A constant flow economizer valve with flow meter

Abstract

This invention relates to a constant-flow gas-saving valve with a flow meter. The gas-saving valve includes a flow meter, a valve body, a pressure-reducing valve core assembly, a flow regulating valve, a diaphragm assembly, a valve cover, a pressure regulating assembly, and a switching valve stem. The flow meter is mounted on the upper end of the valve body. The diaphragm assembly covers the lower end face of the valve body. The lower end of the valve body and the diaphragm assembly are installed in the inner cavity of the valve cover. The pressure regulating assembly and the switching valve stem are installed in the inner cavity of the valve cover below the diaphragm assembly. The pressure-reducing valve core assembly and the flow regulating valve are installed in the valve body. The switching valve stem is used to switch between a stable gas flow mode and a gas-saving mode. This invention's constant-flow gas-saving valve with a flow meter allows for selection of different operating modes according to different needs.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to an air-saving valve, and more specifically, to a constant-flow air-saving valve with a flow meter. Background Technology

[0002] In some gas application industries, it is necessary to control and regulate the flow rate of the gas used. For example, in the field of electric welding of large components, such as welding automobile chassis, gas shielded welding is required to improve welding quality and efficiency. For such welding equipment, the control of the welding shielding gas is mostly achieved using a float-type flow meter with flow regulation. Figure 1 The welding apparatus shown can set the gas flow rate and achieve the desired welding effect with an economical amount of shielding gas, but this welding apparatus cannot achieve a stable gas output.

[0003] In other gas application fields, such as the analysis of substances using protective gases (e.g., analyzing the purity and molecular weight of compounds, macromolecules, and proteins), in addition to flow regulation, stable flow rate is also required. However, the pressure of the gas supply source usually fluctuates, and the set output flow rate also fluctuates with the supply pressure, which cannot fully meet the gas stability requirements of analytical fields. Protective gases are also needed in the welding of large and medium-sized components. Due to frequent changes in welding positions, welding is done intermittently, requiring solenoid valves to control the gas flow to save gas. These solenoid valves only open the protective gas during welding and close it when welding is not in progress. However, during the opening and closing of the protective gas, the pressure surges and flow rate surges at the opening result in significant losses of protective gas, far exceeding the required flow rate. For example... Figure 2 As shown, the flow rate can only return to the set value after the airflow stabilizes, resulting in significant waste during the shielding gas activation process. In welding large and medium-sized components, conventional flow regulation simply uses regulating valves, but these valves cannot stabilize the flow rate or buffer pressure surges, leading to high flow surge peaks. The amount of shielding gas wasted during the accumulated gas surges within a welding cycle remains substantial. In these situations, stabilizing the flow rate involves either manual adjustment via monitoring or the use of expensive and complex electronic constant current devices. Manual adjustment is labor-intensive, results in inconsistent flow stability, and fails to meet ideal process requirements, impacting quality. Electronic control, besides being expensive, lacks sufficient anti-interference capabilities to meet current needs.

[0004] Conventional pressure reducing valves have an automatic output pressure stabilization function; differential pressure stabilization can be achieved by using the pressure reducing valve to stabilize the pressure. The output pressure of a conventional pressure reducing valve is stabilized based on atmospheric pressure. Figure 4 As shown. However, this pressure reducing valve can only set the gas output pressure based on atmospheric pressure. Summary of the Invention

[0005] To address the aforementioned deficiencies in existing technologies, the technical problem this invention aims to solve is to provide a constant-flow gas-saving valve with a flow meter, which can both stabilize gas flow and achieve gas savings. To achieve this objective, the technical solution adopted by this invention is as follows:

[0006] A constant-flow economizer valve with a flow meter includes a flow meter, a valve body, a pressure-reducing valve core assembly, a flow regulating valve, a diaphragm assembly, a valve cover, a pressure regulating assembly, and a switching valve stem. The flow meter is mounted on the valve body end. The diaphragm assembly covers the lower end face of the valve body. The lower end of the valve body and the diaphragm assembly are installed in the inner cavity of the valve cover. The pressure regulating assembly and the switching valve stem are installed in the inner cavity of the valve cover below the diaphragm assembly.

[0007] The pressure reducing valve core assembly and the flow regulating valve are mounted on the valve body.

[0008] The switching valve stem is used to switch between the stable gas flow mode and the gas-saving mode of the gas-saving valve.

[0009] Furthermore, the valve body is cylindrical in shape, and has a first mounting cavity for mounting a pressure reducing valve core assembly along its longitudinal axis. It also has an inlet cavity, an outlet cavity, and a second mounting cavity for mounting a flow regulating valve along its radial direction. The opening of the first mounting cavity is located on the lower surface of the cylinder. The openings of the inlet cavity, the outlet cavity, and the mounting cavity are located on the outer circumferential surface of the cylinder, and the bottoms of these cavities are close to the central longitudinal axis of the cylinder.

[0010] Furthermore, the first mounting cavity is stepped, with its inner diameter gradually decreasing from the opening to the bottom, including a small-diameter cavity portion, an intermediate-diameter cavity portion, and a large-diameter cavity portion. The small-diameter cavity portion and the intermediate-diameter cavity portion are used to install the pressure reducing valve core assembly. The opening of the first mounting cavity is sealed by the diaphragm assembly. In this way, the small-diameter cavity portion forms a gas input pressure cavity, and the large-diameter cavity portion forms a pressure reducing cavity.

[0011] Furthermore, the inner cavity of the valve cover is also stepped, with its inner diameter gradually decreasing from the opening to the bottom, forming a small-diameter inner cavity portion, an intermediate-diameter inner cavity portion, and a large-diameter inner cavity portion. The small-diameter inner cavity portion and the intermediate-diameter inner cavity portion are used for sealing and installing the pressure regulating component, and the large-diameter inner cavity portion is used for installing the lower cylindrical end of the valve body and the diaphragm component. The intermediate-diameter inner cavity portion forms a reference pressure chamber.

[0012] Furthermore, the valve body is also provided with multiple gas channels to connect the inlet chamber, the flow meter, the gas input pressure chamber, the pressure reducing chamber, the flow regulating valve, the outlet chamber, and the reference pressure chamber.

[0013] When the plurality of gas channels sequentially connect the inlet chamber, the flow meter, the gas input pressure chamber, the pressure reducing chamber, the flow regulating valve, and the outlet chamber, and simultaneously connect the outlet of the flow regulating valve to the reference pressure chamber, the gas-saving valve is in a stable gas flow operating mode.

[0014] When the gas channel sequentially connects the inlet chamber, the flow meter, the gas input pressure chamber, the pressure reducing chamber, the flow regulating valve, and the outlet chamber, and the reference pressure chamber is connected to the outside, the gas-saving valve is in gas-saving mode.

[0015] Furthermore, the valve body is internally provided with a first gas channel, a second gas channel, a third gas channel, a fourth gas channel, a fifth gas channel, and a sixth gas channel. One end of the first gas channel is connected to the inner cavity of the flow tube, and the other end is connected to one end of the second gas channel. The other end of the second gas channel is connected to the inlet chamber. One end of the third gas channel is connected to the outlet of the flow regulating valve, and the other end is connected to the reference pressure chamber of the valve cover. One end of the fourth gas channel is connected to the inlet of the flow regulating valve, and the other end is connected to one end of the fifth gas channel. The other end of the fifth gas channel is connected to the pressure reducing chamber of the first mounting chamber. One end of the sixth gas channel is connected to the gap of the flow meter, and the other end is connected to the gas input pressure chamber of the first mounting chamber.

[0016] Furthermore, the valve body has a lower circular boss with a diameter smaller than the diameter of the cylinder at the center of its lower cylindrical surface, and an annular groove is provided on the outer circumferential surface of the lower end of the cylinder near the lower circular boss. Thus, when the lower end of the cylinder is installed in the inner cavity of the valve cover, a gap is formed between the outer circumferential surface of the lower circular boss and the inner wall of the valve cover, and the gap is directly connected to the annular groove. One end of the third gas channel is located in the annular groove, so that the outlet of the flow regulating valve can be connected to the reference pressure chamber through the third gas channel, the annular groove and the gap.

[0017] Furthermore, the valve cover also has a mounting through hole for placing the switching valve stem.

[0018] Furthermore, the lower opening of the mounting through hole is located on the outer surface of the valve cover, and the upper opening is located on the stepped surface of the large-diameter inner cavity of the valve cover. The valve cover has a communication channel near the upper opening that connects the mounting through hole to the reference pressure chamber.

[0019] The switching valve stem achieves a stable gas flow operation by sealing the mounting through hole below the connecting channel, and achieves a gas-saving operation by sealing the mounting through hole above the connecting channel.

[0020] Furthermore, the upper and lower diameters of the mounting through hole are the same, and the switching valve stem has an upper cylindrical sealing portion, a lower mounting portion, and a straight rod located between them.

[0021] Furthermore, an annular groove for installing a sealing ring is provided on the outer circumferential surface of the upper cylindrical sealing portion.

[0022] The diameter of the upper cylindrical sealing portion is substantially equal to the diameter of the mounting through hole, and the diameter of the straight rod is smaller than the diameter of the upper cylindrical sealing portion, so that when the switching valve rod is placed in the mounting through hole, the upper cylindrical sealing portion can seal the mounting through hole, and a gap is formed between the straight rod and the mounting through hole.

[0023] Furthermore, the lower mounting portion is a hollow, downward-opening circumferential shape. The outer circumferential surface of the lower cylindrical portion is provided with threads to tighten the lower mounting portion onto the internal thread surface of the mounting through hole. The upper surface of the lower cylindrical portion has a vent hole to connect the gap and the cavity of the lower mounting portion.

[0024] Compared with existing technologies, the constant flow gas-saving valve with flow meter of the present invention can achieve both stable gas output and gas saving during use. Different operating modes can be selected according to different needs: stable gas flow mode and gas-saving mode. Attached Figure Description

[0025] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention or the prior art, the accompanying drawings of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0026] Figure 1 An embodiment of a conventional flow meter structure is illustrated schematically.

[0027] Figure 2An embodiment of a conventional pressure reducing valve structure is illustrated schematically.

[0028] Figure 3 This is a real-time gas flow curve resulting from the switching of gas by a solenoid valve in the prior art, where the shaded area represents the amount of gas wasted.

[0029] Figure 4 The diagram schematically illustrates the ideal real-time gas flow rate curve after stabilizing the pressure differential, where the shaded area represents the amount of wasted gas, compared to... Figure 3 In comparison, the amount of gas wasted in this figure is significantly reduced.

[0030] Figure 5a This is a schematic diagram of the stable gas flow operation mode of the gas-saving valve.

[0031] Figure 5b This is a schematic diagram of the gas-saving valve's gas-saving operation.

[0032] Figure 6a and Figure 6b Cross-sectional views of different sections of an air-saving valve according to an embodiment of the present invention are shown schematically.

[0033] Figure 7 schematically shown Figure 6a and Figure 6b An exploded view of the fuel-saving valve.

[0034] Figure 8a , Figure 8b and Figure 8c Each is illustrated schematically. Figure 6a and Figure 6b Cross-sectional views of different sections of the economizer valve. Figure 8a The sectional view mainly shows the air inlet and outlet chambers of the economizer and their connections with other components. Figure 8b The sectional view primarily shows the communication between the flow meter of the economizer and the first mounting chamber where the pressure reducing valve core assembly is installed. Figure 8b The cross-sectional view mainly shows the flow regulating valve of the economizer and its connection with other components.

[0035] Figure 9a and Figure 9b They are shown schematically respectively. Figure 6a and Figure 6b The position of the valve stem in the stable gas flow mode and the gas-saving mode. Detailed Implementation

[0036] The constant flow economizer with flow meter described in this invention is designed based on the following principle:

[0037] Flow rate equals the product of flow velocity and the surface area of ​​the flow, that is:

[0038] Q=vA……………………(1)

[0039] From the principles of fluid mechanics, we know that flow velocity is related to the geometry of the flow channel, that is, it is directly proportional to the flow coefficient. Flow velocity is also related to the pressure difference between the upstream and downstream sides of the flow channel, that is, it is directly proportional to the square root of the pressure difference. Furthermore, it is inversely proportional to the density of the gas. Combining these factors, the flow rate in the above formula is:

[0040]

[0041] in:

[0042] Q: Traffic

[0043] c: Flow system, mainly related to the shape of the flow channel. Once the flow channel is determined, it can be regarded as a constant.

[0044] A: Flow area, which is constant after the flow rate is set;

[0045] Δp: Pressure difference between upstream and downstream of the flow channel;

[0046] γ: The density of the gas. When the pressure change is small, compressibility can be ignored and it can be regarded as a constant.

[0047] Therefore, equation (2) can be simplified to:

[0048]

[0049] k: is the integrated constant.

[0050] As can be seen from equation (3), after the working conditions are set, a stable flow rate can be achieved simply by stabilizing the pressure difference Δp.

[0051] Therefore, solving the problem of pressure differential stability will solve the problem of flow rate stability, thus achieving [the desired result]. Figure 3 The results shown are more ideal. At this point, the waste of protective gas is significantly reduced, or the stable output flow reduces the impact of intake pressure fluctuations on the output flow.

[0052] To make the technical means, creative features, objectives and effects of the present invention easier to understand, the embodiments of the prior art and the present invention are further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0053] Figure 1This diagram shows the gas flow control components of an existing welding apparatus, which employ a float-type flow meter with flow regulation for gas flow regulation and control. The apparatus has a central longitudinal axis A-A' and includes a flow meter 1, a valve body 2, and a flow regulating valve 3. The respective central longitudinal axes of the flow meter 1 and the valve body 2 coincide with the central longitudinal axis A-A' of the apparatus. The flow meter 1 is mounted on the upper end of the valve body 2. The flow regulating valve 3 is mounted within the valve body 2. The flow meter 1 includes a flow tube 11, an outer casing 12, a float 13, and a locking nut 14, with a gap 11-12 formed between the flow tube 11 and the outer casing 12. The valve body 2 is generally cylindrical, with an inlet chamber 21 and a mounting cavity 23 for mounting the flow regulating valve 3 in the radial direction of its cylinder, and an outlet chamber 22 in the axial direction of its cylinder. The openings of the inlet chamber 21 and the mounting chamber 23 are located on the outer circumferential surface of the cylinder of the valve body 3, and the bottoms of the inlet chamber 21 and the mounting chamber 23 are close to the central longitudinal axis of the valve body 2. The opening of the outlet chamber 22 is located on the lower surface of the cylinder of the valve body 3. The valve body 2 also includes a first gas passage 201, a second gas passage 202, a third gas passage 203, and a fourth gas passage 204 (not shown in the figure). One end of the first gas passage 201 is connected to the inner cavity of the flow pipe 11, and the other end is connected to one end of the second gas passage 202. The other end of the second gas passage 202 is connected to the inlet chamber 21 (the opening at this end is located at the bottom of the inlet chamber 21). One end of the third gas passage 203 is connected to the outlet of the flow regulating valve 3, and the other end is connected to the outlet chamber 22 (the opening at this end is located at the bottom of the outlet chamber 22). One end of the fourth gas passage 204 is connected to the gap 11-12 of the flow meter 1, and the other end is connected to the inlet of the flow regulating valve 3. When the gas source is connected to the inlet chamber 21, the gas enters the flow meter 1 through the first gas channel 201 and the second gas channel 202, then sequentially passes through gaps 11-12 and the fourth gas channel 204 into the flow regulating valve 3, and finally exits from the outlet chamber 22 through the third gas channel 203. During this process, the flow regulating valve 3 can adjust the gas flow rate according to the reading displayed on the flow meter 1.

[0054] Figure 2This diagram shows an existing pressure-reducing valve for stabilizing output gas pressure. The valve has a central longitudinal axis B-B' and includes a valve body 1, a pressure-reducing valve core assembly 2, a valve cover 3, a diaphragm assembly 4, and a pressure-regulating assembly 5. The central longitudinal axes of each of the valve body 1, valve core assembly 2, valve cover 3, diaphragm assembly 4, and pressure-regulating assembly 5 coincide with the central longitudinal axis B-B'. The pressure-reducing valve core assembly 2 is installed inside the valve body 1, and the pressure-regulating assembly 5 is installed inside the valve cover 3. The lower end of the valve body 1 is installed at the open end of the valve cover 3. The valve body 1 is generally cylindrical. An inlet chamber 11 and an outlet chamber 12 are provided radially along the cylinder of the valve body 1. The openings of the inlet chamber 11 and the outlet chamber 12 are located on the outer circumferential surface of the cylinder of the valve body 1, and the bottoms of the inlet chamber 11 and the outlet chamber 12 are close to the central longitudinal axis of the valve body 1. A mounting cavity 13 for mounting the pressure-reducing valve core assembly 2 is provided along the longitudinal axis of the cylinder of the valve body 1. The mounting cavity 13 is stepped, with its opening located on the lower cylindrical surface of the valve body 1. From the opening to the bottom, the diameter of the mounting cavity 13 decreases sequentially, including a large-diameter cavity portion, an intermediate-diameter cavity portion, and a small-diameter cavity portion. The pressure-reducing spring 21 and pressure-reducing valve stem 22 of the pressure-reducing valve core assembly 2 are mounted in the small-diameter cavity portion of the mounting cavity 13, while the pressure-reducing valve seat 23 of the pressure-reducing valve core assembly 2 is mounted in the intermediate-diameter cavity portion. The opening of the mounting cavity 13 is gas-sealed by the diaphragm assembly 4. The small-diameter cavity portion of the mounting cavity 13 forms a gas input pressure chamber, and the large-diameter cavity portion forms a pressure-reducing chamber. The valve body 1 also includes a first gas passage 101, a second gas passage 102, and a third gas passage 103. One end of the first gas passage 101 communicates with the inlet cavity 11 (its opening is located at the bottom of the inlet cavity 11), and its other end communicates with the second gas passage 102. The other end of the second gas passage 102 communicates with the gas input pressure chamber (its opening is located at the bottom of the mounting cavity 13). One end of the third gas passage 103 is connected to the pressure reducing chamber (the opening at this end is located on the stepped surface of the large-diameter cavity portion of the mounting cavity 13), and the other end is connected to the outlet cavity 12 (the opening at this end is located at the bottom of the outlet cavity 12). The valve cover 3 also has a stepped inner cavity, with the diameter of the inner cavity decreasing sequentially from the opening to the bottom, including a large-diameter inner cavity portion, an intermediate-diameter inner cavity portion, and a small-diameter inner cavity portion. The lower end of the valve body 1 and the diaphragm assembly 4 are installed in the large-diameter inner cavity portion, the spring cap 51, the pressure regulating spring 52, and the pressure regulating spring seat 53 of the pressure regulating assembly 5 are installed in the intermediate-diameter inner cavity portion, and the pressure regulating rod 54 is installed in the small-diameter inner cavity portion. The intermediate-diameter inner cavity portion of the valve cover 3 forms a reference pressure chamber, and this reference pressure chamber is connected to the outside through the connecting hole 31.

[0055] When the gas source is connected to the inlet chamber 11, the gas enters the gas input pressure chamber through the first gas channel 101 and the second gas channel 102, then enters the pressure reducing chamber through the gap between the pressure reducing valve rod 22 and the pressure reducing valve seat 23, and then enters the outlet chamber 12 through the third gas channel 103 in sequence, thereby being discharged.

[0056] See Figure 6a , Figure 6b and Figure 7 An embodiment of the invention is shown, in which a constant-flow economizer with a flow meter has a central longitudinal axis C-C'. The economizer includes a flow meter 1, a valve body 2, a pressure-reducing valve core assembly 3, a flow regulating valve 4, a diaphragm assembly 5, a valve cover 6, a pressure regulating assembly 7, and a switching valve stem 8. The respective central longitudinal axes of the flow meter 1, valve body 2, pressure-reducing valve core assembly 3, diaphragm assembly 5, and pressure regulating assembly 7 coincide with the central longitudinal axis C-C'.

[0057] Flow meter 1 can be a conventional flow meter, for example, Figure 1 The conventional float-type flow meter shown includes an internal flow tube 11, an outer cover 12 covering the flow tube 11, a float 13 placed inside the flow tube 11, and a locking nut 14 for fixing the outer cover 12 to the upper end of the valve body 2. There is a gap 11-12 between the flow tube 11 and the outer cover 12.

[0058] The valve body 2 is cylindrical in shape, with its central axis being the longitudinal axis of the valve body 2. A top circular boss 21 is located at the center of the upper surface of the cylinder. The diameter of the top circular boss 21 matches the opening diameter of the outer casing 12 of the flow meter 1. The top circular boss 21 has annular grooves 211 and 212 on its upper surface and outer circumferential surface, respectively, for installing sealing rings. These sealing rings are used to airtightly seal the flow pipe 11 and the outer casing 12. Thus, when the flow meter 1 is installed on the valve body 6, the flow meter 1 is airtight. The outer circumferential surface at the upper end of the cylinder of the valve body 2 is threaded for tightening the locking nut 14 onto the upper end of the valve body 2. A bottom circular boss 22 is located at the center of the lower surface of the cylinder of the valve body 2. The diameter of the lower circular boss 22 is slightly smaller than the diameter of the cylinder, so that when the lower end of the cylinder is installed in the inner cavity of the valve cover 6, a gap 22-6 is formed between the lower circular boss 22 and the valve cover 6. The valve body 2 has, from top to bottom, an annular groove 23, an annular recess 24, and a thread for installing a sealing ring on the outer circumferential surface of its lower end. The annular recess 24 is adjacent to the boss 22. When the lower end of the cylinder is installed in the inner cavity of the valve cover 6, the gap 22-6 is directly connected to the annular recess 24. The valve body 2 has a first mounting cavity 25 for installing the pressure reducing valve core assembly 3 in the longitudinal direction of its cylinder. The opening of the first mounting cavity 25 is located on the lower surface of the lower circular boss 22. The first mounting cavity 25 is a multi-step cavity, with its inner diameter gradually decreasing from the opening to the bottom, including a large-diameter cavity portion, an intermediate-diameter cavity portion, and a small-diameter cavity portion. The small-diameter cavity portion is used to install the pressure-reducing spring 31 and the upper cylinder 321 of the pressure-reducing valve core assembly 3 and the pressure-reducing valve stem 32. The inner surface of the middle-diameter cavity portion is threaded for threaded installation of the pressure-reducing valve seat 33 of the pressure-reducing valve core assembly 3. The opening of the mounting cavity 13 is gas-sealed by the diaphragm assembly 5. Thus, the small-diameter cavity portion of the mounting cavity 13 forms a gas input pressure chamber, and the large-diameter cavity portion forms a pressure-reducing chamber. The valve body 2 has an inlet cavity 26, an outlet cavity 27, and a second mounting cavity 28 for installing the flow regulating valve 4 in its cylindrical radial direction. The openings of the inlet cavity 26, the outlet cavity 27, and the mounting cavity 28 are all located on the outer circumferential surface of the cylinder of the valve body 2, and the bottoms of these cavities are close to the central longitudinal axis of the valve body 2. Figure 6a It can be seen that the openings of the air inlet chamber 26 and the air outlet chamber 27 are in exactly opposite directions. The air outlet chamber 27 and the second mounting chamber 28 are located on the same radial plane, and the opening at the bottom of the air outlet chamber 27 is connected to the air outlet of the flow regulating valve 4 in the second mounting chamber 28.

[0059] See Figure 6a Figure 6b and 8bThe valve body 2 is further provided with a first gas passage 201, a second gas passage 202, a third gas passage 203, a fourth gas passage 204, a fifth gas passage 205, and a sixth gas passage 206 (see 8b). The first gas passage 201 is located at the central longitudinal axis of the valve body 6, with one end connected to the inner cavity of the flow pipe 11 and the other end connected to one end of the second gas passage 202. The other end of the second gas passage 202 is connected to the inlet chamber 26 (the opening at this end is located at the bottom of the inlet chamber 26). The third gas passage 203 is inclined, with one end connected to the outlet of the flow regulating valve 4 and the other end connected to the annular groove 24. One end of the fourth gas passage 204 is connected to the inlet of the flow regulating valve 4, and the other end is connected to one end of the fifth gas passage 205. The other end of the fifth gas passage 205 is connected to the pressure reducing chamber (the opening at this end is located on the stepped surface of the large-diameter cavity portion of the first mounting cavity 25). One end of the sixth gas channel 616 is connected to the gap 11-12 of the flow meter, and the other end is connected to the gas input pressure chamber (the opening at this end is located on the side surface of the small diameter cavity portion of the first mounting cavity 25).

[0060] The pressure reducing valve core assembly 3 can be conventional, including a pressure reducing spring 31, a pressure reducing valve stem 32, and a pressure reducing valve seat 33. The pressure reducing valve stem 32 consists of an upper cylinder 321 and a lower rod 322. The pressure reducing spring 31 is mounted on the upper cylinder 321, and the lower rod 322 passes through the valve hole 331 of the pressure reducing valve seat 33, so that its end contacts the diaphragm clamping member 52 of the diaphragm assembly 5. A sealing ring 3221 is provided on the lower rod 322. When the pressure reducing valve stem 32 is mounted on the pressure reducing valve seat 33, the sealing ring 3221 is deformed between the upper cylinder 321 and the pressure reducing valve seat 33, thereby sealing the gap between the lower rod 322 and the valve hole 331. When the pressure reducing valve core assembly 3 is installed in the first mounting cavity 25, the pressure reducing spring 21 and the upper cylinder 321 are located in the small-diameter cavity portion (i.e., the pressure reducing cavity) of the first mounting cavity 25, and the pressure reducing valve seat 33 is threadedly mounted in the middle-diameter cavity portion of the first mounting cavity 25.

[0061] The diaphragm assembly 5 can be a conventional diaphragm pressure reducing valve flexible diaphragm assembly, including a flexible diaphragm 51 and a diaphragm clamping component 52. The diaphragm assembly 5 covers the lower surface of the boss 22 of the valve body 2, sealing the opening of the first mounting cavity 25.

[0062] The valve cover 6 can be conventional, with an overall bell-shaped opening facing upwards. The valve cover 6 has a stepped inner cavity 61, the diameter of which decreases in a stepped manner from the opening to the bottom, including a large-diameter inner cavity portion, an intermediate-diameter inner cavity portion, and a small-diameter inner cavity portion. The large-diameter inner cavity portion is used to house the lower cylindrical end of the valve body 2 and the diaphragm assembly 5. When the lower cylindrical end of the valve body 2 and the diaphragm assembly 5 are placed in the large-diameter inner cavity portion, the flexible diaphragm 51 seals the gap between the lower circular boss 22 of the valve body 2 and the stepped surface of the large-diameter inner cavity portion. The intermediate-diameter inner cavity portion is used to install the pressure regulating spring 71 and pressure regulating spring seat 72 of the pressure regulating assembly 7, with the pressure regulating spring seat 72 sealed and installed in the intermediate-diameter inner cavity portion. Thus, the intermediate-diameter inner cavity portion of the inner cavity 61 forms a reference pressure chamber. The small-diameter inner cavity portion houses the pressure regulating screw 73 of the pressure regulating assembly 7.

[0063] The valve cover 6 also has a mounting through hole 62 for mounting the conversion assembly 8. The lower opening of the mounting through hole 62 is located on the outer surface of the valve cover 6, and the upper opening is located on the stepped surface of the large-diameter inner cavity portion of the inner cavity 61. The valve cover 6 is provided with a communication channel 63 near the aforementioned upper opening, connecting the inner cavity 61 and the middle-diameter inner cavity portion of the valve cover 6 (see...). Figure 9a and 9b In this embodiment, the diameter of the mounting channel 62 is the same both vertically.

[0064] The pressure regulating assembly 7 includes a pressure regulating spring 71, a pressure regulating spring seat 72, and a pressure regulating screw 73. The pressure regulating spring 71 and the pressure regulating spring seat 72 are located in the middle diameter inner cavity of the inner cavity 61, while the pressure regulating screw 73 is located in the small diameter inner cavity of the inner cavity 61. The upper end of the pressure regulating spring 71 is mounted on the lower end of the diaphragm clamping component 52. The pressure regulating spring seat 72 consists of a disc 721 and a circular boss 722 located at the center of the upper surface of the disc, which is used to place the lower end of the pressure regulating spring 71 on it. A concave conical groove is provided at the center of the lower surface of the disc 721 for engaging with the convex conical upper end of the adjusting screw 73. An annular groove 7211 for installing a sealing ring is provided on the outer circumferential surface of the disc 721, enabling an airtight installation when the disc 721 is placed in the middle diameter inner cavity of the inner cavity 61. The pressure regulating screw 73 consists of a screw 731 and a fixing nut 732 located at one end of the screw. The upper end of the screw 731 is convex conical.

[0065] See Figure 9a and 9bThe switching valve stem 8 comprises an upper cylindrical sealing portion 81, a lower mounting portion 83, and a straight rod 82 located between them. An annular groove 811 for mounting a sealing ring is provided on the outer circumferential surface of the upper cylindrical sealing portion 81. The diameter of the upper cylindrical sealing portion 81 is substantially equal to the diameter of the mounting through hole 62. The diameter of the straight rod 82 is smaller than the diameter of the upper cylindrical sealing portion 81, such that when the switching valve stem 8 is placed in the mounting through hole 62, the upper cylindrical sealing portion 81 can seal the mounting through hole 62, forming a gap 82-62 between the straight rod 82 and the mounting through hole 62. The lower mounting portion 83 is a hollow, downward-facing circumferential shape. The outer circumferential surface of the lower cylindrical portion 83 is provided with threads to tighten the lower cylindrical portion 83 onto the internal thread surface of the mounting through hole 62 (i.e., the corresponding internal surface of the mounting through hole 62 is provided with threads). The upper cylindrical surface of the lower cylindrical portion 83 has a vent hole 831 to connect the gap (82-62) and the inner cavity of the lower cylindrical portion 83.

[0066] The installation process of the constant flow economizer with flow meter of the present invention is as follows:

[0067] Sealing rings are installed in the annular grooves 211, 212, and 23 of valve body 2. Flow meter 1 is installed on the upper end of valve body 6 and secured with locking nut 14. Flow regulating valve 4 is installed into the second mounting cavity 28 of valve body 2 and tightened. Pressure reducing valve core assembly 3 is installed in the first mounting cavity 25 of valve body 2. Diaphragm assembly 4 covers the lower surface of the lower circular boss 22.

[0068] The pressure regulating screw 73 is placed in the small-diameter inner cavity of the valve cover 6 and is threaded into it. The pressure regulating spring seat 72, which houses the sealing ring, is placed on the stepped inner surface of the middle diameter inner cavity of the valve cover 6 and mates with the upper end of the regulating screw 73. The pressure regulating spring 71 is placed on the pressure regulating spring seat 72. The changeover valve stem 8, which houses the sealing ring, is inserted into the mounting through hole 62 of the valve cover 6 and screwed into the appropriate position. The assembled valve cover 6, together with the pressure regulating assembly 7, is assembled to the lower end of the valve body 2, tightened onto the valve body 2, and presses down on the diaphragm assembly 4.

[0069] When the constant flow economizer valve with flow meter of the present invention is working, the air source is connected from the air inlet chamber 26, and the pressure regulating spring 71 is loaded by the pressure regulating screw 73 to control the output pressure or pressure difference. The switching valve stem 8 sets the working mode of the economizer valve.

[0070] The working process of the constant flow economizer valve with flow meter of the present invention is as follows:

[0071] like Figure 8aAs indicated by the arrow, after the gas source is connected to the air inlet chamber 26, the gas sequentially enters the inner cavity of the flow tube 11 through the second gas channel 202 and the first gas channel 201, flows out from the top of the flow tube 11 via the flow float 13, and enters the outer casing 12 of the flow meter 1. Figure 8b As indicated by the arrow, the gas then sequentially passes through the gap 11-12 between the flow pipe 11 and the outer casing 12 and the sixth gas channel 206 into the gas input pressure chamber (i.e., the small-diameter chamber portion of the first mounting chamber 25). Then, according to the output pressure value set by the adjusting screw 73, the gas enters the pressure reducing chamber (i.e., the large-diameter chamber portion of the first mounting chamber 25), and then sequentially passes through the fifth gas channel 205 and the fourth gas channel 204 into the inlet of the flow regulating valve 4. Finally, after being regulated by the flow regulating valve 4, the gas is output from the outlet chamber 27 (e.g., ...). Figure 8c (As shown).

[0072] like Figure 9a and 9b As shown, the position of the switching valve stem 8 determines the different operating modes of the economizer. When the switching valve stem 8 is selected as shown... Figure 9a When the position shown is reached, the upper cylindrical sealing part 81 of the switching valve stem 8 is in a lower position, sealingly blocking the mounting through hole 62 of the valve cover 6 located below the gas passage 63. This allows the reference pressure chamber of the valve cover 6 to communicate with the outlet of the flow regulating valve 2 through the gap 82-62, the annular groove 24, and the third passage 203, forming... Figure 5a The working mode is shown. The pressure regulating screw 73 sets the pressure difference before and after the flow regulating valve 2, and the flow regulating valve 2 controls the flow area, forming the working mode of formula (2). When the flow regulating valve 2 is fixed in a certain position, the working mode of formula (3) is activated, and the output flow is stabilized. When the switching valve stem 8 is in such a position... Figure 9b When the valve is in the indicated position, the upper cylindrical sealing part 81 of the switching valve stem 8 is in a higher position, sealingly blocking the mounting through hole 62 of the valve cover 6 located above the gas passage 63. The reference pressure chamber of the valve cover 6 is no longer connected to the outlet of the flow regulating valve 2. Simultaneously, through the gas passage 63, gaps 82-62, and mounting through hole 831, the reference pressure chamber of the valve cover 6 is connected to the outside, and the flow regulating valve 2 is fully open and completely conductive. At this time, the output flow is adjusted by the pressure regulating screw 73, forming... Figure 5b The operating mode is shown. In this way, the output pressure is only used to overcome the resistance of the output channel, thereby saving gas.

[0073] The principle of the gas-saving valve of this invention is as follows:

[0074] Conventional pressure reducing valves have an automatic output pressure stabilization function. Pressure differential stabilization can be achieved by using the pressure reducing valve to stabilize the pressure. (The output pressure of a conventional pressure reducing valve is stabilized based on atmospheric pressure, such as...) Figure 4(As shown). If the downstream pressure of the gas being used is introduced into the reference pressure chamber, the output pressure will be the pressure based on the downstream pressure of the gas being used, which is the pressure difference between the upstream and downstream of the gas being used, thus achieving pressure differential stabilization. Since the reference pressure chamber of a conventional pressure reducing valve is not sealed, its reference pressure is atmospheric pressure. Therefore, changing the reference pressure of the reference pressure chamber of such a conventional pressure reducing valve requires sealing the reference pressure chamber to form a sealed reference pressure chamber (DOM), and setting this reference pressure at the downstream end of the gas passage, forming a... Figure 5a The operating mode is shown below. It employs a sealed reference pressure chamber regulating valve structure. The sealed reference pressure chamber is connected downstream of the gas channel. The pressure difference through the gas channel is then stably controlled by the pressure reducing valve, thus achieving a constant flow rate. When the reference pressure chamber is atmospheric pressure, a flow regulating valve is not required. The flow regulating valve is fully open, and the output flow rate (i.e., the pressure difference between the valve outlet and the atmosphere; the pressure is mainly used to offset pipeline resistance) is controlled by adjusting the outlet pressure of the pressure reducing valve, meeting the flow requirements with the lowest possible output pressure. This minimizes pressure shock when switching the gas supply on and off, achieving gas savings. Figure 5b The operating mode is shown. It combines a stable gas flow mode and a gas-saving mode, allowing selection based on usage requirements via a device. Figure 5a , Figure 5b The working method shown achieves the purpose of stabilizing gas flow or saving gas.

[0075] As can be seen from the above description, the constant flow gas-saving valve with flow meter of the present invention can achieve both stable flow and gas saving, and different working modes can be selected according to different needs.

[0076] The foregoing has shown and described the basic principles, main features, and advantages of the present invention. Those skilled in the art should understand that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. The embodiments and descriptions in the specification are merely illustrative of the principles of the invention. Various changes and modifications can be made to the invention without departing from its spirit and scope, and all such changes and modifications fall within the scope of the present invention as claimed. The scope of protection of the present invention is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A constant flow type air-saving valve with a flow meter, characterized in that, The gas valve includes a flow meter (1), a valve body (2), a pressure reducing valve core assembly (3), a flow regulating valve (4), a diaphragm assembly (5), a valve cover (6), a pressure regulating assembly (7), and a switching valve stem (8). The flow meter (1) is installed on the upper end of the valve body (2), the diaphragm assembly (5) covers the lower end face of the valve body (2), the lower end of the valve body (2) and the diaphragm assembly (5) are installed in the inner cavity of the valve cover (6), and the pressure regulating assembly (7) and the switching valve stem (8) are installed in the inner cavity of the valve cover (6) below the diaphragm assembly (5). The pressure reducing valve core assembly (3) and the flow regulating valve (4) are installed in the valve body (2). The switching valve stem (8) is used to switch between the stable gas flow mode and the gas-saving mode of the gas-saving valve; the switching valve stem (8) consists of an upper cylindrical sealing part (81), a lower mounting part (83), and a straight rod (82) located between them; the outer circumferential surface of the upper cylindrical sealing part (81) is provided with an annular groove (811) for installing a sealing ring. The diameter of the upper cylindrical sealing part (81) is substantially equal to the diameter of the mounting through hole (62), and the diameter of the straight rod (82) is smaller than the diameter of the upper cylindrical sealing part (81), so that when the switching valve rod (8) is placed in the mounting through hole (62), the upper cylindrical sealing part (81) can seal the mounting through hole (62), and a gap (82-62) is formed between the straight rod (82) and the mounting through hole (62); the lower mounting part (83) is a hollow, downward-opening circumferential shape, and the outer circumferential surface of the cylinder of the lower mounting part (83) is provided with threads for tightening the lower mounting part (83) threads onto the inner thread surface of the mounting through hole (62), and the upper cylindrical surface of the lower mounting part (83) is provided with a vent hole (831) for connecting the gap (82-62) and the cavity of the lower mounting part (83); The position of the switching valve stem (8) can determine the different working modes of the gas-saving valve. When the switching valve stem (8) is selected in the first position, the upper cylindrical sealing part (81) of the switching valve stem (8) is in a lower position, sealingly blocking the through hole (62) of the valve cover (6) located below the gas channel (63), so that the reference pressure chamber of the valve cover (6) is connected to the outlet of the flow regulating valve (2) through the gap (82-62), the annular groove (24) and the third gas channel (203), forming a stable gas flow working mode; the pressure regulating screw (73) sets the pressure difference before and after the flow regulating valve (2), and the flow regulating valve (2) controls the flow area, forming the first working mode; when the flow regulating valve (2) is fixed in a certain position, it forms the second working mode, stabilizing the output flow; When the switching valve stem (8) is in the second position, the upper cylindrical sealing part (81) of the switching valve stem (8) is in a higher position, sealingly blocking the mounting through hole (62) of the valve cover (6) located above the gas passage (63). The reference pressure chamber of the valve cover (6) is no longer connected to the outlet of the flow regulating valve (2). At the same time, with the help of the gas passage (63), the gap (82-62) and the vent (831), the reference pressure chamber of the valve cover (6) is connected to the outside. The flow regulating valve (2) is fully open and fully conductive. At this time, the output flow is adjusted by the pressure regulating screw (73) to form a gas-saving working mode. The output pressure is only used to overcome the resistance of the output passage.

2. The gas-saving valve according to claim 1, characterized in that, The valve body (2) is cylindrical in shape. A first mounting cavity (25) for mounting the pressure reducing valve core assembly (3) is provided along the longitudinal axis of the cylinder. An inlet cavity (26), an outlet cavity (27), and a second mounting cavity (28) for mounting the flow regulating valve (4) are provided along the radial direction of the cylinder. The opening of the first mounting cavity (25) is located on the lower surface of the cylinder. The openings of the air inlet chamber (26), the air outlet chamber (27), and the mounting chamber (28) are located on the outer circumferential surface of the cylinder of the valve body (2), and the bottoms of these chambers are close to the central longitudinal axis of the cylinder.

3. The gas-saving valve according to claim 2, characterized in that, The first mounting cavity (25) is stepped, and its inner diameter gradually decreases from the opening to the bottom. It includes a small diameter cavity portion, an intermediate diameter cavity portion and a large diameter cavity portion. The small diameter cavity portion and the intermediate diameter cavity portion are used to install the pressure reducing valve core assembly (3). The opening of the first mounting cavity (25) is sealed by the diaphragm assembly (5). In this way, the small diameter cavity portion forms a gas input pressure cavity and the large diameter cavity portion forms a pressure reducing cavity.

4. The gas-saving valve according to claim 3, characterized in that, The inner cavity (61) of the valve cover (6) is also stepped, with its inner diameter gradually decreasing from the opening to the bottom, forming a small-diameter inner cavity part, an intermediate-diameter inner cavity part and a large-diameter inner cavity part. The small-diameter inner cavity part and the intermediate-diameter inner cavity part are used to seal and install the pressure regulating assembly (7). The large-diameter inner cavity part is used to install the lower cylindrical end of the valve body (2) and the diaphragm assembly (5). The intermediate-diameter inner cavity part of the inner cavity (61) forms a reference pressure chamber.

5. The gas-saving valve according to claim 4, characterized in that, The valve body (2) is also provided with multiple gas channels to connect the inlet chamber (26), the flow meter (1), the gas input pressure chamber, the pressure reducing chamber, the flow regulating valve (4), the outlet chamber (27), and the reference pressure chamber. When the multiple gas channels sequentially connect the inlet chamber (26), the flow meter (1), the gas input pressure chamber, the pressure reducing chamber, the flow regulating valve (4), and the outlet chamber (27), and simultaneously connect the outlet of the flow regulating valve (4) to the reference pressure chamber, the gas-saving valve is in a stable gas flow operating mode. When the gas channel sequentially connects the inlet chamber (26), the flow meter (1), the gas input pressure chamber, the pressure reducing chamber, the flow regulating valve (4), and the outlet chamber (27), and the reference pressure chamber is connected to the outside, the gas-saving valve is in the gas-saving working mode.

6. The gas-saving valve according to claim 5, characterized in that, The valve body (2) is internally provided with a first gas channel (201), a second gas channel (202), a third gas channel (203), a fourth gas channel (204), a fifth gas channel (205), and a sixth gas channel (206). One end of the first gas channel (201) is connected to the inner cavity of the flow tube (11), and the other end is connected to one end of the second gas channel (202). The other end of the second gas channel (202) is connected to the inlet chamber (26). One end of the third gas channel (203) is connected to the outlet of the flow regulating valve (4), and the other end is connected to the reference pressure chamber of the valve cover (6). One end of the fourth gas channel (204) is connected to the inlet of the flow regulating valve (4), and the other end is connected to one end of the fifth gas channel (205). The other end of the fifth gas channel (205) is connected to the pressure reducing chamber of the first mounting chamber (25). One end of the sixth gas channel (206) is connected to the gap (11-12) of the flow meter, and the other end is connected to the gas input pressure chamber of the gas in the first mounting chamber (25).

7. The gas-saving valve according to claim 6, characterized in that, The valve body (2) has a lower circular boss (22) with a diameter smaller than the cylinder diameter at the center of its lower surface. An annular groove (24) is provided on the outer circumferential surface of the lower end of the cylinder near the lower circular boss (22). Thus, when the lower end of the cylinder is installed in the inner cavity of the valve cover (6), a gap (22-6) is formed between the outer circumferential surface of the lower circular boss (22) and the inner wall of the valve cover (6). This gap (22-6) is directly connected to the annular groove 24. One end of the third gas channel (203) is located in the annular groove (24), so that the outlet of the flow regulating valve (4) can be connected to the reference pressure chamber through the third gas channel (203), the annular groove (24) and the gap (22-6).

8. The gas-saving valve according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The valve cover (6) also has a mounting through hole (62) for placing the switching valve stem (8).

9. The gas-saving valve according to claim 8, characterized in that, The lower opening of the mounting through hole (62) is located on the outer surface of the valve cover (6), and the upper opening is located on the stepped surface of the large-diameter inner cavity portion of the valve cover (6). The valve cover (6) is provided with a communication channel (63) near the upper opening, which connects the mounting through hole (62) to the reference pressure chamber. The switching valve stem (8) achieves the stable gas flow operation mode of the gas-saving valve through the mounting through hole (62) below the sealed communication channel (63), and achieves the gas-saving operation mode of the gas-saving valve through the mounting through hole (62) above the sealed communication channel (63).

10. The gas-saving valve according to claim 9, characterized in that, The upper and lower diameters of the mounting through hole (62) are the same.

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