The present invention relates generally to the field of control valves for regulating fluids. More specifically, the present invention relates to a high pressure valve system having an integrated diaphragm for regulating fluids such as water.
Typically, a water regulating valve controls the quantity of circulating water flowing through a refrigerant condenser. The water regulating valve is actuated by the refrigerant pressure in the compressor discharge line. This pressure acts upon a bellows that transmits motion to the valve stem. The valve maintains a constant refrigerant condensing pressure by controlling the water flow through the condenser. By sensing the refrigerant pressure, the valve permits only enough water through the condenser to condense the amount of refrigerant vapor coming from the compressor. The quantity of water required to condense a given amount of refrigerant varies with changing conditions. Thus, the flow of cooling water through the condenser is automatically maintained at the rate actually required to condense the refrigerant under varying conditions of load and temperature.
Common types of regulating valves often use diaphragm seals that include one or more flat diaphragms compressed against the valve body by a plate. Screws may be used to simultaneously compress the diaphragm(s) as well as fasten a spring housing and pressure elements to the valve body. However, many of these types of systems can be unreliable. For example, there may be uneven clamping force on the diaphragm, high sensitivity to manufacturing settings, high variability in diaphragm compression and subsequent sealing ability, as well as dependence on torque and relaxation of clamping members. This can increase costs and produce intermittent quality problems.
Accordingly, there exists a need for a regulating valve system that is more reliable than many known systems. For example, it is desirable to provide a valve system having a more even clamping force applied to the diaphragm. In addition, there exists a need for a regulating valve system that is less sensitive to manufacturing variances and less sensitive to diaphragm relaxation. Further, there exists a need for a regulating valve system that is less dependent on screw torque settings which often change over time. There also exists a need for a regulating valve system that does not rely on a stamped metal sheet to evenly compress a flat diaphragm. Furthermore, there exists a need for a regulating valve that allows the service of the refrigerant side of a system without affecting the waterside of the system (e.g., that allows the removal of a spring element or pressure element from the valve system without disrupting the diaphragm or seals).
It would be advantageous to provide a system or the like of a type disclosed in the present application that provides any one or more of these or other advantageous features. The present invention further relates to various features and combinations of features shown and described in the disclosed embodiments. Other ways in which the objects and features of the disclosed embodiments are accomplished will be described in the following specification or will become apparent to those skilled in the art after they have read this specification. Such other ways are deemed to fall within the scope of the disclosed embodiments if they fall within the scope of the claims which follow.
One embodiment of the present invention relates to a system for regulating fluids. The system comprises a valve comprising a housing and a valve stem, a diaphragm positioned proximate a first end of the valve and having a first sealing ring, and a first compression insert configured to threadably couple to the housing of the valve. The housing of the valve is configured to receive at least a portion of the first sealing ring and the first compression insert is configured to compress the first sealing ring received within the housing of the valve by coupling to the housing of the valve.
Another embodiment of the present invention relates to a system for regulating fluids. The system comprises a valve comprising a housing and a valve stem, a diaphragm positioned proximate a first end of the valve and having a first sealing ring, and a seat nut coupled to the valve stem and configured to receive at least a portion of the first sealing ring. The guide nut is configured to compress the first sealing ring received within the seat nut by coupling to the seat nut.
Another embodiment of the present invention relates to a system for regulating fluids. The system comprises a valve comprising a housing and a valve stem, a diaphragm positioned proximate a first end of the valve and having a first sealing ring, a first compression insert configured to threadably couple to the housing of the valve, and a push rod configured to threadably couple to the valve stem. The diaphragm comprises a first sealing ring, the valve stem is configured to receive at least a portion of the first sealing ring, and the push rod is configured to compress the first sealing ring received within the valve stem by coupling to the valve stem.
Another embodiment of the present invention relates to a system for regulating fluids. The system comprises a valve comprising a housing and a valve stem configured to regulate fluid flow through the valve, a first diaphragm positioned proximate a first end of the valve and having a first sealing portion and a second sealing portion, a first fastener configured to couple to the housing of the valve and compress the first diaphragm against the housing of the valve and form a first seal at the first sealing portion, and a second fastener configured to couple to a first extension of the valve stem and compress the first diaphragm against the first extension of the valve stem and form a second seal at the second sealing portion.
Another embodiment of the present invention relates to a system for regulating fluids. The system comprises a valve comprising a housing and a valve stem configured to regulate fluid through the valve, a diaphragm positioned proximate a first end of the valve and having a first sealing portion and a second sealing portion, a first fastener configured to couple to the housing of the valve and compress the diaphragm against the housing of the valve and form a first seal at the first sealing portion, and a second fastener configured to couple to an extension of the valve stem and compress the diaphragm against the extension of the valve stem and form a second seal at the second sealing portion.
Another embodiment of the present invention relates to a method for producing a valve system that forms a seal without attachment of a pressure element and spring element. The method comprises providing a valve having a housing and a valve stem configured toregulate fluid flow through the valve, providing a first diaphragm positioned proximate a first end of the valve and having a first sealing ring and a second sealing ring, providing a first fastener configured to couple to the housing of the valve and compress the first diaphragm against the housing of the valve and form a first seal at the first sealing ring, providing a second fastener configured to couple to a first extension of the valve stem and compress the first diaphragm against the first extension of the valve stem and form a second seal at the second sealing ring, and configuring the valve system so that formation of the first seal and formation of the second seal are independent of an attachment of a spring element and a pressure element.
Before explaining a number of exemplary embodiments of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the details or methodology set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments or being practiced or carried out in various ways. It is also to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.
In general, the valve system described in this disclosure comprises a molded reinforced diaphragm having integrated sealing rings (e.g., integrated diaphragm). The diaphragm allows for the axial movement of a valve stem without employing standard valve packing. An exemplary system for sealing a high pressure water regulating valve having an integrated diaphragm will now be discussed. This system is shown in
Referring to
As shown in
In operation, when fluid enters valve 11 through entry chamber 52 with valve 11 in its closed position (as shown in
As shown in
As shown in
As explained above, outer seal 82 is formed between diaphragm 16 and valve casting 12 by means of sealing ring 64 integrally formed in diaphragm 16 engaging channel 70. Seal 82 may also include outer compression washer 19 situated between diaphragm 16 and compression insert 24 to allow compression insert 24 to be tightened and/or turned until contact occurs between valve casting 12 and compression insert 24. In addition, washer 19 allows compression insert 24 to be tightened without turning or contacting diaphragm 16. In order to tighten the system, compression insert 24 may be threadably coupled to valve casting 12 (e.g., at threads 37), thereby providing tensioning or compression force against washer 19 and diaphragm 16. According to an exemplary embodiment, compression insert 24 is threaded onto valve casting 12 until a limiting portion of compression insert 24 makes direct contact with valve casting 12. For example, as shown in
According to an exemplary embodiment, a similar arrangement can be provided at end 30 of valve casting 12. For example, as shown in
Diaphragm 116 may also form an outer seal 182 with valve casting 12. Outer seal 182 may be formed between an outer sealing ring 164 integrally formed in diaphragm 116 and a channel 170 in valve casting 12. An outer compression washer 119 may be placed between diaphragm 116 and compression insert 124 to allow compression insert 124 to be tightened and/or turned until contact between valve casting 12 and compression insert 124. In addition, washer 119 allows compression insert 124 to be tightened without turning or contacting diaphragm 116. In order to tighten the system, compression insert 124 may be threadably coupled to valve casting 12, thereby providing a tensioning or compression force against washer 119 and diaphragm 116. According to an exemplary embodiment, compression insert 124 is threaded onto valve casting 12 until a limiting portion of compression insert 124 makes direct contact with valve casting 12. For example, as shown in
According to an exemplary embodiment shown in
According to various exemplary embodiments, the assemblies and components of the system may be constructed from various different materials. In addition, the assemblies and components of the system may be constructed from materials that are durable and substantially non-corroding. For example, a variety of plastics (e.g., high-impact), polymers, reinforced rubber, etc. may be used for construction or assembly of the diaphragm. Using rubber or plastic offers several advantages including that the diaphragm may be constructed in a variety of different colors, surface finishes, textures, opacity, etc. According to various exemplary embodiments, a variety of suitable materials may be used for other components (such as the compression insert, guide nut, valve casting, etc.) of the system, including metals, engineered plastics, alloys, composites, aluminum, stainless steel, etc. Further, various parts of the system may be constructed and assembled as a single integrally formed piece or may be constructed and assembled from multiple parts.
Referring now to
It is important to note that the above-described embodiments are illustrative only. Although the invention has been described in conjunction with specific embodiments thereof, those skilled in the art will appreciate that numerous modifications are possible without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the subject matter described herein. For example, the diaphragm may include more or less than two integral sealing rings as described herein. In addition, the diaphragm may engage the valve casting, valve stem, and/or other elements at different locations or according to different configurations. Accordingly, these and all other such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention as defined in the appended claims. The order or sequence of any process or method steps may be varied or re-sequenced according to alternative embodiments. In the claims, any means-plus-function clause is intended to cover the structures described herein as performing the recited function and not only structural equivalents but also equivalent structures. Other substitutions, modifications, changes and omissions may be made in the design, operating conditions and arrangements of the preferred and other exemplary embodiments without departing from the spirit of the present invention.