GB2263154A

GB2263154A - Valve assembly module

Info

Publication number: GB2263154A
Application number: GB9226726A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Walter Brausfeld; Hans-Friedrich Meyer; Rudolf Moeller
Original assignee: Mannesmann AG
Current assignee: Vodafone GmbH
Priority date: 1991-12-27
Filing date: 1992-12-22
Publication date: 1993-07-14
Also published as: DE4143274C2; GB9226726D0; ITMI922971A0; DE4143274A1; FR2685753A1; IT1256488B; ITMI922971A1

Description

I- 2263154 A VALVE ASSEMBLY MODULE This invention relates to a valve

assembly in a modular form.

German Patent Application 4004834 describes a valve assembly (ISO connection plate system) consisting of a connection or base plate and an intermediate plate with pilot valves and a main valve lying one above the other.

An electrical pin-and-socket connection is required between the base plate and the intermediate plate, so that electrical pin-and-socket elements have to be provided on the side of the base plate which faces the intermediate plate and on the side of the intermediate plate which faces the base plate. Furthermore, the llintermediate plate system" requires a seal between the base plate and intermediate plate and between the intermediate plate and the main valve. This seal may result in several leakage points.

German Patent Application 3822340 describes a valve assembly in which the pilot valves are arranged on the intermediate plate. In this case, two electrical pin-andsocket connections are required, namely between the base plate and the intermediate plate and between the inter-mediate plate and the main valve.

A valve assembly nodule connectible on the faces thereof to another such module, in accordance with one aspect of the invention, comprises a base plate, parallel vent and pressure lines running generally perpendicular to the connection faces, operating lines running transversely to the vent and pressure lines and connectible to the pressure line, and a main valve and/or a pneumatic or hydraulic operating unit, wherein at least one pilot valve is provided, the valve seat(s) of which for associated intake and/or vent lines is arranged within the base plate.

A valve assembly module connectible on the faces thereof to another such module, in accordance with one aspect of the invention, comprises a base plate, parallel vent and pressure lines running generally perpendicular to the connection faces, operating lines running transversely to the vent and pressure lines and connectible to the 2 pressure line, and a main valve and/or a pneumatic or hydraulic operating unit, wherein at least one pilot valve is provided which is arranged outside the base plate in the immediate vicinity thereof.

The valve assembly is as compact as possible, the intermediate plate being dispensed with.

The advantages achieved consist in particular in a saving in space, a saving in pneumatic interfaces, and furthermore a saving in seals and electrical pin-and-socket connections.

In one advantageous configuration, exhaust air duct(s) pass from the pilot valve(s) to the parallel vent lines in the valve base plate or the exhaust air ducts are guided in separate ducts running parallel to the vent lines. This means that the exhaust air can be contained better whilst retaining the compact construction.

According to further features, provision is made for looped-through strip conductors running parallel to the vent lines or pressure lines to be associated with the pilot valve(s) in the base region of the valve base plate. This means that the shortest possible electrical connections to the pilot valve(s) can be produced.

Another improvement is provided if the pilot valve(s) are to be in cartridge form and insertable into corresponding recesses from the outside. The advantage of this is considerably improved access to the module, without having to remove the main valve.

It is possible for the pilot valve(s) to be installed transversely, obliquely or vertically to the path of the vent or pressure lines. Advantageously, the arrangement of the pilot valve can be provided dependent on the vent lines which are to be guided.

Further advantages are yielded if a magnet armatureactuation element is associated with the magnet core of the pilot valve, which element is arranged corresponding to the respective axial extent of the pilot valve. These features allow emergency manual operation.

3 Furthermore, it is advantageous, for the purposes of the modular system, for the operating lines to run from an end face of the valve base plate and open onto the upper side thereof. The main valve can then be attached to these operating lines on the upper side.

A further improvement is provided if the operating lines form plug-type connections on the end face of the valve base plate. Due to this, the entire valve assembly can readily be detached from the series of modules or be removed from the respective compressed air network.

In another preferred configuration, indicators for showing switched operating lines are located on an outer surface. The advantage is quick recognition of the respective switched states of the operating lines.

In the simplest case, the main valve is placed on the upper side of the valve base plate.

This arrangement furthermore makes it possible for exhaust air chokes to be associated with the main valve.

One particularly advantageous way of housing the main valve comprises providing a recess which extends between the connection faces of the valve base plate. The main valve is provided in the recess on one side with an interchange-securing means. This makes it easy to insert the main valve in its intended position, without producing wrong connections.

Further features consist in that an integrated return valve may be provided in each connecting line between the exhaust air ducts/vent lines and main valve. This return valve is therefore also housed in the valve base plate.

A multiple arrangement of the modules or individual valve assemblies is made possible by providing catch means transverse to or in the plane of the connection faces of the valve base plate for attachment to an adjacent valve assembly.

One further advantageous arrangement of housing means for a compact construction of the cables is produced if a supply duct for electrical feed lines is arranged 4 approximately at the level of the main valve.

The invention will now be further described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:- Figure 1 is a perspective view of an individual module of a valve assembly in accordance with the invention; Figure 2 is a detail of cable guidance in an alternative embodiment; Figure 3 is a longitudinal cross-section through the module of Figure 1; Figu-re 4 is a perspective view of a plurality of modules placed together the first nodule receiving two 3/2-way pilot valves in the valve base plate; Figure 5 is a similar view to Figure 4 showing an alternative arrangement of the pilot valves; and Figure 6 is a similar view to Figures 4 and 5 showing a further alternative arrangement of the pilot valve and with a special housing for the cable.

The valve assembly is of modular construction, with a main valve 1 and one or more pilot valves 2. Parallel. vent and pressure lines R, P, S run perpendicular to a connection face 3 for a neighbouring module 4, and I operating lines A and B run transversejy to the axes 5 of the vent and pressure lines and can be connected to the latter in each case.

At least one pilot valve 2 is associated with each main valve 1 or with an operating unit (not shown). The or each pilot valve 2 is provided inside or outside the base plate 6. In the latter case, the valve 2 is in the immediate vicinity of the plate 6 and is flange mounted.

Exhaust air ducts 7 and 8 pass through the base plate 6 from the valve seats 47, 48 of the pilot valves 2 to the parallel vent lines R, S. However, the exhaust air ducts 7 and 8 may also be guided in separate ducts (not shown) running parallel to the vent lines R, S (cf. Figure 3).

t -.Y The electrical connections for the pilot valves 2 may take various forms. As a first alternative shown in Figure 1, cable introduction means 9a and 9b are provided. In a second alternative shown in Figure 2 strip conductors 10 are looped through in the base region 11, with a set screw 12 being provided for selecting one of a plurality of electrical conductors 13. The electrical strip conductors 10 may also be supplemented by an LED display 14 with reverse voltage divider.

The pilot valves 2 can also be inserted in cartridge form 2a into corresponding recesses 15 from the outside. The pilot valves 2 are installed with their axes 16 transversely (Figure 3), perpendicular (Figure 5) obliquely (not shown) or to the path of the vent or pressure lines R, P, S. For an emergency situation if the relevant medium fails, the magnet core 17 of each pilot valve 2 is provided with a magnet armature- actuation element 18. The element acts as an emergency manual actuation means and corresponds to the respective axial extent 19 of the pilot valve 2.

The operating lines A, B enter on the end faces 20 and emerge on the upper side 21 of the valve base plate 6. In the illustrated embodiment, the operating lines A, B, are designed on the end face 20 as plug-type connections 22.

Indicators 24 or 25 for switched operating lines A, B, are located on an outer surface 23.

The main valve 1 is in principle placed on the upper side 21 of the valve base plate 6. Furthermore, exhaust air chokes 26 are associated with the main valve 1. Figure 1 illustrates an even more compact embodiment of an individual module in which the main valve 1 is fully embedded in a continuous recess 27.

Insertion of the main valve 1 takes place via a catch 28 formed by a projection 28a. The main valve 1 can be detached through a slot 29 by means of a screwdriver, in the region of which slot an interchangesecuring means 30 is also provided. Furthermore, marking surfaces 31 are 6 located on the surface of the main valve 1.

The valve base plate 6 has perpendicular to the connection faces 3, i.e. on the end faces 32, catch means 33 for attachment to a neighbouring module 4.

An integrated return valve 35 in each case is arranged in a connecting line 34 between the exhaust air ducts R, S and the main valve 1.

In the embodiments of Figures 3 to 6, main valves 1 with tappets 36 and control lines Z, Y and a seal 37 are present in each case.

In the embodiment of Figure 4, the pilot valves 2 are installed in a double arrangement with horizontal axes 16. Accordingly, oblique connecting ducts 38 are laid to the exhaust air ducts R, S and perpendicular connecting lines 39 to the pressure line P. The same also applies to the arrangement of Figure 5 where the pilot valves 2 are arranged with their axes 16 perpendicular.

In Figure 6, a special supply duct 40 is laid through the superstructures 41 of a plurality of neighbouring modules 4, within which electrical feed 'Lines 42 run. The feed lines for the medium consist of a horizontal or vertical exhaust air duct 43, a horizontal or vertical pressure line 44 and a pilot valve 2 which lies with its axis horizontal, the very short electric feed lines 45 and 46 of which signify a desired simplification. The valve base plate 6 furthermore has on its underside an attachment rail 49 for arranging all the neighbouring modules 4 or the valve base plates 6 in a row.

4 7

Claims

1. A valve assembly module connectible on the faces thereof to another such module comprising a base plate, parallel vent and pressure lines running generally perpendicular to the connection faces, operating lines running transversely to the vent and pressure lines and connectible to the pressure line, and a main valve and/or a pneumatic or hydraulic operating unit, wherein at least one pilot valve is provided, the valve seat(s) of which for associated intake and/or vent lines is arranged within the base plate.

2. A valve assembly module connectible on the faces thereof to another such module comprising a base plate, parallel vent and pressure lines running generally perpendicular to the connection faces, operating lines running transversely to the vent and pressure lines and connectible to the pressure line, and a main valve and/or a pneumatic or hydraulic operating unit, wherein at least one pilot valve is provided which is arranged outside the base plate in the immediate vicinity thereof.

3. A valve assembly module as claimed in either Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein exhaust air duct(s) pass from the pilot valve(s) to the vent lines in the valve base plate and/or run parallel to the vent lines.

4. A valve assembly module as claim in any preceding Claim, wherein strip conductors running parallel to the vent and pressure lines are provided for the pilot valve(s) in the base region of the valve base plate.

5. A valve assembly module as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the pilot valve(s) is in cartridge form and is insertable into a recess from outside the base plate.

6. A valve assembly module as claimed in any 9.- preceding Claim, wherein the pilot valve(s) is installed transversely, obliquely or vertically to the vent and pressure lines.

7. A valve assembly module as claimed in any preceding Claim, wherein the pilot valve (s) have a magnetic core and a magnet armature-actuation element associated therewith, which element corresponds to the axial extent of the pilot valve.

8. A valve assembly module as claimed in any "aim, wherein the operating lines run from an preceding C end face of the base plate and open onto the upper side thereof.

9. A valve assembly module as claimed in Claim 8, wherein the operating lines form plug-type connections on the end face of the base plate.

10. A valve assembly module as claimed in any preceding Claim, characterised in that indicatorsfor showing the switched operating lines are located on an outer surface of the module.

11. A valve assembly module as claimed in any preceding Claim, wherein a main valve is provided which is positioned on the upper side of the base plate.

12. A valve assembly module as claimed in Claim 11, including exhaust air chokes associated with the main valve.

13. A valve assembly module as claimed in either Claim 11 or Claim 12, including a recess in the base plate which extends between the connection faces and receives the main valve.

4 1 It --91--

14. A valve assembly as claimed in Claim 13, wherein the main valve is provided on one side with means for ensuring correct positioning thereof in the recess.

15. A valve assembly module as claimed in either Claim 13 or Claim 14, wherein the main valve is held within the recess by engagement with at least one one-sided catch within the recess formed by one or more projections.

16. A valve assembly module as claimed in any one of Claims 11 to 15, wherein an integrated return valve is arranged in each connecting line between the vent lines and the main valve.

17. A valve assembly module as claimed in any one of Claims 11 to 16, including a supply duct for electrical feed lines arranged approximately at the level of the main valve.

18. A valve assembly module as claimed in any preceding Claim, wherein catch means is provided transverse to or in the plane of the connection faces of the base plate for attachment to another such module.

19. A valve assembly module substantially as hereinbefore described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.