FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to valves, and more specifically, to a needle valve which can be easily mounted to a panel without disassembling its main components.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A known type of valves is one in which a valve member, or needle, is mounted on a valve body for axial movement along a valve closure axis into, and out of, a valve seat cavity. Flow passages, opening into the valve seat cavity, are formed in the valve body so that the valve can be closed by inserting the needle into the valve seat cavity and opened by withdrawing the needle from the valve seat cavity.

US patent 3,761,052 discloses a flow plugger valve particularly suited for abrasive or corrosive fluids. The valve comprises a body with a generally conically shaped valve chamber and a seat insert removably positioned in the chamber. A bonnet member is removably connected to the body and has a cylindrical valve plug receiving opening axially aligned with the seat includes a first cylindrical section slidingly received in the opening an a conically shaped inner end portion adapted to enter and sealingly engage the seat insert. An actuating stem is threaded into the bonnet in axial alignment with the opening. The inner end of the stem is releasably and rotatably connected to the cylindrical end of the plug so that upon rotation of the stem, the plug can be moved toward and away from the seat. Seal ring means are carried by the cylindrical portion of the plug for sealingly engaging the walls of the opening. The seal ring means prevents fluids from passing from the valve chamber into the bonnet and seal both the stem-plug connection and the stem threads from the fluid. The seal ring means comprise an assembly of three ring members including a resilient O-ring positioned between two resilient washers. The inner washer acts as a wiping ring to clean the bore of abrasive particles and prevent wear on the O-ring. The O-ring performs the primary fluid seal function and the outer washer prevents blow-out of the O-ring under operating pressure. This valve suffers from a critical disadvantage because it is planned to be not mountable to a panel. US patent 6,820,857 discloses a needle valve having a soft tip adapted for sealing an annular valve seat of a body port. The soft tip may be defined as two dissimilar circular rod sections of ductile plastic with the larger diameter having a conical taper. The soft tip is pressed into a mating hole in the metal portion of stem up to its annular seat. A thin metal tubular section of the metal stem is cold formed over the soft tip to retain it in place. The metal retainer secures the soft tip in the axial direction and limits the radial expansion of the soft tip while it is cold formed over the annular valve seat of the body port. The metal retainer also limits the axial movement of the stem to its maximum operating position. Under high axial forces, the soft tip does not rotate relative to the valve seat. A resilient high-pressure seal is achieved with this arrangement. This valve is also not planned to be mountable to a panel.

The main problem with the existing needle valves is the also when they provide the ability to be mounted to a panel by a panel nut, a packing nut of the needle valve has to be removed. The removal of the packing nut influences of the packing material located within the valve, and as a result of that the valve has to be packed again by the manufacturer. If the user removes the packing nut by himself, the guarantee of the valve is automatically lost.

Therefore, there is a long felt need to develop a needle valve which is easily mountable to a panel with no need to release the packing bolt. This can be done with two panel nuts and a special structure of a packing bolt, as disclosed by the present invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention discloses a needle valve. The needle valve comprises:

a. A body having a laterally inwardly extending cylindrical body bore which defines a valve chamber, inlet and outlet flow passages connected to a middle portion of the body bore and extending from the exterior of the body inwardly to the valve chamber.

b. A bonnet threaded within the outer end of the body bore, the bonnet having a cylindrical bonnet bore axially aligned with the body bore.

c. An actuating stem threaded within the bonnet bore, axially aligned with the bonnet bore and the body bore. The stem having an end fitted to be received within the middle portion of the body bore. The stem is rotatable within the bonnet bore and the body bore to close the passage of flow between the inlet and outlet flow passages within the valve chamber.

d. A packing bolt threaded within the inner side of the bonnet bore. It is within the scope of the present invention that the needle valve further comprises at least two panel nuts threaded on the outer diameter of the bonnet such that the valve is mountable to a panel by the at least two panel nuts, without removal of the packing bolt. The packing bolt is having an outer diameter which is smaller than the inner diameter of the at least two panel nuts.

The present invention also discloses a needle valve, wherein the at least two panel nuts are: ( ) a distance adjustment nut; and, (z ^' z) a strengthening nut. The distance adjustment nut is adapted to adjust the distance between the inlet and outlet flow passages and the panel. The strengthening nut is adapted to strengthen the connection between the valve and the panel when the panel is between the distance adjustment nut and the strengthening nut.

The present invention also discloses a needle valve, wherein the packing bolt is adapted to compress a packing material located between the packing bolt, the bonnet and the stem.

The present invention also discloses a needle valve, wherein the stem further comprises a handle adapted to rotate the stem.

The present invention also discloses a needle valve, wherein the handle is attached to the stem by screwing means.

The present invention discloses a method for mounting a needle valve to a panel. The method comprises steps of:

a. Obtaining a needle valve. The needle valve comprises:

b. (z) A body having a laterally inwardly extending cylindrical body bore which defines a valve chamber, inlet and outlet flow passages connected to a middle portion of the body bore and extending from the exterior of the body inwardly to the valve chamber. (z ^' z) A bonnet threaded within the outer end of the body bore, the bonnet having a cylindrical bonnet bore axially aligned with the body bore. (z ^' z ^' z) An actuating stem threaded within the bonnet bore, axially aligned with the bonnet bore and the body bore. The stem having an end fitted to be received within the middle portion of the body bore. The stem is rotatable within the bonnet bore and the body bore to close the passage of flow between the inlet and outlet flow passages within the valve chamber, (z ^' v) A packing bolt threaded within the inner side of the bonnet bore, (v) At least two panel nuts threaded on the outer diameter of the bonnet. The at least two panel nuts are: a distance adjustment nut; and, a strengthening nut. The distance adjustment nut is adapted to adjust the distance between the inlet and outlet flow passages and the panel. The strengthening nut is adapted to strengthen the connection between the valve and the panel when the panel is between the distance adjustment nut and the strengthening nut. The packing bolt is having an outer diameter which is smaller than the inner diameter of the at least two panel nuts.

b. Removing the handle of the stem.

c. Removing the strengthening nut from the bonnet.

d. Adjusting the distance between the inlet and outlet flow passages and the distance adjustment nut by threading the distance adjustment nut on the bonnet.

e. Inserting the bonnet into a predetermined hole in the panel so that the panel is in contact with the distance adjustment nut.

f. Threading the strengthening nut on the bonnet such that the panel is adjusted between the distance adjustment nut and the strengthening nut.

g. Connecting the handle of the stem;

It is within the scope of the invention that the method for mounting the needle valve to the panel is performed without removal of the packing bolt.

The term 'needle valve' refers hereinafter to a valve that is opened by turning a stem with an end fitted to be received within the middle portion of the body bore inside the valve. When the valve is closed by said fitted end, flow inside the valve is blocked, and vice versa.

The term 'diameter of a packing bolt' refers to a measure of a diameter of a circle which inscribes the outer perimeter of the head of a packing bolt.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

For a better understanding of the invention and to show how the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, purely by way of example, to the accompanying drawings in which like numerals designate corresponding elements or sections throughout.

With specific reference now to the drawings in detail, it is stressed that the particulars shown are by way of example and for purposes of illustrative discussion of the preferred embodiments of the present invention only, and are presented in the cause of providing what is believed to be the most useful and readily understood description of the principles and conceptual aspects of the invention. In this regard, no attempt is made to show structural details of the invention in more detail than is necessary for a fundamental understanding of the invention, the description taken with the drawings making apparent to those skilled in the art how the several forms of the invention may be embodied in practice. In the accompanying drawings:

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a cross-section of the needle valve.

FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of a right side point of view of the needle valve.

FIG. 3a-3c is a schematic illustration of the needle valve and the method of mounting the valve to a panel.

FIG. 4a-4b is a schematic illustration of the needle valve from the left and the right points of view, respectively.

The drawings together with the description make apparent to those skilled in the art how the invention may be embodied in practice.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is applicable to other embodiments or of being practiced or carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a cross-section of the needle valve 100 according to a preferred embodiment. The main element of needle valve 100 is body 10. This element has a laterally inwardly extending cylindrical body bore 12 which defines a valve chamber.

According to some embodiments of the invention, middle portion 14 of body bore 12 has a truncated conical configuration. This special configuration allows a continuous change of fluid pressure while the flow of fluid in the valve chamber is blocked or released. Inlet and outlet flow passages 16 and 17, connected to middle portion 14 and extending from the exterior of body 10 inwardly to body bore 12. Bonnet 20 threaded within the outer end of body bore 12. The bonnet comprises a cylindrical bonnet bore 22 which is axially aligned with body bore 12. According to some embodiments of the invention, actuating stem 30 is threaded within bonnet bore 22 and is axially aligned with bonnet bore 22 and body bore 12.

According to some embodiments, stem 30 has a fitted end 32 (e.g., conical end) fitted to be received within middle portion 14 of body bore 12.

Stem 30 is adapted to be rotatable within bonnet bore 22 and body bore 12 to close the passage of flow between inlet and outlet flow passages 16 and 17.

According to FIG. 1, stem 30 comprises handle 21 which is adapted to rotate the stem. Handle 21 is removably affixed to the outer end of stem 30 by a socket head machine screw 22.

Needle valve 100 comprises packing bolt 35 threaded within the inner side of bonnet bore 22. Packing bolt 35 is adapted to compress a packing material 39 located between packing bolt 35, bonnet 20 and stem 30.

Packing material 39 is adapted to isolate the valve chamber and the fluid located within the valve chamber from the external environment.

According to some embodiment of the invention, packing material 39 is made from materials selected from: plastic material, PTFE, Carbon Fiber or any combination thereof.

According to some embodiments, the maximum thickness of the panel is about 5 mm.

Another important elements of the present invention are the at least two panel nuts (41, 42) which are adapted to mount the needle valve to a panel (not shown).

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, as illustrated in FIG. 1, needle valve 100 comprises two panel nuts 41 and 42 threaded on the outer diameter of bonnet 20.

The first panel nut 41 is a distance adjustment nut 41 adapted to adjust to distance H between inlet and outlet flow passages 16 and 17 and the panel to which needle valve 100 is mounted. The second panel nut 42 is a strengthening nut which is adapted to strengthen the connection between needle valve 100 and the panel.

An important property of packing bolt 35 is its outer diameter which is smaller than the inner diameter of two panel nuts 41 and 42. This property allows mounting of the needle valve to a panel without the need to remove packing bolt 35.

The panel to which needle valve 100 is mounted, is adapted to be located between distance adjustment nut 41 and strengthening nut 42. The special structure of needle valve 100 allows it to be mounted to a panel without any requirements to remove the packing bolt 35. Furthermore, it is the main novel and non- obvious feature of the needle valve of the present invention.

Needle valve 100 can be easily mounted to a panel because the inner diameter of the panel nuts 41 and 42 is larger than the outer diameter of the packing bold (D2>D1). Therefore, panel nuts 41 and 42 can be removed in the process of mounting of needle valve 100 without the need to remove packing bolt 35.

The needle valve of the present invention has a few benefits which are:

1. Safety - Compact packing bolt design guarantees safety after installation.

2. Factory assembly and testing guarantee - all valve components remain intact as mounting the valve requires handle removal only.

3. Time saving - significantly reduces mounting time due to simplicity of assembly process.

The needle valve of the present invention can be disassembled for cleaning requirements.

According to some embodiments, needle valve 100 also comprises safety pin 55 which is insertable into body 10 such that rotation of bonnet 20 is prevented. Safety pin 55 is very important for prevention of an undesired disassemble of the needle valve.

According to some embodiments of the invention, needle valve 100 is made of stainless steel 316, and the fluid in said needle valve can be liquid or gas.

According to some embodiments, inlet and outlet flow passages 16 and 17 are characterized by female threads formed in a counterbore. These flow passages are adapted to couple the needle valve to tubing (e.g., pipe lines). When the valve is in operation, a high pressure fluid pipe line may be connected to inlet flow passage 16, and a low pressure fluid pipe line may be connected to outlet flow passage 17. When the valve is closed, by screwing stem 30 down until end 32 is pressed firmly against middle portion 14 of body bore 12, no fluid will flow through the valve. When stem 30 is moved upward to the limit of its travel, the valve is fully open and fluid may flow through the valve, between flow inlet and outlet flow passages 16 and 17, to its full capacity volume. By opening the valve, different flowing degrees may be permitted to flow through the valve at various rates. The valve of the present invention is designed to stand a fluid pressure of up to 10000 psi (690 bar), and a temperature of 600°C (1112°F).

Reference is now made to FIG. 2, where schematically illustrated needle valve 100 from a right side point of view. In this figure can be seen, bonnet 20, body 10, stem 30, outlet flow passage 17, handle 21, socket head machine screw 22, packing bolt 35, panel nuts 41 and 42.

Reference is now made to FIG. 3a-3c, where schematically illustrated needle valve 100 and the method of mounting said valve to panel 70.

In FIG. 3a illustrated first two steps of the mounting. In the first step, handle 21 is removed from stem 30 following removal of socket head machine screw 22.

In the second step, the strengthening nut 42 is threadably removed from bonnet 20. As can be seen in FIG. 3a, in order to remove the strengthening nut 42, there is no need to remove the packing bolt 35 of the valve, and as mentioned above, this is one of the main novel features of the present invention.

FIG. 3b illustrates the two additional steps of the mounting procedure. In the third step of the mounting, the distance between inlet and outlet flow passages 16 (not shown) and 17 and distance adjustment nut 41 is adjusted by threading distance adjustment nut 41 on bonnet 20. In the fourth step, bonnet 20 of needle valve 100 is inserted into a predetermined hole in panel 70 so that panel 70 is in contact with distance adjustment nut 41.

FIG. 3c illustrates the last two steps of the mounting procedure.

In the fifth step, strengthening nut 42 is threaded back on bonnet 20 so that panel 70 is adjusted between distance adjustment nut 41 and strengthening nut 42.

In the sixth step, handle 21 is connected back to stem 30.

Additional figures of needle valve 100 are illustrated in FIG. 4a and FIG. 4b.

In FIG. 4a schematically illustrated needle valve 100 from a left side point of view, and in

FIG. 4b schematically illustrated needle valve 100 from a right side point of view.