Patent Application
20070284553
The present invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the following drawing figures, wherein like numerals denote like elements, and
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 of the invention or the following detailed description of the invention.
As depicted in
The valve seat 14 has a valve seat surface 22 and a valve seat passage 24 extending therethrough. The valve seat surface 22 is preferably flat with sharp seating edges 26. The sharp seating edges 26 help to create an effective seal against-the valve element 12 while in the closed position, minimizing leakage from the valve assembly 10. Moreover, the sharp seating edges 26 provide less surface area for contaminants to lodge, and allow for easier removal of such contaminants. The valve seat surface 22 can be manufactured, by way of example only, through lapping on a lapping stone, and/or through drilling, reaming, and/or honing. In addition, the sharp seating edges 26 can be fine tuned for improved sealing through use of the valve element 12, for example by putting a weight or a lapping compound on the valve element 12 and pressing or rotating the valve element against the sharp seating edges 26. It will be appreciated that the valve seat surface 22 may take different shapes, and may be manufactured using any one or more of numerous different methods. Regardless of the particular shape and methods of creating the valve seat surface 22, the valve element 12, as noted above, seats against the valve seat surface 22 when in the closed position. The valve seat passage 24 extends through the valve seat 14 and, as depicted in
The valve guide 16 is coupled to the valve seat 14, and has at least an inner surface 28 and an outer surface 30. The valve guide inner surface 28 defines a valve guide passage 32 that is at least substantially aligned with the valve seat passage 24. As depicted in
In addition, the valve guide passage 32 is preferably concentrically aligned with the valve seat passage 24 and at least substantially perpendicular to the valve seat surface 22. The valve guide inner surface 28 preferably provides a close fit to the valve element 12, thereby minimizing undesirable lateral movement of the valve element 12, uneven wear on the valve seat surface 22, and flow of fluids around the valve element 12 and through the valve guide passage 32. For example, in one particular preferred embodiment discussed above for illustrative purposes, the valve guide passage 32 is between about 0.129 and 0.130 inches in diameter, while the valve element 12 is approximately 0.125 inches in diameter.
In terms of manufacturing, the valve guide passage 32 is preferably honed and dry film coated to minimize friction and optimize the fit with the valve element 12. In addition, preferably the valve guide passage 32 is machined in concert with the section of the valve guide 16 that engages the valve seat 14 in the press fit 34, and the valve seat passage 24 is machined in concert with the section of the valve seat 14 that engages the valve guide 16 in the press fit 34, in a single process, thereby improving the alignment and concentricity between the valve guide passage 32 and the valve seat passage 24. However, it will be appreciated that the valve guide 16, the valve guide passage 32, the valve seat passage 24, and the various other components of the valve assembly 10 can also take various other shapes, sizes, and configurations, and can be manufactured using any one of numerous different processes.
As shown in
The valve assembly 10, as was previously noted, may also include an actuator 20, which is configured to at least facilitate movement of the valve element 12 between the open and closed positions. In a preferred embodiment depicted in
The operation of the valve assembly 10, in one particular embodiment, is as follows, assuming the valve element 12 is initially in the closed position. The valve element 12 is moved from the closed position to the open position via operation of the actuator 20 as described above. In particular, when the actuator 20 removes or reduces the force on the valve element 12, fluid pressure in the valve seat passage 24 moves the valve element 12 away from the valve seat surface 22 to the open position. As the valve element 12 moves to the open position, pressurized fluid flows through the valve seat passage 24 and past the valve seat surface 22. The fluid then flows toward the plurality of vents 18, preferably by making a ninety degree turn away from the valve element 12, although it will be appreciated that the angles may differ. As mentioned above, the fluid is substantially restricted from flowing through the valve guide passage 32 beyond the valve element 12, due to the close fit between the valve guide inner wall 28 and the valve element 12.
As the fluid flows through the plurality of vents 18, the fluid encounters a significantly larger flow area. For example, in a preferred embodiment, the flow area encountered may be approximately four times greater than the flow area around the valve seat surface 22, although it will be appreciated that the relative and/or absolute sizes of the flow areas may differ. Consequently, the fluid rapidly expands and decelerates as it travels through the plurality of vents 18. This in turn minimizes the resulting pressure decrease, so that the valve element 12 continues to operate effectively, for example by remaining adjacent to the actuator 20. Moreover, due to the rapid deceleration of the fluid flow, and the direction of the fluid flow away from the valve element 12, contaminants are further reduced in the valve assembly 10.
Conversely, when the valve element 12 is moved into the closed position, for example through operation of the actuator 20 as described above, the valve element 12 seats against the sharp seating edges 26 of the valve seat surface 22. The above-mentioned seal formed between the sharp seating edges 26 and the valve element 12 while in the closed position at least substantially restricts the flow of fluids from the valve seat passage 24.
As described above, the valve assembly 10 provides for excellent guidance of the valve element 12, with the potential for decreased friction, leakage and wear, and/or with enhanced operability and/or ease of inspection, maintenance, and repair. It will be appreciated that the valve assembly 10 can be used with any one of numerous different types of valve devices, including for example solenoid valves, hydraulic valves, and pneumatic values, among various other different types of valves.
While at least one exemplary embodiment has been presented in the foregoing detailed description of the invention, it should be appreciated that a vast number of variations exist. It should also be appreciated that the exemplary embodiment or exemplary embodiments are only examples, and are not intended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration of the invention in any way. Rather, the foregoing detailed description will provide those skilled in the art with a convenient road map for implementing an exemplary embodiment of the invention, it being understood that various changes may be made in the function and arrangement of elements described in an exemplary -embodiment without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims and their legal equivalents.
