Plug valve hard seal on cylindrical wall

Abstract

A rotary valve comprises: a valve body including an opening formed in the valve body; a rotating component received in the opening of the valve body, wherein the rotating component is configured to rotate relative to the valve body around a rotation axis of the rotating component; and a sealing assembly comprising a hard sealing structure and a soft sealing structure disposed between the valve body and the rotating component. The hard sealing structure is formed of a substantially rigid material and is configured to be sealingly engaged with the rotating component. The soft sealing structure is formed of an elastically deformable material and is configured to be sealingly engaged with the hard sealing structure and the valve body.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a sealing assembly for a rotary valve, and more particularly, to a sealing assembly including each of a soft seal and a hard seal for ensuring a relatively low friction and fluid tight seal between an inner surface of a stationary valve body and an outer surface of a rotating component. Background Art

[0002] The plug valve generally includes a "plug" having a generally cylindrical or conical outer surface, which is received in a valve body having a corresponding cylindrical or conical inner surface. The plug generally includes at least one passage formed through the plug, wherein at least one of the ends of each passage in the passage intersects with the outer surface of the plug. Each passage of the passage is configured to communicate fluid through the plug with respect to any flow configuration in a variety of different flow configurations. The valve body further generally includes one or more ports intersecting with the inner surface of the valve body so as to communicate fluid between any combination of the ports of the valve body and the passage of the plug. The plug is operatively connected to a rotary actuator configured to rotate the plug relative to the fixed valve body so that each passage in the passage is repositioned relative to each fixed port in the fixed port. Depending on the configuration of the plug and the valve body, this rotation of the plug relative to the valve body can switch which passage in the passage is arranged to be fluidly connected to the corresponding port, or can stop the flow of at least one passage in the passage by arranging at least one passage in the passage to align with a portion of one of the ports in the inner surface of the valve body without a port.

[0003] The manner in which the plug rotates relative to the valve body requires that an appropriate fluid tight seal be established between the outer surface of the plug and the inner surface of the valve body to ensure that the corresponding fluid does not leak into a relatively small cylindrical or conical gap that may exist between the plug and the valve body, which allows the plug to easily rotate relative to the valve body. Traditionally, this seal is established by placing a sealing element on the inner surface of the valve body around the periphery of each of the ports. Each of the sealing elements is typically formed of a relatively soft and resilient material that can be compressed between the inner surface of the valve body and the outer surface of the plug to ensure that an appropriate sealing effect is maintained regardless of the rotational position of the plug. For example, the material can be an elastomeric material. Summary of the invention

[0004] Technical issues

[0005] Unfortunately, these sealing elements present an unfavorable relationship, wherein the increase in the sealing effect between the plug and the valve body also tends to increase the amount of torque required for the plug to rotate relative to the valve body. The reason for this occurrence is that the amount of compression applied to this sealing element in the radial direction of the plug valve is directly related to the sealing effect provided thereby. As the degree of compression increases, the radial force existing between the inner surface of the seal and the outer surface of the plug also increases. This increased radial force increases the frictional force existing between the outer surface of the sealing element and the plug relative to the circumferential direction of the plug, which in turn increases the amount of torque required to overcome these frictional forces when the plug is rotated relative to the valve body. Therefore, the type of rotary actuator that can provide the desired degree of sealing effect for a given plug valve configuration may be limited to those rotary actuators with corresponding torque levels, which causes the cost of these rotary actuators to be higher, while also requiring greater power to operate in a desired manner.

[0006] Therefore, there exists a need in the art to produce a sealing element that is capable of providing a desired degree of sealing effect without requiring a corresponding increase in the amount of torque required to rotate the plug relative to an associated valve body.

[0007] Solution to the problem

[0008] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a sealing assembly for use with a rotary valve is disclosed, the rotary valve having a rotating component configured to rotate relative to a valve body. The sealing assembly includes a hard sealing structure configured to seal with the rotating component. The hard sealing structure is formed of a substantially rigid material. A soft sealing structure is configured to seal with the hard sealing structure and the valve body. The soft sealing structure is formed of an elastically deformable material.

[0009] According to another embodiment of the present invention, a rotary valve is disclosed. The rotary valve includes: a valve body, the valve body includes an opening formed in the valve body; a rotating component, the rotating component is received in the opening of the valve body, wherein the rotating component is configured to rotate relative to the valve body around the rotation axis of the rotating component; and a sealing assembly, the sealing assembly includes a hard sealing structure and a soft sealing structure arranged between the valve body and the rotating component. The hard sealing structure is formed of a substantially rigid material and is configured to be sealed and engaged with the rotating component. The soft sealing structure is formed of an elastically compressible material and is configured to be sealed and engaged with the hard sealing structure and the valve body. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of a rotary valve using a plurality of novel sealing assemblies according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0011] Figure 2 It is taken through a plane parallel to the axis of rotation of the rotating part of the rotary valve. Figure 1 An exploded cross-sectional elevation view of a rotary valve;

[0012] Figure 3 is when fully assembled along with Figure 2 a cross-sectional elevation view of the rotary valve taken in the same plane;

[0013] Figure 4 yes Figure 3 an enlarged partial cross-sectional elevation view of a surrounding portion of;

[0014] Figure 5 yes Figure 1 An exploded perspective view of a sealing component in the sealing component;

[0015] Figure 6 is shown fully assembled Figure 5 A three-dimensional view of a sealing assembly;

[0016] Figure 7 is a front perspective view of a sealing assembly according to another embodiment of the present invention;

[0017] Figure 8 yes Figure 7 A rear perspective view of a sealing assembly;

[0018] Fig. 9 is taken through a first plane passing through opposite sides of the soft sealing structure Figure 7 and Figure 8 A cross-sectional front view of a soft sealing structure of a sealing assembly;

[0019] Fig.10 is arranged perpendicular to Fig. 9 The first plane is intercepted by the second plane Figure 7 and Figure 8 A cross-sectional view of a sealing structure of a sealing assembly;

[0020] Fig.11 is a cross-sectional elevation view of a rotary valve according to another embodiment of the present invention when taken along a plane parallel to the rotation axis of a rotary component of the rotary valve;

[0021] Fig.12 yes Fig.11 an enlarged partial cross-sectional elevation view of a boxed portion of;

[0022] Fig.13 When taken along a plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the rotating part Fig.11 A cross-sectional view of a rotary valve;

[0023] Fig.14 yes Fig.13 an enlarged partial cross-sectional elevation view of a square portion of;

[0024] Fig.15 is a rear perspective view of a sealing assembly according to another embodiment of the present invention;

[0025] Fig.16 yes Fig.15 A front perspective view of a sealing assembly; and

[0026] Fig.17 is taken through a plane passing through opposite sides of the seal assembly Fig.15 and Fig.16 A cross-sectional elevation view of a seal assembly. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0027] The following detailed description and accompanying drawings describe and illustrate various embodiments of the present invention. The description and accompanying drawings are intended to enable those skilled in the art to make and use the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention in any way. With respect to the disclosed methods, the steps presented are exemplary in nature, and therefore the order of the steps is not required or critical.

[0028] Figures 1 to 6 A rotary valve 10 utilizing at least one improved sealing assembly 20 according to an embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. The illustrated rotary valve 10 may alternatively be referred to as a "plug valve" as required. The rotary valve 10 shown and described herein may also be used for any number of different applications and for selectively conveying different fluids of any kind through the rotary valve. The currently disclosed rotary valve 10 may be used for automotive applications, which include, for example, controlling various fluids associated with the operation of hydraulic systems, pneumatic systems, fuel systems, or heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems of associated vehicles. As required, the fluid suitable for use with the rotary valve 10 may be air, any hydraulic fluid, any type of fuel, any refrigerant, or any coolant commonly used with respect to these vehicle systems. However, it should also be apparent that the present rotary valve 10 may be suitable for use with any fluid associated with any fluid delivery system without necessarily departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0029] Figures 1 to 6The rotary valve 10 disclosed in the disclosure generally includes a rotating member 50 (cock), a valve body 60 and at least one sealing assembly 20 for providing a fluid-tight seal between the rotating member 50 and the valve body 60. The disclosed rotary valve 10 includes a generally cylindrical rotating member 50 and a generally cylindrical valve body 60. The rotating member 50 is configured to rotate relative to the valve body 60 about the rotation axis of the rotating member 50. The rotation axis of the rotating member 50 extends through the center of the rotating member 50 and defines the axial direction of the rotating member 50. The rotation axis of the rotating member 50 also coincides with the central axis of the valve body 60 and more generally the rotary valve 10, so the axial direction of any of the rotary valve 10, the rotating member 50 or the valve body 60 referred to subsequently refers to a direction arranged parallel to the rotation axis of the rotating member 50. In addition, the radial direction of any of the rotary valve 10, the rotating member 50 or the valve body 60 may refer to any direction among the directions passing through and arranged perpendicular to the rotation axis of the rotating member 50.

[0030] Figures 1 to 4 The rotating member 50 illustrated in FIG. 5 includes an outer circumferential surface 52 having a cylindrical shape. At least one passage 54 is formed through the rotating member, wherein at least one end 55 of at least one of the passages 54 intersects the outer circumferential surface 52 of the rotating member 50 .

[0031] Depending on the flow configuration of the rotary valve 10, each of the ends 55 of each of the passages 54 may represent an inlet or an outlet of the corresponding passage 54. In the embodiment provided, the rotating component 50 includes two passages 54, wherein each of the opposite ends 55 of each of the two passages 54 intersects the outer circumferential surface 52 at positions circumferentially spaced 90 degrees from each other. The rotating component 50 is shown to include a partition 53 that separates the two different passages 54 from each other so that each of the ends 55 is in fluid communication with an adjacent one of the ends 55 through the interior of the rotating component 50 while being fluidly separated from the remaining two ends 55 of the other passage 54.

[0032] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that alternative configurations of the passages 54 may be used, so long as at least one of the ends 55 of one of the passages 54 intersects the outer circumferential surface 52 of the rotating component 50 in a manner that requires it to be sealed relative to the surrounding valve body 60. Alternative configurations of the passages 54 may include at least one of the passages 54 branching from one end 55 thereof into two or more separate ends 55 to establish a 1-2, 1-3, or 2-3 (etc.) flow configuration through the rotating component 50. Furthermore, in some configurations, one end 55 of at least one of the passages 54 may intersect the outer circumferential surface 52 while at least one of the fluidly coupled ends 55 intersects the axial end surface of the rotating component 50 so that the fluid flows from the radial direction of the rotating component 50 to the axial direction of the rotating component 50 while turning 90 degrees. Such a configuration is referred to as Figures 11 to 14 An embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 1 , which is described in more detail below.

[0033] exist Figures 1 to 4 In the embodiment shown in , each end 55 of each passage in the passage 54 includes a generally circular profile shape when viewed through the center of each of the end 55 relative to the corresponding radial direction of the rotating component 50. In addition, each of the end 55 may include a generally arcuate or hyperbolic profile shape when viewed from the tangential direction of the rotating component 50, the tangential direction of the rotating component 50 being arranged perpendicular to its corresponding radial direction. When viewed from the axial direction of the rotating component 50, each of the end 55 also includes a profile shape of an arc. Due to the way in which each of the end 55 extends around the cylindrical shape of the outer circumferential surface 52, an arcuate shape and a circular arc shape are presented. However, each of the end 55 of each passage in the passage 54 may include any profile shape viewed from the radial direction and the tangential direction while remaining within the scope of the present invention. For example, as an alternative and non-limiting example, one of the end 55 may alternatively include a square radial profile shape and a corresponding rectangular tangential profile shape. As explained below, the configuration of each sealing assembly 20 for providing a fluid-tight seal around each of the ends 55 of each passage in the passage 54 can be adapted to a corresponding peripheral shape so as to completely surround each of the ends 55 to prevent leakage of the corresponding fluid in any given direction around the periphery of each of the ends 55 of the passage 54.

[0034] The rotating member 50 is operably coupled to a rotary motor or actuator (not shown) configured to provide the torque required to rotate the rotating member 50 about its axis of rotation relative to the fixed valve body 60. As non-limiting examples, the rotary motor or actuator may be a torque motor, a servo motor, an electric stepper motor, or a brushless DC motor. Any rotary motor or actuator having the required torque and accuracy for establishing the desired rotational position of the rotating member 50 relative to the valve body 60 may be selected without departing from the scope of the present invention. Figures 1 to 3 As shown in FIG. 1 , the rotary component 50 may include an axially extending rod 56 disposed along its axis of rotation for operatively engaging a corresponding rotary motor of the actuator.

[0035] The valve body 60 extends axially from a first end 61 thereof to a second end 62 thereof. The first end 61 of the valve body 60 is configured to receive a cap 63 after the valve body 60 axially receives the rotating component 50 and each of the corresponding sealing assemblies 20 therein, as explained in more detail below. The cap 63 includes an opening 64 centered on the axis of rotation of the rotating component 50, wherein the opening 64 is configured to receive the rod 56 of the rotating component 50 therethrough. An O-ring 65 is disposed between the first end 61 of the valve body 60 and the inner axial surface of the cap 63 to form a fluid-tight seal between the first end 61 of the valve body 60 and the cap 63. Another pair of O-rings 66 are received between the inner circumferential surface of the cap 63 defining its opening 64 and the outer circumferential surface of the rod 56 of the rotating component 50 to similarly form a fluid-tight seal between the cap 63 and the rod 56 of the rotating component 50, including forming a fluid-tight seal during rotation of the rotating component 50 relative to the valve body 60.

[0036] The valve body 60 includes at least one fluid port 82 for communicating fluid to the rotating member 50, wherein each of the fluid ports 82 forms a hollow passage through the valve body 60 through which a corresponding fluid can be conveyed toward or away from the rotating member 50. In the illustrated embodiment, the valve body 60 includes four fluid ports 82 that are equally spaced from one another relative to the circumferential direction of the valve body 60, such that each of the fluid ports 82 is radially directed toward or away from the rotation axis of the rotating member 50 in a direction 90 degrees circumferentially spaced from each adjacent fluid port 82. When the rotating member 50 is rotated to a desired operating position, the 90 degree circumferential displacement between adjacent fluid ports in the fluid ports 82 allows each of the fluid ports 82 to correspond in position to each of the ends 55 of each of the passages 54 formed through the rotating member 50. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the valve body 60 may include as few as one radially extending fluid port 82 or any number of circumferentially spaced fluid ports 82 while remaining within the scope of the present invention, and particularly with respect to the embodiment of the present invention. Figures 1 to 4 The invention is consistent with any variation of the configuration of the passageway 54 formed through the corresponding rotating component 50 shown in FIG.

[0037] The valve body 60 also includes an opening 67 formed therein, wherein the opening 67 extends from the first end 61 of the valve body 60 toward the second end 62 thereof with respect to the axial direction. The opening 67 defines each of an axial end wall 68 and a circumferential wall 69 of the valve body 60. When the rotating member 50 is rotatably received in the valve body 60 along the axial direction of the rotary valve 10, the axial end wall 68 is configured to engage the axial end of the rotating member 50, and the circumferential wall 69 is configured to surround the rotating member 50.

[0038] The circumferential wall 69 of the valve body 60 includes an inner circumferential surface 70 extending circumferentially around the rotating member 50 defined by the opening 67. The inner circumferential surface 70 includes a plurality of cylindrical sections 71 and a plurality of recesses 72 disposed between adjacent cylindrical sections of the cylindrical sections 71. When viewed from the axial direction of the valve body 60, each of the cylindrical sections 71 may include a shape of an arc having a radius of curvature substantially the same as the circular contour shape of the outer circumferential surface 52 of the rotating member 50. Therefore, regardless of the instantaneous rotational position of the rotating member 50 relative to the valve body 60, the outer circumferential surface 52 of the rotating member 50 substantially corresponds to the shape of each of the cylindrical sections 71.

[0039] Each of the pockets 72 is recessed into the circumferential wall 69 in a radially outward direction of the rotary valve 10 relative to each of the adjacent cylindrical sections 71. Each of the pockets 72 is shaped to receive one of the seal assemblies 20 therein, and thus each of the pockets 72 corresponds to the location of one of the circumferentially spaced fluid ports 82 of the valve body 60 that is to be sealed via one of the seal assemblies 20.

[0040] In the embodiment provided, each of the pockets 72 includes a radial end surface 73 arranged parallel to a tangential direction of the radially aligned portion of the rotating component 50 . Figures 1 to 4 The radial end surface 73 of each of the recesses 72 illustrated in the drawings is substantially planar in configuration, but it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the radial end surface 73 may have any shape, including a cylindrical shape having a larger radius of curvature than the adjacent cylindrical section 71, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0041] The radial end surface 73 of each of the recesses 72 intersects the radially innermost end 83 of a corresponding one of the fluid ports 82. Figures 1 to 3 As seen in FIG. 1 , the radially innermost end 83 of each of the fluid ports 82 may include a size and profile shape that substantially corresponds to the size and profile shape of each of the ends 55 of the passages 54 that intersect the outer circumferential surface 52 of the rotating component 50. The similar size and shape of the radially innermost end 83 of each of the fluid ports 82 and the corresponding radially outermost end 55 of each of the passages 54 may be selected to prevent significant changes in the pressure of the fluid communicated through the rotary valve 10 that may occur if there is a significant change in direction or a significant change in flow area between them. In the present embodiment, the radially innermost end 83 of each of the fluid ports 82 includes a circular profile shape to match the circular profile shape of each of the ends 55 of the passages 54 that intersect the outer circumferential surface 52 of the rotating component 50.

[0042] Each of the pockets 72 further includes a pair of opposing lateral surfaces 75 that are arranged perpendicular to the corresponding radial end surfaces 73 and extend in the axial direction of the valve body 60. The radially innermost end of each of the lateral surfaces 75 includes a retaining shoulder 76 adjacent to one of the adjacent cylindrical segments 71, wherein each of the retaining shoulders 76 extends in the axial direction of the valve body 60. The retaining shoulder 76 of each of the pockets 72 is configured to help maintain the radial and circumferential position of a corresponding one of the seal assemblies 20 when the seal assembly 20 is received in the corresponding pocket 72.

[0043] Each of the pockets 72 further includes an axial end surface 77 that is arranged perpendicular to the corresponding radial end surface 73 and connects the corresponding lateral surface 75. In the embodiment provided, each of the radial end surfaces 73 includes a semi-cylindrical shape having a radius of curvature greater than the radius of curvature of the radially innermost end 83 of the corresponding fluid port 72 to space the axial end surface 77 from the corresponding end 83.

[0044] like Figures 2 to 4 As best shown in FIG. 1 , each of the axial end surfaces 77 includes a retaining notch 78 formed therein. Each of the retaining notches 78 is axially recessed toward the second end 62 of the valve body 60 relative to the surrounding portion of the corresponding axial end surface 77 while being spaced apart from the outer circumferential surface 52 of the rotating component 50 at a radially outward position. Each of the retaining notches 78 defines a retaining lip 79 disposed proximate to the outer circumferential surface 52 of the rotating component 50. Each of the retaining lips 79 is configured to retain a portion of the corresponding seal assembly 20 during assembly of the rotary valve 10, as described in more detail below.

[0045] Figure 5 and Figure 6One of the sealing assemblies 20 is illustrated separately to better illustrate the features of the sealing assemblies. The sealing assembly 20 includes a first sealing structure 21 and a second sealing structure 22. As desired, the first sealing structure 21 may alternatively be referred to as a "hard" sealing structure 21, and the second sealing structure 22 may alternatively be referred to as a "soft" sealing structure 22. The hard sealing structure 21 is configured to directly engage with the outer circumferential surface 52 of the rotating component 50 when the rotating component 50 is rotated to any of its different prescribed positions to produce any prescribed flow configuration through the rotary valve 10. Provide a fluid-tight seal between the hard sealing structure 21 and the rotating component 50. More specifically, the hard sealing structure 21 is configured to surround the periphery of any end 55 of any of the passages 54 formed through the rotating component 50 and intersecting the outer circumferential surface 52 of the rotating component 50 when a corresponding one of the end portions 55 is arranged to be radially aligned with the hard sealing structure 21 and form a fluid-tight seal around the periphery. In contrast, the soft sealing structure 22 is configured to directly engage with the circumferential wall 69 of the valve body 60 in one of the recesses 72 of the circumferential wall 69 to provide a fluid tight seal between the soft sealing structure 22 and the circumferential wall 69. More specifically, the soft sealing structure 22 is configured to surround the periphery of the radially innermost end 83 of a corresponding one of the fluid ports 82 of the valve body 60 and form a fluid tight seal around the periphery. In addition, the hard sealing structure 21 is also configured to engage the soft sealing structure 22 to form a fluid tight seal between the hard sealing structure 21 and the soft sealing structure 22 at a position where the sealing structures 21, 22 are arranged in direct contact with each other. Therefore, the sealing assembly 20 provides a fluid tight seal between the instantaneous aligned end in the end 55 of one of the passages 54 formed through the rotating component 50 and the radially innermost end 83 of the fluid port 82 corresponding to the position of the sealing assembly 20 in the valve body 60.

[0046] The hard seal structure 21 includes a circumferentially extending peripheral portion 25, which defines a cylindrical flow opening 24 therethrough, and when viewed from a radial direction extending through the center of the flow opening 24 of the rotary valve 10, the contour shape of the cylindrical flow opening 24 is generally circular. As used hereinafter, the radial direction extending through the center of the flow opening 24 of the rotary valve 10 also refers to the central axis of the hard seal structure 21, and therefore, the axial direction of the hard seal structure 21 mentioned refers to those directions arranged parallel to the central axis of the described hard seal structure 21. The flow opening 24 includes a contour size and shape in the axial direction of the hard seal structure 21, which contour size and shape substantially correspond to the contour size and shape of any end of the end 55 of the passage 54 formed through the rotating component 50 and capable of axially aligning with the flow opening 24. In addition, when the fluid passing through the rotary valve 10 passes between the end 55 of the passage 54 and the aligned flow opening 24, the corresponding size and shape prevent the generation of undesirable pressure changes.

[0047] The peripheral portion 25 includes an inner circumferential surface 26 that defines the flow opening 24 and an outer circumferential surface 27 that is opposite to the inner circumferential surface 26 and is formed radially outward from the inner circumferential surface 26 relative to the central axis of the hard seal structure 21. When viewed from the axial direction of the hard seal structure 25, the outer circumferential surface 27 of the peripheral portion 25 includes a circular contour shape, wherein the outer circumferential surface 27 has a radius of curvature that is larger than the radius of curvature of the inner circumferential surface 26 as measured from the central axis of the hard seal structure 21.

[0048] The peripheral portion 25 also includes a radially inner surface 28 and a radially outer surface 29, wherein each of the surfaces 28, 29 connects the inner circumferential surface 26 of the peripheral portion 25 to the outer circumferential surface 27 around the entire circumference of the peripheral portion 25. The radially inner surface 28 is configured to be sealingly engaged with the outer circumferential surface 52 of the rotating component 50, and thus includes the same cylindrical curvature and shape as the outer circumferential surface 52. Specifically, when viewed from the axial direction of the rotating component 50, the radially inner surface 28 has a contour shape of an arc having the same radius of curvature as the outer circumferential surface 52 of the rotating component 50. Due to the curvature of the peripheral portion 25 around the cylindrically shaped rotating component 50, the radially inner surface 28 also includes a substantially arcuate or hyperbolic contour shape when viewed from a direction tangential to the outer circumferential surface 52 of the rotating component 50 and perpendicular to the central axis of the hard seal structure 21. The radially outer surface 29 includes substantially the same overall shape as the radially inner surface 28, except that the radially outer surface 29 includes a slightly larger radius of curvature when viewed in the axial direction of the rotating component 50, as measured from the axis of rotation of the rotating component 50, so that the radially outer surface 29 is spaced apart from the radially inner surface 28 around the entire peripheral portion 25 in the radial direction of the rotating component 50.

[0049] In the illustrated embodiment, the inner circumferential surface 26 of the peripheral portion 25 is arranged to extend parallel to the axial direction of the hard seal structure 21 around the entire circumference of the peripheral portion 25. Similarly, the outer circumferential surface 27 of the peripheral portion 25 is also arranged to extend parallel to the axial direction of the hard seal structure 21 around the entire circumference of the peripheral portion 25. This relationship is such that the inner circumferential surface 26 is substantially equidistantly spaced from the outer circumferential surface 27 around the entire circumference of the peripheral portion 25 relative to any radial direction of the hard seal structure 21 as measured from the central axis of the hard seal structure 21, wherein this radial distance is hereinafter referred to as the radial thickness of the peripheral portion 25 of the hard seal structure 21. In addition, the hard seal structure 21 is also arranged in a manner wherein the radial inner surface 28 is equidistantly spaced from the radial outer surface 29 relative to any axially extending direction through the peripheral portion 25, wherein this axial distance between the surfaces 28, 29 is hereinafter referred to as the axial thickness of the peripheral portion 25 of the hard seal structure 21. However, it is apparent to those skilled in the art that a consistent and equal radial thickness and axial thickness of the peripheral portion 25 is not necessarily required for successful operation of the hard seal structure 21 when providing a desired fluid tight seal with the rotating component 50 and the soft seal structure 22. For example, as desired, one, either, or both of the inner and outer peripheral surfaces 26, 27 may be tapered radially inward or radially outward as the surfaces 26, 27 extend away from the outer peripheral surface 52 of the rotating component 50 in the axial direction of the hard seal structure 21 to produce a desired force acting on the hard seal structure 21 when in sealing contact with the rotating component 50 and the soft seal structure 22.

[0050] The hard seal structure 21 also includes a guide feature 31 and a retaining feature 35 that protrude from diametrically opposite sides of the peripheral portion 25 that are aligned with each other relative to the axial direction of the rotary valve 10. The guide feature 31 is disposed adjacent to the first end 61 of the valve body 60, and the retaining feature 35 is disposed adjacent to the second end 62 of the valve body 60. The guide feature 31 includes a tapered surface 32 that tapers in a radially outward direction of the rotary valve 10 as the guide feature 31 extends away from the peripheral portion 25 relative to the radially outward direction of the hard seal structure 21, so that the guide feature 31 includes a generally triangular cross-sectional shape when viewed from a tangential direction of the rotary component 50. The retaining feature 35 is configured to be received in a retaining notch 78 of a corresponding one of the recesses 72 when the seal assembly 20 is received in a corresponding one of the recesses 72. The retaining feature 35 is shown to include a substantially symmetrical configuration relative to the guide feature 31, and similarly includes a tapered surface 36 that tapers in a radially outward direction of the rotary valve 10 as the retaining feature projects radially outward from the central axis of the hard seal structure 21 to again form a generally triangular cross-sectional shape for the retaining feature 35. The tapered surface 36 of the retaining feature 35 is configured to bear against a retaining lip 79 of a corresponding one of the pockets 72 during assembly of the rotary valve 10.

[0051] The hard seal structure 21 is formed of a substantially rigid material, such as a relatively rigid and relatively hard thermoplastic material. More specifically, the selected material may ideally be a semi-crystalline thermoplastic. If a thermoplastic material is used, the thermoplastic material may preferably be polyphthalamide (PPA) or polyphenylene sulfide (PPS). Since each of the materials has relatively strong chemical resistance, heat resistance, and resistance to permanent deformation or wear, it may be preferred to use either PPA or PPS. In addition, each of PPA and PPS can be provided as a thermoplastic resin that can be injection molded to form the above-mentioned shape and configuration of the hard seal structure 21 using a relatively inexpensive manufacturing process, while maintaining within the desired tolerance to establish the desired sealing engagement with the outer circumferential surface 52 of the rotating component 50. Other rigid thermoplastic materials may be used to form the hard seal structure 21, such as polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), but PTFE cannot be manufactured using an injection molding process, and therefore requires a more expensive and difficult manufacturing process to properly form the hard seal structure 21 into the desired configuration to provide a fluid-tight seal with the outer circumferential surface 52 of the rotating component 50. Additional rigid materials may also be used to form the hard seal structure 21, including various metals, various ceramics, carbon graphite, and even glass, depending on the application-specific requirements of the associated rotary valve 10. However, again, these alternative materials other than the preferred thermoplastic materials listed above may be cost-prohibitive or increasingly difficult to manufacture within the desired tolerances to maintain a fluid-tight seal between the hard seal structure 21 and the rotating component 50.

[0052] The hard seal structure 21 may require a limited degree of compliance to allow the hard seal structure 21 to conform to any surface irregularities or dimensional inconsistencies present in the rotating component 50, thereby ensuring that the desired sealing effect exists regardless of the rotational position of the rotating component 50. The rigidity of the preferred thermoplastic material such as PPA or PPS may require that the hard seal structure 21 be formed to have a minimum cross-section around the circumference of the peripheral portion 25 to ensure the desired degree of compliance and consistency. The peripheral portion 25 of the hard seal structure 21 can be configured to include a radial thickness of 3 mm or less and an axial thickness of 3 mm or less to ensure its desired compliance and consistency. For example, the peripheral portion 25 can be configured to have a radial thickness of approximately 2 mm and an axial thickness of approximately 2 mm.

[0053] The rotating component 50, and in particular the portion of the rotating component 50 that forms its outer circumferential surface 52, can be formed of the same material described as being suitable for forming the hard seal structure 21. For example, as a non-limiting example, the rotating component 50 can be formed of a rigid thermoplastic material such as PPA or PPS. In some embodiments, the same material can be selected to form each of the rotating component 50 and the hard seal structure 21. However, any rigid material can be selected to form the rotating component 50 without necessarily departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0054] The soft sealing structure 22 has a shape that is substantially complementary to the shape of each of the recesses 72 formed in the valve body 60, so as to allow the soft sealing structure 22 to be received in a corresponding one of the recesses 72 in a manner that prevents the soft sealing structure 22 from moving in the radial direction or the circumferential direction of the valve body 60. In the illustrated embodiment, the soft sealing structure 22 includes a pair of lateral surfaces 38, wherein each of the lateral surfaces 38 is configured to be complementary to a corresponding one of the lateral surfaces 75 of a corresponding one of the recesses 72. Each of the lateral surfaces 38 also includes a right-angle notch 39, which is configured to be complementary to a retaining shoulder 76 of a corresponding one of the lateral surfaces 75, wherein the complementary shapes of the notch 39 and the retaining shoulder 76 prevent the soft sealing structure 22 from moving radially inward when received in the corresponding one of the recesses 72. The soft sealing structure 22 also includes a radial outer surface 40 that complements and engages with a radial end surface 73 of a corresponding one of the pockets 72 , and an axial end surface 41 having a semi-cylindrical shape that complements and engages with an axial end surface 77 of a corresponding one of the pockets 72 .

[0055] The soft sealing structure 22 includes a flow opening 44 of a cylindrical shape formed therethrough defined by its inner circumferential surface 43. As used hereinafter, the radial direction of the rotary valve 10 extending through the center of the flow opening 44 also represents the center axis of the soft sealing structure 22, and therefore, the axial directions of the soft sealing structure 22 mentioned refer to those directions arranged parallel to the center axis thereof. Therefore, when viewed in the axial direction of the soft sealing structure 22, the flow opening 44 includes a circular contour shape. The flow opening 44 formed through the soft sealing structure 22 includes a slightly reduced radius relative to the flow opening 24 formed through the hard sealing structure 21 to ensure that the radial outer surface 29 of the hard sealing structure 21 bears against the soft sealing structure 22 when the sealing assembly 20 is placed in its operating position.

[0056] The radial inner surface 45 of the soft sealing structure 22 includes a curved cylindrical shape having a slightly larger radius of curvature than the radial inner surface 28 of the hard sealing structure 21. The radial inner surface 45 also includes an axial notch 46 formed therein, which has a shape complementary to the contour shape of the hard sealing structure 21 relative to its axial direction. The axial notch 46 includes a depth in the axial direction of the soft sealing structure 22, which is less than the axial thickness of the hard sealing structure 21, so as to allow the radial inner surface 28 of the hard sealing structure 21 to be disposed radially inward from the rest of the radial inner surface 45 of the soft sealing structure 22 relative to the radial direction of the rotary valve 10, thereby ensuring that the soft sealing structure 22 does not engage with the outer circumferential surface 52 of the rotating component 50 when the sealing assembly 20 is disposed in a corresponding one of the recesses 72 of the valve body 60. The retaining feature 35 extends to the outside of the axial notch 46 relative to the axial direction of the valve body 10 to ensure that the retaining feature 35 is received in the retaining notch 78 formed in the valve body 60 at a position located outside the soft sealing structure 22. The axial notch 46 forms a positioning and retaining feature of the soft sealing structure 22 to prevent the hard sealing structure 21 from moving relative to the soft sealing structure 22.

[0057] As implied by the given name, the hard sealing structure 21 is formed of a material that is harder and more rigid than the material selected to form the soft sealing structure 22. More specifically, the soft sealing structure 22 is formed of a relatively soft material that is elastically deformable. As used herein, an elastically deformable material is a material that can be deformed so that the material attempts to return to its original position after it is deformed, and particularly when the material is compressed to reduce its size in a given direction. The elasticity of the material selected for the soft sealing structure 22 should be such that the material applies a radially inward spring force to the hard sealing structure 21 in response to the soft sealing structure 22 being compressed in a radially outward direction toward the circumferential wall 69, wherein the radial force and the radial compression direction refer to the radial direction of the rotary valve 10. As a non-limiting example, the elastically deformable material may preferably be an elastomeric material, such as Thermoplastic elastomer, ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) rubber, Thermoplastic elastomer, EPDM foam, silicone rubber, nitrile or urethane. The elastomeric material can be selected based on the type of fluid connected through the rotary valve 10 and the operating characteristics of the fluid, such as the desired chemical resistance and heat resistance. In a preferred embodiment, the elastomeric material can be selected as a low hardness, 35-45 Shore A soft sealing rubber to provide a low spring force to displacement ratio relative to the soft sealing structure 22. The use of a low hardness material also helps to solve problems related to tolerance stacking in any given direction, including the radial direction of the rotary valve 10, because the low force to displacement ratio allows the use of larger and more manufacturing-friendly tolerances when forming each sealing component of the sealing assembly 20.

[0058] The rigid material forming the hard seal structure 21 is selected to include a lower coefficient of friction than the elastic and soft material selected for forming the soft seal structure 22. Therefore, compared to the case where the soft seal structure 22 is arranged to be in direct contact with the rotating component 50 during the rotation of the rotating component 50, the rotation of the rotating component 50 via the corresponding rotary motor or actuator requires less torque to overcome the friction force existing between the radial inner surface 28 of the hard seal structure 21 and the outer circumferential surface 52 of the rotating component 50.

[0059] The rotary valve 10 is assembled as follows. First, each hard seal structure 21 is received in the axial notch 46 of a corresponding one of the soft seal structures 22 to form each of the plurality of seal assemblies 20. Then, each of the seal assemblies 20 is inserted into a corresponding one of the recesses 72 of the valve body 60 relative to the axial direction of the valve body 60. The axial insertion of each of the seal assemblies 20 into the valve body 60 establishes a fixed position of each of the soft seal structures 22 in each of the corresponding recesses 72, while the retaining feature 35 of each of the hard seal structures 21 is also axially inserted into each of the corresponding retaining notches 78.

[0060] The rotating component 50 is then centered relative to the valve body 60 before the rotating component 50 is axially inserted into the opening 67 of the valve body 60. Prior to the axial insertion of the rotating component 50, the radially inner surface 28 of each of the circumferentially spaced hard seal structures 21 is positioned slightly radially inward of the radial position of the outer circumferential surface 52 of the rotating component 50. The guide features 31 axially protruding from each of the hard seal structures 21 help guide and center the rotating component 50 during the axial insertion of the rotating component 50 into the valve body 60. The outer circumferential surface 52 of the rotating component 50 bears against the tapered surface 32 of each of the guide features 31 and continues to slide axially along each of the tapered surfaces 32 in a manner tending to push each of the hard seal structures 21 in a radially outward direction of the rotary valve 10 until the outer circumferential surface 52 of the rotating component 50 engages with each of the radially inner surfaces 28 of the hard seal structures 21. Each of the retaining lips 79 formed in the valve body 60 bears against the retaining feature 35 of each of the hard sealing structures 21 to prevent undesired inward rotation of the hard sealing structure 21 adjacent to the second end 62 of the valve body 60 during the axial insertion of the rotating component 50 into the valve body 60. Once the rotating component 50 is fully received in the valve body 60, each of the soft sealing structures 22 is compressed in the radially outward direction of the rotary valve 10 to establish a fluid-tight seal between the valve body 60 and each of the soft sealing structures 22. The elasticity of each of the soft sealing structures 22 in turn provides an opposing radially inward force to each of the hard sealing structures 21 for establishing a fluid-tight seal between the outer circumferential surface 52 of the rotating component 50 and each of the radially inner surfaces 28 of the hard sealing structures 21.

[0061] The rod 56 of the rotary member 50 is inserted into the opening 64 of the cap 63, wherein each of the aforementioned O-rings 65, 66 is positioned between the cap 63 and the first end 61 of the valve body 60. Then, the cap 63 is securely coupled to the valve body 60, thereby compressing the O-rings 65, 66 in a desired manner for preventing the relevant fluid from leaking from the rotary valve 10.

[0062] When in the fully assembled position, the flow opening 24 through the hard seal structure 21 cooperates with the flow opening 44 through the soft seal structure 22 to provide fluid communication between any radially aligned end 55 of one of the passages 54 formed through the rotating component 50 and a corresponding fluid port 82 formed through the valve body 60. Each of the sealing assemblies 20 with the corresponding fluid passing therethrough establishes the necessary fluid tight seal to prevent any leakage of the fluid outside the flow path of the desired fluid. A rotary actuator or motor can rotate the rotating component 50 relative to the valve body 60 to any of a variety of different rotational positions, wherein each of the sealing assemblies 20 maintains a fluid tight sealing effect during and after rotation of the rotating component 50 due to the continuous spring force applied by each of the soft seal structures 22 to the corresponding hard seal structure 21.

[0063] The rotary valve 10 shown and described includes several advantageous features. The use of a rigid material having a lower coefficient of friction than an elastic and soft material to engage the rotating component 50 allows the rotating component 50 to rotate more easily relative to each of the sealing assemblies in the sealing assembly 20. In addition, due to the relatively small radial thickness of the peripheral portion 25 of the hard seal structure 21, the radial inner surface 28 of the hard seal structure 21 has a minimized surface area when the seal is engaged with the rotating component 50, so as to further minimize the friction force present during the rotation of the rotating component 50. Each of the above advantages results in a corresponding rotary motor or actuator requiring less torque to rotate the rotating component 50 in a desired manner. The reduced torque requirement beneficially expands the range of suitable rotary motors or actuators that can be used with the rotary valve 10 while also reducing the energy required to rotate the rotating component 50 relative to the valve body 60. The lower torque requirement can also advantageously allow the rotary motor or actuator to be smaller in size to reduce the packaging space of the assembly including the rotary valve 10.

[0064] In addition to minimizing the frictional forces that exist between the radially inner surface 28 of the hard seal structure 21 and the outer circumferential surface 52 of the rotating component 50, the relatively small surface area of ​​the radially inner surface 28 that engages the outer circumferential surface 52 also promotes high contact forces that exist between the hard seal structure 21 and the rotating component 50 for a given surface area in a manner that ensures a desired fluid tight seal between the hard seal structure 21 and the rotating component 50. The high contact forces that act along the relatively small surface area that exists between the engaging components also cause the hard seal structure 21 to conform accordingly to any scratches or other dimensional inconsistencies that form in the rotating component 50, despite the relatively high degree of rigidity of the hard seal structure 21 compared to conventional use of elastomeric materials for such sealing engagements.

[0065] The use of the guide feature 31 formed at one end of each of the hard seal structures 21 also helps to assemble the rotary valve 10 in a manner that establishes the desired radial force for forming each of the described fluid tight seals. In addition, the manner in which the rotating component 50 gradually compresses each of the soft seal structures 22 via each of the intermediate hard seal structures 21 also prevents any dimensional deformation present in either of the seal structures 21, 22 from interfering with the normal operation of the rotary valve 10. Adding the retaining feature 35 to each of the hard seal structures 21 also further simplifies the assembly of the rotary valve 10 by preventing undesired movement of each of the hard seal structures 21 while also establishing the desired radial position of each of the seal assemblies 20.

[0066] The materials described as being suitable for forming the hard seal structure 21 and the soft seal structure 22 of each of the seal assemblies 20 also facilitate the use of an injection molding operation to form each of the seal structures 21, 22. This reduces costs and simplifies the manufacture of each of the seal assemblies 20 compared to other related manufacturing processes.

[0067] Now refer to Figures 7 to 14 , a sealing assembly 120 for use in a rotary valve 110 according to another embodiment of the present invention is shown and described. The rotary valve 110 again generally includes a rotating component 150, a valve body 160, and a plurality of sealing assemblies 120 for providing a fluid tight seal between the rotating component 150 and the valve body 160 at circumferentially spaced locations around the rotating component 150.

[0068] from Fig.11 and Fig.13 It can be clearly seen that the rotary valve 110 includes Figures 1 to 4The rotary valve 110 of the embodiment of the present invention has a substantially different flow configuration than the rotary valve 10 of the embodiment of the present invention. Specifically, the valve body 160 of the rotary valve 110 includes a circumferential wall 169 having only two radially extending fluid ports 182 instead of the four radially extending fluid ports 82 shown relative to the rotary valve 10. Each of the radially extending fluid ports 182 includes a radially innermost end 183 intersecting with the inner circumferential surface 170 of the circumferential wall 169. The inner circumferential surface 170 is divided into a plurality of cylindrical sections 171 and a plurality of recesses 172 disposed between adjacent cylindrical sections of the cylindrical sections 171. Each of the recesses 172 differs from the recesses 72 of the valve body 10 in that the radial end surface 173 of each of the recesses 172 has a cylindrical curvature and shape, wherein the radius of curvature of the recesses 172 is measured from the rotation axis of the rotary valve 110. Each of the recesses 172 further includes a pair of opposing lateral surfaces 175 arranged in a corresponding radial direction of the rotary valve 110. The radial end surface 173 of each of the recesses 172 and each of the lateral surfaces 175 are arranged to extend in the axial direction of the rotary valve 110. The axial end surface 177 of each of the recesses 172 is arranged perpendicular to the axial direction of the rotary valve 110, rather than including a semi-cylindrical shape as disclosed with respect to the axial end surface 77 present in the rotary valve 10. The axial end surface 177 of each of the recesses 172 further includes a retaining notch 178 formed therein and extending into the valve body 160 in the axial direction.

[0069] The end wall 168 of the valve body 160 includes an axially extending fluid port 186 arranged along the central axis of the rotary valve 110 defined by the rotational axis of the rotary member 150. The rotary member 150 includes a single passage 154 formed therethrough, wherein one of the ends 155 of the passage 154 intersects the outer circumferential wall 152 of the rotary member 150, and the opposite end 157 of the passage 154 terminates at an axial end 158 of the rotary member 150 aligned with the axially extending fluid port 186. The rotary valve 110 is accordingly configured to allow a 90 degree turn of fluid passing therethrough, wherein the rotary member 150 is capable of switching between two different radially extending fluid ports 182 that are in fluid communication with the axially extending fluid port 186. The rotary member 150 is again operably coupled to a suitable rotary motor or actuator (not shown) capable of rotating the rotary member 150 between two different rotational positions.

[0070] Reference Figure 7 and Figure 8, separately discloses one of the sealing assemblies 120 suitable for use with the rotary valve 110. The sealing assembly 120 is substantially similar to the sealing assembly 20 in many aspects, but is different from the sealing assembly 20 because of several modifications and additions. The sealing assembly 120 includes a hard sealing structure 121 and a soft sealing structure 122, each of which can be formed of the same material described as suitable for forming the hard sealing structure 21 and the soft sealing structure 22.

[0071] The hard seal structure 121 includes a peripheral portion 125 including an inner circumferential surface 126, an opposite outer circumferential surface 127, a radially inner surface 128 configured to engage with an outer circumferential surface 152 of the rotating component 150, and a radially outer surface 129 (opposite to the radially inner surface 128 and configured to engage the soft seal structure 122). Fig.12 and Fig.14 ). The inner circumferential surface 126 defines a flow opening 124 through the hard seal structure 121, and the flow opening 124 substantially corresponds in size and shape to each of the radially extending fluid ports 182 formed through the valve body 160 and the radially extending end 155 of the passage 154 formed through the rotating component 150. The radial direction of the rotating component 150 through the center of the flow opening 124 defines the central axis of the hard seal structure 121, so the axial direction of the hard seal structure 121 mentioned below refers to the direction parallel to the central axis of the hard seal structure 121. In addition, the radial directions of the hard seal structure 121 mentioned also refer to those directions that pass through the central axis of the hard seal structure 121 and are arranged perpendicular to the central axis.

[0072] The radially inner surface 128 is substantially similar to the radially inner surface 28 of the hard seal structure 21, and includes a curved cylindrical shape that is complementary to the cylindrical shape of the outer circumferential surface 152 of the rotating component 150. The outer circumferential surface 127 extends in the axial direction of the hard seal structure 121, and is also substantially similar to the outer circumferential surface 27 of the hard seal structure 21. However, since the radial thickness of the peripheral portion 125 decreases as the peripheral portion 125 extends in the radially outward direction of the rotary valve 110 that coincides with the axial direction of the hard seal structure 121, the inner circumferential surface 126 and the radially outer surface 129 of the hard seal structure 121 are different from the corresponding surfaces 26, 29 of the hard seal structure 21. More specifically, at least a portion of the inner circumferential surface 126 tapers toward the radially outer surface 129, so that the radially outer surface 129 includes a reduced radial thickness relative to the radially inner surface 128. Therefore, the radially outer surface 129 of the peripheral portion 125 includes a smaller surface area than the radially inner surface 128 of the peripheral portion 125.

[0073] The hard seal structure 121 includes a pair of laterally spaced guide features 131 and retaining features 135 that protrude from diametrically opposite sides of the peripheral portion 125 relative to the axial direction of the rotary valve 110. Except for being spaced apart and provided as a pair, each of the guide features 131 is similar in structure and purpose to the guide features 31 of the hard seal structure 21, and thus further description of the guide features 131 is omitted. Similarly, the retaining features 135 are similar in structure and purpose to the retaining features 35 of the hard seal structure 21, and thus further description of the retaining features 135 is also omitted.

[0074] The hard seal structure 121 also includes a pair of lateral frame members 190 extending from opposite lateral sides of the peripheral portion 125. Each of the frame members 190 includes a pair of connecting portions 191 that extend at least partially radially outward from an outer circumferential surface 127 of the peripheral portion 125 relative to the radial direction of the hard seal structure 121. Each pair of connecting portions 191 connects the peripheral portion 125 to a corresponding lateral wall 192 of one of the frame members 190. As described below, when the seal assembly 120 is received in the valve body 160, each of the lateral walls 192 protrudes away from the corresponding pair of connecting portions 191 in a direction corresponding to the radial direction of the rotary valve 110. Each of the connecting portions 191 also includes a coupling protrusion 193 ( Figure 8 ), the connecting protrusion 193 extends from the connecting portion 191 in either the axial direction of the hard sealing structure 121 or the direction corresponding to the radial outward direction of the rotary valve 110 when the sealing assembly 120 is received in the valve body 160.

[0075] The soft seal structure 122 serves substantially the same purpose as the soft seal structure 22, but includes a different configuration than the valve body 60 and the hard seal structure 21 as described above to accommodate changes in the structure of the valve body 160 and the hard seal structure 121. The soft seal structure 122 also includes a modified dual sealing surface for engaging the circumferential wall 169 of the valve body 160, as described below.

[0076] The soft sealing structure 122 has a shape that is substantially complementary to the shape of each of the recesses 172 formed in the valve body 160. In the illustrated embodiment, the soft sealing structure 122 includes a pair of lateral surfaces 138, wherein each of the lateral surfaces 138 extends in the axial direction and the radial direction of the valve body 110 when the soft sealing structure 122 is received in one of the recesses 172. The soft sealing structure 122 includes a radial outer surface 140 having a generally cylindrical shape having a radius of curvature greater than the radius of curvature of the outer circumferential surface 152 of the rotating member 150. The soft sealing structure 122 also includes a substantially flat axial end surface 141, which is arranged perpendicular to the axial direction of the rotary valve 110 and is configured to engage with an axial end surface 177 of a corresponding one of the recesses 172.

[0077] The soft sealing structure 122 includes a flow opening 144 of a cylindrical shape formed therethrough defined by its inner circumferential surface 143. As used hereinafter, the radial direction of the rotary valve 110 extending through the center of the flow opening 144 also represents the center axis of the soft sealing structure 122, and therefore, the axial direction of the soft sealing structure 122 mentioned refers to those directions arranged parallel to the described center axis of the soft sealing structure 122. Therefore, when viewed in the axial direction of the soft sealing structure 122, the flow opening 144 includes a circular contour shape. The flow opening 144 formed through the soft sealing structure 122 is sized to ensure that the radial outer surface 129 of the hard sealing structure 121 bears against the soft sealing structure 122 when the sealing assembly 120 is placed in its operating position.

[0078] The radial inner surface 145 of the soft sealing structure 122 includes a cylindrical shape having a slightly larger radius of curvature than the radial inner surface 128 of the hard sealing structure 121. The radial inner surface 145 also includes an axial notch 146 formed therein, which has a shape complementary to the contour shape of the hard sealing structure 121 with respect to its axial direction. The axial notch 146 includes a depth in the axial direction of the soft sealing structure 122 that is less than the axial thickness of the hard sealing structure 121 to allow the radial inner surface 128 of the hard sealing structure 121 to be radially inwardly disposed from the rest of the radial inner surface 145 of the soft sealing structure 122 to ensure that the soft sealing structure 122 does not engage with the outer circumferential surface 152 of the rotating member 150 when the sealing assembly 120 is disposed in a corresponding one of the recesses 172 of the valve body 160. The retaining feature 135 extends to the outside of the axial notch 146 relative to the axial direction of the valve body 110 to ensure that the retaining feature 135 is received in the retaining notch 178 formed in the valve body 160 at the outer position of the soft sealing structure 122. The axial notch 146 forms a positioning feature of the soft sealing structure 122 to prevent the hard sealing structure 121 from moving relative to the soft sealing structure 122.

[0079] A plurality of coupling openings 103 are formed in the radial inner surface 145 of the soft sealing structure 122 toward the radial outer surface 140 of the soft sealing structure 122. The coupling openings 103 are Figure 8 103, but any depth of the coupling openings 103 may be utilized without necessarily departing from the scope of the present invention. As desired, each of the coupling openings 103 may extend into the soft sealing structure 122 in either the axial direction of the soft sealing structure 122 or the corresponding radial direction of the rotary valve 110. When the hard sealing structure 121 is engaged with the soft sealing structure 122, each of the coupling openings 103 is positioned and sized to receive a corresponding one of the coupling protrusions 193 therein.

[0080] The radially outer surface 140 of the soft sealing structure 122 is substantially different from the corresponding radially outer surface 40 of the soft sealing structure 22 by including a pair of sealing lips 111, 112 protruding from the soft sealing structure 122 in the axial direction of the soft sealing structure 122, wherein each of the sealing lips 111, 112 is configured to sealingly engage the radial end surface 173 of a corresponding one of the recesses 172. More specifically, the first sealing lip 111 is disposed proximate to the flow opening 144 through the soft sealing structure 122, while the second sealing lip 112 is disposed radially outward of the first sealing lip 111 relative to the radial direction of the soft sealing structure 122. Each of the sealing lips 111, 112 may include a substantially arcuate tip for engaging the corresponding radial end surface 173, although other shapes may be used without departing from the scope of the present invention. Each of the sealing lips 111, 112 extends annularly around the flow opening 144 to form two radially spaced apart sealing surfaces around the flow opening 144, thereby providing additional and independently arranged sealing surfaces for preventing leakage between the radially innermost end 183 of the corresponding fluid port 182 and the radially outer surface 140 of the soft sealing structure 122. When viewed in the axial direction of the soft sealing structure 122, each of the sealing lips 111, 112 includes a circular contour shape, but alternative shapes may be used if the corresponding flow opening 144 is configured to include a shape different from that shown and described.

[0081] The first sealing lip 111 includes an inner circumferential surface 113 and an opposite outer circumferential surface 114, while the second sealing lip 112 also includes an inner circumferential surface 115 and an opposite outer circumferential surface 116. The inner circumferential surface 113 of the first sealing lip 111 can coincide with the inner circumferential surface 143 of the soft sealing structure 122, thereby defining a flow opening 144 through the soft sealing structure 122, and thus the inner circumferential surface 113 can extend in the axial direction of the soft sealing structure 122.

[0082] Now refer to Fig.12 , a vector F1 is shown extending between the outer circumferential surface 114 of the first sealing lip 111 and the inner circumferential surface 115 of the second sealing lip 112 . Fig.14A vector F2 extending between the outer circumferential surface 114 of the first sealing lip 111 and the inner circumferential surface 115 of the second sealing lip 112 at a position rotated and spaced apart from the position of the vector F1 by about 90 degrees relative to the central axis of the soft sealing structure 122 is shown. Each of the vectors F1, F2 is arranged to extend in spaced radial directions extending from and arranged perpendicular to the rotation axis of the rotating component 150 of the rotary valve 110. Due to the manner in which the soft sealing structure 122 is compressed between the outer circumferential surface 152 of the rotating component 150 and the radial end surface 173 of the corresponding recess 172 via the hard sealing structure 121, each of the vectors F1, F2 represents the direction of the compressive force acting on the soft sealing structure 122 at the identified position, wherein each of the vectors F1, F2 is arranged perpendicular to the outer circumferential surface 152 and the radial end surface 173 at the position through which each of the vectors F1, F2 passes.

[0083] like Fig.12 As shown in FIG. 1 , the outer circumferential surface 114 of the first sealing lip 111 is inclined away from the vector F1 at an angle of at least 1 degree, while the inner circumferential surface 115 of the second sealing lip 112 is inclined away from the vector F1 at an opposite angle of at least 1 degree. Similarly, although the vector F2 is spaced apart from the vector F1 and Fig.14 The given cross section and Fig.12 In a vertical arrangement of a given cross section of the first sealing lip 111, the outer circumferential surface 114 of the first sealing lip 111 is inclined away from the vector F2 at an angle of at least 1 degree, while the inner circumferential surface 115 of the second sealing lip 112 is inclined away from the vector F2 at an opposite angle of at least 1 degree. The inclination of the circumferential surfaces 114, 115 away from each of the vectors F1, F2 advantageously prevents undesirable flexing of each of the sealing lips 111, 112 toward each other during compression of the soft sealing structure 122, wherein such flexing may interrupt the sealing effect provided by each of the sealing lips 111, 112. In this way, two distinct and fluid-tight annular sealing surfaces are formed by the soft sealing structure 122 around the corresponding flow openings 144 formed therethrough.

[0084] Each of the sealing assemblies 120 is assembled by placing the hard sealing structure 121 in the axial notch 146 formed in the radial inner surface 145 of the soft sealing structure 122. The coupling protrusion 193 of the hard sealing structure 121 is also received in the coupling opening 103 of the soft sealing structure 122, while the lateral wall 192 of each of the frame members 190 extends around the lateral surface 138 of the soft sealing structure 122 and engages the lateral wall 192. The various different engagements between the hard sealing structure 121 and the soft sealing structure 122 maintain the positions of the structures 121, 122 relative to each other. Then, each of the sealing assemblies 120 can be received in one of the pockets 172 of the valve body 160 via insertion relative to the axial direction of the valve body 160. Unlike the first embodiment of the present invention, the lateral wall 192 associated with the hard sealing structure 121 is engaged with the lateral surface 175 of the corresponding pocket 172 instead of the soft sealing structure 122. The rotating component 150 is again axially received within the valve body 160 , wherein the guide features 131 play a similar role in gradually compressing each of the soft sealing structures 122 to form a desired radial force between the rotating component 150 , the hard sealing structure 121 , the soft sealing structure 122 and the valve body 160 .

[0085] Run through Figures 7 to 14 The embodiment of the present invention shown provides a number of advantageous features. First, due to the increased rigidity of the material used to form the hard seal structure 121 compared to the soft seal structure 22, the hard seal structure 121 is directly engaged with the valve body 160 via the frame member 190 to improve the rigidity of the connection between the hard seal structure 121 and the valve body 160. Secondly, as described above, the use of a pair of sealing lips 111, 122 of the soft seal structure 122 doubles the sealing surface between the soft seal structure 122 and the valve body 160. Finally, the tapering of the peripheral portion 125 toward its radial outer surface 129 allows greater dimensional inconsistencies to be introduced into the rotary valve 110 in the radial direction of the rotary valve 110. This occurs because the radial outer surface 129 includes a smaller surface area, which makes it easier for the hard seal structure 121 to locally compress the soft seal structure 122 in the radial direction of the rotary valve 110 to take into account any changes in the size of any of the interacting components, especially those components involved in forming each sealing assembly in the sealing assembly 120. The relatively small surface area of ​​radially outer surface 129 minimizes the amount of surface area displaced into soft seal structure 122, which in turn reduces the resultant force curve existing between the two components. This relationship allows soft seal structure 122 to be formed relatively thin to further minimize the packaging space occupied by rotary valve 110.

[0086] Now refer to Figures 15 to 17, discloses a sealing assembly 220 according to a third embodiment of the present invention. As is apparent from the illustration of the third embodiment, the hard sealing structure 221 of the sealing assembly 220 includes a structure common to one or the other of the previously described hard sealing structures 21, 121, and therefore further description is largely omitted herein. The illustrated hard sealing structure 221 includes a pair of frame members 290 extending from its peripheral portion 225 in the following manner, wherein the hard sealing structure 221 can be configured to be received in one of the recesses 172 illustrated with respect to the valve body 160 of the second embodiment described above.

[0087] The sealing assembly 220 differs from the previously described sealing assemblies 20, 120 primarily due to the method of manufacturing the sealing assembly 220. The sealing assembly 220 is formed in a secondary injection molding process, wherein the soft sealing structure 222 of the sealing assembly 220 is molded directly onto the hard sealing structure 221 via the use of a single mold. Thus, the two structures 221, 222 are coupled to one another without the need for the various positioning and coupling features described above with reference to the sealing assemblies 20, 120. Thus, the soft sealing structure 222 can be produced to have a simplified structure that does not need to correspond in shape and configuration to each of the hard sealing structure 221 and the corresponding valve body. In the example provided, the soft sealing structure 222 is provided merely as a cylindrical body that engages with a peripheral portion 225 of the hard sealing structure 221 and has a central flow opening 240 defined by the cylindrical body. Thus, the seal assembly 220 uses significantly less material than the previously described seal assemblies 20, 120, while also reducing the number of specific features that must be formed in the seal structures 221, 222 to meet the sealing requirements of the associated rotary valve.

[0088] The novel features of the sealing assemblies disclosed herein may also be readily applicable to any type of related rotary valve configuration other than the configurations shown and described herein. For example, although the sealing assemblies shown and described herein are shown as being contoured for receipt between a cylindrically shaped rotating component (cock) and a valve body having a cylindrically contoured inner surface, it should be understood that each of the sealing assemblies disclosed herein may be contoured for receipt within an alternative shape, wherein the corresponding rotating component (cock) is rotated about a central axis relative to the inner surface of the corresponding valve body. For example, as desired, each of the sealing assemblies disclosed herein may be applicable for use with a conical-shaped rotating component and a conical-shaped inner surface of a corresponding valve body, or for a ball valve configuration including a spherical-shaped rotating component and a spherical-shaped inner surface of a corresponding valve body.

[0089] From the foregoing description, one skilled in the art can easily ascertain the essential characteristics of this invention, and without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, can make various changes and modifications of the invention to adapt the invention to various usages and conditions.

[0090] Industrial Applicability

[0091] The present invention relates to a sealing assembly for a rotary valve, and more particularly, to a sealing assembly including each of a soft seal and a hard seal for ensuring a relatively low friction and fluid tight seal between an inner surface of a stationary valve body and an outer surface of a rotating component.

Claims

1. A sealing assembly for a rotary valve, the rotary valve having a rotating component configured to rotate relative to a valve body, the valve body including an opening formed in the valve body, the sealing assembly comprising: a first sealing structure configured to seal with the rotating member, the first sealing structure being formed of a substantially rigid material, the first sealing structure comprising a peripheral portion extending circumferentially and defining an outflow opening, the first sealing structure further comprising a tapered guide feature configured to assist in mounting the rotating member into the opening of the valve body, wherein the tapered guide feature is designed to protrude upwardly from a circumferential section of an outer circumferential surface of the peripheral portion in an axial direction of the rotary valve; and A second sealing structure is configured to sealingly engage the first sealing structure and the valve body, the second sealing structure being formed of an elastically deformable material.

2. The sealing assembly according to claim 1, wherein: The substantially rigid material is a thermoplastic material.

3. The sealing assembly according to claim 2, wherein: The thermoplastic material is one of polyphthalamide or polyphenylene sulfide.

4. The sealing assembly according to claim 1, wherein: The elastically deformable material is an elastomeric material.

5. The sealing assembly according to claim 4, wherein: The elastomeric material is Thermoplastic elastomer, ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) rubber, One of Thermoplastic Elastomer, EPDM Foam, Silicone Rubber, Nitrile or Urethane.

6. The sealing assembly according to claim 1, wherein: The substantially rigid material comprises a lower coefficient of friction than the elastically deformable material.

7. The seal assembly according to claim 1, wherein: The second sealing structure includes a notch formed therein, the notch configured to receive the first sealing structure, wherein a portion of the first sealing structure configured to sealingly engage the rotating component is disposed outside of the notch.

8. The seal assembly according to claim 1, wherein: The second sealing structure includes at least two sealing lips configured to sealingly engage the valve body, wherein each of the at least two sealing lips extends circumferentially around a flow opening formed through the second sealing structure.

9. The seal assembly according to claim 1, wherein: The first sealing structure includes a thickness that decreases in a direction toward the second sealing structure.

10. A rotary valve, comprising: a valve body including an opening formed therein; a rotating member received in the opening of the valve body, the rotating member being configured to rotate relative to the valve body about a rotation axis of the rotating member; a first sealing structure configured to seal and engage with the rotating component, the first sealing structure being formed of a substantially rigid material, the first sealing structure comprising a peripheral portion extending circumferentially and defining an outflow opening, the first sealing structure further comprising a tapered guide feature configured to assist in mounting the rotating component into the opening of the valve body, wherein the tapered guide feature is designed to protrude upwardly from a circumferential section of an outer circumferential surface of the peripheral portion in an axial direction of the rotary valve; as well as A second sealing structure is configured to sealingly engage the first sealing structure and the valve body, the second sealing structure being formed of an elastically deformable material.

11. The rotary valve according to claim 10, wherein: The second sealing structure is configured to sealingly engage an inner circumferential surface of the valve body, the inner circumferential surface partially defining the opening in the valve body, and wherein the first sealing structure is configured to sealingly engage an outer circumferential surface of the rotating component.

12. The rotary valve according to claim 11, wherein: The inner circumferential surface of the valve body defines a pocket configured to receive the second sealing structure therein.

13. The rotary valve according to claim 11, wherein: The outer circumferential surface of the rotating member is one of a cylindrical shape, a conical shape, or a spherical shape.

14. The rotary valve according to claim 10, wherein: The first sealing structure includes a first flow opening formed through the first sealing structure, and the second sealing structure includes a second flow opening formed through the second sealing structure, wherein the first flow opening and the second flow opening cooperate to provide fluid communication between a passage formed through the rotating component and a fluid port formed through the valve body.

15. The rotary valve according to claim 10, wherein: The substantially rigid material is a thermoplastic material and the elastically deformable material is an elastomeric material.

16. The rotary valve according to claim 15, wherein: The thermoplastic material is one of polyphthalamide or polyphenylene sulfide, and the elastomeric material is Thermoplastic elastomer, ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) rubber, One of Thermoplastic Elastomer, EPDM Foam, Silicone Rubber, Nitrile or Urethane.

17. The rotary valve according to claim 10, wherein: The first sealing structure is formed of the same material as the rotating member.

18. The rotary valve according to claim 10, wherein: The first sealing structure includes a retaining feature formed opposite the guiding feature of the first sealing structure, and wherein the retaining feature is configured to be received within a retaining indentation formed in the valve body.

19. The rotary valve according to claim 10, wherein: The second sealing structure is compressed between the first sealing structure and the valve body, wherein the second sealing structure applies a spring force to the first sealing structure in a direction toward the rotating component.

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