EP0099911A4

EP0099911A4 - Solenoid operated flow control module.

Info

Publication number: EP0099911A4
Application number: EP19830900543
Authority: EP
Inventors: Laszlo Jeno Nyers
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1982-02-09
Filing date: 1983-02-02
Publication date: 1984-07-05
Also published as: HUT36566A; JPS59500182A; EP0099911A1; WO1983002811A1

Abstract

A solenoid operated flow control module includes a removable valve cartridge (1). The cartridge comprises a pair of sleeves (1.1) disposed so as to establish a predetermined gap between their inner ends. A stepped axially movable valve element (1.4) is located between valve seats (1.3) connected to or integral with the outer ends of the sleeves, and is biased by a spring (1.5) onto one of the seats so that the other seat is unblocked and the shoulder on the valve element takes up a predetermined position in relation to the inner ends of the sleeves. The cartridge is surrounded by a solenoid assembly (2) located within a magnetic shell (3) and a housing (5) so that the cartridge magnetically couples the oppositely polarizable sides of the shell. The module may be adapted to two-way or three-way flow control, either in a normally closed or in a normally open mode, by suitable mounting of the cartridge, and may be directly connected to external ducting via a suitably ported retaining plate (8) and a flow manifold (10). A number of such modules, together with suitable power distributing and control means, may be accommodated within a common housing and flow connected to a common manifold for multiple function flow control.

Description

SOLENOID OPERATED FLOW CONTROL MODULE.

The flow control module, according to this invention, is a single- or mul- ti solenoid valve block, featuring accordingly one or more of a universal valve assembly in a replacable cartridge form. Due to it's original de¬ sign concept, unlike other existing solenoid operated flow control devices

5_# it requires no external valve seating- or valve housing means. The univer¬ sal valve cartridge is applicable as a two-way or as a three-way control valve, either in a normally closed (N/C) or in a normally open (N/O) mode without any internal modification. The complete solenoid valve module can be sealedly mounted on to any flat and reasonably smooth surface with ar-

^■JO, bitrarily oriented plain flow openings, suitably pitched for the said universal valve cartridge.

Some examplary versions of the solenoid operated flow control module, say solenoid valve, according to this invention, are described in reference to the accompaning drawings, wherein:

15. FIG, 1, The bottom view of the basic version, with SECTION A—B show¬ ing the full longitudinal section, and DETAIL C and D are showing some alternative valve details, and arrangements,

FIG, 2, The spatial representation of a mixed function, multi solenoid flow control module, mounted on an arbitrary flow manifold means, 20, showing the method of valve cartridge replacement, with reference to FIG, 1, and some examplary versions of a multi-yoke magnetic shell are shown in DETAIL E,

FIG, 3, The front view, and a partial cross sectional elevation of a dual oscillating solenoid valve module, with reference to FIG, 1 and 25, FIG, 2, featuring an arbitrary plug-in type, variable electronic control oscillator unit, and exhaust silencers,

FIG. 4, The schematic longitudinal section of an examplary version, hav¬ ing an extended valve cartridge, with reference to FIG, 1,

A basic version of the flow control module, according to this invention, 30. is shown in FIG, 1 , The most characteristic feature of this examplary ar¬ rangement is a universal valve assembly 1, comprising two identical, oppo¬ site standing magnetic sleeves 1,1 with internal axial flow passages, - 3L -

The said sleeves are airtightly interconnected by a non-magnetic muff 1.2 so, that a predetermined gap will be established between the opposite standing inner ends. In the outer ends of the said sleeves are fixedly a- dapted, say press fitted, two identical, interfacing magnetic valve seats

5. 1.3 with central flow passages, interconnecting an internal valve seating face with an external duct connecting face. The duct connecting face is accommodating a seal 1.6 for the said central flow passage, and is formed with a peripheral recess which in conjunction with the end of the mating magnetic sleeve constitutes an annular channel, which is interconnecting

10. the said axial flow passages in the same magnetic sleeve. The valve seat¬ ing face too has a peripheral recess, which serves as a spring guide, and also may accommodate a self-induction ring 1 ,7 or alternating current operation, as it is shown in DETAIL C. Between the said valve seats a stepped plunger like magnetic valving element 1.4 is encased with a hel-

15. ical spring 1.5, located between the shoulder of the said valving element and the opposing valve seat, causing the said valving element to close on the backing valve seat while it's stepped down end leaves the opposing valve seat open, and it's shoulder takes up a predetermined position be-^ tween the inner ends of the said magnetic sleeves. The said valving ele-

20, ment has a resilient core, to ensure appropriate sealing between the- valving element 1,4 and the above described valve seats.

The above detailed valve assembly 1 forms a cylindrical valve cartridge, which is surrounded by a solenoid assembly 2 located inside a rectangular tube shaped magnetic shell 3 so, that both are bolted through by the said 25. valve cartridge, which is thereby magneto—functionally interconnecting the opposedly polarizable sides of the said magnetic shell. At this par¬ ticular version, the said magnetic shell also serves as a grounded mount¬ ing frame for an electric cable connector 4.

The above described solenoid valve assembly is further surrounded by a 30. rectangular tube shaped housing shell 5 in such a way, that the ends of the solenoid valve cartridge 1 are flush with the adversely oriented ex¬ ternal mounting faces of the said housing shell. Around both ends of the said valve cartridge recessed sealing rings 9 are fitted, providing pres¬ sure-tight sealing partly between the valve cartridge 1 and the rest of 35. the solenoid valve assembly, partly between the whole solenoid valve and any external fitting, like a ported retaining plate 8 or a flow man¬ ifold means 10. The said housing shell may expediently be made of some plastic extrusion, and may serve as a moulding shell for an insulating compound 7, moulded around the above described solenoid valve assembly. 5. Alternatively, the solenoid assembly may be encapsulated in a wholly moulded housing means as well.

The above introduced solenoid valve module is featuring the possibilities of four different functions, such as: two—way control in N/C or in a N/O mode, and three-way control in N/C or in a N/O mode. Any one of the above

10, functions may be obtained simply by using either a blank or a ported retaining plate 8, for two-way or three-way operation respectively, and by inserting the valve cartridge 1 into the solenoid assembly 2 either with the N/C or the N/O end facing the external flow manifold 10. The suitably preassembled solenoid valve module can be bolted 6 on to any

15, flat manifold means 10, having arbitrarily oriented plain inlet and out¬ let openings suitably pitched for the said universal valve cartridge, or may be mounted between any two suitably designed flow manifold means in a sandwich fashion. Where it is so required, a couple of locating pins 11 fitted into the unused bolt holes, may facilitate an increased mounting

20. accuracy between the solenoid valve module and any external ducting means.

In DETAIL C we have depicted an alternative valve seat 1.3 formed with a recessed locating flange around the external duct connecting face, and seated inside the counterbored end of the magnetic sleeve 1,1, Under the said locating flange, a circular groove is interconnecting the internal 25. axial flow passages in the mating magnetic sleeve. Finally, the said lo¬ cating flange is cut through by a flow gap opening into the said circular groove. In case of loose fitting, and if so required, the above type valve seat can be retained in the valve cartridge 1 by crimping the end of the said magnetic sleeve.

30. In DETAIL D we introduce some valve assembly variations in a combined longitudinal section, where the said valve seats are integral parts of the said magnetic sleeves, either in a forged 1.8 or in a press fitted 1.9 version, and where the opposite standing combined magnetic valve seats are airtightly interconnected by the solenoid bobbin 2.1 which is either formed with internal circular sealing lips 2,2, or is fitted with internal sealing rings 2,3 or with a sealing compound, suitably adapted or applied to the internal ends of the said combined valve seats.

In FIG, 2 we are introducing a simple version of a mixed function flow 5. control module, according to this invention, comprising five of the said universal valve cartridges 1 introduced in FIG, , fitted into a multi solenoid assembly which is accommodated by a common housing shell 5, The individual, however identical, valve cartridges 1 are mounted in differ¬ ent ways in order to perform various functions, as it has been already 10, described in connection with FIG, 1, In accordance with the referred de¬ scription, in this particular module unit No,1 is operating in a three- way function and in a N/O mode, unit No,2 in a two-way function and in N/C mode, unit No,3 and No.4 in three-way and N/C, finally unit No,5 is oper¬ ating in a two-way function and in a N/O mode. Each solenoid is connect— 15, ed to multi pin cable connectors 4, conveniently located at both ends of the described module. The unused connector is covered with a protective cap. The whole control module is όolted 6 on to an arbitrary flow mani¬ fold 10 with a common inlet channel, also connectable at both ends, and with separate outlet ports,

20, Projected over unit No,1 we represented the simple method of valve car¬ tridge replacement, showing the fully exposed valve cartridge 1 , and the retaining plate 8 with an exhaust port for the above mentioned three-way operation, and the mounting bolts 6.

In DETAIL E are depicted some examplary versions of a magnetic shell 25, for multi solenoid valve control modules, say a multi solenoid frame 3 with two or more pairs of U shaped magnetic yokes or, as indicated by the chain dotted lines, with a series of rectangular tube shaped magnet¬ ic shells on a common web plate_* This type of multi magnetic shell may greatly facilitate the assembly work, and the moulding process as well,

30. To demonstrate the versatility, and the all embracing characteristics of the modular design concept of this invention, in FIG. 3 we are presenting a further examplary version of a multi valve control module, in form of a dual oscillating solenoid valve unit, featuring a plug-in type variable cycle electronic control oscillator unit 12, accommodated by a common housing means 5. Such simple, and not necessarily volumnious solenoid control devices are generally used as a separate control equipment, or as integral parts of a control center. The arrangement, according to this invention, besides other advantages, offers the possibility of on 5. the spot adjustments. The arbitrary type oscillator module 12.1 is built into a combined unit with the cycle control potentiometer 12.2, which is surrounded by a cup shaped adjusting knob 12.3. The said adjusting knob is rotably and sealedly fitted into a suitably formed nest, moulded in¬ to the said housing means between the two solenoid assemblies 2, The 10, said nest is ending in a receptacle 12.5 at the bottom, to which the power supplying cable connectors 4, and the said solenoids are connected as well. The sealing ring 12.4 around the said adjusting knob, may also serve as a frictional locking device against the accidental misadjust- ment of the potentiometer 12,2 by vibration. In a simplified version 15, however, the said adjusting knob may be replaced by a fixed bearing bush for the shaft of the said potentiometer, which in this case, is suited for screwdriver adjustment. By replacing the above described oscillator unit 12 with a special plug, the use of an external oscillator is still possible, if so required. In order to minimize operating noises, this 20, particular valve module is fitted with a porous type silencer unit 13, mounted on top of the ported valve cartridge retaining plate 8,

As it has been pointed out in the above examples, according to the all embracing design concept of this invention, practically any electric, or electronic system or device, related to the power supply and dis- 25, tribution, or to the oparation control of the solenoids, can be expedi¬ ently accommodated inside, or attached directly to the module type hous¬ ing means 5,

Finally, in FIG. 4 is shown the longitudinal section of another examplary version of a solenoid valve module, according to this invention, with 30. extended valve cartridge 1 , protruding from the wholly moulded housing means 5, and fitted into a suitably formed recess in an arbitrary flow manifold means 10,

The above described examplary versions of this invention, are supposed to indicate the introduction of an entirely new, and an unusually versa- 5, tile and compliant building block type solenoid operated flow control device.

Claims

- i -

The claims, defining this invention, are as follows:

Claim 1, Single- or multi solenoid valve module, characterized by one or more valve assembly (1), comprising two, expediently but not necessarily identical magnetic sleeves (1,1) with axial flow passages, which said

5. sleeves are sealedly interconnected by non magnetic substance or by any non magnetic connecting means (1,2), allowing a predetermined magnetic gap and a transit flow area between the opposing inner ends of the said sleeves, while their outer ends are connected to, or are formed into ex¬ pediently, but not necessarily, identical valve seating means (1.3), at

10. least one of which is also magnetic, and one of which is, or both are formed with internal valve seat or valve seats, connected to the exter¬ nal duct connecting termination of the same valve seating means (1,3) so, that the external opening of the said valve seat or valve seats is sepa¬ rated from the outlet of the said axial flow passages in the constituent

15. magnetic sleeve (1,1), further comprising a magnetic valving element (1,4) located between the said opposite facing valve seating means so, that it is in an axially mobile but constant magnetic connection with one of the said magnetic sleeves about one end, but stepped down at the other end, whereabout it is effected by elastic retaining means (1,5) so, that it's

20, stepped down end cleares the opposing magnetic valve seating means (1,3) and constituent magnetic sleeve (1,1) by a predetermined gap, and it's shoulder takes up a predetermined position in relation to the interfacing ends of said magnetic sleeves, while it's magnetically connected end is seated on the counterfacing valve seating means (1,3), further character—

25. ized by one or more single— or multi—yoke magnetic field frame, say mag¬ netic shell (3), partly or wholly surrounding one or more solenoid assem¬ bly (2) fitted with the above defined valve assembly (1) so, that the latter is magnetofunctionally interconnecting the suitably formed, oppos- edly polarizable sides of the yokes of the said magnetic shell, and also

30, characterized by housing means (5), partly or wholly encapsulating the a- bove defined solenoid valve assembly (1, 2, 3) or assemblies with arbit¬ rary mounting- (6) and power connecting means (4), and arbitrary opera¬ tion controlling means (12), either in form of a partly or wholly sur¬ rounding shell filled with insulating compound (7), or in form of a mould-

35. ed around housing means, having internal and/or external duct connecting faces, sealedly connected partly to the said valve assembly or valve as¬ semblies, partly to arbitrary external valve assembly retaining- (8) and/ /or flow connecting— or flow distributing means (10), Claim 2. Solenoid valve, as in claim 1, with axial flow passages lo¬ cated in the said valving element (1.4) and/or in said valve seating means (1.3).

Claim 3. Solenoid valve, as in any one of the preceeding claims, hav- 5. ing valve seating means (1.3) with a locating flange, broken through with flow opening or openings connected to flow passages in the same valve seating means and/or in the constituent magnetic sleeve (1,1).

Claim 4, Solenoid valve, as in any one of the preceeding claims, wherein said magnetic sleeves (1,1) and valve seating means (1,3) are 10. united into a combined part (1.9),

Claim 5. Solenoid valve, as in any one of the preceeding claims, where one of the said valve seating means (1,3) or said combined valve seating means (1,9) is blank.

Claim 6. Solenoid valve, as in any one of the preceeding claims, hav- 15. ing self-induction coil (1,7) adapted to any one of the said magnetic components.

Claim 7. Solenoid valve, as in any one of the preceeding claims, hav¬ ing non-magnetic interconnecting means (1 ,2) between the opposedly polar— izable parts of the said valve assembly (1), which is constituent part of 20. the said or any other solenoid assembly (2).

Claim 8, Solenoid valve, as in any one of the preceeding claims, or any other magnetically operated flow control device, having the said valve assembly (1) composed into a cartridge like flow control means, with one or both ends suited to arbitrary ducting means.

25. Claim 9. Solenoid valve, as in any one of the preceeding claims, com¬ posed into a fully operational solenoid valve module or cartridge, with arbitrary duct- and power connecting- and mounting means.

Claim 10. Multi solenoid valve block, characterized by any number of the said solenoid valve assemblies (1, 2, 3), as specified in any one of 30. the preceeding claims, in arbitrary arrangement, mounted or encapsulated in a common housing means (5). - % -

Claim 11. Solenoid valve, or multi solenoid valve block, as in any one of the preceeding claims, having arbitrarily related means or devices en¬ capsulated into or adapted to a common housing means.

Claim 12, Multi solenoid valve block, as in claim 10 and/or claim 11, , having a multi solenoid magnetic shell (3) with two or more magnetic yokes, either formed with a common web plate or attached to a common πon- —magnetic web.

Claim 13, Flow control device, adapted directly, or by directly adapt¬ able manifold means, to a solenoid valve or multi solenoid valve block, , as characterized in any one of the preceeding claims.

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