Heat exchanger valve

Abstract

A heat exchanger valve comprises a housing (2) with an inlet (3), an outlet (4), a valve seat (5) on a valve seat member (24) between the inlet and the outlet, a valve element which cooperates with the valve seat (5) and has a valve element axis, and a preset device with a bushing (9) which is rotatable about the valve element axis and comprises an opening arrangement which cooperates with a counter channel in the housing (2). In the region of the opening arrangement, the bushing (9) has a conical form which cooperates with a conical counter face (13), and a distance is provided between the bushing (9) and the valve seat member (24). Such a heat exchanger valve should allow precise presetting over a large range. To this end, the bushing (9) comprises at least two notches in an edge (10) facing the valve seat member (24), each of the notches forming an opening (25).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a heat exchanger valve comprising: a housing having an inlet and an outlet; a valve seat on a valve seat member between the inlet and the outlet; a valve element having an axis that mates with the valve seat; and a pre-installed device having a bushing rotatable about the axis of the valve element and including an opening arrangement that mates with a mating channel in the housing, wherein, in the region of the opening arrangement, the bushing has a tapered shape that mates with a tapered mating surface, and a distance is provided between the bushing and the valve seat member. Background Technology

[0002] Such heat exchanger valves are known, for example, from EP 0 239 753 A1.

[0003] Heat exchanger valves are used to control the flow rate of heat-carrying fluid through a heat exchanger (e.g., through a radiator). This is achieved by adjusting the distance between the valve element and the valve seat.

[0004] The preset device is used to adapt the heat exchanger valve to the throttling resistance of the heat exchanger and associated piping, so that when the valve is fully open, each heat exchanger is supplied with the same flow rate of heat transfer fluid.

[0005] Most current preset devices include a slot in the circumferential wall that extends axially and increases in the circumferential direction. Such preset devices have an unlimited number of possible angular positions. Therefore, it is difficult for the installer to properly adjust the preset device. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The object of the present invention is a preset device that allows for precise presets over a wide range.

[0007] This objective is achieved by having the bushing include at least two recesses in the edge facing the valve seat member, each of which forms an opening.

[0008] This allows for more precise adjustment of the preset. Only a few possible presets exist, each defined by the overlap between the mating channel and one or more notches. Presetting is performed by selecting one or a suitable combination of notches. However, the preset device is sealed in the sense that no fluid can pass through it except through one or more openings formed by the notches. This sealing is achieved through a combination of the tapered shape of the bushing and the tapered shape of the mating surfaces.

[0009] In an embodiment of the invention, at least one of the notches is continuous in a groove on the outer side of the bushing. The groove forms a flow path for fluid to travel through the notch. However, the groove has no effect on throttling the opening formed by the notch.

[0010] In an embodiment of the invention, in the region of the mating channel, the bushing is supported by the mating surface at the end adjacent to the valve seat member. The bushing is supported circumferentially by tapered mating surfaces on both sides of each notch. This contributes to the sealing performance of the pre-installed device.

[0011] In embodiments of the invention, at least three notches are provided, wherein at least two notches are of different sizes, and at least two of the notches are of the same size. Thus, the preset can be adjusted by selecting one or both openings, wherein, in the second case, the flow rate through the preset device is doubled.

[0012] In embodiments of the invention, at least two notches of the same size are the smallest notches. Therefore, the initial flow rate can be started from a small flow rate through the heat exchanger valve.

[0013] In embodiments of the invention, at least two of the notches have different amounts of extension in a direction parallel to the axis of the valve element. The height of the notch (i.e., the amount of extension in the direction parallel to the axis of the valve element) can be used to define the size of the opening formed by the notch. This height can be formed in a simple manner with high precision, so that the manufacturing of the bushing does not incur very high costs. For example, the bushing can be formed by injection molding. If necessary, the height of the notch can be adjusted subsequently by machining.

[0014] In embodiments of the invention, the size of the mating channel is configured such that the mating channel overlaps with at least two notches. This means that the mating channel can overlap with two notches of the same size, or the mating channel can overlap with one of two notches of the same size and a notch of a different size. Therefore, three different preset adjustments are possible.

[0015] In an embodiment of the invention, the dimensions of the mating channel are configured such that the mating channel overlaps with three notches. This allows for flow rate adjustment via combinations of up to three notches. When the bushing is rotated, one notch on one side of the circumferential direction can replace another notch on the other side of the circumferential direction.

[0016] In an embodiment of the invention, three notches of the same size are provided. In this case, the flow rate adjusted by one of the notches of the same size can be doubled or tripled.

[0017] In an embodiment of the invention, the bushing is movable to a first angular position, where only one of the notches overlaps with the mating channel; and is movable to a second angular position, where both notches overlap with the mating channel. As mentioned above, overlapping notches of the same size or different sizes with the mating channel allows for adjustment of different maximum flow rates.

[0018] In an embodiment of the invention, the bushing can be moved to a third angular position, where the three notches overlap with the mating channel. This increases the possibility of further adjusting the preset device. The total area for flow through the preset device is now defined by the combination of the three notches. These three notches can have the same size or different sizes. Therefore, there are many different possibilities for combining the notches.

[0019] In embodiments of the invention, the notches of different sizes have dimensions that increase in size in the direction away from the notches of the same size. Therefore, by rotating the bushing, notches of the same size are disengaged from the mating channel, and notches of different sizes replace the notches belonging to the same size group. When the bushing is further rotated, a second notch belonging to the same size group disengages from the mating channel and is replaced by a notch of different size, and so on.

[0020] In embodiments of the invention, notches of different sizes have an increment in size corresponding to the size of notches belonging to a group of notches of the same size. In other words, when the size of a notch belonging to a group of notches of the same size is "A", the next notch in the group of notches of the same size includes a size of 2A, the next one is 3A, and so on.

[0021] In an embodiment of the invention, the recesses are equidistantly arranged at their centers in the circumferential direction of the bushing. The installer can rotate the bushing by an angle corresponding to the angular distance between the bushing and the centers of the recesses to change from one preset position to another. Therefore, presets can be made in a simple manner.

[0022] In an embodiment of the invention, the mating surface is formed at the insert mounted in the housing. This facilitates housing production. The housing may be provided with a cylindrical bore to accommodate the remainder of the valve. The insert may be made of, for example, a plastic material.

[0023] In an embodiment of the invention, the bushing or the device for rotating the bushing is provided with a tactile feedback device. Therefore, the installer feels that they have reached a preset position. This is beneficial for pre-setting. Attached Figure Description

[0024] Embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0025] Figure 1 A schematic cross-sectional view through a heat exchanger valve is shown;

[0026] Figure 2 It shows Figure 1 Magnified details;

[0027] Figure 3 The bushing is shown in perspective;

[0028] Figure 4 The bushing is shown in perspective from another viewpoint;

[0029] Figures 5a to 5i Different adjustment positions of the bushing are shown; and

[0030] Figure 6 A slightly different embodiment of the heat exchanger valve is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0031] Figure 1 A heat exchanger valve 1, comprising a housing 2, is schematically shown. The housing 2 includes an inlet 3 and an outlet 4. A valve seat 5 is disposed between the inlet 3 and the outlet 4. The valve seat 5 is disposed on a valve seat member 24, which in this example is part of the housing 2. A valve element 6 mates with the valve seat 5. The central axis of the valve element 6 forms the valve element axis 7.

[0032] The flow rate through heat exchanger valve 1 is controlled by adjusting the distance between valve element 6 and valve seat 5. For this purpose, a temperature regulating actuator or any other device (not shown) can be used.

[0033] When valve element 6 has its maximum distance from valve seat 5, a preset device 8 is provided to limit the maximum flow through heat exchanger valve 1. The preset device 8 includes a bushing 9 ( Figure 2 The bushing 9 is rotatably arranged within the housing 2. The bushing 9 includes a lower edge 10 (i.e., the edge facing the valve seat member 24), which protrudes into a groove 11 in the valve seat member 24. The bushing 9 has a tapered surface 12 extending from the edge 10. The tapered surface 12 mates with a corresponding tapered mating surface 13 of the housing 2. The lower edge 10 is supported by the tapered mating surface 13 throughout the circumference of the bushing 9.

[0034] The bushing 9 includes multiple notches in the edge 10. Figure 2 The image shows one of these notches, notch 14 (also referred to in the context as first notch 14). Notch 14, together with the bottom of groove 11, forms opening 25. Figures 3 to 5i Let's explain opening 25 and the other openings in more detail. Opening 25 is located in a horizontal plane.

[0035] Figure 3 and Figure 4 Bushing 9 is shown. Bushing 9 includes... Figure 2 The notch 14 shown is accompanied by two other notches 15 and 16 of the same size (also referred to in the context as the second notch 15 and the third notch 16). Furthermore, the bushing 9 shows multiple notches 17, 18, 19, and 20 of different sizes (also referred to in the context as the fourth notch 17, the fifth notch 18, the sixth notch 19, and the seventh notch 20). The size of the notches 14 to 20 is primarily determined by the amount of extension of the notches 14 to 20 in the direction parallel to the valve element axis 7. It can be seen that the extension is relatively short for notches 14 to 16 and relatively long for notch 17. The largest notch 20 additionally has a greater width in the circumferential direction. At least the smallest notches 14 to 16 are each continuous in a groove 14a on the radially outer side of the bushing 9.

[0036] The midpoints of notches 14 to 20 are arranged equidistantly in the circumferential direction. The midpoints of notches 14 to 20 may have an angular distance of, for example, 15°. Therefore, rotating bushing 9 by 15° will result in another preset position.

[0037] In addition, bushing 9 includes a free opening 21.

[0038] The housing 2 includes a mating channel 22 in the form of an opening. When the free opening 21 overlaps with the mating channel 22, the preset device 8 does not throttle the flow through the heat exchanger valve 1. Figure 5b The position of bushing 9 is shown in the figure.

[0039] Figure 5c The angular position of the bushing 9, where the preset device forms the maximum throttling resistance, is shown. Only the notch 14 and the mating channel 22 are in an overlapping relationship.

[0040] When bushing 9 is rotated further, as Figure 5d As shown, a second notch 15 with the same size as notch 14 enters the overlapping relationship with the mating channel 22, such that the throttling resistance is half that of the previous position, and the available area for flow passage is doubled.

[0041] exist Figure 5e At the position shown, bushing 9 is rotated again. Now, notches 14, 15, and 16 overlap with mating channels 22, such that at this angular position, three notches 14 to 16 of the same size can be used for flow. Therefore, the possible flow rate can be three times greater.

[0042] When bushing 9 is rotated further, as Figure 5fAs shown, notch 14 exits from mating channel 22, and notch 17 enters mating channel 22. Notch 17 is larger than each of the notches 14, 15, and 16 of the same size. Notch 17 may have a size or area twice that of notch 16. Therefore, Figure 5f This illustrates a case where the flow rate through the preset device 8 is four times the flow rate through the opening formed solely by the notch 14.

[0043] Figure 5g This illustrates the case where bushing 9 has been further rotated. Notch 15 has left mating channel 22, and notch 18 has entered mating channel 22. Notch 18 can, for example, be larger than the size of notch 16, which is notch 17. Therefore, when the size of notch 16, belonging to the same size group of notches, is equal to A, then the size of the next notch 17 in the same size group is equal to 2A, and the size of the next notch 18 is equal to 3A. Therefore, in Figure 5g In the middle, the throttling resistance of the preset device is only Figure 5c One-sixth of the throttling obstacles in the middle, Figure 5c Only the smallest notch 14 is available.

[0044] However, it should be noted that larger notch sizes of 17 to 20 can be freely chosen to meet the requirements.

[0045] For example, double the size of each notch from 17 to 20.

[0046] Figure 5h This illustrates a case where bushing 9 has been further rotated so that notch 16 moves away from mating channel 22 and notch 19 moves into mating channel 22. Since notch 19 is even larger than notches 17 and 18, the flow rate can be further increased.

[0047] exist Figure 5i In the case shown, notch 17 has moved away from mating channel 22, and only notches 19 and 20 overlap with mating channel 22. This is the maximum possible preset.

[0048] For example, when the midpoints of notches 14 to 20 have an angular distance of 15° in the circumferential direction, it further facilitates pre-setting. It is not necessary to reach the precisely defined angular position of bushing 9. A tolerance of ±7.5° is permissible.

[0049] In an arrangement not shown, the bushing or the device for rotating the bushing is equipped with a tactile feedback mechanism. When the bushing reaches a predetermined preset position, the tactile feedback mechanism can generate a noise, such as a "click." The installer can then recognize that a preset position has been reached.

[0050] Figure 6A slightly different embodiment of heat exchanger valve 1 is shown, wherein the same parts are indicated by the same reference numerals.

[0051] Now, a tapered mating surface 13 is formed at the insert 23, which is mounted in the housing 2. The insert 23 may be made of plastic material.

[0052] Furthermore, the valve seat component 24 is not part of the housing 2, but a separate part screwed into the housing 2.

Claims

1. A heat exchanger valve (1), comprising: The housing (2) has an inlet (3) and an outlet (4); Valve seat (5), the valve seat is on the valve seat member (24) between the inlet (3) and the outlet (4); Valve element (6), which mates with valve seat (5) and has valve element axis (7); and Preset device (8), the preset device having a bushing (9) rotatable about the valve element axis (7) and including an opening arrangement that mates with a mating channel (22) in the housing (2), In the area of ​​the opening arrangement, the bushing (9) has a tapered shape that mates with the tapered mating surface (13), and a distance is provided between the bushing (9) and the valve seat member (24). The bushing (9) is characterized in that it includes a first set of recesses (14-16) and a second set of recesses (17-20) in the edge (10) facing the valve seat member (24), each recess forming an opening (25), wherein at least one recess is continuous in a groove (14a) on the outer side of the bushing (9).

2. The heat exchanger valve according to claim 1, characterized in that, In the region of the mating channel (22), the bushing (9) is supported by the mating surface at the end adjacent to the valve seat member.

3. The heat exchanger valve according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The set has at least three notches, at least two of the notches in the first set (14-16) are of the same size, and at least two of the notches in the second set (17-20) are of different sizes.

4. The heat exchanger valve according to claim 3, characterized in that, In the first set of notches (14-16), at least two notches of the same size are the notches with the smallest size.

5. The heat exchanger valve according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first set of notches (14-16) have different extensions in a direction parallel to the axis (7) of the valve element.

6. The heat exchanger valve according to claim 1, characterized in that, The size of the mating channel (22) is set such that the mating channel overlaps with at least two notches.

7. The heat exchanger valve according to claim 6, characterized in that, The size of the mating channel (22) is set such that the mating channel overlaps with the three notches.

8. The heat exchanger valve according to claim 7, characterized in that, The first set of notches (14-16) includes three notches of the same size: the first notch (14), the second notch (15) and the third notch (16).

9. The heat exchanger valve according to claim 8, characterized in that, The bushing (9) can be moved to a first angular position. At the first angular position, only the first notch (14) of the first set of notches (14-16) overlaps with the mating channel (22); and The bushing (9) can be moved to a second angular position. At the second angular position, two of the first set of notches (14-16) – the first notch (14) and the second notch (15) – overlap with the mating channel (22).

10. The heat exchanger valve according to claim 9, characterized in that, The second set of notches (17-20) includes four notches of different sizes: the fourth notch (17), the fifth notch (18), the sixth notch (19) and the seventh notch (20), wherein the seventh notch (20) is the notch with the largest size; The bushing (9) can be moved to a third angle position. At the third angle position, three of the first notch (14), the second notch (15), the third notch (16), the fourth notch (17), the fifth notch (18), and the sixth notch (19) overlap with the mating channel (22).

11. The heat exchanger valve according to claim 3, characterized in that, Each of the second set of notches (17-20) has a dimension that increases in the direction away from the first set of notches (14-16).

12. The heat exchanger valve according to claim 1, characterized in that, In the circumferential direction of the bushing (9), the center of each notch (14-20) is arranged at equal intervals.

13. The heat exchanger valve according to claim 1, characterized in that, The mating surface (13) is formed at the insert (23) installed in the housing (2).

14. The heat exchanger valve according to claim 1, characterized in that, The bushing (9) or the device for rotating the bushing (9) is provided with a tactile feedback device.

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