"Fluid interception valve with assured minimum flow"

[0001] The object of the present invention is a fluid interception valve according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0002] Fluid interception valves are already known wherein a shutter, for example a spherical shutter, besides being movable between an open position for the fluid flow and, a closed position, is also alternately lockable into said positions so as to prevent rotation thereof.

[0003] For example, EP 1188009 by the same applicant describes a fluid interception valve, in particular water, wherein the shutter control rod is attached to a holding lever or throttle wherein there are obtained two locking recesses, angularly spaced by 90°, intended for strictly conjugating with as stopping tooth provided on the valve body. The fixing of the holding lever to the control rod takes place through an anti-tampering screw, that is, having a special head so as to be screwed/unscrewed only by authorised personnel having a specific wrench or tool.

[0004] The valve is usually locked into closed position for allowing maintenance of the downstream system or for stopping the dispensing of the fluid distributed if the user does not pay what is due for the service.

[0005] Typically, in the second case, and in particular in the case of water distribution, in some cases it is desirable to assure a minimum quantity of water to the users, even if in arrears, for satisfying at least the primary needs.

[0006] The object of the present invention is to meet such need .

[0007] Another object of the present invention is to meet the need mentioned above using the same interception valves currently in production, for example of the type described above .

[0008] Such objects are achieved with a fluid interception valve according to claim 1 and with a valve device suitable for being incorporated in said valve according to claim 15.

[0009] To better understand the details and advantages of the valve according to the present invention, a preferred embodiment thereof is described below with reference to the annexed indicative non-limiting drawings, wherein:

[0010] figure 1 shows an axial section view of the interception valve according to the invention in a first embodiment, in open position with total passage;

[0011] figure 2 shows the valve in limited open position;

[0012] figure 3 shows a top plan view of the valve in one of the two positions corresponding to open position or limited open position;

[0013] figure 4 shows a perspective view of the valve with holding lever separate from the body and upturned for actuating the control rod;

[0014] figures 5a, 5b and 5c show a bottom plan view of the holding lever and the stopping tooth of the valve;

[0015] figure 6 shows a cross section view of the valve in a second embodiment, in closed position;

[0016] figure 6a shows a bottom plan view of the holding lever of the valve of figure 6;

[0017] figures 7 and 7a show the valve and the relative holding lever with the latter raised for the subsequent rotation into limited opening position;

[0018] figures 8 and 8a show the valve and the holding lever in limited opening position;

[0019] figure 9 shows a perspective view of the holding lever only, shown in upturned position;

[0020] figure 10 shows a side view of a valve device to be inserted in the interception valve, in limited opening position;

[0021] figure 11 shows a section view of the valve device of figure 10 ;

[0022] figure 12 shows a section view of the valve device in fully open position; and

[0023] figure 13 shows a perspective front view of the piston shutter of the valve device only.

[0024] In said drawings, reference numeral 10 globally indicates a fluid interception valve comprising a valve body 11 defining, relative to the flow direction of the fluid indicated by the arrows, at least only inlet duct 12 and at least one outlet duct 13. Between said two ducts there is arranged, with the interposition of sealing elements 14, a spherical shutter 15 defining at least one diametrical duct 16 suitable for placing in communication said inlet 12 and outlet ducts 13.

[0025] The spherical shutter 15 is turnable by a control rod 17 conjugated to and extending through a neck 18 of the valve body 11.

[0026] The control rod 17 is removably fixed to a holding lever or throttle 19; 119 better described hereinafter.

[0027] In accordance with the invention, in the diametrical duct 16 of the spherical shutter 15 there is inserted a valve device 20 for intercepting the fluid flow in said duct which, according to its orientation relative to the direction of said flow, is suitable for alternately defining a main passage for said fluid and a secondary passage with smaller section for a reduced flow of said fluid through the valve.

[0028] The orientation of the valve device 20 relative to the fluid flow in input to the valve is given by the position of the spherical shutter 15 wherein it is inserted, which in turn is controlled by the holding lever 19; 119 through the control rod 17.

[0029] In a preferred embodiment, the valve device comprises a body 21 with substantially annular structure defining a valve seat 22 that delimits said main passage for the fluid, and a piston shutter member 23 movable between an advanced closed position of said seat 22 and a retracted open position of said seat 22.

[0030] Preferably, the annular body 21 extends along a main axis X coinciding with the axis of the diametrical duct 16 of the spherical shutter 15.

[0031] The piston shutter member 23 exhibits a head 24 wherein there is obtained at least one groove 25 that defines a secondary passage for the fluid when the piston shutter member 23 is in advanced position.

[0032] The valve device 20, and therefore valve 10, can therefore switch from a fully open position, wherein there is the maximum fluid flow, to a limited opening position, wherein the passage of a minimum fluid flow is in any case assured through the at least one groove 25 (figure 13 shows a shutter member 23 having two opposite grooves 25) .

[0033] In other words, the valve device 20 can also be defined as "with controlled leak" since when the valve seat 22 is in closed position, the device still allows the passage of a small quantity of fluid, comparable to a leak.

[0034] By way of an example, if at the fluid pressure of 2 bar the flow rate of valve 10 is about 45 litres a minute when the valve device is in fully open position, when it is in limited opening position the flow rate decreases, pressure being equal, to about 5 litres a minute.

[0035] It should be noted that groove 25 may also be obtained in the valve seat 22 instead that in head 24 of the piston shutter member 23.

[0036] Advantageously, the movement of the piston shutter member 23 between the advanced position and the retracted position, and vice versa, is caused by the same pressure of the fluid acting thereon.

[0037] In particular, the valve device 20 can be arranged in fully open position when it exhibits the relative axis X aligned with the axis of the inlet and outlet ducts of the valve, that is, parallel to the direction of the fluid flow, and when it is oriented so that head 24 of the shutter member 23 faces the inlet duct 12. In this position, the fluid pressure pushes the piston shutter member 23 to retracted position fully opening the valve seat 22 (figure 1) .

[0038] By orientating the valve device in opposite direction, that is, by rotating the spherical shutter 15 by 180°, the incoming fluid acts on the back surface of the piston shutter member 23, pushing it into advanced closed position of the valve seat 22 (figure 2) . In this position, a predetermined amount of fluid still reaches outlet 13 of valve 10 passing through the groove or grooves 25 obtained in head 24 of the shutter member 23 or in the valve seat 22.

[0039] Preferably, the piston shutter member 23 is further influenced by elastic means 26, for example shaped as a helical spring, to remain normally in advanced position. The strength of said elastic means 26 is selected so that, when head 24 of the shutter member 23 is frontally impinged by the incoming fluid, they yield thus allowing the retraction of said member.

[0040] In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the valve seat 22 has a conical or flared shape and the head 24 of the piston shutter member 23 exhibits a truncated-cone end substantially complementary to the shape of the seat . This ensures that when the valve device 20 is oriented in limited opening position, the shutter member 23 moves steadily in abutment against the valve seat 22 without the risk of being pushed beyond by the fluid pressure.

[0041] Advantageously, body 21 of the valve device 20 exhibits, on the opposite side relative to the valve seat 22, a portion 27 supporting and guiding the piston shutter member 23 and any elastic means 26. [0042] On the annular body 21 of the valve device 20 there is fitted at least one sealing element 28 resting on the inside wall of the diametrical duct 16 of the spherical shutter 15.

[0043] Going back to the operating means of valve 10, in a first embodiment illustrated in figures 1-5, the holding throttle or lever 19 exhibits a cylindrical skirt 30 that surrounds neck 18 of the valve body 11. In said skirt 30 there is obtained a slot 31 that engages with a stopping tooth 32 provided on a side of the valve body 11 for defining the opening and closing positions of the spherical shutter (figure 5a) . For example, said slot 31 exhibits a width equal to an angle of 90°.

[0044] In a preferred embodiment, in said skirt 30 there are further obtained locking recesses 33, 34 suitable for stopping tooth strictly conjugating with said stopping tooth 32 for keeping the holding throttle or lever and the spherical shutter therewith into the open, limited opening and closed positions, preventing the rotation thereof (figures 5b and 5c) .

[0045] Said locking recesses 33, 34 are angularly spaced from one another and relative to slot 31 by an angle of 90° .

[0046] In order to allow the shutter to be rotated by 180° for orientating the valve device 20 in the two directions opposite to one another, the holding lever or throttle 19 exhibits, at the opposite side relative to the cylindrical skirt 30, an opening 35 suitable for geometrically coupling with the operating rod 17. Advantageously, the latter exhibits, at least at the level of its end protruding from neck 18, a substantially polygonal section, for example rectangular.

[0047] In accordance with a preferred embodiment, said opening 35 for coupling with the control rod 17 is a through opening, that is, it crosses all throttle 19. The latter can therefore be removably fixed to the control rod 17 by a fixing screw 36 accessible through said opening 35.

[0048] For example, let's assume that the valve is in the fully open position illustrated in figure 1. The spherical shutter 15 can be locked in this position (figure 5c) , or it can be rotated into fully closed position (figure 5a) , according to how the holding lever or throttle 19 is positioned relative to the stopping tooth 32. Once moved into fully closed position, lever 19 can be locked in this position removing it from the valve body, turning it by 180° and screwing it again to the valve body, so that tooth 32 sets into recess 34 (figure 5b) .

[0049] To move the valve to the limited opening position, so as to ensure the passage of a predetermined minimum amount of fluid, it is sufficient to remove the holding lever 19 from the control rod 17, for example unscrewing the fixing screw 36, upturning the holding lever 19, conjugating opening 35 with the control rod 17 and turning the latter until the valve device 20 is in the limited opening position, that is, with the piston shutter member 23 facing the outlet duct 13 of the valve, or, in other words, turned by 180° relative to the starting position.

[0050] In order to lock the valve in this limited opening position it is sufficient to remove the holding throttle or lever 19, upturn it into the normal use position and fix it to the control rod so that the locking recess 33 engages with the stopping tooth 32 (figure 5c) .

[0051] In accordance with another embodiment illustrated in figures 6-9, the holding lever 119 exhibits a skirt 130 wherein there is obtained an annular slot 131 that engages with the stopping tooth 32 provided on a side of the valve body 11 for defining the open, limited opening and closed positions of the spherical shutter. More in detail, the annular slot 131 exhibits a first deeper portion 131' that allows, similar as slot 31 described above, the rotation of the holding lever, and a second less deep portion 131" that allows the rotation of the lever only if it is raised or removed from neck 18 of the valve body. In other words, the second portion of slot 131" forms with the first portion 131' a step 140 defining an abutment for tooth 32. Removing the holding lever from the valve body by an extent at least equal to the height of step 140, the lever itself is allowed to continue the rotation along the second slot portion 131" .

[0052] In accordance with a preferred embodiment, slot 131 exhibits an overall width equal to an angle of 180° and each of the two portions with different depth is 90° wide.

[0053] Thus, considering the open valve with holding lever 119 oriented so that the stopping tooth 32 is in abutment against the end of the first portion of slot 131' opposite step 140 as starting position, by turning the lever by 90° the valve is moved into closed position, with tooth 32 contacting step 140 (figures 6, 6a) .

[0054] By partly unscrewing screw 36, it is possible to raise lever 119, still keeping it integral with the control rod 17 (figures 7 and 7a) , and turn the lever itself by 90° more for moving it into the limited opening position (figures 8 and 8a) .

[0055] In a preferred embodiment, the second portion of slot 131" ends with a locking recess 133 having the same depth as the first portion of slot 131' and suitable for strictly conjugating with the stopping tooth 32 for keeping the holding lever or throttle and the spherical shutter therewith in the limited opening position (or in the fully open position if the holding lever is fully unscrewed from the valve, turned by 180° and screwed again), preventing the rotation thereof.

[0056] In skirt 130 there is further obtained, at a distance of 90° from recess 133, a second recess 134 suitable for keeping the holding lever into the closed valve position, preventing the rotation thereof.

[0057] Advantageously, the fixing screw 36 is an anti- tampering screw, that is, it exhibits a special head so as to be screwed/unscrewed only by authorised personnel having a specific wrench or tool .

[0058] Advantageously, on the control rod 17, at the end protruding from valve body 11, there is fitted an indicator element 40 on which the orientation of the valve device 20 is indicated. For example, such indicator element 40 is shaped as a square plate, on a pair of opposite vertices of which there are shown symbols A (fully open valve) and L (valve in limited opening position) (figure 4) .

[0059] It is evident that a man skilled in the art may make several changes and adjustments to the interception valve according to the present invention in order to meet specific and incidental needs, all falling within the scope of protection of the invention as defined in the following claims .