Patent Application
20200347946
The technology described herein relates to an air release valve. In particular, the technology relates to an air release valve for use with a pump, such as a sewage pump.
The present invention relates generally to the self-priming pump art, and more specifically to a self-priming pumping system including an automatic air release valve for venting air from the system.
A typical pumping arrangement employed in sewage pumping stations includes at least one self-priming pump, a suction inlet pipe connected to the intake side of the pump, discharge plumbing connected to the discharge side of the pump, and a check valve 36 positioned on the discharge plumbing which prevents liquid from flowing back to the pump when it is shut down.
When the pump is started up, the air in the pumping chamber and any air in the inlet pipe must be evacuated to achieve a full prime. An air release valve is positioned in the discharge line of the pump for venting air from the system. The air release valve automatically closes when the system achieves full prime.
One prior art release valve is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,870,436 to The Gorman-Rupp Company of Mansfield, Ohio. This valve is shown in
However, because of the proximity of the discharge path to the release valve chamber, the release valve could become clogged with debris. It was not possible for an operator to know the pressure level in the valve. In addition, prior art valves would permit a small amount of continuous flow through the valve, even when closed.
As shown in prior art
An air release valve 16 is shown installed between the pump 10 and the check valve 14 so that the inlet of the valve 16 communicates with the discharge outlet 9 of the pump 10 through the discharge plumbing 13. A flow path 17 extends through the valve 16, is connected to the outlet port 19 of the valve 16 and extends into the wet well 11. The valve 16 vents air and liquid that is evacuated from the suction inlet pipe 12 and the pumping chamber of the pump 10. The valve 16 automatically closes when the pump is fully primed to prevent the venting of liquid through the valve 16 during the pumping cycle. The outlet port 19 of the air release valve is connected to the flow path 17 of the pump 10, which travels at an approximately 45-degree angle. The angle was designed to deter plugging and blockage of the valve 16 because material could leave the valve chamber 8 by gravity when the system was shut down and the pressure reduced. The prior art valve 16 includes a diaphragm 7, that operates against a spring 6 and shaft 5. When the valve 16 is closed, the shaft 5 blocks the outlet port 19 of the valve 16.
While the below examples are depicted and described in the context of a sewage application, it should be noted that the same principles as discussed herein apply in other applications. For example, the same principles would apply in industrial and portable pump installations, among other installations.
An air release valve for a self-priming pump is shown and described.
The technology described herein relates generally to an example air release valve 20, such as a release valve that is used with self-priming pumps 22. In particular, the air release valve 20 described herein is useful with self-priming sewage pumps 22, which are designed to handle a mixture of liquids and solids. Prior art release valves 16 were positioned on discharge lines 13 of the pump (shown in
The valve 20 is mounted on the pumps fill port 28 of the pump housing 26 instead of the discharge pipe 24. This permits standard discharge piping 24 without requiring modification or customization of piping to provide access to the valve 20.
The air release valve 20 is advantageously adjustable for different applications, making the need for customized valves somewhat obsolete. The design provides a visual indicator 30 when the pump is pressurized, as will be discussed in greater detail below. This indicator 30 provides the user with information as to whether or not the pump is in a pressurized state.
The example air release valve 20 is used with self-priming pumps 22. When the pump 22 is initially started, or if it loses prime, the pump 22 and suction inlet line 34 contain air that must be evacuated. As the pump 22 primes, the air is released from the system through the release valve 20. During priming, the pump 22 may also release some fluid along with the air. The release of air through the release valve 22 may occur in stages, similar to burping, where pressure builds, some air is released, air pressure builds again, air is released, etc., until the pump 22 is fully primed/air is evacuated. The total time to prime can be from a few seconds to several minutes depending on the amount of air in the system. Any fluid that is released with the air is recirculated to a wet well 11.
When the air has been fully released such that the pump 22 has primed, the pressure of the liquid in the pump chamber 32 acts on the release valve 20 to fully close the release valve 20, thus preventing further release of air/liquid through the valve 20. When the valve 20 is in the closed and pressurized position, an indicator 30 extends from the top of the valve housing to indicate to a user that the valve 20 is under pressure.
The air release valve 20 is shown installed on a top end of the pump 22 and is not coupled to the discharge line 24. A flow path 42 is connected to the outlet port 104 of the valve 20 and extends into the wet well 11 such that any liquid that exits the valve during priming is recirculated through the system.
The upper body 44 and lower body 46 are shown to have a generally octagonal exterior shape, but could have other shapes, such as a rounded exterior. The lower body 46 includes arms 56 that extend outwardly from the lower body 46 on opposites sides thereof. The arms 56 are used to couple the valve 20 to a top surface of a pump 22 via screws 106, shown in
The lower end 64 has through holes 66 that define flow passageways 66 in the valve 20. These flow passageways 66 communicate with the pump chamber 32 and liquid and/or air are permitted to travel through the through holes 66 in the lower end 64. This permits the valve 20 to be pressurized at the same pressure as the pump chamber 32.
A valve plug 68 is positioned in the central bore between the upper body 44 and lower body 46 and extends through the valve opening 54. The valve plug 68 is substantially “I” shaped and includes a valve stem 70 that extends through the valve opening 54, a lower cross-member 72 that is coupled to a lower end of the valve stem 70, and an upper cross-member 74 that is coupled to an upper end of the valve stem 70. The valve stem 70 is positioned vertically through the opening 54 in the valve seat 50. An upper surface 76 of the lower cross-member 72 mates with a bottom surface of the valve seat 50 to close the valve opening 54 when pressurized. When the lower cross-member 72 is seated against the valve seat 50, the valve 20 is closed. A lower surface 77 of the upper cross-member 74 mates with an upper surface of the valve seat 50 to close the valve opening 54 when not pressurized. When the upper cross-member 74 mates with the upper surface of the valve seat 50, the valve 20 is sealed shut.
The parts of the valve plug 68 are fixed together into an integral part. For example, the valve stem 70 may include screw threads or other coupling members that mate with threads on the upper and lower cross-members 74, 72 so that the stem 70 is screwed into the cross-members 72, 74 to form the integral part. The parts could be coupled by other means, including, but not limited to, press fit, adhesive or welding, depending upon the materials utilized. The valve stem 70, when attached to the lower cross-member 72, provides a substantially flat surface at the bottom of the valve plug 68. The valve stem 70, when attached to the upper cross-member 74, protrudes from a top surface of the upper cross-member 74. This protrusion 76 is then coupled with a guide stem 78.
Referring again to
The upper housing 44 has a centrally disposed upper valve chamber 84 (shown in
The bellows bushing 92 serves as a guide for movement of the upper part 82 of the guide stem 78 within the channel 86. A lower end of the bellows bushing 92 seats around the guide stem 78 and an upper end of the bellows 90 seats around the bellows bushing 92. The bellows bushing 92 includes a central bore. Both the upper part 82 of the guide stem 78 and the spring 88 extend through and are movable within the central bore of the bellows bushing 92. The bellows 90 provides sealing around the guide stem 78 and spring 88 and helps to deter debris from inhibiting the function of the guide stem 78 and spring 88 during operation of the valve 20.
The channel 86 also includes an adjuster screw 94. The adjuster screw 94 may translate up and down within the channel 86 by turning the adjuster screw 94 with an adjusting key 96. The adjusting key 96 is shaped like an allen wrench with a central bore. The spring 88 abuts a lower surface of the adjuster screw 94 when the guide stem 78 moves upwardly. The spring 88 does not always abut the adjuster screw 94. Whether the spring 88 abuts the adjuster screw 94 is a function of the size of the spring 88, the position of the guide stem 78, and the position of the adjuster screw 94 within the channel 86. Further discussion of the interaction of the spring 88 with the adjuster screw 94 is provided in connection with
After the inner parts of the valve 20 are assembled inside the lower and upper housings 44, 46, the upper housing 44 is positioned on top of the valve seat 50 and the lower housing 46 of the valve 20. Cap screws 48 extend through holes in the upper housing 44 into holes in the lower housing 46 to couple the upper and lower housings 44, 46 together. The valve 20 is then ready to be positioned on a pump housing 26.
Referring now to
Referring to
In the embodiment shown, the flow passageways 66 comprise three (3) flow paths that extend horizontally through the lower body 46, with the flow passageways 66 being substantially equally spaced around the circumference of the lower end 64. The multiple flow passageways 66 of this embodiment cross one another in a central area of the main lower body 46 at the inlet 102 to the valve 20 before exiting at an opposite side of the lower body 46. The flow passageways 66 in the lower body 46 communicate directly with the pump chamber 32. While the passageways 66 may be sized based upon the particular application, one presently contemplated size is ½″ in diameter. The size of the passageways 66 will vary depending upon the size of the pump and the amount of air to be evacuated from the system. While the flow passageways are shown as extending all the way through the base of the valve, this is not required.
Because the flow passageways 66 are provided in the lower end 64, this helps to alleviate plugging and clogging of the air release valve 20. The valve inlet 102 only communicates with material that travels through the flow passageways 66 and not with everything in a discharge line 24, as with the prior art valves.
The valve 20 is opened and closed by movement of the valve plug 68, which is positioned in the valve opening 54 of the valve seat 50. The valve plug 68 translates up and down in the valve opening 54 between closed and open positions. As previously described, the valve plug 68 is “I” shaped, with upper and lower cross-members 74, 72 and a valve stem 70 coupled between the upper and lower cross-members 74, 72. The cross-members 72, 74 have a flat outer surface and a rounded, curved, or arc-shaped inner surface. The rounded surface contacts the valve seat 50 to close the valve opening 54. Due to the rounded shape of the surface of the cross-members 72, 74, the valve 20 can self-locate on the valve opening 54 in the rubber seat 50.
It should be noted that other configurations for the lower surface 77 of the upper cross-member 74 and the upper surface 76 of the lower cross-member 72 may be utilized and the release valve 20 will still operate effectively. For example, the upper 76 and lower 77 surfaces may be flat or conical. Other round shapes, other than those shown can also be used.
The valve 20 of
In the embodiment shown in
The connection between the valve protrusion 76 and the guide stem 78 is similar to a ball and joint socket. It permits some clearance/play between the protrusion 76 of the valve plug 68 and the opening 98 in the guide stem 78. This allows the valve plug 68 and guide stem 78 to remain aligned with one another for proper operation. Because the valve plug 68 and guide stem 78 are not physically joined to one another, the design allows for some misalignment and permits the guide stem 78 to continue to operate without binding up in the channel 86, which allows the valves to fully seat.
As shown, the bellows 90 surrounds the guide stem 78 at a lower end thereof and surrounds the bellows bushing 92 at the upper end thereof. The bellows 90 helps to protect the spring 88 to keep it clean and operating smoothly. The spring 88 extends through an interior of the bellows 90 and is positioned around the upper part 82 of the guide stem 78. Because the adjuster screw 94 is set at its highest point, the spring 88 is not engaged between the adjuster screw 94 and the lower part 80 of the guide stem 78.
The bellows 90 is used as a biasing element because it adds resistance to racking of the valve plug 68 and helps the valve 20 to close in the third position. The bellows 90 may be made of rubber, or of other materials. As the air release valve 20 is releasing air, the release cycle is aided by the bellows 90. The bellows 90 provides some downward pressure to the valve plug 68 while the spring 88 is not acting on the plug 68. This smaller amount of downward pressure permits the valve plug 68 to open intermittently in response to pressure build up inside the lower valve chamber 110. The total movement of the valve plug 68 is about ½″ during priming. Once primed, the valve quickly closes and blocks the flow. Because of this short time to close, the likelihood of debris traveling through the valve opening 54 is reduced.
The valve 20 is held in its third position due to the bellows 90, the weight of the valve plug 68, and any vacuum in the system. Water in the suction inlet 34 acts to pull down the valve plug 68. Upon starting the pump 22, air from the pumping chamber 32 will be forced out through the valve opening 54 as shown in
As shown in
The valve 20 is adjustable, as discussed above, for different applications. The adjuster screw 94 allows the user to adjust the closing pressure of the valve 20 to the specific installation. This adjustment is provided by the adjuster screw 94 and the spring 88 that is coupled to the guide stem 78. The spring 88 may be adjusted upwardly and downwardly. When adjusted upwardly, the spring 88 has a greater travel distance. When the spring 88 is adjusted downwardly, the spring 88 has a smaller travel distance and a greater resistance sooner than when the spring 88 is adjusted upwardly. The valve plug 68 moves with the movement of the spring 88. As such, the closing force acting on the valve plug 68 by the spring 88 is adjustable up and down based upon the position of the adjuster screw 94.
The guide stem 78, bellows 90, and spring 88 are substantially the same as the parts described above in connection with the first embodiment. The valve plug 68 is different from the valve plug discussed with the first embodiment in that a single cross-member 112 is utilized, with the cross-member 112 having a top sealing member 120 associated with a top surface of the cross-member 112 and a bottom sealing member 122 associated with the bottom surface of the cross-member 112.
The top sealing member 120 of the cross-member 112 is coupled to a valve stem 70 and the valve stem 70 is coupled to the guide stem 78. The valve stem 70 has a post or protrusion 76 that seats inside a recess 98 in the bottom end 80 of the guide stem 78. As with the first embodiment, the post 76 seats inside the recess 98 in the bottom end of the guide stem 78 but is not fixed inside the recess 98. The post 76 is movable within the recess 98 to permit the guide stem 78 to angle slightly relative to the walls of the channel 86 in which the guide stem 78 rides.
The top sealing member 120 is shown as having a curved surface for mating with the upper valve seat 114, similar to a convex surface with the open side of the convex shape facing downwardly. The bottom sealing member 122 has a curved surface for mating with the lower valve seat 116, similar to a convex surface with the open side of the convex shape facing upwardly. The top and bottom sealing members 120, 122 are shown as being arcuate, but could have other shapes, including flat, rounded, conical, or other shapes.
The valve 20 in
In a second state, which is not shown, the pump system is fully primed and under pressure. In this state, the valve plug 68 moves upwardly by pressurized fluid in the system until the upward movement of the valve plug 68 is halted by contact of the top sealing member 120 with the upper valve seat 114. In this position, the valve 20 is sealed and does not permit fluid to travel through the valve discharge 24.
In a third state, which is not shown, the pump system is priming and is partially pressurized. In this state, the valve plug 68 is positioned intermediate between the upper valve seat 114 and the lower valve seat 116 to permit fluid to travel around the cross-member 112. As the pressure increases in the system, the valve plug 68 moves upwardly until the top sealing member 120 contacts the upper valve seat 114 and moves into the second state.
In the second state, the valve plug 68 is in its upper-most position inside the valve chamber. In this state, the indicator 30, which is formed at the top end of the guide stem 70, extends out of a top end of the valve 20.
The valve housing 44, 46 is made of metal, such as iron, steel or stainless steel. Other materials may also be used, such as polymers and plastics. The valve plug 68 may be made of a polymer, metal, or other materials, as long as it is corrosion resistant and can withstand pressures present inside the pump 22. The bellows 90 may be made of an elastomeric material. The valve seat 50 may be made of a rubber or other resilient material. The backing plate 52 of the valve seat 50 may be made of metal, such as stainless steel. Other materials may be used for the various parts, as known by those of skill in the art.
According to one embodiment of the invention, a release valve for a self-priming pump having a pumping chamber includes a housing, a pressure responsive valve member, a valve outlet, and a guide stem. The housing has a flow passageway extending therein, with the flow passageway having at least one flow passageway inlet for coupling with the pumping chamber. The pressure responsive valve member is positioned in at least one valve opening in the housing and is movable between an open and a closed position, with the open position permitting the travel of air and fluid through the opening and the closed position closing the at least one valve opening. The valve member is movable between a first closed position in which a surface of the valve member blocks the at least one valve opening, a second open position in which flow is permitted through the at least one valve opening, and a third closed position where a surface of the valve member blocks the at least one valve opening.
The valve outlet is coupled to the housing and positioned downstream of the at least one valve opening. Flow moves through the valve outlet when the at least one valve opening is in the second open position. The guide stem is coupled to the valve member for assisting in aligning the valve member with the at least one valve opening and permitting movement of the valve member up and down.
The valve is operable between a first position, a second position and a third position. In the first position, an upper surface of the valve member abuts a lower surface of the at least one valve opening to close the at least one valve opening. In the third position, a lower surface of the valve member abuts an upper surface of the at least one valve opening to close the at least one valve opening. In the second position, the at least one valve opening is not blocked by the valve member, permitting at least air to travel through the at least one valve opening to the valve outlet.
The release valve may also include a spring coupled to the guide stem. The spring has a biasing state and an unbiasing state dependent upon the location of the guide stem in the housing. The release valve may also include a bellows surrounding the spring. The bellows may optionally provide a biasing function.
The housing may have a channel at a top end thereof that is open to the atmosphere. The guide stem may be positioned at least in part in the channel.
The release valve may also include an indicator coupled to the guide stem. The indicator travels with the movement of the guide stem. When the valve is in the first position, the indicator extends out of the opening at the top end of the channel to indicate the presence of pressure. The position of the valve may be determined based upon pressure inside the flow passageway.
The valve member is a plug that may be “I”-shaped. The valve member may include a valve stem having a length, a top cross-member coupled at a top end of the valve stem, and a bottom cross-member coupled at a bottom end of the valve stem. The top cross-member may have a rounded or arc-shaped lower surface and the bottom cross-member may have a rounded or arc-shaped upper surface.
Alternatively, the valve member may be substantially “T”-shaped. The plug may include a cross-member and a valve stem. The cross-member may be positioned transverse to the valve stem and the valve stem may be coupled to at least an upper surface of the cross-member to form the T-shape, with the cross-member being a plug.
The cross-member may have an upper surface and a lower surface. The upper surface may be one or more of curved, arc-shaped, convex, rounded, and flat. The lower surface may be one or more of curved, arc-shaped, convex, rounded, and flat. The valve stem may form a substantially vertical leg of the T-shape.
The flow passageway may also include at least one flow passageway outlet in communication with the at least one flow passageway inlet. The valve member may be biased downwardly by one or more of the spring or the bellows.
The valve stem may be positioned above the valve member. A vertical position of the valve stem may move upwardly and downwardly based upon movement of the valve member. The valve stem may also include a guide stem coupled to an upper end of the valve stem.
The flow passageway may be a bore through a bottom end of the housing. The bore may be in direct communication with the pump chamber. The flow passageway may include a plurality of bores, each extending in a different direction from one another. The bores may extend through the bottom end of the housing and cross paths with each of the other bores. The plurality of bores may be in direct communication with the pump chamber.
The at least one valve opening may be positioned through a single valve seat. The single valve seat may be resilient. The at least one valve opening may be positioned through a plurality of valve seats, and the plurality of valve seats may be resilient. The at least one valve opening may be positioned through two valve seats that are positioned one above the other in spaced relation, with the valve member positioned between the two valve seats. The two valve seats may be resilient.
In another embodiment, a valve for purging air from a fluid system responsive to pressure in the system includes a housing, a valve seat, and a valve plug. The housing has a flow passageway therethrough for accepting pressurized liquid. The valve seat is positioned in the housing defining a valve opening. The valve plug is positioned through the valve opening. The valve plug has a valve stem that extends through the valve opening, an upper closing member at an upper end of the valve stem, and a lower closing member at the lower, opposite end of the valve stem.
Movement of the valve plug is responsive to pressure in the system between a first closed position and a second open position. The first closed position is associated with the presence of pressure that moves the valve plug upwardly through the valve opening such that a surface of the lower closing member blocks the valve opening. The second open position corresponds to a lower operating pressure that permits the valve plug to move downwardly such that the valve opening is no longer blocked to permit air and fluid to travel around the valve plug and through the valve opening.
The valve may also include a third closed position associated with a lowest operating pressure that permits the valve plug to move downwardly to block the valve opening with a surface of the upper closing member. The valve may also include a guide stem coupled to the valve plug. The guide stem helps to guide the movement of the valve plug within the valve opening.
The valve may also include at least one spring biasing the valve stem downwardly. The spring may include one or more of a bellows and a compression spring. The compression spring may be positioned around the guide stem and the bellows may be positioned around one or more of the guide stem and the compression spring.
The valve may also include an indicator coupled to the valve plug for signaling to a user that the valve is under pressure.
In another embodiment, an air release valve for releasing air from a system includes a housing, at least one valve seat, and at least one valve member. The housing has a flow passageway therein for accepting pressurized liquid. The at least one valve seat may be positioned in the housing defining at least one valve opening. The at least one valve member may be for seating on the at least one valve opening and for closing the at least one valve opening responsive to pressure in the system. Movement of the at least one valve member may be responsive to pressure in the system between a closed position and an open position. The closed position may be one or more of: 1) associated with a high operating pressure where the at least one valve member moves upwardly to cover a lower end of the at least one valve opening, and 2) associated with a low operating pressure where the at least one valve member moves downwardly to cover an upper end of the at least one valve opening.
The term “substantially,” if used herein, is a term of estimation.
While various features are presented above, it should be understood that the features may be used singly or in any combination thereof. Further, it should be understood that variations and modifications may occur to those skilled in the art to which the claimed examples pertain. The examples described herein are exemplary. The disclosure may enable those skilled in the art to make and use alternative designs having alternative elements that likewise correspond to the elements recited in the claims. The intended scope may thus include other examples that do not differ or that insubstantially differ from the literal language of the claims. The scope of the disclosure is accordingly defined as set forth in the appended claims.
