Rotary pneumatic damper for check valve

Abstract

A damping system for a valve with a flapper comprises a main body having at least an inner wall defining a pneumatic chamber, a paddle disposed within the pneumatic chamber, and a plurality of orifices extending through the main body. The paddle is coupled to the flapper and moved thereby between a first position and a second position when the flapper is in a closed and an open position, respectively, and is configured to force gas out of the pneumatic chamber when moving to the first position or the second position. The plurality of orifices allow gas egress out of the pneumatic chamber at least at a first egress rate when the paddle moves from the first position to an intermediate position between the first and second positions, and at least at a second, lower egress rate when the paddle moves from the intermediate position to the second position.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a simplified schematic diagram illustrating an air distribution system;

FIG. 2 provides a perspective plan view, from a downstream side and in a closed position, of an exemplary embodiment of a check valve that may be used in the system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 provides a perspective plan view, from a downstream side and in an open position, of the valve of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 provides an end view from a downstream side of the valve of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 provides a close-up view of a portion of the exemplary valve of FIGS. 2-4, depicting an exemplary embodiment of a damping mechanism that can be used in the valve, and shown in a position corresponding with the valve in the closed position;

FIG. 6 provides a detailed view of the damping mechanism of FIG. 5, shown in a position corresponding with the valve in a partially open position;

FIG. 7 provides a detailed view of the damping mechanism of FIG. 5, shown in a position corresponding with the valve in a fully open position;

FIG. 8 provides a side view of a cover plate that may be used to implement the damping mechanism of FIG. 5;

FIG. 9 provides a perspective plan view of an exemplary embodiment of a hinge pin that can be used in the valve of FIG. 2;

FIG. 10 provides a perspective plan view of an exemplary embodiment of a paddle of the damping mechanism of FIG. 5 with a keyway hole that can be coupled to the hinge pin of FIG. 9; and

FIG. 11 provides a perspective plan view of an exemplary embodiment of the hinge pin of FIG. 9 and the damping mechanism of FIG. 5 coupled to a flapper element.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

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.

FIG. 1 is a simplified schematic diagram illustrating an air distribution system 100 disposed within an aircraft 102. The air distribution system 100 includes an inlet duct 104, one or more outlet ducts 106 (only one of which is shown here), and a valve 110 positioned in the duct 106. The inlet duct 104 receives air from an air source, such as, for example, engine bleed air, and the outlet duct 106 exhausts air into desired sections of the aircraft 102. In one exemplary embodiment, the outlet duct 106 exhausts air into or out of an aircraft cabin (not shown). The valve 110 is configured to control the air flow through the outlet duct 106 and to prevent the air from flowing in a reverse direction. An exemplary embodiment of the valve 110 is depicted in FIGS. 2-11, and will now be described in more detail.

Turning first to FIGS. 2-4, perspective plan views of the valve 110 are provided from the downstream side, in both a closed position (FIG. 2) and an open position (FIG. 3), and an end view from a downstream side in the closed position (FIG. 4). The valve 110 includes a valve body 202, a pair of flappers 204, and one or more damping mechanisms 206.

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 FIG. 3) on the valve body 202 to seal, or at least substantially seal, a corresponding flow channel 212. In the full-open position (see FIG. 3), or any one of numerous open positions between the closed and full-open positions, the flappers 204 unseal the corresponding flow channel 212. Thus, when the flappers 204 are in the closed position, fluid flow through the flow channels 212 is prevented, or at least substantially inhibited, and when the flappers 204 are in an open position, fluid flow through the flow channels 212 is allowed. Rotational movement of the flappers 204 is limited by the stop tube 218.

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 pneumatic 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 FIGS. 5-11, and with reference thereto will now be described.

Specifically, FIGS. 5-7 show the damping mechanism 206 in various stages of operation, and with at least a partially transparent cover 221 in order to better depict the various features of the damping mechanism 206. FIG. 8 depicts a side view of the damping mechanism cover 221. FIGS. 9-11 depict a preferred embodiment for coupling the damping mechanism 206 to a corresponding flapper 204.

As shown in FIGS. 5-7, the damping mechanism 206 is mounted on the valve body 202, and includes a main body 220, a paddle 222, and a plurality of orifices 223. The damping mechanism 206 preferably also includes one or more seals 225.

The main body 220, which in the depicted embodiment is integrally formed within one of the support flanges 214, has at least an inner wall 226 that defines a pneumatic chamber 228 having a gas therein. It will be appreciated that the gas contained in the pneumatic chamber 228 is preferably air, but could be any one of a number of other types of gases. The main body 220 is coupled to the valve body 202, and is preferably also coupled to the stop tube 218. In the depicted embodiment having two damping mechanisms 206, preferably each damping mechanism 206 is mounted on an opposite end of the valve body 202.

The paddle 222 is disposed within the pneumatic chamber 228. The paddle 228 is coupled to a corresponding flapper 204, and is moved thereby between a first position (depicted in FIG. 5) and a second position (depicted in FIG. 7), when the corresponding flapper 204 is in the closed position and the full-open position, respectively. The paddle 222 is configured to force the gas out of a section of the pneumatic chamber 228 when moving to the first position or the second position. Preferably the paddle 222 moves between the first and second positions along a path 230, during which the paddle 222 takes one or more intermediate positions (depicted in FIG. 6) between the first and second positions. As will be described in greater detail below, preferably the gas is able to escape out of the pneumatic chamber 228 relatively quickly when the paddle 222 is in the one or more intermediate positions, and relatively slowly when the paddle 222 approaches the first or second position. The seals 225 in the depicted embodiment help to further restrict the gas from escaping from the pneumatic chamber 228 except through the plurality of orifices 223 discussed below. Accordingly, as the paddle 222 approaches the first or second position, the paddle 222 compresses the gas in that section of the pneumatic chamber 228 and forces the gas out of the pneumatic chamber 228 through certain orifices 223 disposed within that particular section of the pneumatic chamber 228, as described further below.

The plurality of orifices 223 extend through the cover 221 and fluidly communicate the pneumatic chamber 228 with an external pneumatic environment. As depicted in FIGS. 5-8, the plurality of orifices 223 preferably include a plurality of smaller orifices 224, and at least one larger orifice 227. At least one of the plurality of smaller orifices 224 is preferably disposed near each end of the pneumatic chamber 228, so that at least one smaller orifice 224 is proximate the paddle 222 when the paddle 222 is in the first position or the second position. The at least one larger orifice 227 is preferably disposed at one or more points between the ends of the pneumatic chamber 228, such that the gas can egress out of the pneumatic chamber 228 via the at least one larger orifice 227 when the paddle 222 is in the one or more intermediate positions, but egress of the gas out of the pneumatic chamber 228 via the at least one larger orifice 227 is at least substantially restricted when the paddle 222 approaches the first position or the second position. Preferably, the paddle 222 at least substantially blocks the at least one larger orifice 227 from the section of the pneumatic chamber 228 when the paddle 222 approaches the first or second position, thereby limiting egress of the gas out of the section of the pneumatic chamber 228 to one or more of the smaller orifices 224 disposed in the section proximate the paddle 222 during this time.

While the at least one larger orifice 227 is depicted in a close-up view in FIG. 8 as a single, larger orifice 227, it will be appreciated that in other embodiments the at least one larger orifice 227 may comprise any number of orifices, small or large, that preferably provide a relatively greater total surface area for the gas to egress out of the pneumatic chamber 228, as compared with the plurality of smaller orifices 224. However, regardless of their particular configuration, the plurality of orifices 223 are configured to allow egress of the gas out of the section of the pneumatic chamber 228 at least at a first egress rate when the paddle 222 moves from the first position to the one or more predetermined intermediate positions between the first and second position, and at least at a second egress rate when the paddle 222 moves from the predetermined intermediate position to the first or second position, with the second egress rate being less than the first egress rate.

Thus, the paddle 222 moves relatively more quickly as it approaches the intermediate position, and relatively more slowly as it approaches the first or second position. Accordingly, in turn, the flapper 204 moves relatively more quickly as the flapper 204 begins to open or close, as the paddle 222 moves to the intermediate position from either the first or second position; and relatively more slowly as the flapper 204 is approaching the full-open or closed position, as the paddle 222 moves from the intermediate position to either the first or second 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 pneumatic chamber 228 and/or the cover 221. Preferably, the seals 225 are placed where air intended for pneumatic 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.

As shown in greater detail in FIGS. 9-11, the paddle 222 in the depicted embodiment is coupled to the corresponding flapper 204 via the above-referenced hinge pin 216. The hinge pin 216 preferably includes at least a round end 234 and a keyway end 236. The round end 234 is configured to be inserted and held in place in a hinge pin guide 238 that is coupled to the flapper 204, preferably with a tight fit around the round end 234. The keyway end 236 is configured to be inserted into a keyway hole 240 in the paddle 222, to thereby drive movement of the paddle 222 when the corresponding flapper 204 moves between the open and closed positions. However, it will be appreciated that the paddle 222 may be coupled to the corresponding flapper 204 in any one of numerous different manners. In the depicted embodiment of the valve 110 having two flappers 204 and two damping mechanisms 206, there are two hinge pins 216, each coupling a different flapper 204 with a corresponding damping mechanism 206. It will also be appreciated that, in various other embodiments, any one of numerous different types of shafts are other coupling devices can be used instead of, or in addition to, the hinge pins 216.

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 pneumatic chambers 228 from the first position to an intermediate position along the path 230. During this time, gas can egress out of the pneumatic chambers 228 via the larger orifices 227. The gas escapes at a higher rate, and thus there is a relatively low amount of resistance provided by the gas 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, the paddles 222 at least substantially block the larger orifices 227, thereby limiting egress of the gas out of the pneumatic chambers 228. The gas becomes compressed by the paddles 222 in the corresponding sections of the pneumatic chambers 228 and escapes at a lower rate, through one or more of the smaller orifices 224, and thus there is a relatively high amount of resistance provided by the gas 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 pneumatic chambers 228 from the second position to an intermediate position along the path 230. During this time, gas can egress out of the pneumatic chambers 228 via the larger orifices 227. The gas escapes at a higher rate, and thus there is a relatively low amount of resistance provided by the gas 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, the paddles 222 at least substantially block the larger orifices 227, thereby limiting egress of the gas out of the pneumatic chambers 228. The gas becomes compressed by the paddles 222 in the corresponding sections of the pneumatic chambers 228 and escapes at a lower rate, through one or more of the smaller orifices 224, and thus there is a relatively high amount of resistance provided by the gas 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.

Claims

1. A check valve comprising: a valve body having an upstream side, a downstream side, and a valve flow channel that extends between the upstream and downstream sides;a flapper rotationally mounted on the valve body and movable between a closed position, in which the flapper at least substantially seals the valve flow channel, and an open position, in which the flapper at least substantially unseals the valve flow channel; anda damping mechanism mounted on the valve body, the damping mechanism comprising: a main body having at least an inner wall that defines a pneumatic chamber having a gas therein;a paddle disposed within the pneumatic chamber, the paddle coupled to the flapper and moved thereby between a first position and a second position when the flapper is in the closed position and the open position, respectively, the paddle configured to force the gas out of a section of the pneumatic chamber when moving to the first position or the second position; anda plurality of orifices extending through the main body and fluidly communicating the pneumatic chamber with an external pneumatic environment, the plurality of orifices configured to allow egress of the gas out of the section of the pneumatic chamber at least at a first egress rate when the paddle moves from the first position to a predetermined intermediate position between the first and second positions, and to allow egress of the gas out of the pneumatic chamber at least at a second egress rate when the paddle moves from the predetermined intermediate position to the second position, the second egress rate being less than the first egress rate,whereby movement of the flapper from the closed position to the open position is at least at a first movement rate when the paddle moves from the first position to the intermediate position, and at least at a second movement rate when the paddle moves from the predetermined intermediate position to the second position, the second movement rate being less than the first movement rate.

2. The check valve of claim 1, further comprising: a flapper stop coupled to the valve body and configured to limit the flapper movement in the open position.

3. The check valve of claim 2, wherein: the flapper stop is coupled to the damping mechanism main body.

4. The check value of claim 1, further comprising: a shaft coupled between the paddle and the flapper.

5. The check valve of claim 1, further comprising: one or more seals disposed within the pneumatic chamber to at least substantially prevent egress of gas out of the section of the pneumatic chamber except via the one or more orifices.

6. The check valve of claim 1, wherein: one or more of the orifices are disposed proximate the paddle when the flapper is in the first position or the second position.

7. The check valve of claim 1, further comprising: a second flow channel that extends between the upstream and downstream sides;a second flapper rotationally mounted on the valve body and movable between a closed position, in which the second flapper at least substantially seals the second flow channel, and an open position, in which the second flapper unseals the flow channel; anda second damping mechanism mounted on the valve body, the second damping mechanism comprising: a main body having at least an inner wall that defines a pneumatic chamber having a gas therein;a paddle disposed within the pneumatic chamber, the paddle coupled to the second flapper and moved thereby between a first position and a second position when the second flapper is in the closed position and the open position, respectively, the paddle configured to force the gas out of a section of the pneumatic chamber when moving to the first position or the second position; anda plurality of orifices extending through the main body and fluidly communicating the pneumatic chamber with an external pneumatic environment, the plurality of orifices configured to allow egress of the gas out of the section of the pneumatic chamber at least at a first egress rate when the paddle moves from the first position to a predetermined intermediate position between the first and second positions, and to allow egress of the gas out of the pneumatic chamber at least at a second egress rate when the paddle moves from the predetermined intermediate position to the second position, the second egress rate being less than the first egress rate,whereby movement of the second flapper from the closed position to the open position is at least at a first movement rate when the paddle moves from the first position to the intermediate position, and at least at a second movement rate when the paddle moves from the predetermined intermediate position to the second position, the second movement rate being less than the first movement rate.

8. The check valve of claim 7, further comprising: a second shaft coupled between the second damping mechanism paddle and the second flapper.

9. The check valve of claim 1, further comprising: a second flow channel that extends between the upstream and downstream sides; anda second flapper rotationally mounted on the valve body and movable between a closed position, in which the second flapper at least substantially seals the second flow channel, and an open position, in which the second flapper unseals the flow channel;and wherein the damping mechanism further comprises: a second main body having at least an inner wall that defines a second pneumatic chamber having a gas therein;a second paddle disposed within the second pneumatic chamber, the second paddle coupled to the second flapper and moved thereby between a first position and a second position when the second flapper is in the closed position and the open position, respectively, the second paddle configured to force the gas out of a section of the second pneumatic chamber when moving to the first position or the second position; anda plurality of orifices extending through the second main body and fluidly communicating the second pneumatic chamber with an external pneumatic environment, the plurality of orifices configured to allow egress of the gas out of the section of the second pneumatic chamber at least at a first egress rate when the second paddle moves from the first position to a predetermined intermediate position between the first and second positions, and to allow egress of the gas out of the second pneumatic chamber at least at a second egress rate when the second paddle moves from the predetermined intermediate position to the second position, the second egress rate being less than the first egress rate,whereby movement of the second flapper from the closed position to the open position is at least at a first movement rate when the second paddle moves from the first position to the intermediate position, and at least at a second movement rate when the second paddle moves from the predetermined intermediate position to the second position, the second movement rate being less than the first movement rate.

10. A check valve comprising: a valve body having an upstream side, a downstream side, and a plurality of valve flow channels that extend between the upstream and downstream sides;a plurality of flappers rotationally mounted on the valve body, each flapper movable between a closed position, in which such flapper at least substantially seals a valve flow channel, and an open position, in which such flapper at least substantially unseals a valve flow channel; anda plurality of damping mechanisms mounted on the valve body, each damping mechanism comprising: a main body having at least an inner wall that defines a pneumatic chamber having a gas therein;a paddle disposed within the pneumatic chamber, the paddle coupled to a corresponding flapper and moved thereby between a first position and a second position when the corresponding flapper is in the closed position and the open position, respectively, the paddle configured to force the gas out of a section of the pneumatic chamber when moving to the first position or the second position; anda plurality of orifices extending through the main body and fluidly communicating the pneumatic chamber with an external pneumatic environment, the plurality of orifices configured to allow egress of the gas out of the section of the pneumatic chamber at least at a first egress rate when the paddle moves from the first position to a predetermined intermediate position between the first and second positions, and to allow egress of the gas out of the pneumatic chamber at least at a second egress rate when the paddle moves from the predetermined intermediate position to the second position, the second egress rate being less than the first egress rate,whereby movement of the corresponding flapper from the closed position to the open position is at least at a first movement rate when the paddle moves from the first position to the intermediate position, and at least at a second movement rate when the paddle moves from the predetermined intermediate position to the second position, the second movement rate being less than the first movement rate.

11. The check valve of claim 10, wherein each damping mechanism further comprises: a flapper stop coupled to the valve body and configured to limit at least the corresponding flapper movement in the open position.

12. The check valve of claim 11, wherein: the flapper stop is coupled to the damping mechanism main body.

13. The check value of claim 10, further comprising: a shaft coupled between the paddle and the corresponding flapper.

14. The check valve of claim 10, further comprising: one or more seals disposed within the pneumatic chamber to at least substantially prevent egress of gas out of the section of the pneumatic chamber except via the one or more orifices.

15. The check valve of claim 10, wherein: one or more of the orifices are disposed proximate the corresponding flapper when the corresponding flapper is in the first position or the second position.

16. A damping system for a valve with a flapper movable between an open position and a closed position, the damping system comprising: a main body having at least an inner wall that defines a pneumatic chamber having a gas therein;a paddle disposed within the pneumatic chamber, the paddle coupled to the flapper and moved thereby between a first position and a second position when the flapper is in the closed position and the open position, respectively, the paddle configured to force the gas out of a section of the pneumatic chamber when moving to the first position or the second position; anda plurality of orifices extending through the main body and fluidly communicating the pneumatic chamber with an external pneumatic environment, the plurality of orifices configured to allow egress of the gas out of the section of the pneumatic chamber at least at a first egress rate when the paddle moves from the first position to a predetermined intermediate position between the first and second positions, and to allow egress of the gas out of the pneumatic chamber at least at a second egress rate when the paddle moves from the predetermined intermediate position to the second position, the second egress rate being less than the first egress rate,whereby movement of the flapper from the closed position to the open position is at least at a first movement rate when the paddle moves from the first position to the intermediate position, and at least at a second movement rate when the paddle moves from the predetermined intermediate position to the second position, the second movement rate being less than the first movement rate.

17. The-damping system of claim 16, wherein: the paddle is configured to be coupled to the flapper via a shaft.

18. The damping system of claim 16, further comprising: one or more seals disposed within the pneumatic chamber to at least substantially prevent egress of gas out of the section of the pneumatic chamber except via the one or more orifices.

19. The damping system of claim 16, wherein: one or more of the orifices are disposed proximate the paddle when the paddle is in the first position or the second position.

20. The damping system of claim 16, wherein: the damping system is configured to be mounted on a valve body of a valve.