The following detailed description of the invention is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the invention or the application and uses of the invention. Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any theory presented in the preceding background or the following detailed description. In this regard, although the invention is described herein as being implemented in an air distribution system, it will be appreciated that it could also be implemented in any one of numerous other types of systems that direct the flow of various types of fluid, both within or apart from an aircraft, and/or any one of numerous other types of vehicles or other types of apparatus or systems.
Turning first to
The valve body 202 is annular in shape and includes an upstream side 208, a downstream side 210, and a pair of flow channels 212 that extend between the upstream and downstream sides 208, 210. The valve body 202 also includes a pair of support flanges 214 that extend axially from the valve body downstream side 210. A plurality of hinge pins 216 are disposed in, and a stop tube 218 is coupled to, and extends between, the support flanges 214. The purpose of these components is described further below.
The flappers 204 are rotationally mounted on the valve body 202, and are movable between a closed position and a full-open position. In the closed position, the flappers 204 engage a seat region 219 (see
The valve 110 is preferably configured such that both flappers 204 are simultaneously in either the closed or an open position. However, as will also be described further below, this is merely exemplary of a particular embodiment, and the valve 110 could be configured such that each flapper 204 may be individually moved to an open position. Moreover, although the valve 110 is preferably implemented with a pair of flow channels 212 and an associated pair of flappers 204, it will be appreciated that the valve 110 could, in an alternative embodiment, be implemented with more or less than this number of flow channels 212 and flappers 204.
The one or more damping mechanisms 206 are each configured to provide damping when the flappers 204 open and close, thereby reducing wear and noise during operation of the valve 110. In the depicted split flapper valve 110, there are preferably two damping mechanisms 206 on opposite sides of the flapper valve 110, each damping mechanism 206 coupled to a separate corresponding flapper 204. However, it will be appreciated that the number of damping mechanisms 206 may vary depending on the type of valve 110. An exemplary embodiment of a damping mechanism 206 is shown in detail with various views in
Specifically,
As shown in
The main body 220, which in the depicted embodiment is integrally formed as part of one of the support flanges 214 (see
The paddle 222 is disposed within the chamber 228. The paddle 228 is coupled to a corresponding flapper 204, and is moved thereby between a first position (depicted in
As will be described in greater detail further below, preferably the paddle 222 includes a keyway hole 240 with a center 241, and the inner wall 226 preferably defines, along the path 230, an arc including at least a first region 231, a second region 232, and an intermediate region 233 between the first and second regions 231, 232. Preferably the distance between the keyway hole center 241 and the intermediate section 233 is greater than the distance between the keyway hole center 241 and the first region 231 and the second region 232. As a result, the fluid in the chamber 228 is able to flow around the paddle 222 when the paddle 222 is not at least partially adjacent to the first region 231 or the second region 232 of the inner wall 226, for example when the paddle 222 is in an intermediate position. However, fluid flow is at least substantially restricted when the paddle 222 is at least partially adjacent to the first region 231 or the second region 232 of the inner wall 226, for example when the paddle 222 approaches the first or second position. As the paddle 222 approaches the first or second position, the paddle 222 compresses the fluid in a section of the chamber 228 proximate the paddle 222 and forces the fluid out of that section of the chamber 228 through the one or more fluid channels 224 discussed below.
The one or more fluid channels 224 are coupled to at least the section of the chamber 228 proximate the paddle 222 when the paddle 222 is in the first or the second position. Preferably the one or more fluid channels 224 fluidly couple two or more sections of the chamber 228, including one section proximate the paddle 222 when the paddle 222 is in the first position, and another section proximate the paddle 222 when the paddle 222 is in the second position.
In various embodiments, the one or more fluid channels 224 may be implemented by forming a groove within the inner wall 226, boring one or more channels within the main body 220 connecting various points or sections within the chamber 228, and/or any one of a number of other different types of devices or configurations allowing for egress of fluid from one section of the chamber 228 and ingress of the fluid to another section of the chamber 228. However, it will be appreciated that in other embodiments the fluid may be able to egress from the section and subsequently ingress directly back to the same section of the chamber 228, for example if the one or more fluid channels 224 are relatively deep and/or lead to a temporary holding place outside of the chamber 228.
In addition, in certain embodiments, the shape and/or size of the one or more fluid channels 224 can be tailored to the specific damping needs of the particular valve 110. For example, the one or more fluid channels 224 may include a groove that is smaller near its ends and larger near its middle section, if greater damping is desired as the paddle 222 approaches either the first or second position. It will similarly be appreciated that the one or more fluid channels 224 can take any one of numerous other configurations depending on the desired damping speeds and/or other desired features for a particular valve 110.
Regardless of their particular configuration, the one or more fluid channels 224 are configured, along with the above-referenced arc along the inner wall 226 of the chamber 228, to allow egress of the fluid out of the section of the chamber 228 at least at a first aggregate egress rate when the paddle 222 moves from the first or second position to a predetermined intermediate position between the first and second positions, and to allow egress of the fluid out of the section of the chamber 228 at least at a second aggregate egress rate when the paddle 222 moves from the predetermined intermediate position to the first or the second position, the second aggregate egress rate being less than the first aggregate egress rate.
For example, in the preferred embodiment discussed above, fluid egresses out of the section of the chamber 228 relatively quickly as the paddle 222 approaches the intermediate positions, during which fluid is free to flow around the paddle 222. During this time, at least some of the fluid may also be able to simultaneously flow through the one or more fluid channels 224, thereby further increasing the speed at which fluid egresses out of the section of the chamber 228. Conversely, when the paddle 222 approaches the first or second position, fluid egresses out of the section of the chamber 228 relatively slowly. During this time, the paddle 222 is adjacent to the first or second sections 231, 232 of the inner wall 226, thereby restricting fluid flow around the paddle 222 and, accordingly, at least substantially limiting fluid egress out of the section of the chamber 228 to the one or more fluid channels 224.
Thus, the paddle 222 moves relatively quickly while in an intermediate position and relatively slowly as it approaches the first or second position. Accordingly, in turn, the flapper 204 moves relatively quickly as the flapper 204 begins to open or close, and relatively slowly as the flapper 204 is approaching the full-open or closed position. This provides the desired damping effect, thereby reducing wear and noise for the valve 110.
The seals 225 are preferably disposed in one or more places in or around the damping mechanism 206, for example, surrounding the chamber 228, and help to restrict the fluid from escaping from the chamber 228. Preferably, the seals 225 are placed where fluid intended for damping may otherwise escape unintentionally. It will be appreciated that the seals 225 may also be disposed in any one or more of numerous other locations in or around the damping mechanism 206, and that in certain embodiments seals 225 may not be needed.
As shown in greater detail in
Having generally described the damping mechanism 206, a more detailed description of the operation of the particular embodiment of the damping mechanism 206 will now be described, assuming that the flappers 204 are initially in the closed position. As the flappers 204 begin to open, the corresponding paddles 222 move within their respective chambers 228 from the first position to an intermediate position along the path 230. During this time, the paddles 222 compress the fluid in one section of the chambers 228. Because the fluid is free to flow around the paddles 222, as well as through the fluid channels 224, there is a relatively lower amount of resistance against movement of the paddles 222. Accordingly, the paddles 222, and therefore also the corresponding flappers 204, move relatively quickly during this time.
Then, as the flappers 204 approach the full-open position and the paddles 222 thereby approach the second position, and are at least partially adjacent to the second section 232 of the inner wall 226, fluid flow around the paddles 222 is at least substantially blocked. The fluid is therefore further compressed by the paddles 222 in the corresponding sections of the chambers 228 and escapes at a lower rate, through the fluid channels 224. Thus, there is a relatively higher amount of resistance provided by the fluid against movement of the paddles 222. Accordingly, the paddles 222, and therefore also the corresponding flappers 204, move relatively slowly during this time.
Conversely, as the flappers 204 begin to close, the corresponding paddles 222 move through the respective chambers 228 from the second position to an intermediate position along the path 230. During this time, the paddles 222 compress the fluid in one section of the chambers 228. Because the fluid is free to flow around the paddles 222, as well as through the fluid channels 224, there is a relatively lower amount of resistance against movement of the paddles 222. Accordingly, the paddles 222, and therefore also the corresponding flappers 204, move relatively quickly during this time.
Then, as the flappers 204 approach the closed position and the corresponding paddles 222 thereby approach the first position and are at least partially adjacent to the first section 231 of the inner wall 226, fluid flow around the paddles 222 is at least substantially blocked. The fluid is therefore further compressed by the paddles 222 in the corresponding sections of the chambers 228 and escapes at a lower rate, through the fluid channels 224. Thus, there is a relatively higher amount of resistance provided by the fluid against movement of the paddles 222. Accordingly, the paddles 222, and therefore also the corresponding flappers 204, move relatively slowly during this time.
With respect to the manufacture of the damping mechanisms 206, it will be appreciated that in certain embodiments the damping mechanism 206 may be manufactured as an integral part of a split flapper valve 110, or any one of numerous other types of valves 110. In other embodiments, the damping mechanism 206 may be manufactured separately for implementation in any one or more of numerous different types of valves 110. Similarly, it will be appreciated that the damping mechanism 206 can be used in any one of numerous different types of systems 100.
While the invention has been described with reference to a preferred embodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt to a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.