FR3084432A1 - REGULATION DEVICE INCLUDING A RETURN MEMBER FIXED ON AN INTERNAL FACE OF AN ADJUSTMENT VALVE - Google Patents

Abstract

Regulating device (1) designed to regulate a flow rate of fluid flowing in a conduit, comprising a regulating valve (2, 2 '), a regulating flap (6) movable in rotation around a regulating axis ( 61), and at least one return member (7, 7 ') of which a first end (71) is fixed in the adjustment valve (2, 2') and a second end (72) is in contact with the shutter regulation (6), characterized in that the first end (71) of the return member (7, 7 ') is fixed to an internal face (25) of the adjustment valve (2, 2') opposite the flap regulation (6).

Description

The invention relates to a device for regulating a flow rate of fluid flowing in a conduit.

Thereafter, for the sake of clarity, the fluid taken as an example will be air, the duct will therefore be a so-called “aeraulic” duct. However, an identical reasoning could be carried out for all the fluid circulating in a conduit.

Buildings receiving people, in particular dwellings or tertiary premises such as schools or offices, generally include a ventilation system of the different rooms, called controlled mechanical ventilation "VMC", to renew the air in these rooms by bringing outside air and extracting stale air inside the premises. The main purpose of renewing the air in the rooms is to evacuate pollution linked to the presence of the occupants, the presence of materials or machines used on its premises, as well as those emitted by the building itself.

Buildings may also include an air heating and / or air conditioning installation allowing a flow of air into a room so as to increase and / or decrease the temperature of said room.

More generally, controlled mechanical ventilation systems or aeraulic heating and / or air conditioning systems are aeraulic systems in which an air flow, also called air flow, is transported by aeraulic ducts, generally forming a network. ventilation, between at least one inlet and at least one outlet.

More specifically, the air duct includes an internal lace delimiting an interior zone. The interior area of the air duct is accessible from one end of the air duct.

Thereafter, it will be considered that the air flow is a volume flow of air.

The air flow through the air duct corresponds to a volume of air passing through a given surface per unit of time. The flow is generally expressed in m ³ / s. It varies as a function of the air speed, that is to say the air pressure, and of a passage section of the air duct, that is to say an internal surface of the duct ventilation determined transversely to an elongation axis of the ventilation duct. Consequently, for a given pressure, a maximum flow rate of the aeraulic duct is determined depending on the passage section. In the case of a tubular air duct, the passage section varies according to the diameter of the duct.

In order to distribute the air flow in the air ducts according to the needs of each room, it is necessary to be able to adjust said air flow, that is to say reduce said maximum air flow through the air duct until at a determined setting value. In addition, as the pressure of the air flow can vary, it is also necessary to be able to regulate said air flow as a function of the pressure so that said air flow is closest to the setting value. determined.

There is a known solution for regulating and regulating an air flow rate passing through an aeration duct by modifying the passage section of the aeration duct.

For example, patent document EP1881278 presents a device designed to be introduced into an air duct, comprising a tubular body in which is fixed an adjustment valve making it possible to determine the cross section of the air flow.

More specifically, the tubular body comprises an internal wall defining an internal volume and an external wall opposite to said internal wall. The tubular body provides mechanical strength for the control valve and the control flap.

The adjustment valve extends along a plane. The adjustment valve has at least partly a shape substantially identical to the passage section of the air duct in which the device is intended to be inserted.

The adjustment valve is configured so as to at least partially reduce the passage section of said air duct. For this, the adjustment valve is fixed in a position determined according to the desired flow. The position of the adjustment valve of the device can be determined during manufacture or can be determined based on tests carried out on the installation. In the device of patent EP1881278, the adjustment valve is mounted so as to be able to rotate about an adjustment axis and is then fixed by a technician in a determined position.

The adjustment valve then makes it possible to adjust the air flow to a determined adjustment value.

As the flow of air passing through the air duct presents pressure variations, the device also comprises a regulating flap pivotally fixed on a regulating axis in order to regulate said air flow.

More specifically, the regulatory component extends in one plane. The regulating flap is maintained in a nominal position dependent on the position of the regulating flap. The nominal position is the optimal regulation position to obtain a constant flow. However, the control flap is movable in rotation around this nominal position. Indeed, the air flow varies with pressure. Thus, depending on the air pressure, the position of the regulating flap varies so as to increase or decrease the passage section, and in doing so maintains a substantially constant flow.

When the control flap is in the nominal position, the control flap is substantially parallel to the control valve.

It is determined that an internal face of the regulating valve is a face opposite the regulating flap. An external face of the adjustment valve is a face opposite the internal face.

It is also determined that an internal face of the regulating flap is a face opposite the internal face of the regulating valve.

The control flap is returned to the nominal position by means of a return member, a first end of which is fixed in the external face of the control valve and a second end is in contact with the internal face of the control flap. The second end is free on the control flap.

The return member is at rest when the regulating flap is in its nominal position, that is to say when the return member extends substantially parallel to the regulating valve and to the regulating flap, no constraint then acting on the return member. The return member has a substantially rectilinear shape.

The return member is under stress when the regulating flap deviates from the regulating flap, that is to say when a spreading force, exerted by the fluid for example, tends to spread the regulating flap of the adjustment valve and that the return member exerts a return force so as to maintain the control flap in the nominal position.

Under stress, the return member deforms elastically between the regulating flap and the regulating valve. More specifically, the return member is on the one hand, held on the adjustment valve at a fixing zone of the return member and on the other hand, slides on the control flap. In this way, the return member forms a curve between the regulating flap and the regulating valve.

However, the return member tends to maintain its substantially rectilinear shape between the regulating flap and the regulating valve. Thus the return member is detached from the adjustment valve.

The return member therefore exerts the return force between the fixing area of the return member and a contact area of the return member with the regulating flap. There is therefore a concentration of stress at a fixing zone of the return member in the adjustment valve.

In addition, the device comprises a damping element positioned between the internal face of the control valve and the internal face of the control flap. The damping element allows, by compression of said damping element, to dampen the movements of the regulating flap so that it does not enter into resonance, that is to say that it does not make permanent movements around its axis and thus does not cause noise pollution and premature aging of the device.

The invention aims to improve the efficiency of the return member and reduce the number of parts of the device described above by providing a regulating device designed to regulate a flow of fluid flowing in a duct, comprising a regulating valve, a regulating flap movable in rotation about a regulating axis, and at least one return member of which a first end is fixed in the regulating valve and a second end is in contact with the regulating flap, characterized in that the first end of the return member is fixed in an internal face of the regulating valve opposite the regulating flap.

Thus, the first end of the return member corresponding to a fixing area of the return member, is positioned between the adjustment valve and the control flap.

When the regulating flap is in a nominal position determined by the regulating flap, the return member is at rest. It then extends in a substantially rectilinear manner.

When the control flap deviates from a nominal position determined by the control valve, the control flap exerts a spreading force on the return member. The recall organ is then put under stress. The return member deforms elastically. The return member then has a curved shape so as to form an angle between the regulating flap and the regulating valve.

However, the return member tends to maintain its substantially rectilinear shape between the regulating flap and the regulating valve. Thus, the return member bears on the internal face of the adjustment valve, said internal face being positioned between the area for fixing the return member and a contact area of the return member with the control flap. .

The return member therefore exerts a return force, opposite to the spreading force, between the contact area of the return member with the regulating flap, an area of contact of the return member with the face. internal of the adjustment valve and the area for fixing the return member in the adjustment valve. The stress exerted on the return member is distributed in at least two zones on the adjustment valve, so that the return member does not undergo a concentration of stresses at the level of the zone for fixing the member. in the adjustment valve.

In doing so, the return member fixed in the internal face of the adjustment valve distributes the stress better than a return member fixed in an external face of the adjustment valve as described in the state of the art. In other words, for an equivalent spacing force, the return member according to the invention locally undergoes a lower concentration of stresses than the return member according to the state of the art.

However, it is known that when the stress concentration exceeds a predetermined threshold, the return member is degraded. Thus, it is the concentration of stresses which determines a maximum spacing force that can be applied to the return member.

Thus, by reducing the concentration of stresses applied to the return member according to the invention, the maximum spreading force that can be applied can be increased.

By fixing the first end of the return member between the adjustment valve and the control flap, an efficiency of said return member is therefore improved.

Thus, for an equivalent spacing force, the return member according to the invention may have less important resistance characteristics to be stressed in the same way as the return member according to the state of the art.

In other words, to obtain the same performance as the return member according to the state of the art in an identical situation, the return member according to the invention has lower resistance characteristics.

According to a characteristic of the invention, the return member is a leaf spring.

According to a characteristic of the invention, the return member is a leaf spring comprising two blades.

According to a characteristic of the invention, the return member is fixed to an internal face of the regulating flap.

According to a characteristic of the invention, the internal face of the adjustment valve comprises an arrangement configured to receive the first end of the return member.

Thus, the return member is maintained on the internal face of the adjustment valve by means of the corresponding arrangement. The return element can be clipped, screwed, glued into the corresponding arrangement.

According to a characteristic of the invention, the arrangement comprises a slot arranged to receive the first end of the return member.

Thus, the return member is fitted into the slot.

According to a characteristic of the invention, the adjustment valve comprises a recess allowing access to the arrangement.

Thus, it is possible to access the arrangement from an external face of the adjustment valve in order to fix the return member in the arrangement, for example by means of a screw.

According to a characteristic of the invention, the adjustment valve comprises a notch arranged to allow the passage of the return member between the adjustment valve and the control flap.

Thus, the notch provides a passage for the return member between the control flap and the adjustment valve. So that the regulating flap and the regulating flap can be merged along an axis.

According to a characteristic of the invention, the adjustment valve comprises an adjustment axis coinciding with the regulation axis.

According to a characteristic of the invention, the adjustment valve comprises an adjustment axis independent of the regulation axis.

According to a characteristic of the invention, the adjustment device comprises a protuberance configured to maintain the adjustment valve at a minimum distance from the control flap.

Thus the protuberance puts stress on the spring.

According to a characteristic of the invention, the protuberance is positioned on the internal face of the adjustment valve.

According to a characteristic of the invention, the regulating valve comprises at least one elongation designed to limit rotation of the regulating flap.

Thus, the regulating flap is movable between a rest position determined by the protuberance and a maximum position determined by the at least one elongation. The control flap cannot reach a critical angle causing the regulation flap to resonate.

The at least one elongation forms an element for damping the movements of the regulating flap.

In addition, the elongation of the adjustment valve is not an independent part of the device. The elongation is integrated into the adjustment valve, in other words the elongation is an extension of the adjustment valve.

In another embodiment, the elongation is an independent piece of the device made of a rigid or flexible material such as an elastomer, or a spring for example.

According to a characteristic of the invention, the at least one elongation extends transversely to the regulation axis.

According to a characteristic of the invention, the at least one elongation forms an angle with the plane in which the adjustment valve extends.

The invention will be better understood from the description below, which relates to embodiments according to the present invention, given by way of nonlimiting examples and explained with reference to the appended schematic drawings, in which:

- Figure 1 is a perspective view of an adjustment valve according to a first embodiment of the invention;

- Figure 2 is a side view of the adjustment valve of Figure 1;

- Figure 3 is a perspective view of the control valve according to a second embodiment of the invention and of a control flap according to the invention;

- Figure 4 is a regulation device comprising the adjustment valve according to the second embodiment;

- Figure 5 is a curve representing, for a given position of the adjustment valve, a flow of fluid as a function of a vacuum of the fluid;

- Figure 6 shows a regulatory component and a return member according to the invention at rest and under stress.

The remainder of the description relates to 2 embodiments of an adjustment valve according to the invention, with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4 in which the structurally or functionally identical or similar elements or members are designated by identical reference numerals.

The adjustment valve 2 according to a first embodiment of the invention, as illustrated in FIG. 1 and in FIG. 2, extends substantially in a plane. The adjustment valve 2 has a substantially semi-circular shape, that is to say in the form of a semi-disc, comprising on the one hand a substantially straight edge 21, and on the other hand a rounded edge 22. The substantially straight edge 21 includes a notch 23 in a substantially central part. The notch 23 creates a passage to a return member 7 and corresponds to a contact area of the return member 7 with the internal face 25 of the adjustment valve 2. The substantially straight edge 21 corresponds to an axis of adjustment of the adjustment valve 2. The adjustment axis of the adjustment valve 2 is provided at a first end with a rotation pin 30, and at a second end with an adjustment element 29.

In addition, the adjustment valve 2 comprises on an internal face 25 a substantially rectangular arrangement 24 provided with a slot 26 opposite the notch 23 and a recess 32.

The adjustment valve 2 has an external face 28 opposite the internal face 25.

The adjustment valve 2 comprises on the arrangement 24, a substantially cylindrical protrusion T1 extending substantially transversely to the plane in which the adjustment valve extends.

The adjustment valve 2 also comprises, on either side of the notch 23, two elongations 31. The elongations 31 have a quadrilateral shape, one side of which coincides with the substantially rectilinear edge 21. The elongations 31 extend in a plane forming an angle with the external face 28.

FIG. 3 represents an adjustment valve 2 ′ according to a second embodiment of the invention. The adjustment valve 2 'extends substantially in one plane. The adjustment valve 2 ′ has a substantially semi-circular shape, comprising on the one hand a substantially straight edge 21, and on the other hand a rounded edge 22.

The substantially straight edge 21 corresponds to an adjustment axis of the adjustment valve 2 '. The substantially straight edge 21 corresponds to a contact area of the return member 7 with the internal face 25 of the adjustment valve 2 '. The adjustment axis of the adjustment valve 2 ′ is provided at a first end with a rotation pin 30, and at a second end with an adjustment element 29 ′ according to a second embodiment.

In addition, the adjustment valve 2 ′ comprises on an internal face 25 an arrangement 24 provided with a slot 26 facing the substantially rectilinear edge 21 and with a recess 32.

The adjustment valve 2 ′ also includes two elongations 3Γ. The extensions 31 'have a substantially square shape, one side of which coincides with the substantially rectilinear edge 21. The extensions 31' extend in a plane forming an obtuse angle with the external face 28.

The adjustment valve 2 ′ comprises a position indication element 33 extending in an axis parallel to the adjustment axis.

FIG. 3 also shows a control flap 6. The control flap 6 extends along a plane. The regulating flap 6 has a substantially oblong shape. The regulating flap 6 comprises a regulating axis 61 parallel and distinct from the adjusting axis of the regulating valve 2 '. The regulation axis 61 comprises, at a first end and at a second end, a rotation pin 62.

The regulating valve 2 ′ and the regulating flap 6 are maintained in an orientation substantially parallel with respect to each other by a return member 7. The return member 7 is a rectilinear leaf spring, one of which first end 71 is introduced into the slot 26 of the arrangement 24 of the adjustment valve 2 '. The return member 7 is fixed in the arrangement 24 by means of a screw 73 introduced into the recess 32. The return member 7 is in contact with a zone for fixing the return member.

A second end 72 is in contact with the contact zone of the return member 7 with the internal face of the regulation flap 6. The second end 72 is free on the regulation flap 6.

FIG. 4 represents a regulation device 1 comprising a regulation module 11 inserted in a sleeve 12.

The regulation module 11 is independent of the sleeve 12 so that it can be inserted and removed easily. The regulation module 11 comprises the regulation valve 2 ′ according to the second embodiment of the invention, the regulation flap 6 and the return member 7.

The regulation module 11 further comprises a first base 4 into which is inserted the adjustment element 29 'provided with a reference wheel 47. The reference wheel 47, via the adjustment element 29' makes it possible to modify a position of the adjustment valve 2 '.

The regulation module 11 comprises a second base 3 comprising a position indicator 34 cooperating with the position indication element 33. When the adjustment valve 2 ′ pivots around the adjustment axis, the indication element of position 33 also pivots and rotates the position indicator 34.

The first base 4 and the second base 3 are connected to each other by a stiffening pin 48 ensuring mechanical strength of the assembly.

The sleeve 12 has a tubular shape, that is to say that a passage section is circular, comprising an internal wall 81 defining an internal volume of said sleeve 12 and an external wall 82 opposite the internal wall 81.

The cuff 12 further comprises a first notch 83, respectively a second notch 84, whose length and width are substantially equal to a length and a width of the first base 3, respectively of the second base 4, of the regulation module 11 with which they are intended to cooperate.

When the technician forms a regulation device 1 according to the invention, he takes on the one hand a cuff 12 and on the other by a regulation module 11 according to the second embodiment. Then it directs the regulation module 11 so as to bring the first base 3 opposite the first notch 83 and the second base 4 with the second notch 84. Then, it slides the regulation module 11 into the internal volume of the cuff 12. The bases 3, 4 of the adjustment module 11 are then held in the notches 83, 84 of the cuff 12.

The cuff 12 is designed to be introduced into a conduit so that the external face 82 is in contact with an internal face of said conduit.

When the regulating device 1 is introduced into a conduit, the regulating valve 2 ′ is fixed in a determined position as a function of a desired flow rate by means of the regulating element 29 ′.

The regulating flap 6 is movable in rotation about the regulating axis 61 between a rest position determined by the protrusion T1 and a maximum position determined by the elongations 31 '.

FIG. 5 illustrates a curve 90 representing an evolution of a flow rate D passing through the regulating device 1 as a function of a vacuum value dP of the fluid, for a given position of the adjustment valve 2 ′, and the advantage provided by the presence of 3Γ elongations.

When the depression dP is zero, the flow rate D is zero. Then a first part A of the curve 90 illustrates that the flow D increases linearly with the depression dP. In this case, the control flap is in the rest position. Then in a second part B of the curve 90, the depression dP is sufficient to partially close the regulating flap 6, that is to say to put the regulating flap 6 in a position comprised between the rest position and the maximum position. The flow rate D is then substantially constant with the increase in depression dP up to a value of approximately 200Pa. The regulating flap 6 is then in the maximum position. Thus, as illustrated in a third part C of the curve 90, an increase in the depression dP leads to an increase in the flow rate D so as to follow a curve of the square root type. The regulating flap is in the maximum position on the elongations and no longer moves. There is no phenomenon of 5 resonance.

FIG. 6 illustrates the regulating flap 6 and the rest return member 7 and under constraints 7 ′. The restoring member 7 at rest is substantially parallel to the regulating flap 6 while the restoring member 7 'under stress has a curve shape between the adjusting valve 2' and the regulating flap 6.

Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiments described and shown in the appended figures. Modifications remain possible, in particular from the point of view of the constitution of the various elements or by substitution of technical equivalents, without thereby departing from the scope of protection of the invention.

Claims (10)

1. Regulating device (1) designed to regulate a flow of fluid flowing in a conduit, comprising an adjusting valve (2, 2 ′), a regulating flap (6) movable in rotation about an axis of regulation (61), and at least one return member (7, 7 '), a first end (71) of which is fixed in the adjustment valve (2, 2') and a second end (72) of which is in contact with the regulating flap (6), characterized in that the first end (71) of the return member (7, 7 ') is fixed in an internal face (25) of the regulating valve (2, 2') opposite of the regulating flap (6). 2. A regulating device (1) according to claim 1, in which the internal face (25) of the adjustment valve (2, 2 ′) comprises an arrangement (24) configured to receive the first end (71) of the member. reminder (7, 7 '). 3. Regulating device (1) according to claim 2, wherein the arrangement (24) comprises a slot (26) arranged to receive the first end (71) of the return member (7, 7 '). 4. Regulating device (1) according to any one of claims 2 or 3, wherein the adjusting valve (2, 2 ') comprises a recess (32) providing access to the arrangement (24). 5. Regulating device according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the adjusting valve (2) comprises a notch (23) arranged to allow the passage of the return member (7, 7 ') between the valve. adjustment (2) and the regulating flap (6). 6. Regulating device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a protuberance (27) configured to maintain the regulating valve (2, 2 ') at a minimum distance from the regulating flap (6). 7. A regulation device (1) according to claim 6, wherein the protuberance (27) is positioned on the internal face (25) of the adjustment valve (2, 2 '). 8. Regulating device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the regulating valve (2, 2 ') comprises at least one elongation (31, 3Γ) designed to limit rotation of the regulating flap (6 ). 9. A regulation device (1) according to claim 8, wherein the at least one elongation (31, 3Γ) extends transversely to the regulation axis (61). 10. Regulating device (1) according to any one of claims 8 or 9, wherein the at least one elongation (31, 31 ') forms an angle with the plane in which the adjustment valve extends (2 , 2 ').