Field of the invention

This invention belongs to mechanical engineering devices, more strictly, to the field of valves, i.e. section of safety valves which react at subpressure appearance and insufficient pressure. According to the IPC this invention bears the denotation F16K 17/02.

Technical problem

The technical problem being solved by this invention is how to construct a universal control valve which would protect the user from uncontrolled fluid outflow by means of repeated fluid flow in distribution installations after.eliminating the cause of flow stopping. When the uπcorrosive liquid fluids are concerned, such as water in supply tubes, it is necessary to limit the maximum required capacity and by the way to prevent scale sedimentation, as well as to reduce to minimum or completely avoid hydraulic blast, having in view that in case of need the valve can react as a vacuum valve.

Prior art

The most up-to-date solution in the field of safety valves is the patent PCT/CH88/C048 of the same author. In thi invention, the objective is the protection of installation through which the fluid is transported to the users and where the supply stoppings often occur due to various reasons such as: tube cracking, installation survey, fluid delivery reduction, etc. The users use the fluid by opening the valves or taps. If there is no fluid in the installation

due to the reasons mentioned above, a number of users forget to close the valve or tap. Letting the fluid into installation again, it reaches the valves and taps. If the valves and taps are open, the fluid will flow out into the room. If the water is in question, it will overflow the room. If the aggressive fluids, gases or acids are. concerned the consequences could be catastrophic damages. Protection valve, according to the mentioned patent, automatically shuts off the fluid flow at the appearance of pressure fall in valve outlet opening. Although the valve has solved the problem, the testing has showed a number of defects. After a few days the ring prevents functioning, because of scale sedimentation on the inside casing wall which prevents the piston from moving. The ring gap regulation is a big problem, because a little gap is hard to obtain without initiating hydraulic blast. When it is obtained, the ring tightens the piston too much, so that it can't move. Another problem is the valve instability which appears on the differential surfaces between the upper piston.and the seat. However, that is partly solved within the invention embodiment wherein the effective bellows surface is 70% less than.the upper seat surface. However, the system instability remains, because the-regulation characteristics, which regulation is connected to the spring by means of a-screw, is directly related to the intake pressure at the valve entrance.

Description of the solution to the technical problem

Universal control valve, according to this invention, introduces a diaphragm fixed between tower and upper casing. In the upper wall of lower casing there is a nominal opening which is bordered by a seat. Self-rinsing nozzle is installed beside it in the upper wall above the outtake port. The thickened part of the diaphragm, fixed between

the plate and the diaphragm holder, is placed on the seat. The holder with leading elements is movably placed in the nominal opening and it is fixed to a pulling rod by a screw. The pulling rod is encircled by a plate and fixed to the stud. This stud is screwed into the upper part of the upper casing. A spring is winded around the pulling rod by the stud, and with other end it presses onto the plate. On the upper side of the plate, a plate-like chamber is formed with inside diameter equal to the nominal opening diameter. This chamber is bordered by a limiter and there is a.bellows in it, hermetically fixed to the plate. The other end of the bellows is hermetically fixed to the middle part of the upper casing. Above the self-rinsing nozzle there is an orifice made in the diaphragm, so that pressure chamber is formed between lower casing diaphragm and the other chamber is formed between diaphragm and upper casing.

The invention concerning universal control, valve, according to the embodiment I, is introducing an indicator holder movably pulleα through the valve stem and fixed to the plate. In the lower casing next to the equalizing chamber, there is a horizontal orifice. Next to the pressure chamber, in the lower casing, there is a vertical orifice. The orifices are ending in cylindrical chamber, in which a movably installed piston is situated, encircled by a cap screwed into the upper casing. Under the cap, around the piston in cylindrical chamber, a spring is placed. On its other end the piston is connected to the handle by means of a pin, and the handle is in the same way connected to the cap. Under the screw, in the upper casing around the spring, the calibration spacers are set. The chamber is enclosed by the bellows. A limiter is fixed to the valve stem under the stud, and in the holes of the stud, the studs are mounted.

The invention concerning the universal control valve, according to the embodiment II, is introducing the solenoid valve to which the horizontal and vertical channels in the lower casing are connected.

The invention concerning tiι< universal control valve, according to the embodiment III. is introducing the channels in the upper casing. The first channel starts in the control chamber. The second channel starts from the channel bored in lower casing and connected to the outlet opening. The other end of the irst and second channels are connected to the solenoid valve.

The invention concerning the universal control valve, according to the embodiment IV. is the following: The channels are bored in the upper casing, at the end of each they are blocked with*plugs. The first channel is by its other end connected to the effective space. The second channel is by its other end connected to the control chamber. The channels are linked to the three-way, two-position solenoid valve.

The invention concerning the universal control valve, according to the embodiment V, is i ^' ntroducing the pulling rod fixed to the plate.

The advantages of universal control valve, according to this invention, compared to the existing valves, are in the fact that their noted defects have been eliminated and that:

- is able to automatically prevent overflows in case of water-supply tube cracking;

- is able to automatically stop the fluid flow in case of water-supply damage;

- controls the flow in case of excessive consumption;

- is able to automatically prevent from the dirty water return and water-supply pollution;

- is able to automatically swi ch on after disappearance of disturbances;

- scale sedimentation does not effect its functioning;

- hydraulic blast does not appear;

- there is a possibility of valve adjusting;

- the valve allows the changes of pressure in the network; - the valve is extremely simply designed;

- it can be used as a vacuum valve;

- the valve can be adjusted to shut off also when the fluid pressure falls below the minimum limit;

- the valve is reliable and longeval; - I is easily installed;

- the valve can be placed into standard casings of well-known world producers;

- the valve maintenance is easy.

This invention shall be described in-the following text using the following figures:

- Fig. 1 represents the vertical section of the universal control valve; - Fig. 2 represents forces and pressures on the effective blower surface and lower plate seat surface;

- Fig. 3 represents the vertical section of the valve, according to the embodiment I, for stable fluid systems;

- Fig. 4 represents the lateral view of the valve from Fig. 3; - Fig. 5a represents the vertical section of the valve, according

to the embodiment II, when the valve is used as a shut-off valve with automatic by-pass activating by means of solenoid valve;

- Fig. 5h represents the vertical section along the A-A* section from Fig. 5a:

- Fig. 6 represents the vertical section of the valve, according to the embodiment III. with a solenoid valve mounted to the upper casing;

- Fig. 7 represents the valve, according to the embodiment IV, i.e. in control embodiment;

- Fig.8 represents the valve, according to the embodiment V, when used within gas fluid flow.

As it can be seen from Fig. 1, the universal control valve, according to this invention, introduces the diaphragm 2, fixed between lower casing 1 and upper casing 3. In the upper -wall 79 of lower ^' casing i there is a nominal opening 78 bordered by a seat 78. The self-rinsing nozzle 10 is installed beside it in the upper wall 79 above the outtake port 17. The thickened part 80 of the diaphragm 2, fixed between the plate 4 and diaphragm 2, the holder 9 is placed on the seat 78. The holder 9 with leading elements* a is movably placed in the nominal opening 26 and it is fixed to a pulling rod 11 by a screw 8. The pulling rod 11 is encircled by the plate 4 and fixed to the stud 7. The stud 7 is screwed into the upper part 84 of the upper casing 3. A spring 6 is winded around the pulling rod 11 and pressed by the stud 7, and by the other end it presses onto the plate 4. On the upper side of the plate 4, a plate-like chamber 81 is formed with inside diameter equal to the nominal opening 26 diameter. This chamber 81 is bordered by a limiter 82 and there is a bellows 5 in it, hermetically fixed to the plate. The other end of the bellows 5 is hermetically fixed to the middle part 83 of the upper casing 3.

Above the self-rinsing nozzle 10 there is an orifice 15 made in the diaphragm 2, so that pressure chamber 13 is formed between lower casing 1 and diaphragm 2, and the chamber 14 is formed between diaphragm 2 and upper casing.

As it can be seen from Fig. 3 and Fig.4, the invention concerning universal control valve, according to the embodiment I, is introducing a holder 77 of an indicator 24, movably pulled through the valve stem 23, and fixed to the plate 4. In the lower casing 1 next to the equalizing chamber 16, there is a horizontal orifice 85. Next to the pressure chamber 13,.in the lower casing, there is a vertical orifice 27. The orifices 85, 27 are ending in cylindrical chamber 36 in which a movably installed piston 29 is situated, encircled by a cap 31 screwed onto the lower casing 1. Under the cap 31 around the piston 29 in cylindrical chamber 36, a spring 30 is placed. On its other end the piston 29 is connected to a handle 34 by means of a pin 33, and the handle 34 is in the same way connected to the cap 29. Under the stud 7 in the upper casing 3 around the spring 6, the calibration spacers 18 are set. Chamber 22 is enclosed by the bellows 5. A limiter 19 is fixed to the valve stem 86 with the handle 23 under the stud 7, and in the holes 21 of the stud 7, the studs 20 are mounted.

As it can be seen from Fig.5a and Fig.5b the invention concerning universal control valve, according to the embodiment II, is introducing the solenoid valve 38 to which the horizontal chamber 85 and vertical chamber 27 in the lower casing 3 are connected.

As it can be seen from Fig.6, the invention concerning the universal control valve, according to the embodiment III, is

introducing the channels 45 and 46 in the upper casing 42. The channel 46 begins in control chamber 14. The channel 45 begins from the channel 44. bored in lower casing 1 and connected to the outlet opening. The other ends of the channels 45 and 46 a connected to the solenoid valve 38.

As it can be~seeπ from Fig. 7, the invention concerning the universal control valve, according to the embodiment IV, is the following: the channels 50, 51 are bored in the upper casing 3 and at the end of each they are blocked with plugs 52, 53. Channel 50 is by its other end connected to the effective space 22. The channel 51 is by its other end connected to control chamber 14. The channels 50, 51 are linked to the three-way, two-position (3/2) solenoid valve 49.

As it can be seen from Fig. 8, the invention concerning the universal control valve, according to the embodiment V,. is introducing pulling rod 11 fixed to the plate 4.

The universal control valve (Fig. 1) consists of lower casing 1, onto which the upper casing 3 is firmly seated and between which a diaphragm 2 is tightened. A nominal opening 77 is situated along the vertical axis inside the lower casing 1, with the chamber 16 for pressure equalizing. There is a seat 78 in the upper part of the nominal opening 77.

A self-rinsing nozzle 10 is placed in the upper wall 79 of the lower casing and between the outlet port 17 and the chamber 16. In the upper part 84 of the upper casing 3, a stud 7 is screwed in, pushing the spring 6 by its lower end. The Spring 6 presses onto the plate 4 by its lower end. The thickened part 80 of diaphragm 2 is by

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the holder 9 with leading elements 90 and the screw 8 fixed to the lower part of the plate 4. Plate 4 has the plate-like chamber 81 on its upper side, bordered by limiter 82. Oeliows 5 is connected firmly, i.e. hermetically and elasticaily to the middle inside part

83 of the upper casing 3 by its upper side.

The stud 7 adjusts the spring 6, acting force onto the plate 4.

Therefore, the plate 4, as long as there is no fluid pressure onto it, is permanently seated by its thickened part 80 of the diaphragm 2 on the seat 78 within the lower casing 1, preventing any fluid.flow from the intake part 12 through the nominal opening 26 into the chamber 16, and therefrom into the outlet port 17.

By letting the fluid into the distributive water-supply installation, the fluid enters through the intake part 12 rinsing the plate 4 and diaphragm 2 from below. Then the fluid passes through the orifice 15 in diaphragm 2 into the control chamber 14.

There is no additional differential force acting onto the plate 4,

Frez = Fiz -(Ff-Fb+Fo)«=0

as shown on Fig. 2 where Aef is the effective bellows thrust surface. As is nominal opening area, Frez is the resultant force, f(Pυ) is the intake pressure function. Fiz is the outlet pressure force. Ff is the spring pressure force. Fb is bellows pressing- force and Fo is the atmospheric pressure force.

The fluid simultaneously passes through self-rinsing orifice 10 into the chamber 16 and through the oυttake port 17. and further on through the installation up to the valves and taps. If a valve or a

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5 tap is open, the fluid will flow out in an insignificant amount and it will drive the users' attention to closing the end valve or tap. When the plate is in its lower position, the maximum pressure is ruling, in U»* iπt.ikf port l?. w il«' t!n- Atmospheric pressure is ruling in the chamber 16. By clo ing the end valve or tap to prevent

10 the fluid outflow, the pressure in the chamber 16 increases and equalizes with the intake port 12 pressure. The resultant force in the chamber 16 is bigger than the spring 6 force and the bellows 5 force, and by overcoming these forces, the plate 4 moves into its upper end position, and therefore enables the fluid flow. The lifting

15 speed is very small, and it-can be selected by the orifice 15 in diaphragm 2. so that the lifting occurs without a hydraulic blast. The described operation is performed concerning neutral fluid. edia, as well as in water-supply systems in unstable networks with frequent crackings, supply reductions, or situated on sliding terrains.

^• 20

The universal control valve with a by-pass, according to the embodiment I of the invention, shown on Fig.3 and Fig.4 is used within the stable networks without pressure variations. In general, its functioning is similar to the previously described valve, except

25 the following: Its reactivating is performed by means of a handle 34, connected as a two-arm lever by a pin 33. The lever moves the piston 29 overcoming the spring 30. This results by connecting the pressure chamber 13 and the equalizing chamber 16. pressure equalizing and lifting the plate 4. By means of the indicator 24, the valve position

30 is exactly observed. This valve can be used as a shut-off valve, in the way that the handle 23 is screwed in until it presses down the plate 4 into the lower end position, and until the diaphragm lies onto the nominal opening 26 of the seat 78. When opening the valve, the handle 23 is being opened until it reaches the upper end

position, i.e. until it reaches the limiter 19. The capacity adjusting is performed by chosing a certain number of calibration spacers 18. It usually occurs that after the water flow ceasing in the network, the taps remain open, and some of the users leave their showers in filled-up bath-tubs expecting the water to come again. In such cases, the water supply system acts as a water pipe ans sucks in the dirty water with air from the bath-tub. This causes the water pollution and the hydraulic blast, because of the air sucked-in. The control valve shown on Fig.3 and Fig.4 now acts as a vacuum valve. Thus, the valve has the capacity controller characteristics, it protects from flow ceasing or tube cracking, and it can be used as a shut-off valve or a vacuum valve.

The valve embodiments II and III, shown on Fig. 5 and Fig. 6 are used in industry. In this case, the solenoid valve controls the by-passing.

Fig. 7 shows the universal control valve embodiment IV, as applied in industry as a control valve. Through the solenoid valve 38 and the channels 45 and 46, a by-passing, i.e. opening is performed. Solenoid valve 49 is a three-way. two-position (3/2) type, so that its upper bore is in its neutral position, open end connected to chamber 22. When the solenoid valve is activated, the bores 50 and 51 are connected in the way that the fluid passes from chamber 14 into chamber 22. and the valve thus closes.

According to the embodiment V, shown on Fig.8. the valve is applied to gas fluids. The functioning principle remains the same as within the previously described embodiments, except that a handle 11 is used for valve reactivating.

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The testing of universal control valve, according to this invention, during a longer period in practice, has shown excellent rosults, and all th ^p performance described make the invention worthy and easily acceptable for users.

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