GB2076504A

GB2076504A - Fluid flow control valve

Info

Publication number: GB2076504A
Application number: GB8017066A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Conder International Ltd
Current assignee: Conder International Ltd
Priority date: 1980-05-23
Filing date: 1980-05-23
Publication date: 1981-12-02

Abstract

The valve comprises a valve body (10) having a fluid inlet (12) and a fluid outlet (13), and flow control means for varying the cross-sectional dimensions of a fluid path in the body between the inlet and the outlet. The flow control means comprises at least one flexible impermeable member (11) supported relative to the body with a chamber formed between the flexible member and the body. Fluid pressure can be introduced into the chamber or released therefrom via a valve (14) to move the flexible member in a direction transverse to the in use direction of flow through the fluid path and past the flexible member to control the rate of flow of fluid between the inlet (12) and the outlet (13). <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Fluid flow control valve This invention relates to a fluid flow control valve.

According to the invention, there is provided a fluid flow control valve comprising a valve body having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet, and flow control means for varying the cross-sectional dimensions of a fluid path in the body between the inlet and the outlet, the flow control means comprising at least one flexible impermeable member supported relative to the body with a chamber formed between the flexible member and the body and means for introducing fluid pressure into the chamber or releasing fluid pressure therefrom to move the flexible member in a direction transverse to the in use direction of flow through the fluid path and past the flexible member to control the rate of flow of fluid through the valve.

Advantageously, the flexible member is in the form of a sleeve, supported at opposite axial ends relative to the body and the chamber between the flexible member and the body is annular.

Alternatively, the flow control means may comprise a plurality of flexible impermeable members which are together arranged to surround or substantially sun ound the fluid path. In this case, the chambers between the plurality of members and the body may communicate with one another.

Preferably, the flow control means is capable of closing the fluid path between the inlet and the outlet to interrupt fluid flow through the valve.

Conveniently, the valve body is tubular with the fluid inlet at one end and the fluid outlet at the other end.

The invention will now be more particularly described by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawing, wherein: Figure 1 is a side view of one embodiment of a fluid flow control valve according to the invention, with a part broken away for reasons of clarity, Figure 2 is a side view, partly sectioned of the valve shown in Figure 1, and Figure 3 is a diagrammatic cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the valve.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2, the fluid flow control valve shown therein comprises a tubular valve body 10 having right cylindrical inner and outer wall surfaces and a flexible impermeable diaphragm in the form of a sleeve 11 which may, for example, be made of neoprene rubber. The sleeve 11 is secured at opposite ends only to the body 1 0. Intermediate its ends, the sleeve 11 defines with the body 10 an annular chamber 9.

A fluid inlet tube 12 is connected to one end of the body 10 and a fluid outlet tube 13 is connected to the other end of the body 1 0. The tubes 12 and 13 and the body 10 are coaxial although this need not be so.

A first fluid passes through the body 10 from the inlet tube 12 to the outlet tube 13 and this is the fluid the flow of which is to be controlled. A second fluid can be introduced under pressure into the chamber 9 via a valve 14 provided in the body 10. When there is no fluid in the chamber 9 the sleeve 11 will be held against the inner wall of the body 10 and it will not obstruct the flow of the first fluid through the valve. However, as fluid is gradually introduced under pressure into the chamber 9 the portion of the sleeve 11 intermediate its ends will be displaced radially inwardly until finally it closes the fluid path through the valve by sealing against itself. Figure 2 shows in full lines the sleeve 11 in an almost fully open position and in broken lines the sleeve 11 in a position intermediate its fully open and closed positions.

By then releasing the fluid pressure in the chamber 9 the sleeve will move radially outwards.

The advantages of such a valve are: 1. Low acoustic noise.

2. Low head loss - the sleeve is not turbulence inducing.

3. At full flow there is no obstruction to the flow.

4. High sensitivity.

5. Suited to controlling chemical fluids of a corrosive or explosive nature. In this case an inert neoprene flexible member, which does not pierce the walls of the valve body 10, can be used.

The first and second fluids could be identical or entirely different and indeed one may be a liquid e.g. water and the other a gas e.g. air.

The valve can be operated automatically in response to a desired parameter. For example, if the valve is used in a warm air industrial heating system, the fluid pressure in the chamber 9 can be varied in accordance with room temperature.

Figure 3 shows another embodiment, in which the valve body 10' is of rectangular cross-section.

Fourflexible impermeable membranes 11' are secured to the four inner walls of the body 10' and as shown these together surround a fluid path between the inlet and outlet of the valve. The four chambers 9' defined between the membranes 11' and respective walls of the body 1 0' may communicate with each other internally or externally of the body 10' or may be independently pressurised.

It may be possible to provide a valve in which a single membrane does not seal against itself or a plurality of membranes do not seal against one another when the valve is closed, but which seals or seal against a rigid surface - in which case the membrane or membranes will not surround said fluid path.

Moreover, the sleeve could seal against a rigid member e.g. a central rigid core when the valve is closed.

1. A fluid flow control valve comprising a valve body having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet, and flow control means for varying the cross-sectional dimensions of a fluid path in the body between the inlet and the outlet, the flow control means

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Fluid flow control valve This invention relates to a fluid flow control valve. According to the invention, there is provided a fluid flow control valve comprising a valve body having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet, and flow control means for varying the cross-sectional dimensions of a fluid path in the body between the inlet and the outlet, the flow control means comprising at least one flexible impermeable member supported relative to the body with a chamber formed between the flexible member and the body and means for introducing fluid pressure into the chamber or releasing fluid pressure therefrom to move the flexible member in a direction transverse to the in use direction of flow through the fluid path and past the flexible member to control the rate of flow of fluid through the valve. Advantageously, the flexible member is in the form of a sleeve, supported at opposite axial ends relative to the body and the chamber between the flexible member and the body is annular. Alternatively, the flow control means may comprise a plurality of flexible impermeable members which are together arranged to surround or substantially sun ound the fluid path. In this case, the chambers between the plurality of members and the body may communicate with one another. Preferably, the flow control means is capable of closing the fluid path between the inlet and the outlet to interrupt fluid flow through the valve. Conveniently, the valve body is tubular with the fluid inlet at one end and the fluid outlet at the other end. The invention will now be more particularly described by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawing, wherein: Figure 1 is a side view of one embodiment of a fluid flow control valve according to the invention, with a part broken away for reasons of clarity, Figure 2 is a side view, partly sectioned of the valve shown in Figure 1, and Figure 3 is a diagrammatic cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the valve. Referring to Figures 1 and 2, the fluid flow control valve shown therein comprises a tubular valve body 10 having right cylindrical inner and outer wall surfaces and a flexible impermeable diaphragm in the form of a sleeve 11 which may, for example, be made of neoprene rubber. The sleeve 11 is secured at opposite ends only to the body 1 0. Intermediate its ends, the sleeve 11 defines with the body 10 an annular chamber 9. A fluid inlet tube 12 is connected to one end of the body 10 and a fluid outlet tube 13 is connected to the other end of the body 1 0. The tubes 12 and 13 and the body 10 are coaxial although this need not be so. A first fluid passes through the body 10 from the inlet tube 12 to the outlet tube 13 and this is the fluid the flow of which is to be controlled. A second fluid can be introduced under pressure into the chamber 9 via a valve 14 provided in the body 10. When there is no fluid in the chamber 9 the sleeve 11 will be held against the inner wall of the body 10 and it will not obstruct the flow of the first fluid through the valve. However, as fluid is gradually introduced under pressure into the chamber 9 the portion of the sleeve 11 intermediate its ends will be displaced radially inwardly until finally it closes the fluid path through the valve by sealing against itself. Figure 2 shows in full lines the sleeve 11 in an almost fully open position and in broken lines the sleeve 11 in a position intermediate its fully open and closed positions. By then releasing the fluid pressure in the chamber 9 the sleeve will move radially outwards. The advantages of such a valve are: 1. Low acoustic noise. 2. Low head loss - the sleeve is not turbulence inducing. 3. At full flow there is no obstruction to the flow. 4. High sensitivity. 5. Suited to controlling chemical fluids of a corrosive or explosive nature. In this case an inert neoprene flexible member, which does not pierce the walls of the valve body 10, can be used. The first and second fluids could be identical or entirely different and indeed one may be a liquid e.g. water and the other a gas e.g. air. The valve can be operated automatically in response to a desired parameter. For example, if the valve is used in a warm air industrial heating system, the fluid pressure in the chamber 9 can be varied in accordance with room temperature. Figure 3 shows another embodiment, in which the valve body 10' is of rectangular cross-section. Fourflexible impermeable membranes 11' are secured to the four inner walls of the body 10' and as shown these together surround a fluid path between the inlet and outlet of the valve. The four chambers 9' defined between the membranes 11' and respective walls of the body 1 0' may communicate with each other internally or externally of the body 10' or may be independently pressurised. It may be possible to provide a valve in which a single membrane does not seal against itself or a plurality of membranes do not seal against one another when the valve is closed, but which seals or seal against a rigid surface - in which case the membrane or membranes will not surround said fluid path. Moreover, the sleeve could seal against a rigid member e.g. a central rigid core when the valve is closed. CLAIMS

1. A fluid flow control valve comprising a valve body having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet, and flow control means for varying the cross-sectional dimensions of a fluid path in the body between the inlet and the outlet, the flow control means comprising at least one flexible impermeable member supported relative to the body with a chamber formed between the flexible member and the body and means for introducing fluid pressure into the chamber or releasing fluid pressure therefrom to move the flexible member in a direction transverse to the in use direction of flow through the fluid path and past the flexible member to control the rate of flow of fluid through the valve.

2. A fluid flow control valve as claimed in claim 1, wherein the flexible member is in the form of a sleeve supported at opposite axial ends relative to the body and the chamber between the flexible member and the body is annular.

3. A fluid flow control valve as claimed in claim 1, wherein the flow control means comprises a plurality of flexible impermeable members which are together arranged to surround or substantially surround the fluid path.

4. A fluid flow control valve as claimed in claim 3, wherein chambers between the plurality of members and the body communicate with one another.

5. A fluid flow control valve as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the flow control means is capable of closing the fluid path between the inlet and the outlet to interrupt fluid flow through the valve.

6. A fluid flow control valve as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the valve body is tubular, with the fluid inlet at one end and the fluid outlet at the other end.

7. A fluid flow control device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in Figs. 1 and 2 or Figs. 1 and 2 as modified by Fig. 3 of the accompanying drawings.