Not Applicable.
Not Applicable.
Not Applicable.
Technical field
The disclosure relates to valve systems used in heating, ventilation, and air-cooling (HVAC) pipe systems, including in regard to pressure independent control valves used to control, adjust and regulate a desired fluid flow rate.
Other known systems relating to pressure independent control valves are described in U.S. Pat. No. 8,469,052, U.S. Pat. No. 7,967,023, WO 2009006893, WO 2014044282, and US 2014/0191148 the teachings of all of which are hereby incorporated by reference.
The disclosure relates to a pressure independent controlled valve having an axis intersecting a flow path of a pipe system and having a valve housing having a top end and a bottom end, the valve having an valve stem positioned along the axis, wherein the valve stem traverses through the housing; a fixed outer ring within the housing and surrounding the valve stem; a first inner ring within the fixed outer ring, wherein the first inner ring defines a first opening; a second inner ring within the first inner ring, wherein the second inner ring defines a second opening; a key configured to maneuver the first inner ring; and an actuator configured to maneuver the second inner ring.
As used herein, the terms “axial,” “linear,” or “linearly” in regards to movement or motion shall refer to movement along, up or down, or parallel to an axis (e.g. major axis), as defined by the valve stem of the valve system.
As used herein, the terms “rotational,” “rotating,” “angular,” “horizontal,” or “horizontally” in regards to movement or motion shall refer to movement around or about an axis, as defined by the valve stem of the valve system.
The embodiments may be better understood, and numerous objects, features, and advantages made apparent to those skilled in the art by referencing the accompanying drawings. These drawings are used to illustrate only typical embodiments of this invention, and are not to be considered limiting of its scope, for the invention may admit to other equally effective embodiments. The figures are not necessarily to scale and certain features and certain views of the figures may be shown exaggerated in scale or in schematic in the interest of clarity and conciseness.
The description that follows includes exemplary apparatus, methods, techniques, and instruction sequences that embody techniques of the inventive subject matter. However, it is understood that the described embodiments may be practiced without these specific details.
In a first exemplary embodiment, the adjustment key 40 may linearly move the first inner ring 16 and the first opening 17 within the fixed outer ring 14. The adjustment key 40 may thus set the maximum allowable flow rate through the valve system 10 in this manner. The internal diaphragm 20 within the housing 13 may also move or fluctuate linearly in reaction to the pressure entering the valve system 10, so as to regulate the pressure in the valve system 10 and to maintain a desired flow rate. The actuator 30 may then be also mounted to top 34 of the valve system 10 and move the second internal cartridge or inner ring 18 linearly to modulate the flow based on the input signal from the actuator 30.
In a second exemplary embodiment, the adjustment key 40 at the top end 34 of the valve housing 13 may rotate the first internal or inner ring 16 horizontally within the fixed outer ring 14 in order to set a maximum flow rate for the valve system 10. The spring 22 mounted internal diaphragm 20 moves linearly in reaction to pressure entering the valve system 10. The actuator 30 may mount to the top 34 of the valve system 10 and move the second internal cartridge 18 horizontally to modulate the flow rate based on the input signal. The second internal cartridge 18 in this alternate exemplary embodiment may be a characterized cartridge 18a having a characterized opening 19a (the characterized cartridge 18a and characterized opening 19a may be seen in the alternate exemplary embodiment as depicted in
In a third exemplary embodiment, the adjustment key 40 at the top 34 may move the first inner ring 16 linearly within the fixed outer ring 14 to set the maximum flow rate. The spring 22 mounted internal diaphragm 20 moves linearly in reaction to pressure entering the valve system 10. The actuator 30 may mount to the top 34 of the valve system 10 and move the second internal cartridge 18 horizontally to modulate the flow rate based on the input signal. The second internal cartridge 18 in this alternate exemplary embodiment may be a characterized cartridge 18a having a characterized opening 19a (as depicted in
By way of example only, in a fourth alternate exemplary embodiment, the adjustment key 40 at the bottom end 64 may move the first inner ring 16 linearly within the fixed outer ring 14 to set a maximum flow rate through the valve system 10. The spring 22 mounted diaphragm 20 may move linearly within the valve system 10 in reaction and to regulate the system pressure. The actuator 30 may then mount to the top 34 of the valve housing 13, on the actuator mount 32, to move a second internal most cartridge or ring 18 linearly to modulate the flow rate based on the input signal from the actuator 30.
In a fifth alternate exemplary embodiment, the adjustment key 40 at the bottom 64 of the valve housing 13 may rotate the first internal ring 16 horizontally within the fixed outer ring 14 to set a maximum flow rate for the valve system 10. The internal diaphragm 20 may move linearly in reaction to the system pressure. The actuator 30 may mount to the top 34 of the valve housing 13 and move a second characterized internal most cartridge 18a horizontally to modulate the flow rate based on the input signal of the actuator 30.
In a sixth alternate exemplary embodiment, the adjustment key 40 at the bottom 64 of the valve housing 13 may move the first inner ring 16 linearly within the fixed outer ring 14 to set a maximum flow rate. The spring 22 mounted diaphragm 20 may move linearly in reaction to the valve system 10 pressure. The actuator 30 may mount to the top 34 of the valve housing 13 and move a second characterized internal most cartridge 18a horizontally to modulate the flow rate based on the input signal to the actuator 30.
In a seventh alternate exemplary embodiment, the adjustment key 40 at the bottom 64 of the valve housing 13 may move the first inner ring 16 horizontally within the fixed outer ring 14 to set a maximum flow rate. The spring 22 mounted diaphragm 20 may move linearly in reaction to the valve system 10 pressure. The actuator 30 may mount to the top 34 of the valve housing 13 and move a second internal most cartridge 18 linearly to modulate the flow rate based on the input signal to the actuator 30.
While the embodiments are described with reference to various implementations and exploitations, it will be understood that these embodiments are illustrative and that the scope of the inventive subject matter is not limited to them. Many variations, modifications, additions and improvements are possible. For example, the techniques used herein may be applied to any valve system or assembly used for piping systems. Further, while the actuator 30 and the adjustment key 40 are depicted as being mounted to the top 34 of the valve system 10 in one exemplary embodiment and in an alternate exemplary embodiment wherein the actuator 30 is at the top end 34 and the adjustment key 40 is on the bottom end 64, it is to be appreciated that one or both of the actuator 30 and adjustment key 40 may instead by mounted to the bottom end 64 and in an alternate embodiment, the adjustment key 40 may be mounted to the top end 34 of the valve system 10 and the actuator 30 to the bottom end 64 to perform the adjustment or control of the rings 16, 18 respectively. Moreover, the bottom adjustable flow limiter 60 may be adapted to allow flow through the bottom instead of the sidewalls as adjusted by the threaded flow limiter adjustment 62.
Plural instances may be provided for components, operations or structures described herein as a single instance. In general, structures and functionality presented as separate components in the exemplary configurations may be implemented as a combined structure or component. Similarly, structures and functionality presented as a single component may be implemented as separate components. These and other variations, modifications, additions, and improvements may fall within the scope of the inventive subject matter.
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
62168499 | May 2015 | US |