SOLENOID VALVE

The present invention relates to a solenoid valve.

The term “solenoid valve” refers to a valve whose operation is based on the generation of an electromagnetic field.

In fact, this type of valve comprises a solenoid actuator which, traversed by electric current, generates an electromagnetic field which determines the onset of an electromagnetic force adapted to move a shutter between generally at least one opening condition and a closing condition.

Solenoid valves are commonly connected to fluid circulation systems to regulate their operation under a plurality of different operating conditions. As is known, the connection of the solenoid valve to the fluid circulation system (whether in the liquid or gaseous aggregation state) requires the connection of several mutually interacting components to regulate the fluid passage between the solenoid valve and the system itself.

The valves generally comprise a valve body and a solenoid actuator operatively connected to determine fluid circulation within the valve.

These valves and the respective assembly methods of the different components must therefore be adaptable, on a case-by-case basis, to different requirements in terms of sealing, deployment speed, resistance to mechanical stresses and more generally to the design conditions in which they must operate.

Disadvantageously, the need for high pressures generally leads to the use of solenoids of high and/or large dimensions which inevitably lead to a strong volumetric encumbrance near the valve body, greatly reducing the accessibility to the connection means adapted to connect the valve to the same system.

Furthermore, disadvantageously, the operation of the solenoid determines the occurrence of high maintenance costs which tend to discourage the use of such valves.

There are valves on the market which, by exploiting the pressure of the fluid, can be operated by requiring the use of reduced operating pressures. In essence, these valves ensure energy efficiency by means of an indirect operation of the shutter.

This type of valve comprises a membrane provided with an opening arranged in a peripheral position with respect to the shutter. In essence, the opening allows the fluid upstream of the valve (and downstream of the membrane) to act on the membrane, keeping it in the closed condition by virtue of the different pressure application surface across the membrane (i.e., by virtue of the difference between the force exerted upstream and downstream of the membrane). Thereby, the energy needed to open the valve is limited to the energy needed to overcome the difference between the force exerted upstream and downstream of the membrane.

Disadvantageously, the efficiency of such valves is limited to operating pressures generally below 15 Bar.

In fact, the membrane tends to deform during the operating steps since the intrinsically deformable material of which the membrane must be made is not capable of effectively operating at higher operating pressures.

Disadvantageously, moreover, the uneven distribution of the pressure on the membrane determines an action which tends to divert the shutter from the correct movement and/or to reduce its effectiveness during the closing of the valve.

Furthermore, fatiguing, the membrane tends to deform near the opening, causing a decrease in performance during the operating life of the valve itself.

That is, the aforementioned membranes, fatiguing, cause malfunctions and wear which lead to gouging during the movement of the shutter (which is generally "piston" shaped for applications of this type).

In this context, the technical task underlying the present invention is to propose a solenoid valve that overcomes the above mentioned drawbacks of the known art.

In particular, it is an object of the present invention to provide a solenoid valve having an increased operating life.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a solenoid valve having increased energy efficiency.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an indirectly operated solenoid valve of operating in increased pressure intervals with respect to the devices of the prior art.

The mentioned technical task and the objects stated are substantially achieved by a solenoid valve comprising the technical features set out in one or more of the appended claims.

The dependent claims correspond to possible embodiments of the invention.

Further features and advantages of the present invention will become clearer from the indicative, and therefore non-limiting, description of a preferred but not exclusive embodiment of a solenoid valve as illustrated in the attached figures, in which:

- figure 1 is a sectional side view of a solenoid valve in accordance with a possible embodiment of the present invention;

- figures 2a- 2b are enlarged views of a portion of the solenoid valve in accordance with respective operating configurations of a possible particular embodiment of the present invention;

- figure 3 is an exploded view of a portion of the solenoid valve of figure 1 . With reference to the attached figures, a solenoid valve is generally indicated with the numerical reference 1 , which will be reported as valve 1 in the following.

The solenoid valve 1 defines at least one conduit 2 adapted to allow a transit of fluid between at least one inlet opening 3 and at least one outlet opening 4 to allow the passage of at least one fluid.

The valve 1 comprises a valve body 5 defining at least a first portion 6 of the conduit 2.

In particular, the valve body 5 has at least one opening, for example the inlet opening 3, adapted to allow the passage of a fluid. In accordance with a possible embodiment and as illustrated in the attached figures, the valve body 5 defines a further portion 7 of the conduit 2. Moreover, the valve body 5 can have at least one further opening, for example the outlet opening 4, adapted to allow the passage of a fluid.

The valve 1 further comprises a solenoid actuator 8 defining at least a second portion of the conduit 2 and couplable in fluid communication with the valve body 5.

The solenoid actuator 8 comprises a shutter assembly 9, reversibly movable between a first operating position and a second operating position, and operating means 10, adapted to promote a reversible movement of the shutter assembly 9 between the first operating position and the second operating position.

In particular, the shutter assembly 9 and the operating means 10 are operatively connected to reversibly switch the valve 1 between at least a first operating configuration, corresponding to the first operating position of the shutter assembly 9, and a second operating configuration, corresponding to the second operating position of the shutter assembly 9.

In accordance with a possible embodiment which is purely exemplary and not limiting of the present invention, the aforementioned first operating configuration corresponds to a closing condition of the valve 1 and the aforementioned second operating configuration corresponds to a condition of at least partial opening of the valve 1 .

The shutter assembly 9 comprises a shutter 11 adapted to prevent and/or allow a fluid communication between the at least one inlet opening 3 and the at least one outlet opening 4.

The shutter can conveniently be at least partially made of polymeric material, and in turn such polymeric material can comprise (at least partially) a thermoplastic polymer.

By way of non-limiting example, the shutter 11 can be at least partially made of different materials depending on the needs of the moment: for example, a material adapted to make the shutter 11 can consist of an elastomeric polymer, or in greater detail can consist of one or more of the following materials: NBR, HNBR, EPDM, FKM, FFKM, FEPM (AFLAS or fluoroelastomers), VMQ, FMVQ, CR (according to the abbreviations/jargon names known to those skilled in the art).

In particular, the shutter 11 defines at least one passage opening 12 adapted to put the at least one inlet opening 3 and the at least one outlet opening 4 in fluid communication.

Furthermore, the shutter assembly 9 comprises an operating body 13 operable by the operating means 10 to promote a reversible movement of the shutter assembly 9 between the first operating position and the second operating position.

The operating body 13 has at least one shutter surface 14 adapted to occlude the passage opening 12 at least in the aforementioned first operating configuration of the valve 1 .

In particular the operating body 13 and the shutter 11 are reversibly movable between a minimum extension configuration of the shutter assembly 9 (as shown in figure 2a), in which the shutter surface 14 is at least partially abutting against the shutter 11 to occlude the passage opening, and a maximum extension configuration of the shutter assembly 9 (as shown in figure 2b), in which the shutter surface 14 is spaced from the shutter 11 to allow a fluid communication between the inlet opening 3 and the outlet opening 4.

For example, the operating body 13 can comprise an occlusion element 130 adapted to occlude the aforementioned passage opening 12 and defining the aforementioned shutter surface 14.

As already indicated for the shutter 11 , the occlusion element 130 can also be made (at least partially) of different materials depending on the needs of the moment: for example, a material adapted to make the shutter 11 can consist of an elastomeric polymer, or in greater detail can be made of one or more of the following materials: NBR, HNBR, EPDM, FKM, FFKM, FEPM (AFLAS or fluoroelastomers), VMQ, FMVQ, CR (according to the abbreviations/jargon names known to those skilled in the art).

In the embodiment illustrated herein, the operating body 13 and the shutter 11 define a maximum extension configuration of the shutter assembly 9 at least during the second operating position of the shutter assembly 9.

Furthermore, the operating body 13 and the shutter 11 are slidably coupled and mutually movable parallel to a movement direction of the shutter assembly 9 to obtain the minimum extension configuration and/or the maximum extension configuration of the shutter assembly 9.

For example, the operating body 13 and the shutter 11 can comprise undercuts and/or recesses operatively connected to obtain the aforementioned sliding coupling.

Advantageously, the operating means 10 comprise a spring 15 active on the operating body 13 to promote a movement of the shutter assembly 9 towards said first operating position.

The valve 1 also comprises a connecting body 16 adapted to connect the solenoid actuator 8 and the valve body 5.

The connecting body 16 defines a sliding channel 17 adapted to allow a reversible sliding of the shutter assembly 9 between the first operating position and the second operating position.

In particular, the shutter 11 can be at least partially inserted within the sliding channel 17 and slidably movable with respect to the sliding channel 17 to define at least the first operating configuration and/or the second operating configuration of the valve 1 .

Advantageously, the valve 1 can comprise sealing means 200, for example a gasket in the form of an O-ring, interposed between the connecting body 16 and the valve body 5 and/or between the connecting body 16 and the shutter assembly 9.

Conveniently, the sliding channel 17 defines a sliding axis "A" which at least partially determines the movement direction of the shutter 11 ; furthermore, the passage opening 12 extends along an extension axis "B" parallel, and for example coincident, with the aforementioned sliding axis "A".

Advantageously, the sliding channel 17 can have a substantially circular section shape and the shutter 11 can have a substantially cylindrical shape.

In particular, the shutter 11 can be concentric to the connecting body 16; furthermore, the passage opening 12 can be concentric to the connecting body 16.

Thereby, the shutter assembly 9 and the connecting body 16 ensure an effective distribution on the valve 1 of the stresses induced by their relative movement, limiting the onset of vibrations, increasing the operating life of the valve 1 itself and also improving response times with respect to those typical of membrane valves of the known type.

In accordance with a possible embodiment and as illustrated in the attached figures, the connecting body 16 can comprise a shoulder 18, inside the sliding channel 17, having an abutment surface 19 adapted to define an end stroke for the shutter assembly 9.

Furthermore, the shutter assembly 9 can define an end stroke surface 20 adapted to abut the abutment surface 19 in the second operating configuration of the valve 1 .

That is, the shoulder 18 can define an end stroke to the movement of the shutter assembly 9, abuttingly receiving the end stroke surface 20 at least in the aforementioned second operating configuration.

Advantageously, the shutter 11 and the connecting body 16 are coupled to define a calibrated passageway 100 adapted to put at least the inlet opening and the sliding channel 17 in fluid communication at least during the first operating configuration of the valve 1 .

Thereby, the fluid within the sliding channel 17 can exert a pressure on the shutter assembly 9 which helps to keep the valve 1 in the closed condition. In particular, the shutter assembly 9 can be shaped so that the fluid- activatable surfaces arranged within the sliding channel 17 have a greater extension with respect to those arranged outside the sliding channel 17 (and, therefore, upstream of the sliding channel 17) so that the resulting action applied by the fluid contributes to a movement of the shutter 11 to obtain the aforementioned first operating configuration of the valve 1 .

That is, the calibrated passageway 100 ensures the possibility of an indirect operation to the valve 1 .

Therefore, by virtue of the presence of the calibrated passageway 100, the valve 1 allows to reach high energy efficiency levels by exploiting the pressure induced by the fluid itself for the opening and/or closing of the valve 1 and thus reducing the energy necessary to open the valve 1 with respect to the valves of the prior art.

In accordance with a possible embodiment which is purely exemplary and not limiting of the present invention, the valve 1 can ensure the achievement of pressures between 15 Bar and 20 Bar with an activation power (imparted to the valve 1 itself) between 4 Watt and 10 Watt (note: such activation power can for example be between 5 Watt and 9 Watt).

In particular, the calibrated passageway 100 can define a distance between the shutter 11 and the connecting body 16 measured in a direction perpendicular to a movement direction of the shutter between 0.02 mm and 0.1 mm (and for example, a distance between 0.04 mm and 0.09 mm).

In order to clarify the terminology used in the present disclosure, a so- called "thickness" of the calibrated passageway 100 can also be defined as having a thickness between 0.02 mm and 0.1 mm (and for further example, a thickness of the calibrated passageway 100 between 0.04 mm and 0.09 mm).

Advantageously, the calibrated passageway 100 can extend peripherally to the shutter 11 so as to prevent the onset of moments which can act on the shutter 11 during the passage of the fluid, modifying the positioning thereof and/or so as to prevent the onset of actions which can lead to wear and/or gouging in the movement of the shutter 11 . Thereby, the shutter assembly 9 and the connecting body 16 allow particularly high operating pressures to be reached with respect to the common indirectly operated valves.

For example, the valve 1 can be used with operating pressures greater than 20 Bar and for example greater than 50 Bar. In accordance with some possible embodiments of the present invention, the valve 1 can achieve operating pressures greater than 75 Bar.

Therefore, the valve 1 ensures high energy efficiency together with the possibility of achieving high operating pressures which the indirectly operated valves of the prior art are not capable of achieving.

Merely by way of illustration and not limitation, the calibrated passageway 100 can assume the shape of a circular crown extending around the shutter 11 .

Furthermore, the calibrated passageway 100 can define a shape concentric to the shutter 11 and/or the connecting body 16.

In accordance with a possible embodiment and as illustrated in the attached figures, the shutter can comprise a support portion 21 operatively connected to the connecting body 16 to define the calibrated passageway 100.

In particular, the support portion 21 is configured to connect the shutter 11 to the operating body 13.

For example, the operating body 13 and the support portion 21 can comprise undercuts and/or recesses operatively connected to obtain the sliding coupling which allows the reversible movement of the shutter assembly between the minimum extension position and the maximum extension position.

Furthermore, the support portion 21 can be configured to abuttingly receive the shutter surface 14 of the operating body 13.

Furthermore, the shutter 11 comprises a shutter portion 22 constrained to the support portion 21 .

The shutter portion 22 is adapted to at least partially occlude the conduit 2 at least in the closing configuration of the valve 1 .

In particular, the shutter portion 22 is at least partially housed within the support portion 21 ; furthermore. It is possible that the support portion 21 and the shutter portion 22 are connected by means of a shape coupling.

In accordance with a possible embodiment of the present invention, the support portion 21 has a transverse groove 23, for example perpendicular, to a movement direction of the shutter 11 adapted to at least partially house the shutter portion 22 (it should further be noted that the support portion 21 and the shutter portion 22 define respective portions of the passage opening 12).

Essentially, the shutter 11 partially occludes the conduit 2 during the first operating configuration of the valve 1. In such a configuration, the operating body 13 is abutting the shutter 11 , preventing a fluid communication between upstream and downstream of the shutter 11 .

The activation of the operating means 10 determines a movement of the operating body 13 towards a maximum extension position of the shutter assembly 9 with a consequent opening of the passage opening 12 which puts the portions of the valve 1 upstream and the portion downstream of the shutter 11 in fluid communication. Upon reaching the maximum extension position, the shutter assembly 9 moves integrally to obtain the aforementioned second operating configuration of the valve 1 in which the valve 1 is substantially open.

When the operating means 10 are switched off, the shutter assembly 9 returns under the action of the spring 15 to the minimum extension position and determines a return of the valve 1 to the first operating configuration.

It is thus noted that the present invention achieves the proposed objects by making a solenoid valve having an increased operating life both with respect to the "membrane" valves of the known type (and this is by virtue of the absence of the membrane) and with respect to the "piston" valves of the known type (and this is by virtue of the absence of the elastic sealing bands around the known pistons, which are subject to wear): this functional advantage is linked to the presence of a calibrated passageway adapted to put the inlet opening and the sliding channel in fluid communication at least during the first operating configuration of the valve. Advantageously, the substantial coaxiality between the connecting body and the shutter, together with the circular crown shape of the calibrated passageway, allows to make available an indirectly-operated solenoid valve capable of operating in increased pressure ranges (in particular, with respect to the pressure ranges in which the membrane valves of the known type operate) with respect to the indirectly-operated valve in accordance with the prior art.

Advantageously, the shutter assembly and the connecting body ensure an effective distribution on the valve of the stresses induced by their relative movement, limiting the onset of vibrations and increasing the operating life of the valve itself.

Advantageously, the calibrated passageway and the indirect operation allow the valve 1 to achieve high energy efficiency levels with respect to the valves of the known art.