FR3048751A3 - VALVE ASSEMBLY - Google Patents

Abstract

A valve assembly (1) is provided with: a first valve body (2) having a first chamber (10); a shutter (3) which is movable in the first chamber (10) and is connected to a control (20); a second valve body (5) coupled to the first valve body (2) and provided with a second chamber (30) in communication with the first chamber (10); a non-return valve (6) at least partially housed in the second chamber (30); at least one first connector (8) mechanically coupled to the second valve body (5); the second valve body (5) and the first coupling (8) being separate parts therebetween.

Description

valve assembly

The present invention relates to a valve assembly.

For example, the valve assembly of the present invention can be used in hydraulic circuits for heating or for connecting a water supply to a home network or in all such applications in which it is necessary to interrupt the flow of water. a fluid in a circuit.

There are valve assemblies of known type comprising a ball valve and a non-return valve arranged in series. The ball valve intercepts the fluid passage with an ON / OFF setting, while the non-return valve prevents backflow to the ball valve,

The non-return valve prevents possible fluid return phenomena that can contaminate the flow at the inlet and damage the operation of the ball valve or other components in the hydraulic circuit in which the assembly is inserted. valve.

However, the structure of valve assemblies of this type makes storage very expensive. In addition, the structure of the valve assemblies of this type imposes flow limits on the valve assemblies themselves.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a valve assembly which is free of the disadvantages of the prior art; In particular, an object of the invention is to provide a valve assembly for hydraulic use which makes it possible to overcome the abovementioned disadvantages in a simple and economical manner, either from the functional point of view or from the point of view from view of the construction.

According to these objects, the present invention relates to a valve assembly for hydraulic use, comprising: a first valve body provided with a first chamber; • a shutter which is movable in the first chamber and is connected to a control; A second valve body coupled to the first valve body and having a second chamber in communication with the first chamber; • a non-return valve at least partially housed in the second chamber; At least one first coupling mechanically coupled to the second valve body; the second valve body and the first connector being separate parts from each other.

If the second valve body and the first connector are separate parts, there are obvious advantages in terms of saving storage costs. With the claimed solution, in-store stocks of fittings having different diameters or fasteners and compatible with commercial pipes and universal block stocks, including the first valve body and the second valve body, can be stored. be coupled to fittings of different sizes and different fastening. In this way, the stocks of universal blocks (more expensive) are eliminated easily, while the stocks of connections of different sizes or different fastener (less expensive) are stored.

In addition, because the second valve body and the first connector are separate parts, the second valve body can also be dimensioned to accommodate the non-return valve having a diameter greater than the diameter of the internal passage channel of the valve. first fitting. In the known solutions, in fact, the non-return valves can have, at most, the diameter of the passage channel defined by the first coupling. With the solution according to the present invention, it is possible to size the second chamber to accommodate the non-return valve having a diameter greater than the passage channel of the first connector. Thanks to this, it is possible to size the second chamber to accommodate a non-return valve that minimizes pressure losses.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first valve body and the second valve body are made in one piece. In this way, the block structure comprising the first valve body and the second valve body is more stable and less prone to breakage.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first connector is coupled to the second valve body by means of a snap coupling. In this way, the coupling between the first connector and the second valve body is simple and fast.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first connector is coupled to the second valve body by means of a coupling configured to allow free rotation between the second valve body and the first connector and to prevent decoupling between the valve member and the first connector. second valve body and the first coupling. In this way, to couple the valve assembly to a pipe, for example during mounting of the valve assembly in a hydraulic circuit. it suffices to rotate the first connector without necessarily rotating the entire assembly which comprises at least the first valve body and the second valve body.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the second chamber is defined by a wall having a substantially cylindrical inner section. In this way it is possible to loosen, in the second chamber, the majority of pre-assembled and commercially distributed check valves.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first connector is formed to define a passage channel in communication with the second substantially cylindrical chamber; the diameter of the passage channel being equal to or smaller than the diameter of the second chamber. In this way, the dimensions of the section of the second chamber can be chosen independently of the dimensions of the passage channel of the first connector. The passageway section of the first connector may in fact be greatly limited by the dimensions of the hoses to which the valve assembly is coupled.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first valve body comprises an input connector and an output connector, which are in communication with the first chamber; the output connector is coupled to the second valve body and defines a stop ring for a flap of the non-return valve. In this way, it is avoided the reduction of the passage diameter in the second chamber due to the presence of a stop ring. In addition, a structure of this type is simplified and economizes since the components of the valve assembly are reduced.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first valve body is mechanically coupled to a second coupling; the first valve body and the second connector being separate parts therebetween. Similar to what has been mentioned with respect to the valve body and the first connector, the fact that the first valve body and the second connector are separate parts from each other, has obvious advantages in terms of cost saving. storage. With the claimed solution, in-store stocks of first and second fittings with different diameters or fasteners are stored and compatible with commercial pipes and universal block stocks, including the first valve body and the second valve body, which can be coupled to fittings of different sizes or different fasteners. In this way, the (more expensive) universal block stocks are easily eliminated, while the stocks of the first and second fittings of different sizes and different (less expensive) fasteners are stored. Other features and advantages of the present invention will emerge more clearly from the following description of its embodiment by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the figures of the accompanying drawings, in which: - Figure 1 is a view schematic with parts in section and parts removed for the sake of clarity, a valve assembly according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic view with sectional portions and parts removed for the sake of clarity of a detail of the valve assembly according to a variant of the present invention.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 is indicated by a valve assembly according to the present invention comprising a first valve body 2, a shutter 3 housed in the first valve body 2, a control cylinder 4, a second valve body 5 coupled to the first valve body 2, a non-return valve 6 housed at least partially in the second valve body 5, a first connector 8 coupled to the second valve body 5 and a second connector 9 coupled to the first valve body 2.

The first valve body 2 comprises a chamber 10 suitable for housing the shutter 3, an output connector 12 in communication with the chamber 10 and connected to the second valve body 5, an input connector 13, in communication with the chamber 10 and connected to the second connector 9, and an auxiliary connector 14, in communication with the chamber 10 and connected to the control cylinder 4.

Preferably, the output connector 12 and the input connector 13 are arranged aligned along an axis A, while the auxiliary connector 14 is disposed substantially orthogonal to the output connector 12 and the input connector 13 Preferably, the output connector 12, the input connector 13 and the auxiliary connector 14 have a circular section.

A non-illustrated variant provides that the output connector 12 and the input connector 13 are orthogonally arranged,

The chamber 10 is therefore provided with three openings respectively defined by the output connector 12, the input connector 13 and the auxiliary connector 14.

The input connector 13 is coupled to the second connector 9, preferably by means of a threaded coupling system. One variant provides for the coupling between the input connector 13 and the second connector 9 to be of rapid type, for example snap-fastening.

In the nonlimiting example described and illustrated here, the second connector 9 is provided with a first end portion 15 coupled to the inlet connector 13 of the first valve body 2, a second end portion 16 which can to be coupled to the external hydraulic elements (not shown by simplicity in the attached figures) and an intermediate ring 18, which projects internally to define a confinement element for the shutter 3 inside the chamber 10.

In the nonlimiting example described and illustrated herein, the first end portion 15 is formed to define an externally threaded female member configured to be screwed to the respective internally threaded inlet connector 13.

In the non-limiting example described and illustrated herein, the second end portion 16 is threaded internally. It is understood that the second end portion 16 can be made with different coupling systems to be compatible with the hydraulically distributed elements.

In the nonlimiting example described and illustrated here, the diameter DI of the output connector 12 is substantially identical to the diameter of the intermediate ring 18 of the second connector 9.

Preferably, the chamber 10 has a substantially cylindrical or frustoconical shape.

In the nonlimiting example described and illustrated here, the valve body 2 and the control cylinder 4 are made in one piece. The shutter 3 is coupled to a control 20 housed in the control cylinder 4 and is movable between an open position (illustrated in Figure 1), wherein the passage of a fluid flow through the first body of valve 2 is allowed, and a closed position (not shown in the accompanying figures), wherein the passage of a flow of fluid through the first valve body 2 is prevented.

In particular, the shutter 3 has a spherical shape and comprises an internal channel 21 and a groove 23 formed on the outer surface 24 and suitable for being engaged by a portion 25 of the control 20 so that a rotation of the control 20 determines a corresponding rotation of the shutter 3.

Preferably, the portion 25 of the control 20 engages the groove 23 with play, so that, in the closed position, the shutter 3 oscillates about an axis orthogonal to the axis A. The oscillation of the shutter 3 optimizes the sealing of the valve assembly 1 when the shutter 3 is in the closed position.

In the open position, the shutter 3 is arranged so that the internal channel 21 is substantially aligned along the axis A to allow the passage of fluid (configuration of Figure 1), while in the position of closing, the shutter 3 is arranged so that the outer surface 24 closes the inlet connector 13 to prevent the passage of liquids through the valve body 2.

Preferably, the shutter 3 is provided with an opening 26 made in a bottom portion of the shutter 3, substantially radially opposite to the position of the groove 23. Such an opening 26 prevents stagnation of the water around it. of the shutter 3 when the shutter 3 is disposed in the closed position. In this way, stagnations that could favor the development of bacteria (eg legionella) are avoided.

The second valve body 5 comprises a wall 29 hollow and suitable for defining a second chamber 30. The wall 29 is formed to have, in correspondence of the chamber 30, a circular inner section and a circular outer section. The wall 29 is provided with a substantially cylindrical inner surface 31a and an outer surface 31b itself also substantially cylindrical.

The second valve body 5 is coupled to the first valve body 2, and preferably to the outlet connector 12 of the first valve body 2.

In the nonlimiting example described and illustrated here, the first valve body 2 and the second valve body 5 are made in one piece.

The second chamber 30 has a diameter D2 preferably greater than the diameter D1.

The second valve body 5 is coupled to the first coupling 8.

Preferably, the second valve body 5 is threaded along the outer surface 31b of the wall 29 for coupling with a respective internal thread of the connector 8, as will be discussed in more detail later.

In the chamber 30 is housed, at least in part, the non-return valve 6.

The non-return valve 6 is configured to allow flow in one direction and to prevent it in the opposite direction.

In particular, the non-return valve 6 is configured to allow the flow of the first chamber 10 to the second chamber 30 and to prevent fluid reflux from the second chamber 30 to the first chamber 10.

In the nonlimiting example described and illustrated here, the non-return valve 6 comprises an abutment ring 35, a support ring 36, a flap 37 movable between an open position and a closed position, and a guide structure 38 coupled to the support ring 36 and configured to guide, in use, the movement of the leaf 37 between the open position (illustrated in Figure 1) and the closed position. The abutment ring 35 is coupled to the support ring 36 and defines a narrowing of the diameter D2 of the chamber. In the nonlimiting example described and illustrated here, the abutment ring 35 has a diameter smaller than the diameter DI of the outlet connector 12.

In particular, the stop ring 35 defines a stop edge along which the leaf 37 is pressed in the closed position.

A variant not shown provides for the connector 12 to define the stop ring for the leaf 37.

Another variant provides that the abutment ring 35 is made in one piece with the second valve body 5, and in particular with the wall 29. In other words, the second valve body 2 is formed in order to define an abutment ring for a flap 37 of the non-return valve 6.

In this way, the reduction of the passage diameter for the fluid flow due to the abutment ring 35 is avoided. The support ring 36 is preferably secured to the wall 29 of the second valve body 5 by means of a snap fastening system. In the nonlimiting example described and illustrated here, the snap fastening system comprises fins 40 suitable for engaging a groove 41 respectively formed on the inner surface 31a of the wall 29.

A variant not shown provides that the support ring 36 is blocked axially by a locking ring, for example the first connector 8, as will be seen in more detail later.

The guide structure 38 comprises a kind of cage coupled to the support ring 36 and configured to lock the leaf 37 when the valve 6 is in the open position and guide the leaf 37 in the passage from the open position to the closing position and vice versa.

The first connector 8 is provided with a first portion 44 coupled to the output connector 12 of the first valve body 2, a second portion 45 which can be coupled to the external hydraulic elements (not shown for the sake of simplicity in the accompanying figures) .

In the nonlimiting example described and illustrated here, the first part 44 is formed to define an internally threaded male element and configured to be screwed to the threading present on the outer surface 31b of the second valve body 5.

In the nonlimiting example described and illustrated here, the second portion 45 is internally threaded. It is understood that the second portion 45 can be made with different coupling systems to be compatible with the hydraulically distributed elements.

Preferably, the first portion 44 and the second portion 45 are formed to internally define respective internal conduits of substantially cylindrical shape.

In particular, the first portion 44 is configured to define a first inner conduit 46 having a diameter greater than the outer diameter of the second valve body 5.

The second portion 45 is configured to define a second inner conduit 47 having a diameter D3.

When the first connector 8 is coupled to the second valve body 5, the inner conduit 47 is in communication with the second chamber 30.

The diameter D3 of the second portion 45 is determined by the section of the hydraulic element to which the valve assembly 1 will be coupled.

In the nonlimiting example described and illustrated here, the diameter D3 is equal to the diameter D2 of the second chamber 30.

One variant provides for the diameter D3 of the second internal duct of the connector 8 to be smaller than the diameter of the second chamber 30. In this way, the chamber 30 can be dimensioned in order to minimize the pressure drops independently of the passage sections of the hydraulic elements to which will have to be coupled the valve assembly 1.

FIG. 2 illustrates a variant of the coupling mechanism between the first connector 8 and the second valve body 5.

In this configuration, the first connector 8 is coupled to the second valve body 5 by means of a fast coupling mechanism, preferably latching.

In particular, the first connector 8 is provided with a first annular groove 101 and a second annular groove 102 formed along the inner cylindrical surface of the first conduit 46.

The second valve body 5 is provided with an annular groove 105 formed along the outer surface 31b to face the second annular groove 102 of the first connector 8 when the first connector 8 and the second valve body 5 are coupled. .

The first groove 101 houses a sealing ring 108. The second groove 102 and the annular groove 105 house a resilient ring 110, preferably Seeger type. This type of quick connection is irreversible. Once coupled, the second connector 8 and the second valve body 2 can not be decoupled.

The relative position between the first annular groove 101 and the second annular groove 102 does not matter for performing the quick coupling.

In the nonlimiting example described and illustrated here, the first annular groove 101 is disposed near the end portion of the second valve body 5, oriented in use, towards the first valve body 2 and the second annular groove 102 is arranged near the end portion of the second valve body 5 oriented, in use, to the first connector 8. However, the position of the first annular groove 101 and the second annular groove 102 can be reversed.

This type of connection is able to allow the free rotation between the first connector 8 and the second valve body 5. In this way, for the coupling of the valve assembly 1 to the external hydraulic elements, simply rotate the connector 8 without rotating the assembly which comprises at least the first valve body 2 and the second valve body 5.

Finally, it is clear that the valve assembly described herein may be subject to modifications and variations without departing from the scope of the appended claims.

Claims (17)

A valve assembly (1) comprising: a first valve body (2) having a first chamber (10); A shutter (3), which is movable in the first chamber (10) and is connected to a control (20); A second valve body (5) coupled to the first valve body (2) and provided with a second chamber (30) in communication with the first chamber (10); • a non-return valve (6) at least partially housed in the second chamber (30); At least one first connector (8) mechanically coupled to the second valve body (5); the second valve body (5) and the first coupling (8) being separate parts therebetween. Valve assembly according to claim 1, wherein the first valve body (2) and the second valve body (5) are made in one piece. The valve assembly of claim 1 or 2, wherein the first connector (8) is coupled to the second valve body (5) by means of a threaded coupling. Valve assembly according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first connector (8) is coupled to the second valve body (5) by means of a quick coupling, preferably latching. The valve assembly of claim 1 or 2, wherein the first connector (8) is coupled to the second valve body (5) by means of a coupling configured to allow free rotation between the second valve body (5). ) and the first connector (8) and to prevent decoupling between the second valve body (5) and the first connector (8). The valve assembly of claim 5, wherein the first connector (8) is coupled to the second valve body (5) by means of an elastic ring. A valve assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second chamber (30) is defined by a wall (29) having a substantially cylindrical inner section. The valve assembly of claim 7, wherein the first connector (8) is formed to define a passage channel (47) in communication with the substantially cylindrical second chamber (30); the diameter (D3) of the passage channel (47) being equal to or smaller than the diameter (D2) of the second chamber (30). The valve assembly of claim 7, wherein the first connector (8) is formed to define a passage channel (47) in communication with the substantially cylindrical second chamber (30); the diameter (D3) of the passage channel (47) being smaller than the diameter (D2) of the second chamber (30). A valve assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the check valve (6) is a flapper valve. The valve assembly of claim 8, wherein the first valve body (2) comprises an input connector (13) and an output connector (12), which are in communication with the first chamber (10); the output connector (12) being coupled to the second valve body (5). The valve assembly of claim 11, wherein the input connector (13) and the output connector (12) are aligned along a longitudinal axis (A). The valve assembly of claim 11, wherein the input connector (13) and the output connector (12) are orthogonally disposed with respect to each other. Valve assembly according to any one of claims 11 to 13, wherein the outlet connector (12) defines an abutment ring for a leaf (37) of the non-return valve (6). Valve assembly according to any one of claims 10 to 13, wherein the second valve body (2) is formed to define an abutment ring for a flapper (37) of the non-return valve (6). . A valve assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first valve body (2) is mechanically coupled to a second connector (9); the first valve body (2) and the second coupling (9) being separate parts from each other. The valve assembly of claim 16, wherein the first valve body (2) comprises an input connector (13) and an output connector (12), which are in communication with the first chamber (10); the input connector (13) being coupled to the second connector (9).