of other pathways, for example pathways 30, 32. Furthermore, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that there may be times when it is desirable for fluid flow of one pathway, for example pathway 31 , to be interrupted or regulated without affecting the fluid flow of other pathways, for example pathways 30, 32.

For example, often times spool valves are used to regulate fluid flow on valve islands, for example, and not limitation, modular ISO valves. One port, for example the P port, may need to be shut off for purposes of changing a valve controlled by fluid flow through the port. One or more other ports may be used to supply fluid to different valves. For a variety of reasons an operator may not wish to interrupt the supply to these other ports when shutting off the port that supplies fluid to the valve to be changed. Accordingly, unless a separate shut off valve is included in the system changing one valve can require the entire system to be shut down. In such systems, replacement of a valve may entail depressurizing the system and removing loads supported by cylinders. In hydraulic systems, this may further entail draining hydraulic fluid from the system, refilling the system with hydraulic fluid, and making sure the hydraulic system is bled.

The present invention is directed to a spool valve that may be axially displaced to regulate fluid flow for one or more fluid pathways. The spool of the present invention may also be rotated to regulate the fluid flow of one or more fluid pathways.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The scope of the present invention is defined solely by the appended claims, and is not affected to any degree by the statements within this summary.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, a spool valve comprises a housing and a spool. The housing defines a spool receiving portion and is provided with at least a first port, a second port, a third port, and a fourth port that extend to the spool receiving portion of the housing. The spool is located within the spool receiving portion and provided with an axis, at least one flow channel defined within an outer surface of the spool, at least one passageway that extends within the spool, at least one means for axially displacing the spool to regulate fluid flow amongst the first port, the second port, and the at least one flow channel, and at least one means for rotating the spool to regulate fluid flow amongst the third port, the fourth port, and the at least one passageway. According to another aspect of the present embodiment, a method of operating a spool valve including a housing and a spool, the housing defining a spool receiving portion and provided with at least a first port, a second port, a third port, and a fourth port that extend to the spool receiving portion of the housing, the spool located within the spool receiving portion and provided with an axis, at least one flow channel defined within an outer surface of the spool, and at least one passageway that extends within the spool, comprises the steps of axially displacing the spool to regulate a first fluid flow amongst the first port, the second port, and the at least one flow channel and rotating the spool to regulate a second fluid flow amongst the third port, the fourth port, and the at least one passageway.

ASPECTS

According to one aspect of the present invention, a spool valve comprises: a housing defining a spool receiving portion and provided with at least a first port, a second port, a third port, and a fourth port that extend to the spool receiving portion of the housing; a spool located within the spool receiving portion and provided with: an axis; at least one flow channel defined within an outer surface of the spool; at least one passageway that extends within the spool; at least one means for axially displacing the spool to regulate fluid flow amongst the first port, the second port, and the at least one flow channel; and at least one means for rotating the spool to regulate fluid flow amongst the third port, the fourth port, and the at least one passageway. Preferably, the spool valve further comprises: a fifth port and a sixth port defined by the housing; at least one other flow channel defined by the outer surface of the spool, wherein: the at least one means for axially displacing the spool to regulate fluid flow amongst the first port, the second port, and the at least one flow channel further provides means for axially displacing the spool to regulate fluid flow amongst the fifth port, the sixth port, and the at least one other flow channel.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a method of operating a spool valve including a housing and a spool, the housing defining a spool receiving portion and provided with at least a first port, a second port, a third port, and a fourth port that extend to the spool receiving portion of the housing, the spool located within the spool receiving portion and provided with an axis, at least one flow channel defined within an outer surface of the spool, and at least one passageway that extends within the spool, comprises the steps of: axially displacing the spool to regulate a first fluid flow amongst the first port, the second port, and the at least one flow channel and rotating the spool to regulate a second fluid flow amongst the third port, the fourth port, and the at least one passageway.

Preferably, the spool valve includes a fifth port and a sixth port defined by the housing and at least one other flow channel defined by the outer surface of the spool and the method further comprises the step of axially displacing the spool to regulate a third fluid flow amongst the fifth port, the sixth port, and the at least one other flow channel. Preferably, the step of rotating the spool (125) to regulate fluid flow amongst the third port (113), the fourth port (114) and the at lest one passageway (127), includes rotating the spool (125) so that the spool blocks fluid communication between the third port (113) and the fourth port (114) and the method further comprises the step of removing a valve (200) that is controlled by the second fluid flow.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 depicts a sectional view of a valve spool. Figure 2 depicts a sectional view of a valve spool.

Figure 3 depicts sectional view of a spool valve according to an embodiment. Figure 4 depicts a sectional view of a spool valve according to an embodiment.

Figure 5 depicts a sectional view of a spool valve according to an embodiment in relation to another valve. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENTLY PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIGS 3 and 4 depict a spool valve 100 according to one embodiment. As shown, the spool valve 100 includes a housing 110 and a spool 125. According to one aspect of the present embodiment, the housing 110 is configured to receive the spool 125.

According to another aspect of the present embodiment, the housing defines a plurality of ports 111-116. Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that that housing 110 may be embodied as a sandwich plate component of a valve island, for example an ISO sandwich plate. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the housing 110 defines a spool receiving portion

120 and ports 111-116 that extend from an outer surface 110a of the housing 110 to the spool receiving portion 120. While the embodiment shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 show a particular arrangement of ports 111-116, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that it is within the scope of the present invention to provide the housing 110 with an variety of numbers of ports and to arrange the ports in a variety of ways depending on the intended use of the device. As one example, ports 112 and 114 may be positioned generally opposite from respective ports 111 and 113, as indicated by reference numerals 112' and 114'.

FIGS. 3 and 4 show the spool 125 located within the spool receiving portion 120 of the housing 110. As shown, an outer surface 125a of the spool 125 is provided with a generally cylindrical shape and defines at least one fluid flow channel, for example fluid flow channels 126, 127. As shown, the flow channels 126, 127 may extend circumferentially around the spool 112. Although the present embodiment depicts first and second flow channels 126, 127, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that it is within the scope of the present invention to provide a single flow channel, such as flow channel 126 or flow channel 127, or more than two flow channels. As shown, the flow channels are recessed portions defined within the outer surface 125a of the spool 126.

The spool 125 includes at least one means 129 for axially displacing the spool 125. In the embodiment depicted, the at least one means 129 is acted on to axially displace the spool 125 in order to regulate fluid flow amongst the channel 127 and the ports 111, 112 and amongst the channel 128 and the ports 113, 114. According to one aspect of the present embodiment, the means 129 may be any surface or structure on the spool 125 that is acted on, including, for example, via mechanical actuation, pressure differentials, or manual actuation, in order to effect axial movement of the spool 125. As an example, the spool 125 may be axially displaced manually or by using fluid power, a motor, a solenoid, a biasing member, such as a spring, or vacuum pressure. In the present embodiment, the ends 135, 136 correspond to means 129 for axially displacing the spool 125. By way of just one example, as shown in FIG. 5, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that an actuator 250, 251, may act on the ends 135, 136 to axially displace the spool 125. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, depending on the axial position of the spool 125, the spool 125 may regulate fluid flow to varying degrees between ports 111 , 112 and ports 113, 114, respectively. Depending on the use, the ports may perform a variety of function. In one embodiment ports 111 and 113 may function as inputs that supply pressurized fluid and ports 112 and 114 may function as outputs for the pressurized fluid. In an alternative embodiment, ports 112, 114 may function as inputs for the fluid and ports 111 and 113 may function as outputs for the fluid.

As shown in FIG. 3, with the spool 125 in a first axial position, a fluid pathway 130 may be provided between the port 111 and the port 112. Also shown in FIG. 3, with the spool 125 in a first axial position another fluid pathway 132 may be provided between the port 113 and the port 114. As shown in FIG. 4, with the spool 125 in a second axial position, the outer surface 125a of the spool 125 covers at least one of the ports 111, 112 and blocks fluid flow between the ports 111, 112. Also shown in FIG. 4, with the spool 125 in a second axial position, the spool 125 may cover at least one of the ports 113, 114 and block fluid flow between the ports 113, 114. Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the spool 125 may be axially displaced within the spool receiving portion 120 to varying degrees in order to regulate fluid flow between ports 111, 112 and between ports 113, 114.

In the present embodiment, the spool 125 defines a passageway 127 that extends within the spool 125. As shown, the passageway 127 includes a first opening 140 defined by the outer surface 125a of the spool 125, a second opening 141 defined by the outer surface 125a of the spool 125, and an intermediate portion 142 that extends within the spool 125 and connects the first and second openings 140, 141. In the embodiment shown, the passageway 127 is generally straight and extends generally perpendicular to the axis 126 of the spool 125; however, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the passageway 127 may be provided with any shape

The spool 125 includes at least one means 134 for rotating the spool 125. In the embodiment depicted, torque is applied to the at least one means 134 for rotating the spool 125 in order to regulate fluid flow amongst the passageway 127 and the ports 115, 116. According to one aspect of the present embodiment, the means 134 may be any surface or structure on the spool 125 that torque is applied to, including, for example, via mechanical actuation, pressure differentials, or manual actuation, in order to effect rotational movement of the spool 125.

As shown in FIGS. 3-4, in the present embodiment, the spool 125 is preferably provided with at least one torque receiving structure 137 that corresponds to a means 134 for rotating the spool 125. As shown, the torque receiving structure 137 may be located on at least one of the ends 135, 136 of the spool 125. Advantageously, this arrangement allows for an operator to manually rotate the spool 125 without completely disassembling the spool valve 100. For example, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, one of the actuators 250, 251, which may be modular, may be removed to provide access to the torque receiving structure 137.

In the embodiment depicted, the torque receiving structure 137 is recessed flat that is shaped to receive torque from a tool, for example a screw driver. Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the torque receiving structure 137 may be provided with any shape that is capable of receiving torque to rotate the spool 125. For example, in alternative embodiments the torque receiving structure 137 may be a socket formed into the ends 135, 136 of the spool. Further, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the torque receiving structure 137 may be positioned at various locations on the spool 125.

Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the spool 125 may be rotated by a variety of means. As an example, the spool 125 may be rotated manually or by using fluid power, a motor, a solenoid, a biasing member, such as a spring, or vacuum pressure.

As shown, in FIG. 3, when the spool 125 is in a first rotary position the passageway 127 fluidly communicates with ports 115, 116 such that a fluid pathway 131 is provided between the ports 115, 116. As shown in FIG. 4, when the spool 125 is in a second rotary position, the outer surface 125a of the spool 125 blocks at least one of the ports 115, 116, and preferably both the ports 115, 116. as shown, and disrupts fluid flow between the ports 115, 116. In one embodiment, the port 115 may be a fluid input port and the port 116 may be a fluid output port. In an alternative embodiment, the port 115 may be a fluid output port and the port 116 may be a fluid input port.

Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the spool 125 may be rotated within the spool receiving portion 120 to varying degrees in order to regulate fluid flow between ports 115, 116. For example, the outer surface 125a of the spool 125 may partially cover the ports 115, 116 to varying degrees in order to regulate fluid flow.

As shown in FIG. 5, the spool valve 100 may regulate fluid flow supplied to another valve 200. In the embodiment depicted, the fluid flow that passes from the port 113 to the port 114 is provided to the valve 200 and is used to control the valve 200. Advantageously, the spool 125 may be rotated so that the spool 125 blocks fluid flow between the ports 113, 114 so that the valve 200 may be removed and changed without requiring depressurization of the spool valve 100 and any system in which the spool valve 100 is incorporated. Further, fluid flow may be blocked without significantly affecting the fluid flow along pathways 130, 132.

The present description depicts specific examples to teach those skilled in the art how to make and use the best mode of the invention. For the purpose of teaching inventive principles, some conventional aspects have been simplified or omitted. Those skilled in the art will appreciate variations from these examples that fall within the scope of the invention. For example, although the present embodiment is shown provided with only a single passageway 127, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that in alternative embodiments more than one passageway may be provided. Furthermore, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the openings of each such passageway may be positioned so that when the spool is in a first rotary position, one passageway fluidly communicates with at least two ports and the outer surface blocks communication between at least two other ports and such that when the spool is in a second rotary position, another passageway fluidly communicates with the two other ports and the outer surface blocks communication between the two ports that fluidly communicate when the spool is in the first position, and so forth. Alternatively, the passageways may be positioned so that the multiple passageways communicate with ports when in a first rotary position and so that the outer surface of the spool blocks fluid communication between multiple groups of ports when in a second rotary position. Further, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the spool 125 or the spool receiving bore 120 may be provided with one or more seals 50.

The detailed descriptions of the above embodiments are not exhaustive descriptions of all embodiments contemplated by the inventors to be within the scope of the invention. Indeed, persons skilled in the art will recognize that certain elements of the above-described embodiments may variously be combined or eliminated to create further embodiments, and such further embodiments fall within the scope and teachings of the invention. It will also be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that the above-described embodiments may be combined in whole or in part to create additional embodiments within the scope and teachings of the invention.

Thus, although specific embodiments of, and examples for, the invention are described herein for illustrative purposes, various equivalent modifications are possible within the scope of the invention, as those skilled in the relevant art will recognize. The teachings provided herein may be applied to other embodiments than those described above and shown in the accompanying figures. Accordingly, the scope of the invention is determined from the following claims.

Claims

WE CLAIM:

1. A spool valve (100), comprising: a housing (110) defining a spool receiving portion (120) and provided with at least a first port (111), a second port (112), a third port (115), and a fourth port (116) that extend to the spool receiving portion (120) of the housing (110); a spool (125) located within the spool receiving portion (120) and provided with: an axis (126); at least one flow channel (127) defined within an outer surface

(125a) of the spool; at least one passageway (127) that extends within the spool (125); at least one means (129) for axially displacing the spool to regulate fluid flow amongst the first port (111), the second port (112), and the at least one flow channel (127); and at least one means (134) for rotating the spool to regulate fluid flow amongst the third port (115), the fourth port (116), and the at least one passageway (127).

2. The spool valve according to claim 1 , further comprising: a fifth port (115) and a sixth port (116) defined by the housing (110); and at least one other flow channel (128) defined by the outer surface (125a) of the spool (125), wherein: the at least one means (129) for axially displacing the spool to regulate fluid flow amongst the first port (111), the second port

(112), and the at least one flow channel (127) further provides means for axially displacing the spool (125) to regulate fluid flow amongst the fifth port (115), the sixth port (116), and the at least one other flow channel (128).

3. A method of operating a spool valve (100) including a housing (110) and a spool (125), the housing (110) defining a spool receiving portion (120) and provided with at least a first port (111), a second port (112), a third port (115). and a fourth port (116) that extend to the spool receiving portion (120) of the housing (110), the spool (125) located within the spool receiving portion (120) and provided with an axis (126), at least one flow channel (127) defined within an outer surface (125a) of the spool, and at least one passageway (127) that extends within the spool (125), comprising the steps of: axially displacing the spool (125) to regulate a first fluid flow amongst the first port (111), the second port (112), and the at least one flow channel (127); and rotating the spool (125) to regulate a second fluid flow amongst the third port (113), the fourth port (114), and the at least one passageway (127).

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein the spool valve (100) includes a fifth port (115) and a sixth port (116) defined by the housing (110) and at least one other flow channel (128) defined by the outer surface (125a) of the spool (125), and further comprising the step of: axially displacing the spool (125) to regulate a third fluid flow amongst the fifth port (115), the sixth port (116), and the at least one other flow channel (127).

5. The method according to claim 3, wherein the step of rotating the spool (125) to regulate fluid flow amongst the third port (113), the fourth port (114) and the at lest one passageway (127), includes rotating the spool (125) so that the spool blocks fluid communication between the third port (113) and the fourth port (114) and further comprising the step of: removing a valve (200) that is controlled by the second fluid flow.