Patent Application
20070246100
The present disclosure relates generally to protective valve port coverings and, more specifically, to an exhaust port protective device for an air valve.
Solenoid-actuated air valves provide a mechanism for electronically controlling the flow of air in various pneumatic systems. A solenoid air valve may include an air supply port, a delivery port, and an exhaust port. The solenoid air valve is coupled to a pneumatic subsystem or accessory and the valve delivers air to the pneumatic subsystem or accessory through the delivery port. Excess air in the pneumatic subsystem or accessory is exhausted through the exhaust port.
If moisture enters the solenoid air valve through the exhaust port, the internal components of the air valve can become corroded and the air valve ceases to function properly. Thus, it is desirable to protect the exhaust port by a covering or protective device that minimizes foreign objects from entering the exhaust port without significantly impeding the escape of air from the solenoid air valve.
One embodiment of an exhaust port protective device formed in accordance with the present disclosure is used with a valve assembly of the type having a housing, a pole piece disposed within the housing, and an exhaust port. The exhaust port protective device comprises a flow restrictor assembly coupled at least in part to the pole piece. The flow restrictor assembly provides fluid flow in a first direction and restricts fluid flow in a second direction.
This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This summary is not intended to identify key features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.
The foregoing aspects and many of the attendant advantages of this application will become better understood by reference to the following detailed description, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
Referring to
Referring to
Still referring to
A circular aperture 58 is formed in substantially the center of the base 24, and a counterbore 60 is formed coaxially within the circular aperture 58 on the base inner surface 30 is a counterbore 60. A plurality of curved slots 64 is formed within the base 24, each curved slot 64 conforming to the circular shape of the base 24 and spaced circumferentially about the base 24. Preferably, three slots 64 are formed within the base 24 and are spaced equidistant from one another around the circular aperture 58.
A cylindrical extension tube 22 extends outwardly from the base outer surface 28 in a substantially orthogonal manner in the center of the base 24. The extension tube 22 includes a longitudinal cylindrical opening 56 that is in fluid communication with the circular aperture 58 of the base 24. The extension tube 22 is supported on its external cylindrical surface by a plurality of gusset supports 66. The gusset supports 66 are triangular-shaped, with a first edge of the supports 66 engaging the base outer surface 28, and a second edge of the gusset supports 66 engaging the extension tube 22. Preferably, three supports 66 are formed on the exhaust shield cover 12 and are spaced equidistant from one another around the extension tube 22, each gusset support 66 being positioned between slots 64 on the base outer surface 28. It can also be appreciated that the exhaust shield cover 12 may be formed without gusset supports 66.
Preferably, the base 24, annular protrusion 26, extension tube 22, and gusset supports 66 are formed together as one piece. Any suitable method of forming the exhaust port protection device 10 may be used, such as plastic molding. However, it should be appreciated by one in the art that the base 24, annular protrusion 26, extension tube 22, and gusset supports 66 may instead be formed separately and thereafter mated together.
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Referring back to
The flange 68 of the one-way valve 14 is received into the counterbore 60 formed on the base inner surface 30 and the circular end portion of the flange 68 protrudes out of the counterbore 60 so that the end surface of the flange 68 engages the end surface 88 of the pole piece 16 when the exhaust port protective device 10 is coupled to the pole piece 16. The protruding end portion of flange 68 forms a seal around the opening of the central bore 52.
The magnetic pole piece 16 includes an annular groove 80 formed around the pole piece enlarged end 82. The annular groove 80 defines an exposed annular projection 84 that protrudes out of the solenoid air valve 18 when the pole piece 16 is mounted within. The exhaust port protective device 10 is coupled to the pole piece 16 by urging the housing tabs 62 over the exposed annular projection 84 and into the annular groove 80. The tabs 62 are tapered to reduce the force needed to urge the tabs 62 into the annular groove 80; however, once the exhaust port protective device 10 is coupled to the pole piece 16, it cannot easily be removed.
The solenoid air valve 18 is coupled to a pneumatic subsystem or accessory (not shown) through the delivery port 48. The excess air from the pneumatic subsystem or accessory is exhausted through the exhaust port 50 of the solenoid air valve 18; and therefore, air passes through the exhaust port protective device 10. In zero flow conditions the valve opening 76 of the one-way valve 14 remains closed. As the flow in the solenoid air valve 18 increases, the pressure on the slanted walls 74 increases and the one-way valve 14 opens. The exhaust port protective device 10 protects the solenoid valve 18 from ingress of contamination at the exhaust port 50 while at the same time not significantly impeding the escape of air.
If moisture enters the solenoid air valve 18 through the exhaust port 50, the internal components of the air valve 18 become corroded, causing the valve to “stick” in a first or second position or to otherwise cease functioning properly. The exhaust port protective device 10 prevents contamination from entering the exhaust port 50. The extension tube 22 acts as a stiffener for the one-way valve 14 and substantially prevents the one-way valve 14 from bending or opening when it is being sprayed with contamination. As shown in
Now referring to
The exhaust port protective device 212 is made of flexible rubber or plastic such that the device 212 may be stretched, deformed, bent, etc., as needed. The exhaust port protective device 212 is coupled to the pole piece 16 by stretching the curved lip 226 over the exposed annular projection 84 and into the annular groove 80.
Excess air from the solenoid valve 18 is exhausted through the exhaust port protective device 212 coupled to the exhaust port 50. Air flows through the bore 52 into the hollow interior of the conical-frustro shaped base 224, and thereafter through the extension tube 222. The exhaust port protective device 212 prevents moisture from entering the bore 52 by deflecting the spray of contamination from angles of impingement that would normally allow ingress. When contamination is sprayed at the extension tube 222 at certain angles, the extension tube 222 flexes away from the spray and prevents the ingress of contamination.
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The curved lip 326 is formed along the edge of the valve portion 370 and extends away from the valve portion 370. The curved lip 326 is substantially C-shaped in cross section and made of flexible rubber or plastic such that the lip 326 may be stretched, deformed, bent, etc. as needed. Thus, the exhaust port protective device 312 is coupled to the pole piece 16 by stretching the curved lip 326 over the exposed annular projection 84 and into the annular groove 80.
Excess air from the solenoid valve 18 is exhausted through the exhaust port protective device 312 coupled to the exhaust port 50. As the flow in the solenoid air valve 18 increases, the pressure on the slanted walls 374 and lips 378 increases and the one-way valve 314 opens at the valve opening 376. The exhaust port protective device 312 prevents moisture from entering the valve opening 376 of the one-way valve 314 by deflecting the spray of contamination from angles of impingement that would normally cause the one-way valve 314 to open and allow ingress.
Now referring to
Extending substantially orthogonally from the face cover inner surface 430 and around the perimeter of the face cover 424 is a wall 458. A flange 460 is formed along the wall 458 which includes two straight portions 470 and a curved portion 472. The straight portion 470 of flange 460 tapers in width near the bottom of the straight portion 470 to form a tapered edge 468. The area defined by the rectangular portion 454 of the face cover 424, the wall 458, and the straight portion 470 of the flange 460 forms a bottom opening 474.
Referring to
The excess air from the solenoid valve 18 is exhausted through the bore 52 and then through the annular projection opening 466 of the annular projection 462. The air then exits the exhaust port protective device 412 through the air slot 464 and the bottom opening 474. The exhaust port protective device 412 prevents moisture from entering the central bore 52 by deflecting the spray of contamination directly into the central bore 52. Moreover, if contamination enters the face cover 424 through the air slot 464 or bottom opening 474, the contamination does not enter the central bore 52 unless it reaches the annular projection opening 466.
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A plurality of curved elongated tabs 662 are formed along the housing bottom edge 660. Preferably, four tabs 662 are formed along the housing bottom edge 660 and are spaced equidistant from one another. Moreover, the inside surface 22 of the housing 620 includes a circular shoulder 668 near the top edge 658 of the housing 620.
A rubber disc 614 with a central opening 656 is received within the housing 620. The rubber disc 614 may be deformed, bent, etc., as needed to be received within the housing 620. The rubber disc 614 is received within the housing 620 by deforming the disc 614 to engage the barbed projection 632. The barbed projection 632 passes through the central opening 656 of the rubber disc 614 as the disc 614 is flexed downward in the middle of the disc 614 to be received within the housing 620.
Although the center of the rubber disc 614 is flexed downward toward the base 624, the circular edge of the rubber disc 614 is retained near the housing top edge 658 by the circular shoulder 668. The edge of the rubber disc 614 is held in tension against the shoulder 668 when the middle of the disc 614 is flexed downward such that the disc 614 has an arcuate shape in cross-section.
The exhaust port protective device 610 is coupled to the pole piece 16 by urging the tabs 662 over the exposed annular projection 84 and into the annular groove 80. The tabs 662 are tapered to reduce the force needed to urge the tabs 662 into the annular groove 80; however, once the exhaust port protective device 610 is coupled to the pole piece 16, it cannot easily be removed.
The excess air from the solenoid valve 18 is exhausted through the exhaust port protective device 610 coupled to the exhaust port 50. In zero flow conditions the edge of the disc 614 remains abutted to the shoulder 668. As the flow in the solenoid air valve 18 increases, the pressure on the disc 614 also increases and the edge of the disc 614 is lifted away from the shoulder 668, allowing air to escape. The exhaust port protective device 610 prevents contamination from entering the exhaust port 50 because the disc 614 deflects the spray of contamination from angles of impingement that would normally allow ingress.
While illustrative embodiments have been illustrated and described, it will be appreciated that various changes can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the application.
