Valve for refrigeration applications

Abstract

The invention relates to a valve for refrigeration applications, in particular to a shut-off valve and / or a regulating valve. The invention relates to a valve comprising: a bonnet (1) connected to a housing having two fluid openings (21, 22); a main shaft (3); and a piston (4) for opening and closing a fluid passage (23) between the two fluid openings. The spindle engages the piston for moving the piston between closed and open positions of the valve. The bottom closing part (40) of the piston comprises an outer flange (46) and an inner flange (47) between which a sealing element (48) is arranged, the two flanges being connected to each other by means of at least one screw (49), and wherein a non-circular connector geometry (50) for connecting a tool is arranged at the bottom side of the outer flange.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a valve for refrigeration applications, in particular to a shut-off valve and / or a regulating valve. The valve comprises a valve cover connected to a housing having two fluid openings, a spindle, and a piston for opening and closing a fluid passage between the two fluid openings. The spindle engages the piston for moving the piston between a closed position and an open position of the valve. The bottom closing part of the piston comprises an outer flange and an inner flange, between which a sealing element is arranged, wherein the two flanges are connected to each other by means of at least one screw, and wherein a non-circular connector geometry for connecting a tool is arranged at the bottom side of the outer flange. Background Art

[0002] In known valves for refrigeration applications, sealing elements are used to seal a fluid passage between two fluid openings in the closed state of the valve. Before using the valve, the correct sealing element needs to be connected to the rest of the valve. The valve can be delivered with a plurality of different sealing elements. The user of the valve selects the most suitable sealing element for a given application and / or type of refrigerant. The most suitable seal is then connected to the valve.

[0003] During operation of the valve, the sealing element may deteriorate to such an extent that the valve cannot operate properly. Therefore, when servicing such a valve, it may be necessary to replace the deteriorated sealing element with a new sealing element.

[0004] In order to replace a deteriorated sealing element, it is necessary to open the valve and separate the two flanges holding the sealing element. When unscrewing the two flanges, it is necessary to counteract the torque applied by the tool so that the screw can be screwed out of and into the flange. Since the flanges and pistons are mostly round, it is not easy to apply the tool to counteract the torque. Summary of the invention

[0005] The object of the present invention is to overcome this problem and to provide a valve which is easier to maintain. This object is achieved by a valve according to claim 1. Preferred embodiments are defined by the dependent claims.

[0006] According to the present invention, a valve for refrigeration applications is provided. The valve may be a stop valve and / or a regulating valve, comprising: a valve cover connected to a housing having two fluid openings; a spindle; and a piston for opening and closing a fluid passage between the two fluid openings, wherein the spindle engages the piston for moving the piston between a closed position and an open position of the valve, wherein a bottom closing portion of the piston comprises an outer flange and an inner flange, a sealing element being arranged between the outer flange and the inner flange, wherein the two flanges are connected to each other by means of at least one screw, and wherein a non-circular connector geometry for connecting a tool is arranged at the bottom side of the outer flange.

[0007] The non-circular connector geometry may be any geometry to which a tool such as an Allen key or a screwdriver may be connected so that rotation of the piston may be inhibited by means of the tool. Positioning the connector geometry on the same side of the screw facilitates access to the connector geometry.

[0008] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the connector geometry has an angular, in particular hexagonal shape and / or the connector geometry is fluidly connected to the pressure balance channel. Thus, the connector geometry can provide two functions for the valve, namely, providing a connection surface for the tool and providing at least a portion of the pressure balance channel.

[0009] In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the connector geometry comprises recesses and / or protrusions.The connector geometry may be surrounded by a flat surface of the outer flange.

[0010] In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the connector geometry is aligned concentrically only with the unthreaded portion of the piston. The unthreaded portion may be a hole or passage in the piston. For example, the connector geometry may be a part or extension of the pressure balance passage, rather than a part or extension of the threaded hole of the piston.

[0011] In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the connector geometry extends along the central axis of the piston. The connector geometry can be aligned at or near the central axis of the piston. The central position of the connector geometry facilitates the connection and retention of the tool when unscrewing the screw from the piston.

[0012] In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the valve is a service valve and / or the connector geometry is arranged between two, three or more screws for connecting the two flanges to each other. The screws may be arranged in a circular pattern around the connector geometry to evenly distribute the pressure between the outer flange and the sealing element.

[0013] In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the connector geometry is oriented so that the tool does not obstruct access to the screws when connected to the connector geometry.When the tool is connected to the valve, the handle of the tool can be positioned between two screws, rather than covering one screw.

[0014] In another preferred embodiment of the invention, at least one screw and the connector geometry are arranged on the same side of the piston.At least one screw and the connector geometry may be arranged on one side of the outer flange such that they are both accessible from the same direction. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] Further advantages and details of the invention are described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The drawings show:

[0016] Figure 1 : A cross-sectional view of the valve in its closed position;

[0017] Figure 2 : A cross-sectional view of the valve in its open position;

[0018] Figure 3a , Figure 3b : Different views of the valve component with attached tools; and

[0019] Figure 3c : Top view of valve component with connector geometry and screws. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the valve is shown in its closed position. The valve is arranged for refrigeration applications. The valve can be a shut-off valve and / or a regulating valve. The valve comprises a valve cover 1 connected to a housing 2 having two fluid openings 21, 22. A spindle 3 is connected to a piston 4 for opening and closing a fluid passage 23 between the two fluid openings 21, 22. A piston 4 is arranged between the valve cover 1 and the housing 2. The piston 4 comprises a plurality of sub-components. In order to arrange the piston 4 in the housing 2 and the valve cover 1, it may be necessary to remove the housing 2 from the valve cover 1. In this disassembled state of the valve, the piston 4 can be connected to the spindle 3.

[0021] Once the spindle 3 is connected to the piston 4 and the valve cover 1 is connected to the housing 2, the spindle 3 can be rotated by an operator or an actuator. The spindle engages the piston 4 for moving the piston between the closed position and the open position of the valve. The components of the piston 4 include a bottom closing portion 40 having an outer flange 46 and an inner flange 47. The inner flange 47 can be formed integrally with a piston tube 43. The piston tube 43 can be the central part of the piston 4. The piston 4 can further include an upper guide and sealing portion 42, which guides and seals the piston 4 against the valve cover 1. The upper guide and sealing portion 42 can be the uppermost portion of the piston 4 and / or the only portion of the piston 4 that seals against the valve cover 1. The upper guide and sealing portion 42 can be guided between two concentric hollow cylindrical protrusions 11, 12. The hollow cylindrical protrusions 11, 12 can be formed integrally with the valve cover 1.

[0022] The valve comprises a pressure balance chamber 41 between the valve cover 1 and the upper part of the piston 4. The size and shape of the pressure balance chamber 41 vary depending on the position of the valve. Figure 1 The fully closed position of the valve is shown, with the pressure balance chamber 41 being shown at its maximum volume.

[0023] A sealing element 48 is arranged between the two flanges 46, 47 of the piston 4. The two flanges 46, 47 are connected to each other by means of at least one screw 49. The at least one screw 49 exerts a force on the outer flange 46, which pushes the outer flange 46 against the sealing element 48 and the inner flange 47. A non-circular connector geometry 50 for connecting the tool 100 is arranged at the bottom side of the outer flange 46. The tool 100 is later Figure 3a and Figure 3b Shown in.

[0024] The connector geometry 50 may be formed as follows Figure 1 The recess shown. Alternatively or additionally, the connector geometry 50 may include a protrusion. For example, the connector geometry 50 may include a hexagonal protrusion protruding from the bottom surface of the outer flange 46. In addition, a pressure balance channel 31 is provided in the protruding connector geometry 50. The connector geometry 50 may enter the outer flange 46 deeper than the countersunk hole or counterbore of the screw 49. Any suitable combination of protrusions and recesses may be used. The connector geometry 50 may be surrounded by the flat surface of the outer flange 46.

[0025] The connector geometry 50 may be aligned concentrically with only a non-threaded portion of the piston 4. The non-threaded portion may be a hole in the piston 4 or may be a pressure balance passage 31 in the piston. In the embodiment shown, the connector geometry 50 is a portion or an extension of the pressure balance passage 31 rather than a portion or an extension of the threaded hole of the piston 4. The threaded hole that accommodates the screw 49 is shorter than the pressure balance passage 31.

[0026] The connector geometry 50 extends along the central axis of the piston 4. The connector geometry 50 may be aligned at or near the central axis of the piston 4. The central position of the connector geometry 50 facilitates connection and retention of the tool 100 when unscrewing the screw from the piston 4.

[0027] Figure 2 A cross-sectional view of the valve is shown in its fully open position. The upper guide and sealing portion 42 moves away from the housing 2 and into the valve cover 1. The spindle 3 abuts the bottom portion of the inner concentric protrusion 11. In the open position of the valve, the contact between the spindle 3 and the bottom portion of the inner concentric protrusion 11 seals the valve relative to the outside. In the open position of the valve, the pressure balance chamber 41 is shown with a greatly reduced volume. The size and shape of the pressure balance chamber 41 depends on the position of the piston 4 relative to the valve cover 1.

[0028] Figure 3a and Figure 3b Different views of the valve component with the tool 100 attached are shown. Figure 3a and Figure 3bThe embodiment of FIG. 5 shows that the connector geometry 50 is oriented so that the tool 100 does not obstruct access to three screws 49. Since the connector geometry 50 is covered and filled by the tool 50, the reference numeral 50 only points in the direction of the covered connector geometry 50. In this embodiment, the connector geometry 50 is oriented so that when the tool 100 is connected to the connector geometry 50, the tool 100 is guided between two screws 49. Therefore, when the tool 100 is connected to the valve, the handle of the tool 100 can be positioned between two screws 49 instead of covering one screw 49. In the case of a hexagonal connector geometry 50, one edge of the hexagon needs to be oriented between two adjacent screws 49 to achieve the desired orientation of the tool 100.

[0029] As can be seen, the screw 49 and the connector geometry 50 are arranged on the same side of the piston 4, ie the bottommost part of the piston 4. At least one screw 49 and the connector geometry 50 may be arranged on one side of the outer flange 46 such that they are both accessible from the same direction.

[0030] The non-circular connector geometry 50 may be any geometry to which a tool 100, such as an Allen key or a screwdriver, may be connected. Once the tool 100 is connected to the connector geometry 50, the rotation of the piston 4 may be inhibited by means of the tool 100. When tightening the screw 49 by means of the second tool 101, the rotation of the piston 4 needs to be inhibited. Positioning the connector geometry 50 on the same side of the screw 49 facilitates access to the connector geometry 50.

[0031] The connector geometry 50 may have an angular, in particular hexagonal, shape for receiving, for example, an Allen key. The connector geometry 50 may be fluidly connected to the pressure equalization channel 31 .

[0032] Figure 3c A top view of a valve component with a connector geometry 50 and screws 49 is shown. The connector geometry 50 is arranged between three screws 49 for connecting the two flanges 46, 47 to each other. More or fewer screws 49 may be used. It is preferred to arrange the screws 49 in a circular pattern in order to evenly distribute the pressure between the outer flange 46 and the sealing element 48.

Claims

1. A valve for refrigeration applications, in particular a stop valve and / or a regulating valve, comprising: A valve cover (1) connected to a housing (2) having two fluid openings (21, 22); a spindle (3); and a piston (4) for opening and closing a fluid channel (23) between the two fluid openings (21, 22), wherein the spindle (3) engages the piston (4) for moving the piston between a closed position and an open position of the valve, wherein a bottom closing portion (40) of the piston (4) comprises an outer flange (46) and an inner flange (47), a sealing element (48) being arranged between the outer flange and the inner flange, wherein the two flanges (46, 47) are connected to each other by means of at least one screw (49), and wherein a non-circular connector geometry (50) for a connecting tool (100) is arranged at the bottom side of the outer flange (46).

2. The valve according to claim 1, characterized in that The connector geometry (50) has an angular, in particular hexagonal, shape and / or the connector geometry (50) is fluidically connected to the pressure equalization channel (31).

3. A valve according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that The connector geometry (50) includes recesses and / or protrusions.

4. A valve according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that The connector geometry (50) is concentrically aligned only with the non-threaded portion of the piston (4).

5. Valve according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The connector geometry (50) extends along the central axis of the piston (4).

6. A valve according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that This valve is a service valve.

7. A valve according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that The connector geometry (50) is arranged between two, three or more screws (49) for connecting the two flanges (46, 47) to each other.

8. The valve according to claim 7, characterized in that The connector geometry (50) is oriented so that the tool (100) does not obstruct access to the screws (49) when connected to the connector geometry (50).

9. Valve according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The at least one screw (49) and the connector geometry (50) are arranged on the same side of the piston (4).

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