Automatic venting device and use thereof
By designing an automatic venting device consisting of a valve body, valve cover, valve seat, float, etc., the buoyancy of the float and the deformation of the spring body drive the venting pad to open the venting hole, solving the problems of existing devices being unable to vent under high pressure and being prone to clogging, thus achieving efficient gas discharge and extending equipment life.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Patents(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- NANJING YUNZHIJING ELECTROMECHANICAL TECH CO LTD
- Filing Date
- 2023-10-16
- Publication Date
- 2026-06-23
AI Technical Summary
Existing automatic exhaust devices cannot function properly under pressures exceeding a certain level. They are easily blocked by foreign objects or scale buildup, resulting in poor exhaust performance, short service life, and susceptibility to corrosion and leakage.
An automatic venting device is designed, comprising a valve body, valve cover, valve seat, float, venting pad, sealing pad, and spring body. The buoyancy of the float and the deformation of the spring body drive the venting pad to open the venting hole, realizing two venting methods and ensuring effective venting under different pressure conditions.
It enables automatic venting under different pressure conditions, reducing gas accumulation, lowering energy loss, extending equipment lifespan, and reducing maintenance costs.
Smart Images
Figure CN117469509B_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This invention belongs to the field of valves, and particularly relates to an automatic venting device and its application. Background Technology
[0002] An automatic venting device is a functional device used to remove air from a piping system. It is mainly used in water supply, HVAC, agricultural irrigation, water conservancy projects, and various industrial installations. When gas overflows from the system, it rises along the pipes and eventually accumulates at the top of the system. Automatic venting devices are generally installed at the top of the system. When gas enters the venting device, it accumulates at the top. As the amount of gas inside the device increases, the pressure rises. When the gas pressure exceeds the system pressure, the gas causes the water level in the chamber to drop, and the float descends with the water level, opening the vent. After the gas is expelled, the water level rises, and the float rises with it, closing the vent.
[0003] Existing automatic air venting devices only operate under a certain relative pressure. Once this relative pressure is exceeded, the pressure difference between the inside and outside of the venting device exerts an upward force on the float, keeping the valve core in constant contact with the vent hole. This keeps the venting device in a closed state, resulting in either no air release or minimal venting. Furthermore, the vent hole is easily blocked by foreign objects, and scale buildup can cause the float to become stuck or adhered, further hindering venting and requiring frequent maintenance and cleaning. Secondly, the float lever is made of ordinary iron, and the bolts connecting the float and lever are ordinary iron bolts. After prolonged operation, the iron lever will rust and corrode, causing leaks in the automatic air venting device. Therefore, the lifespan of the air venting device is relatively short, typically losing functionality within two years. Summary of the Invention
[0004] Purpose of the invention: To provide an automatic exhaust device and its application, which can automatically exhaust gas in a pipeline system, thereby effectively solving the above-mentioned problems proposed by the prior art.
[0005] To achieve the above objectives, a first aspect of the present invention provides an automatic exhaust device, comprising a valve body and an inner cavity formed by the combination of the valve body and the valve cover, the inner cavity comprising the inner cavity of the valve cover and the inner cavity of the valve body. The valve body has an axially oriented inner cavity and an air inlet communicating with the inner cavity. A valve cover is located near the inner cavity of the valve body. The valve cover has a first vent hole communicating with its inner cavity. An automatic venting mechanism is provided between the inner cavity of the valve cover and the inner cavity of the valve body. The automatic venting mechanism includes a valve seat, a vertical rod, a float, a vent pad, a sealing gasket, and a spring. The float and the valve seat are vertically buoyant within the inner cavity of the valve cover and the inner cavity of the valve body. A spring is located axially between the valve seat and the vertical rod, used to drive the vent pad away from the locking thread end face of the valve seat. One end of the locking thread of the valve seat has a first sealing surface that seals with the end face of the vent pad. The valve seat has a second vent hole communicating with it axially. A sealing gasket is located at the end of the valve seat away from the inner cavity of the valve cover. One end of the inner cavity of the valve cover has a second sealing surface that mates with the end face of the sealing gasket. One end of the vertical rod has a locking thread, and the other end has a high-position protrusion.
[0006] In a further embodiment of the first aspect, the valve body cavity is provided with an internal thread, the valve cover is provided with a threaded connection portion that engages with the internal thread of the valve body, and the valve body cavity is provided with a first conical surface arranged along its axial direction, the first conical surface being configured to allow the float to be coaxial with it when it is in radial contact with it.
[0007] In a further embodiment of the first aspect, the spring body is engaged and fixed with the locking threads of the valve seat and the vertical rod respectively, the venting pad is disposed in the groove at one end of the locking thread of the vertical rod, and the venting pad and the spring body are provided with a gap of 0.1-0.5mm, the gap being set to prevent the venting pad from falling off as the spring body extends and deforms.
[0008] In a further embodiment of the first aspect, the outer ring of the valve seat is provided with four guide ribs arranged along its axial direction, and the guide ribs are configured to prevent the valve seat from tilting or floating up and down.
[0009] In a further embodiment of the first aspect, the float is provided with four guide ribs arranged along its axial direction. The guide ribs are configured to prevent the float from tilting and floating up and down. One end of the float is provided with a first through hole, which communicates with the inner cavity of the float. The top of the first inner cavity is provided with a second conical surface. The second conical surface is configured to fit against the high protrusion at a certain angle (5-15°) when the float sinks.
[0010] In a second aspect of the present invention, a method for operating the automatic venting device described in the first aspect is proposed. When no liquid enters the inner cavity of the automatic venting device, the lower plane of the valve seat is in contact with the upper plane of the float, the pin of the float is in contact with the first conical surface of the valve body, the high protrusion of the vertical rod is not in contact with the second conical surface of the float, the spring body is not deformed, and the venting pad is always in contact with the threaded connection end of the valve seat to seal the second vent hole. At this time, the air pressure in the inner cavity of the automatic venting device is balanced with the atmospheric pressure outside.
[0011] When liquid enters the inner cavity of the automatic venting device, the liquid enters the inner cavity of the automatic venting valve through the air inlet. The float floats upward along the axial direction of the inner cavity of the automatic venting device due to its own buoyancy, and the pin disengages from the first conical surface. When the inner cavity is completely filled with liquid, the sealing gasket and the second sealing surface are tightly fitted to form a seal and prevent the liquid from flowing out from the first vent. The valve seat, vertical rod, float, venting gasket, and spring body are completely immersed in the liquid. At the same time, the second vent is in the same state as above and is in a closed state.
[0012] When gas enters the inner cavity of the automatic exhaust device, the gas in the system enters the upper part of the inner cavity of the automatic exhaust device through the air inlet. A small amount of gas will enter the first inner cavity of the float to form an air film, which can increase the buoyancy of the float. As the gas accumulates in the device, the pressure rises to a level higher than the system pressure. The gas will cause the liquid level in the inner cavity and the float to drop simultaneously. When the second conical surface of the float contacts the high protrusion of the vertical rod until the spring body is stretched and deformed, the vertical rod tilts and forms an angle with the radial end face of the threaded connection. The exhaust pad separates from the top contact surface of the threaded connection of the valve seat, thereby opening the second exhaust hole. The accumulated gas is discharged through the second exhaust hole and the first exhaust hole. As the gas in the cavity continues to accumulate and the air pressure continues to increase, the liquid level in the cavity and the float continue to drop. The second exhaust hole is fully opened, and the exhaust effect reaches the optimal state.
[0013] When the gas inside the automatic venting device is exhausted to the point where it balances with the system pressure, the float rises to a certain position, the spring returns to its initial state, the vertical rod returns to its original position, the venting pad and the threaded connection fit tightly together to form a seal, and the second vent hole closes to complete the small venting. As the liquid level inside the automatic venting device continues to decrease, when the internal system pressure balances with the external pressure of the automatic venting device, the sealing pad disengages from the first sealing surface, the valve seat and the float descend until the pin fits against the first conical surface and the first vent hole opens.
[0014] A third aspect of the invention proposes the application of the automatic venting device as described in the first aspect above in water supply systems, HVAC systems, chemical pipeline systems, and oil and gas pipeline systems. In practical applications, the automatic venting device as described in the first aspect above can be installed in the aforementioned application environments in a suitable manner to perform the working method as described in the second aspect above and to achieve specific functions.
[0015] Beneficial effects: The automatic exhaust device proposed in this invention has two exhaust modes, which can automatically and promptly exhaust gas in the pipeline system, reduce the accumulation of gas in the pipeline system, reduce the pressure in the pipeline, reduce energy loss, and improve the service life of the equipment. Attached Figure Description
[0016] Figure 1 This is a planar structural cross-sectional view of the device of the present invention.
[0017] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the valve seat of the present invention.
[0018] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the float of the present invention.
[0019] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the vertical rod of the present invention.
[0020] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the state in which no liquid enters during the present invention.
[0021] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the state in which liquid enters the present invention.
[0022] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the state of gas accumulation in this invention.
[0023] The reference numerals in the figure are as follows: valve cover 1, first vent 101, first sealing surface 102, external thread 103, sealing groove 104, valve body 2, internal thread 201, first conical surface 202, air inlet 203, valve seat 3, guide rib 301, threaded connection 302, groove 303, second vent 304, vertical rod 4, threaded connection 401, high-position protrusion 402, groove 403, float 5, guide rib 501, air chamber 502, first inner cavity 503, pin 504, second conical surface 505, sealing ring 6, vent pad 7, sealing pad 8, spring body 9. Detailed Implementation
[0024] In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a more thorough understanding of the invention. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the invention can be practiced without one or more of these details. In other instances, certain technical features well-known in the art have not been described in order to avoid obscuring the invention. Example
[0025] Research has shown that existing automatic air venting devices only operate under a certain relative pressure. Once this relative pressure is exceeded, the pressure difference between the inside and outside of the device exerts an upward force on the float, keeping the valve core in constant contact with the vent hole. This keeps the device closed, resulting in either no air release or minimal venting. Furthermore, the vent hole is easily blocked by foreign objects, and scale buildup can cause the float to become stuck or adhered, further hindering venting and requiring frequent maintenance and cleaning. Secondly, the float lever is made of ordinary iron, and the bolts connecting the float and lever are ordinary iron bolts. After prolonged operation, the iron lever will rust and corrode, causing leaks in the automatic air venting device. Therefore, the lifespan of the air venting device is relatively short, typically losing functionality within two years.
[0026] To better address the aforementioned technical problems, this embodiment proposes an automatic exhaust device, such as... Figure 1 As shown, the automatic venting device includes a valve cover 1, a valve body 2, a valve seat 3, a vertical rod 4, a float ball 5, a sealing ring 6, a venting pad 7, a sealing pad 8, and a spring body 9.
[0027] Wherein, the valve cover 1 and the valve body 2 are fixed by a threaded connection, characterized in that the valve cover 1 is provided with an external thread 104 that engages with the internal thread 201 of the valve body 2 to form a mechanical seal cavity; at the same time, the valve cover 1 is also provided with a sealing groove 104 for installing an O-ring seal 6 to form a contact seal and prevent liquid leakage.
[0028] like Figure 2 As shown, the valve seat 3 includes a threaded connection portion 302, a groove 303, and a guide rib 301.
[0029] The threaded connection 302 is fixed to one end of the spring body 9. The spring body 9 is characterized in that it rotates and engages with the spiral line of the threaded connection 302 to prevent the spring body 9 from falling off under force. At the same time, the guide ribs 301 are evenly distributed along the axial direction of the valve seat 3 and have a slight gap with the inner cavity of the valve cover 1. The valve seat 3 is characterized in that when it floats up and down along the inner cavity of the valve cover 1 through the guide ribs 301, it prevents the tilt angle of the valve seat 3 from being too large.
[0030] like Figure 3 As shown, the float 5 includes a guide rib 501, an air cavity 502, a first inner cavity 503, a pin 504, and a second conical surface 505.
[0031] The guide ribs 501 are evenly distributed along the axial direction of the float 5 and have a slight gap with the inner cavity of the valve cover 1. The float 5, when sliding up and down along the inner cavity of the valve cover 1 via the guide ribs, reduces the contact area between the float 5 and the inner cavity of the valve cover 1, preventing the float 5 from getting stuck during sliding. Two air chambers 502 are provided, allowing a small amount of air to accumulate in the float air chambers to increase the buoyancy of the float. A second conical surface 505 is provided inside the first inner cavity 503. The second conical surface 505 and... Figure 5 The high-position protrusion 402 shown is attached to the float 5 and forms an angle difference as the float 5 moves up and down; the pin 504 is attached to the first conical surface 202 of the valve body 2, characterized in that the contact area between the float 5 and the first conical surface 202 is reduced.
[0032] As shown in Figure 4, the vertical rod 4 includes a threaded connection part 401, a high-position protrusion 402, and a groove 403.
[0033] Wherein, the threaded connection part 401 is fixed to the other end of the spring body 9, characterized in that the spring body 9 rotates and engages along the spiral line of the threaded connection part 402 to prevent the vertical rod 4 from falling off under force; the groove 403 is provided with an exhaust pad 7 for sealing the second exhaust hole 304.
[0034] It is evident that the aforementioned automatic exhaust device not only has a simple structure and convenient processing and assembly of its components, reducing subsequent maintenance costs, but also features two exhaust methods, thereby improving the working efficiency of the automatic exhaust device. Example
[0035] The principle of an automatic exhaust device in this embodiment is as follows:
[0036] like Figure 5 As shown, when no liquid enters the inner cavity of the automatic venting device, the lower plane of the valve seat 3 is in contact with the upper plane of the float, the pin 504 of the float 5 is in contact with the first conical surface 202 of the valve body 2, the high protrusion 403 of the vertical rod 4 is not in contact with the second conical surface 505 of the float 5, the spring body 9 does not deform, and the venting pad 7 is always in contact with one end of the threaded connection 401 of the valve seat 3 to seal the second vent. At this time, the air pressure inside the automatic venting device is balanced with the atmospheric pressure (0.1 MPa) outside.
[0037] When liquid enters the inner cavity of the automatic venting device, such as Figure 6As shown, when liquid enters the inner cavity of the automatic exhaust valve through the air inlet 203, the float 5 floats upward along the axial direction of the inner cavity of the automatic exhaust device due to its own buoyancy, and the pin 504 disengages from the first conical surface 202; when the inner cavity is completely filled with liquid, the sealing gasket 8 is tightly fitted with the second sealing surface 102 of the inner cavity of the automatic exhaust device to form a seal and prevent liquid from flowing out from the first air outlet 101. The valve seat 3, vertical rod 4, float 5, exhaust gasket 7 and spring body 9 are completely immersed in the liquid, and the second air outlet is in the same state as above, in a closed state.
[0038] like Figure 7 As shown, when gas enters the inner cavity of the automatic exhaust device, the gas in the system enters the upper part of the inner cavity of the automatic exhaust device through the air inlet 203. One end of the float is provided with a first inner cavity 503, which is connected to the air chamber 502 of the float. A small amount of gas will enter the first inner cavity 503 of the float 5 to form an air film, which can increase the buoyancy of the float 5. As the gas accumulates in the device, when the pressure rises to a level higher than the system pressure, the gas will cause the liquid level in the inner cavity and the float 5 to drop simultaneously. When the second conical surface 505 of the float 5 meets the high protrusion of the vertical rod 4... Contact 402 until the spring body 9 is stretched and deformed, the vertical rod 4 tilts and forms an angle with the radial end face of the threaded connection 302, and the exhaust pad 7 disengages from the top contact surface of the threaded connection 302 of the valve seat 3, thereby opening the second exhaust hole 304. The accumulated gas is discharged through the second exhaust hole 304 and the first exhaust hole 101. As the gas in the cavity continues to accumulate, the gas pressure continues to increase, the liquid level in the cavity and the float 5 continue to decrease, the second exhaust hole 304 is fully opened, and the exhaust effect reaches the optimal state.
[0039] like Figure 1 As shown, when the gas in the automatic venting device's internal cavity is exhausted to the point of equilibrium with the system pressure, the float 5 rises to a certain position, the spring 9 rebounds to its initial state, the vertical rod 4 returns to its original position, the venting pad 7 and the threaded connection 402 fit tightly together to form a seal, and the second venting hole 304 closes to complete the small venting. As the liquid level in the automatic venting device continues to decrease, when the internal pressure of the system is balanced with the external pressure of the automatic venting device, such as... Figure 5 As shown, the sealing gasket 8 is disengaged from the first sealing surface 102, the valve seat 3 and the float 5 descend until the pin 504 is in contact with the first conical surface 202 and the first vent hole 101 is opened. Example
[0040] This embodiment lists some possible application scenarios for automatic exhaust devices.
[0041] Water supply system: Automatic air venting devices can be installed in water supply pipes and pump rooms to ensure the normal operation of the water supply system.
[0042] HVAC systems: Automatic air venting devices also need to be installed in the cold and hot water pipes of HVAC systems to prevent air from blocking pipes, water pumps and other equipment and causing damage.
[0043] Chemical piping systems: Gases are commonly found in the pipes and equipment within chemical systems. If not handled promptly, this can easily lead to blockages and damage. Automatic venting devices can solve this problem and ensure the normal operation of the chemical system.
[0044] Oil and gas pipeline systems: In oil and gas pipeline systems, multiple media such as liquids and gases coexist in the pipeline, causing changes in the internal pressure. In this case, using an automatic venting device can effectively reduce the pipeline pressure and ensure long-term stable operation.
[0045] It should be noted that the automatic exhaust device needs to be placed at the highest point of the piping system, in the middle of the horizontal pipe.
[0046] As described above, although the invention has been shown and described with reference to specific preferred embodiments, it should not be construed as limiting the invention itself. Various changes in form and detail may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.
Claims
1. An automatic exhaust device, characterized in that, It includes an inner cavity formed by a combination of a valve body and a valve cover, the inner cavity including the inner cavity of the valve cover and the inner cavity of the valve body; one end of the valve body is provided with an air inlet; one end of the valve cover is provided with a first exhaust hole; The inner cavity formed between the lower end of the valve cover and the air inlet, thus forming the inner cavity of the valve body, is the inner cavity of the valve body. The inner cavity formed by extending from the lower end of the valve cover to the first exhaust hole is the valve cover inner cavity; An automatic venting mechanism is provided between the inner cavity of the valve cover and the inner cavity of the valve body; the automatic venting mechanism includes a valve seat, a vertical rod, a float, a venting pad, a sealing pad, and a spring body; The float and the valve seat are floating up and down in the inner cavity of the valve cover and the inner cavity of the valve body; a spring body is provided between the valve seat and the vertical rod along its axial direction for driving the exhaust pad away from the valve seat; The valve seat has a locking thread at one end, which is provided with a first sealing surface that seals with the end face of the vent gasket. The valve seat has a second vent hole that extends through it along its axial direction. The valve seat has a sealing gasket at one end away from the inner cavity of the valve cover. The inner cavity of the valve cover has a second sealing surface that mates with the end face of the sealing gasket. One end of the vertical rod has a locking thread, and the other end of the vertical rod has a high-position protrusion. One end of the float is provided with a first inner cavity, which is connected to the air cavity of the float. The top of the first inner cavity is provided with a second conical surface, which is configured to fit with the high protrusion at a predetermined angle when the float sinks.
2. The automatic exhaust device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The valve body has an internal thread in its inner cavity, and the valve cover has a threaded connection part that engages with the internal thread of the valve body. The valve body cavity is provided with a first conical surface arranged along its axial direction, and the first conical surface is configured to allow the float to be coaxial with it when it is in radial contact.
3. The automatic exhaust device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The spring body is respectively engaged and fixed with the locking threads of the valve seat and the vertical rod; The venting pad is disposed in the groove at one end of the locking thread of the vertical rod, and the venting pad and the inner ring of the spring body are provided with a predetermined gap.
4. The automatic exhaust device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The outer ring of the valve seat is provided with a number of guide ribs evenly distributed along its axial direction; when the valve seat floats up and down along the inner cavity of the valve cover through the guide ribs, it prevents the valve seat from tilting too much.
5. The automatic exhaust device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The outer wall of the float is provided with several guide ribs evenly distributed along its axial direction; When the float slides up and down along the inner cavity of the valve cover via the guide rib, the contact area between the float and the inner cavity of the valve cover is reduced, preventing the float from getting stuck when sliding.
6. The automatic exhaust device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The float also has several pins evenly distributed at one end, and the pins are in contact with the first conical surface of the valve body; the second conical surface is set to form an angle range of 5~15° with the high protrusion when the float sinks.
7. The application of the automatic exhaust device as described in any one of claims 1 to 6 in water supply systems, heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems, chemical pipeline systems, and oil and gas pipeline systems.