DK201700023U3 - Valve Assembly - Google Patents

Abstract

A valve unit (1) is equipped with: a first valve body (2) which is equipped with a first chamber (10); a shutter (3) movable in the first chamber (10) and connected to a control device (20); a second valve body (5) coupled to the first valve body (2) and provided with a second chamber (30) communicating with the first chamber (10); a non-return valve (6) which is at least partially housed in the second chamber (30); at least a first fitting (8) which is mechanically coupled to the second valve body (5); the second valve body (5) and the first fitting (8) being separate pieces.

Description

VALVE UNIT

The present invention relates to a valve assembly.

The valve unit according to the present invention can be used, for example, in hydraulic circuits for heating or for connecting a water supply to a home network, or where in all these applications an interruption of a liquid flow in a circuit is required.

Some known valve units include a ball valve and a non-return valve arranged in series. The ball valve catches the liquid flow by means of an ON / OFF system, while the non-return valve prevents any backflow towards the ball valve. The non-return valve prevents any liquid backflow phenomena which could contaminate the inlet flow or damage the operation of the ball valve or of other components of the hydraulic circuit which comprise the valve unit.

However, the structure of this kind of valve units makes storage very expensive. In addition, the structure of this kind of valve units imposes limitations on the flow rate of the valve units.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a valve assembly which is free from the above-mentioned disadvantages of the prior art; in particular, it is an object of the present invention to provide a valve unit for hydraulic use which overcomes the above-mentioned disadvantages in a simple and inexpensive manner, both from a functional point of view and from a structural point of view. In accordance with these objects, the present invention relates to a valve unit for hydraulic use, comprising: • a first valve body equipped with a first chamber; A shutter which is movable in the first chamber and is connected to a control device; A second valve body coupled to the first valve body and equipped with a second chamber communicating with the first chamber; • a non-return valve which is at least partially housed in the second chamber; • at least a first fitting which is mechanically coupled to the second valve body; the second valve body and the first fitting being separate pieces.

If the second valve body and the first fitting are separate pieces, there are obvious benefits in terms of storage cost savings. Thanks to the proposed solution, stocks of fittings having different diameters or couplings and compatible with commercially available pipes are stored, and stocks of universal blocks comprising the first valve body and the second valve body which can be connected to the fittings having different size and different coupling. In this way, the stocks of universal blocks (which are more expensive) are easily avoided, while the stocks of fittings with different sizes or different couplings (less expensive) are stored.

In addition, thanks to the fact that the second valve body and the first fitting are separate pieces, the second valve body can also be dimensioned to house non-return valves which have a larger diameter than the inner passage of the first fitting. In known solutions, the non-return valves can in fact have at most the diameter of the passage defined by the first fitting. Thanks to the solution of the present invention, the second chamber can be dimensioned to accommodate non-return valves which have a larger diameter than the diameter of the passage of the first fitting. Thanks to this, the second chamber can be dimensioned to house a non-return valve, which minimizes load loss.

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 structure of the block 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 fitting is coupled to the second valve body by means of a snap-fit. In this way, the coupling between the first fitting and the second valve body is quick and easy.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first fitting is coupled to the second valve body by means of a coupling which allows free rotation between the second valve body and the first fitting and prevents any disconnection between the second valve body and the first fitting. In this way, coupling of the valve body to a pipe, for example when mounting the valve unit in a hydraulic circuit, requires only a rotation of the first fitting without necessarily rotating the whole unit, 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 which has a substantially cylindrical inner cross-section. In this way, the second chamber can house most of the pre-assembled and commercially available check valves.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first fitting is designed to define a substantially cylindrical passage which communicates with the second chamber; the diameter of the passage is equal to or less than the diameter of the second chamber. In this way, the size of the cross section of the second chamber can be selected independently of the size of the passage of the first fitting. The cross-section of the passage of the first fitting can in fact be greatly limited by the size of the pipes to which the valve unit is connected.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first valve body comprises an inlet connection and an outlet connection communicating with the first chamber; the outlet connection is coupled to the second valve body and defines a support ring for a non-return valve swing. This avoids a reduction in the diameter of the passage in the second chamber due to the presence of the support ring. Moreover, this kind of structure is simplified and results in a saving due to the reduction of the components in the valve unit.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first valve body is mechanically coupled to a second fitting; the first valve body and the second fitting are separate pieces. Analogous to what is stated with respect to the second valve body and the first fitting, the fact that the first valve body and the second fitting are separate pieces has obvious advantages in terms of savings on storage costs. Thanks to the proposed solution, stocks of first fittings and second fittings having different diameters or couplings and compatible with commercially available pipes are stored, and stocks of universal blocks comprising the first valve body and the second valve body which can be connected to fittings with different size or different coupling. In this way, the stocks of universal blocks (which are more expensive) are easily avoided, while the stocks of first fittings and other fittings with different size and different coupling (less expensive) are stored.

Further features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of a non-limiting exemplary embodiment with reference to the figures in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a schematic overview with parts in cross section and parts removed for the sake of clarity of a valve unit according to the present invention. Figure 2 is a schematic overview with parts in cross section and parts removed for the sake of clarity of a detail of the valve unit according to a variant of the present invention.

Figure 1 shows with reference numeral 1 a valve unit according to the present invention, which comprises a first valve body 2, a shutter 3, which is housed in the first valve body 2, a control cylinder 4, a second valve body 5, which is coupled to the first valve body 2. , a non-return valve 6, which is at least partially housed in the second valve body 5, a first fitting 8, which is coupled to the second valve body 5, and a second fitting 9, which is coupled to the first valve body 2.

The first valve body 2 comprises a chamber 10 for housing the shutter 3, an outlet connection 12 which communicates with the chamber 10 and is connected to the second valve body 5, an inlet connection 13 which communicates with the chamber 10 and is connected to the second fitting 9, and an auxiliary connection 14, which communicates with the chamber 10 and is coupled to the control cylinder 4.

Preferably, the outlet connection 12 and the inlet connection 13 are arranged along an axis A, while the auxiliary connection 14 is substantially orthogonal to the outlet connection 12 and the inlet connection 13. The outlet connection 12, the inlet connection 13 and the auxiliary connection 14 preferably have a circular cross-section.

A variant (not shown) provides that the outlet connection 12 and the inlet connection 13 are orthogonal to each other. Therefore, the chamber 10 is provided with three openings, which are defined by the outlet connection 12, the inlet connection 13 and the auxiliary connection 14, respectively.

The inlet connection 13 is coupled to the second fitting 9, preferably by means of a threaded coupling system. A variant provides that the coupling between the inlet connection 13 and the second fitting 9 is of the quick-type, eg a snap-fit. In the non-limiting example described and shown here, the second fitting 9 is provided with a first end portion 15, which is coupled to the inlet connection 13 of the first valve body 2, a second end portion 16, which can be coupled to external hydraulic elements (not shown for for the sake of simplicity in the accompanying figures), and an intermediate ring 18 projecting internally and defining an enclosing element for the shutter 3 in the chamber 10. In the non-limiting example described and shown here, the first end portion 15 is designed to define a female element with external thread configured to be screwed onto the respective internal threaded inlet connection 13. In the non-limiting example described and shown herein, the second end portion 16 is internally threaded. The second end portion 16 can be made with various coupling systems to be compatible with commercially available hydraulic components. In the non-limiting example described and shown here, the diameter D1 of the outlet connection 12 is substantially identical to the diameter of the intermediate ring 18 of the second fitting 9.

The chamber 10 preferably has a cylindrical or frustoconical shape. In the non-limiting example described and shown here, the valve body 2 and the control cylinder 4 are made in one piece.

The shutter 3 is coupled to a control device 20, which is housed in the control cylinder 4 and can be moved between an open position (shown in figure 1), which allows passage of a liquid flow through the first valve body 2, and a closed position (not shown in the attached figures) which prevent the passage of a liquid flow through the first valve body 2.

In particular, the shutter 3 has a spherical shape and comprises an inner through-channel 21 and a recess 23 formed on the outer surface 24 and adapted to engage a part 25 of the control device 20, so that a rotation of the control device 20 determines a corresponding rotation of the shutter 3.

The part 25 of the control device 20 preferably engages with the recess 23 at a certain distance, so that the shutter 3 in the closed position pivots about an axis perpendicular to the axis A. The pivoting movement of the shutter 3 optimizes the sealing of the valve unit 1 when the shutter 3 is in the closed position. In the open position, the shutter 3 is arranged so that the inner channel 21 is substantially aligned along the axis A to allow the passage of a liquid (configuration in Figure 1), while the shutter 3 in the closed position is arranged so as to that the outer surface 24 closes the inlet connection 13 to prevent the passage of a liquid through the valve body 2.

The shutter 3 is preferably provided with an opening 26 which is formed in a bottom part of the shutter 3, substantially radially opposite the position of the recess 23. This opening 26 prevents stagnation of the water around the shutter 3 when the shutter 3 is in the closed position. This avoids any stagnation that could promote bacterial growth (eg legionella).

The second valve body 5 comprises a hollow wall 29, which defines a second chamber 30. The wall 29 is designed to have a circular inner cross-section and a circular outer cross-section at the chamber 30. The wall 29 is provided with an inner surface 31a which has a substantially cylindrical shape and with an outer surface 31b which is also substantially cylindrical.

The second valve body 5 is coupled to the first valve body 2 and preferably to the outlet connection 12 of the first valve body 2. In the non-limiting example described and shown 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 which is preferably larger than the diameter D1.

The second valve body 5 is coupled to the first fitting 8. The second valve body 5 is preferably threaded along the outer surface 31b of the wall 29 to be coupled to a respective inner thread of the fitting 8 as explained in more detail below.

The chamber 30 houses at least partially the non-return valve 6.

The non-return valve 6 allows flow in one direction and prevents it in the opposite direction.

In particular, the check valve 6 is configured to allow flow from the first chamber 10 to the second chamber 30 and prevent backflow of the liquid from the second chamber 30 to the first chamber 10. In the non-limiting example described and shown here, the check valve 6 comprises a support ring 35, a support ring 36, a swing valve 37 which can be moved between an open position and a closed position, and a conductive structure 38 which is coupled to the support ring 36 and configured for use in guiding the movement of the "swing" 37 between the open position (shown in Figure 1) and the closed position.

The support ring 35 is coupled to the support ring 36 and causes a narrowing of the diameter D2 of the chamber 30. In the non-limiting example described and shown here, the support ring 35 has a smaller diameter than the diameter D1 of the outlet connection 12.

In particular, the support ring 35 defines a support edge, along which the swing valve 37 rests in the closed position. A variant not shown provides that the connection 12 defines the support ring for "swing" 37.

A further variant provides that the support 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 designed so as to define a support ring for a swing valve 37 of the non-return valve 6.

This prevents a reduction in the diameter of the passage for the liquid flow due to the support ring 35. The support ring 36 is preferably attached to the wall 29 of the second valve body 5 by means of a snap-fit. In the non-limiting example described and shown herein, this comprises snap-fit flaps 40 which engage a respective recess 41 formed on the inner surface 31a of the wall 29.

A variant (not shown) provides that the support ring 36 is axially locked by a locking ring, for example by the first fitting 8, as described in more detail below.

The conductive structure 38 comprises a kind of cage which is coupled to the support ring 36 and configured to lock the swing 37 when the valve 6 is in the open position and guide the swing 37 to pass from the open position to the closed position and vice versa.

The first fitting 8 is provided with a first portion 44, which is coupled to the outlet connection 12 of the first valve body 2, and with a second portion 45, which can be coupled to external hydraulic elements (not shown for the sake of simplicity in the attached figures). In the non-limiting example described and shown herein, the first portion 44 is configured to define an inner threaded male member and is configured to be screwed onto the thread on the outer surface 31b of the second valve body 5. In the described and shown non-limiting example is the second portion 45 with internal thread. The second part 45 can be manufactured with different coupling systems to be compatible with commercially available hydraulic components.

The first portion 44 and the second portion 45 are preferably designed to define internally respective inner channels which have a substantially cylindrical shape.

In particular, the first portion 44 is configured to define a first inner channel 46 which has a larger diameter than the outer diameter of the second valve body 5.

The second portion 45 is configured to define a second inner channel 47 which has a diameter D3. When the first connection 8 is connected to the second valve body 5, the inner channel 47 communicates with the second chamber 30.

The diameter D3 of the second portion 45 is determined by the cross section of the hydraulic element to which the valve unit 1 will be coupled. In the non-limiting example described and shown here, the diameter D3 is equal to the diameter D2 of the second chamber 30.

A variant provides that the diameter D3 of the second inner channel of the fitting 8 is smaller than the diameter of the second chamber 30. In this way the chamber 30 can be dimensioned so as to minimize the load losses regardless of the cross sections of the hydraulic elements to which the valve unit 1 is to be connected to.

Figure 2 shows a variant of the coupling mechanism between the first connection 8 and the second valve body 5. In this configuration, the first connection 8 is coupled to the second valve body 5 by means of a quick coupling mechanism, preferably a snap-fit.

In particular, the first connection 8 is provided with a first annular recess 101 and with a second annular recess 102 which is formed along the inner cylindrical surface of the first channel 46.

The second valve body 5 is provided with an annular recess 105 formed along the outer surface 31b so as to face the second annular recess 102 of the first connection 8 when the first connection 8 and the second valve body 5 are Connected.

The first recess 101 houses a sealing ring 108. The second recess 102 and the annular recess 105 house an elastic ring 110, preferably of the Seeger type. This type of quick coupling is irreversible. Once connected, the second connection 8 and the second valve body 2 cannot be disconnected.

The relative position between the first annular recess 101 and the second annular recess 102 is irrelevant to the performance of the quick coupling. In the non-limiting example described and shown here, the first annular recess 101 is close to the end portion of the second valve body 5, which in use faces the first valve body 2, and the second annular recess 102 is close to the end portion of the second valve body 5. , which in use faces the first connection 8. However, the position of the first annular recess 101 and of the second annular recess 102 may be reversed.

This type of coupling allows rotation between the first connection 8 and the second valve body 5. In this way, coupling of the valve unit 1 to the outer hydraulic elements simply requires rotation of the connection 8 without rotating the unit comprising at least the first valve body 2 and the second valve body 5.

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

Claims (17)

A valve unit (1), comprising: • a first valve body (2) equipped with a first chamber (10); A shutter (3) movable in the first chamber (10) and connected to a control device (20); A second valve body (5) coupled to the first valve body (2) and equipped with a second chamber (30) communicating with the first chamber (10); • a non-return valve (6) which is at least partially housed in the second chamber (30); • at least one first fitting (8), which is mechanically coupled to the second valve body (5); the second valve body (5) and the first fitting (8) being separate pieces. A valve unit according to claim 1, wherein the first valve body (2) and the second valve body (5) are made in one piece. A valve unit according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first fitting (8) is coupled to the second valve body (5) by means of a threaded coupling. Valve unit according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first fitting (8) is coupled to the second valve body (5) by means of a quick coupling, preferably a snap-fit. A valve unit according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first fitting (8) is coupled to the second valve body (5) by means of a coupling which allows free rotation between the second valve body (5) and the first fitting (8) and prevents disconnection between the second valve body (5) and the first fitting (8). Valve unit according to claim 5, wherein the first fitting (8) is coupled to the second valve body (5) by means of an elastic ring. A valve assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second chamber (30) is defined by a wall (29) having a substantially cylindrical inner cross-section. The valve assembly of claim 7, wherein the first fitting (8) is configured to define a substantially cylindrical passage (47) communicating with the second chamber (30); the diameter (D3) of the passage (47) being equal to or less than the diameter (D2) of the second chamber (30). The valve assembly of claim 7, wherein the first fitting (8) is configured to define a substantially cylindrical passage (47) communicating with the second chamber (30); the diameter (D3) of the passage (47) being smaller than the diameter (D2) of the second chamber (30). A valve unit according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the non-return valve (6) is a swing valve. A valve assembly according to claim 8, wherein the first valve body (2) comprises an inlet connection (13) and an outlet connection (12) communicating with the first chamber (10); the outlet connection (12) being coupled to the second valve body (5). A valve assembly according to claim 11, wherein the inlet connection (13) and the outlet connection (12) are aligned along a longitudinal axis (A). The valve assembly of claim 11, wherein the inlet connection (13) and the outlet connection (12) are orthogonal to each other. A valve assembly according to any one of claims 11-13, wherein the outlet connection (12) defines a support ring for a swing valve (37) of the non-return valve (6). A valve unit according to any one of claims 10-13, wherein the second valve body (2) is designed to define a support ring for a swing valve (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 fitting (9); the first valve body (2) and the second fitting (9) being separate pieces. A valve assembly according to claim 16, wherein the first valve body (2) comprises an inlet connection (13) and an outlet connection (12) communicating with the first chamber (10); the inlet connection (13) being coupled to the second fitting (9).