Valve with lubricated sealing element

Abstract

A valve (1) is disclosed comprising a valve housing (2) having a first port (4) and a second port (5). The valve housing (2) accommodates a movable valve element (8) for controlling fluid flow through the valve (1). The valve (1) comprises a sealing element (17) arranged in abutment with the movable valve element (8) in order to provide a seal towards the movable valve element (8) when the movable valve element (8) is moved relative to the sealing element (17). According to the invention, the sealing element (17) is mounted in a groove (20) containing a lubricant to ensure lubrication of the sealing element (17) during movement of the movable valve element (8).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a valve having a valve housing that houses a movable valve element for controlling the fluid flow through the valve. The valve includes a sealing element that is arranged in abutment with the movable valve element so as to provide a seal towards the movable valve element during movement of the movable valve element. Background Art

[0002] Controllable valves typically include a movable valve element housed in a valve housing such that movement of the valve element controls the fluid flow through the valve. For example, the position of the movable valve element may determine at least one opening degree of the valve. By appropriately controlling an actuator operatively connected to the movable valve element, the movement of the valve element can be controlled, and thereby the fluid flow through the valve can be controlled.

[0003] The valve element can move, for example, along at least one opening formed inside the valve such that the position of the valve element relative to the opening defines the cross-sectional dimension of the opening available for fluid to flow through, thereby defining the opening degree of the valve relative to the fluid connection including the opening.

[0004] To prevent internal leakage in the region of the movable valve element, a sealing element can be provided inside the valve housing and arranged in abutment with the movable valve element. Thus, when the valve element moves during operation of the valve, the valve element moves against the sealing element, thereby preventing internal leakage between the movable valve element and the sealing element, that is, preventing internal leakage between the parts of the valve arranged on both sides of the sealing element.

[0005] Since the valve element repeatedly moves against the sealing element during normal operation of the valve, friction occurs between the valve element and the sealing element during operation of the valve. To reduce such friction and ensure reliable operation of the valve, it would be advantageous if a lubricant could be applied between the two parts. Summary of the Invention

[0006] An object of embodiments of the present invention is to provide a valve having a movable valve element and a sealing element arranged in abutment with the movable valve element, wherein proper lubrication is ensured for the sealing element.

[0007] The present invention provides a valve, the valve including a valve housing having a first port and a second port, the valve housing housing a movable valve element for controlling the fluid flow through the valve, the valve further including a sealing element arranged in abutment with the movable valve element so as to provide a seal towards the movable valve element when the movable valve element moves relative to the sealing element,

[0008] wherein the sealing element is mounted in a groove that contains a lubricant.

[0009] Thus, the valve according to the present invention comprises a valve housing having a first port and a second port, and the valve thus defines a fluid connection between the first port and the second port. The fluid flowing through the valve can flow in either direction, i.e., from the first port serving as a fluid inlet to the second port serving as a fluid outlet, or from the second port serving as a fluid inlet to the first port serving as a fluid outlet. Depending on the requirements at a given point in time, the direction of fluid flow through the valve can even be selected.

[0010] The valve housing houses a movable valve element for controlling the fluid flow through the valve. For example, the valve element can move along an opening that forms part of the fluid connection between the first port and the second port, e.g., along an opening towards the second port. In this case, the position of the valve element relative to the opening defines the cross-sectional dimension of the opening available for fluid flow, thereby determining the fluid flow in the fluid connection between the first port and the second port.

[0011] For example, the valve element can move between a first end position that defines a fully open fluid connection between the first port and the second port, a second end position that defines a fully closed fluid connection between the first port and the second port, and an intermediate position of the valve element can define a partially open fluid connection between the first port and the second port.

[0012] The valve further comprises a sealing element arranged in abutment with the movable valve element. Thus, when the valve element moves, the valve element moves along and contacts the sealing element, thereby providing a seal between the movable valve element and the sealing element during the movement of the valve element. Thus, internal leakage along the movable valve element between the two regions of the valve separated by the sealing element is prevented.

[0013] The sealing element is mounted in a groove, and the groove contains a lubricant. Thus, the groove has a dual function: holding the sealing element so as to hold the sealing element in place and in abutment with the movable valve element, and holding the lubricant for lubricating the sealing element. Thus, proper lubrication of the sealing element towards the movable valve element is ensured because the lubricant is easily accessible at the precise location where the sealing element is mounted. In addition, the dual function of the groove ensures that a separate lubricant reservoir and supply are not required, and thus lubrication of the sealing element can be ensured without unduly increasing the size of the valve.

[0014] The lubricant can be, for example, a grease or the like, e.g., having a high viscosity such that the lubricant remains in the groove. For example, the lubricant can be a grease based on silicone oil and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE).

[0015] The groove may define a plurality of lubricant-containing pockets that contact opposite surface portions of the sealing element. According to this embodiment, the pockets ensure proper distribution of the lubricant along the sealing element, thereby ensuring that the sealing element is lubricated sufficiently and uniformly. In particular, it ensures that the surface portion of the sealing element that contacts the movable valve element is properly and sufficiently lubricated.

[0016] The groove may also define a plurality of retaining portions for retaining the sealing element in the groove, and the plurality of lubricant-containing pockets and the plurality of retaining portions may be alternately arranged along the groove. According to this embodiment, the sealing element is retained in the groove by the retaining portions, so that the sealing element is firmly retained in place relative to the valve element, while allowing lubrication of the sealing element by the lubricant-containing pockets (i.e., at portions of the sealing element that do not contact the retaining portions) that are alternately arranged with the retaining portions. For example, the retaining portions may be arranged to contact the sealing element, such as along opposite sides of the sealing element, such as contacting above and below the sealing element respectively, and the lubricant-containing pockets may define regions in the groove where the lubricant directly contacts the sealing element between the retaining portions. The alternating arrangement of the retaining portions and the lubricant-containing pockets ensures uniform fixation of the sealing element and uniform lubrication of the sealing element along the entire length of the groove.

[0017] The retaining portions may be in the form of, for example, a plurality of teeth formed inside the groove, such as a plurality of teeth uniformly or evenly distributed along the sealing element, and the lubricant-containing pockets may be the spaces between the teeth. In this case, the sealing element may be mounted in the groove in abutment with the teeth and is retained in the groove due to the friction between the teeth and the sealing element. In this case, the lubricant-containing pockets may be presented as openings along the sealing element and towards the movable valve element. For example, the teeth may be arranged above and below the sealing element, and the pockets may define regions in the groove where the lubricant directly contacts the sealing element between the teeth.

[0018] As an alternative, the sealing element may be retained in the groove by means of one or more wall portions formed in the groove, which are provided, for example, with a plurality of openings for allowing the lubricant to reach the sealing element.

[0019] The valve may further include a guide insert, and the valve element is movably mounted inside the guide insert, and the groove may be formed in the guide insert. According to this embodiment, the valve element is guided by the guide insert when the valve element moves. In addition, the guide insert forms a separate part that is mounted inside the valve housing. This allows the guide insert, including its various features, to be manufactured in an accurate, simple and cost-effective manner. Since the groove is formed in the guide insert, the groove can be provided in an accurate, simple and cost-effective manner.

[0020] The guide insert may include a first guide insert portion and a second guide insert portion, and the groove may be formed at the interface between the first guide insert portion and the second guide insert portion. The first guide insert portion and the second guide insert portion may be, for example, substantially the same, and may be coupled to each other, for example, in a mirror image of each other. The groove may be formed in a separate part disposed between the first guide insert portion and the second guide insert portion. As an alternative, the groove may be formed in the first guide insert portion or the second guide insert portion. As another alternative, the groove may be formed by two mating portions of the first guide insert portion and the second guide insert portion, respectively.

[0021] The guide insert may be made of a composite material. The composite material may be, for example, a polymer-based material such as polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), glass filled polymer (GF), acrylonitrile butadine styrene (ABS), polycarbonate (PC), or a combination of two or more of these materials. Such composite materials are known to be durable, low-cost and lightweight. Thus, forming the guide insert from a composite material results in a valve in which the part against which the movable valve element moves is durable and lightweight and can be manufactured at low cost. In addition, it is easy to manufacture a guide insert having a groove with a shape and size that match the various requirements of the valve.

[0022] The sealing element may be an O-ring. The O-ring is a suitable sealing element for the purpose of providing a seal for the movable valve element. In addition, the O-ring is a standard component that is easy and cost-effective to manufacture. As an alternative, the sealing element may be any other suitable type, such as a quadrilateral, custom-shaped soft seal, such as made of rubber, a coated molded seal, etc.

[0023] The valve housing can be made of a composite material, such as the composite material mentioned above with reference to the guiding insert. This will result in a durable, lightweight, and low-cost valve housing. Alternatively or additionally, other parts of the valve (e.g., the valve element) can be made of a composite material. For example, the valve element can be made of polyphenylsulfone (PPSU). For example, this will allow for the provision of a valve element with a complex shape in a simple and cost-effective manner.

[0024] The valve can be a three-way valve, the valve housing further having a third port, and by moving the movable valve element, the first port can be selectively fluidly connected to the second port and / or the third port inside the valve housing.

[0025] According to this embodiment, the valve can establish a fluid connection between the first port and each of the second port and the third port. Thus, in the case where the first port forms the fluid inlet of the valve, the second port and the third port each form the fluid outlet of the valve. In this case, the fluid flow received in the valve through the first port can be selectively distributed to the second port and / or the third port. In the case where the first port forms the fluid outlet of the valve, the second port and the third port each form the fluid inlet of the valve. In this case, the fluids received in the valve via the second port and the third port respectively can be mixed before being supplied to the first port.

[0026] According to this embodiment, the valve element can move along the opening towards the second port, and along the opening towards the third port. Thus, the position of the valve element substantially determines the fluid flow in the fluid connection between the first port and the second port, and the fluid flow in the fluid connection between the first port and the third port in the above-described manner.

[0027] The three-way valve can be used, for example, in a heat pump or other applications where mixing of fluid flows may be desired.

[0028] The sealing element can be configured to prevent fluid leakage between the second port and the third port. For example, the opening towards the second port and the opening towards the third port can be arranged on opposite sides of the sealing element, i.e., the sealing element can be arranged between the opening towards the second port and the opening towards the third port, thereby separating the fluid connection including the opening towards the second port from the fluid connection including the opening towards the third port. Thus, the sealing element prevents fluid from flowing directly from the opening towards the second port to the opening towards the third port, or vice versa. Description of the Drawings

[0029] The present invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which

[0030] Figure 1 and Figure 2 illustrates a valve according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0031] Figure 3 is Figure 1 and Figure 2 a cross-sectional view of the valve;

[0032] Figure 4 and Figure 5 is Figure 3 details of the cross-sectional view of the valve, where the movable valve element is in a first end position and a second end position;

[0033] Figures 6 to 8 is Figure 3 a perspective cross-sectional view of further details of the valve; and

[0034] Figures 9a to 12b illustrates a grooved guide insert for use in a valve according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0035] Figure 1 and Figure 2 illustrate a valve 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1 is a perspective view of the valve 1, and Figure 2 is a side view of the valve 1.

[0036] The valve 1 includes a valve housing 2 and an actuator housing 3 mounted on the valve housing 2. The valve housing 2 houses a movable valve element (not shown), and the actuator housing 3 houses an actuator (not shown) operatively connected to the movable valve element. Thus, proper operation of the actuator will cause movement of the valve element, thereby controlling the fluid flow through the valve 1.

[0037] The valve housing 2 has three ports in the form of a first port 4, a second port 5, and a third port 6. A fluid connection can be selectively established between the first port 4 and each of the second port 5 and the third port 6. Thus, the valve 1 is a three-way valve.

[0038] The actuator housing 3 includes an electrical connection 7 that allows electrical power to be supplied to the actuator inside the actuator housing 3, such as to an electric motor, such as an electric stepper motor, disposed inside the actuator housing 3.

[0039] Figure 3 is Figure 1 and Figure 2Cross-sectional view of valve 1. The valve element 8 is received in the valve housing 2 and is operatively connected via a cup-shaped connecting element 10 and a valve stem 11 to an actuator 9 received in an actuator housing 3. Thus, proper operation of the actuator 9 causes the valve element 8 to move within the valve housing 2 towards or away from the actuator housing 3, since active operation of the actuator 9 causes the valve element 8 to move away from the actuator 9, and the absence of active operation of the actuator 9 causes the valve element 8 to automatically move towards the actuator 9.

[0040] The valve element 8 is arranged within a guide insert 12 in which an opening 13 towards the second port 5 and an opening 14 towards the third port 6 are formed. Thus, the valve element 8 moves along the opening 13 towards the second port 5 and along the opening 14 towards the third port 6. Thus, the position of the valve element 8 determines the cross-sectional dimensions of the opening 13 available for fluid flow through the respective openings 13, 14 and the cross-sectional dimensions of the opening 14, and thereby determines whether and to what extent the fluid connection between the first port 4 and the second port 5 and the fluid connection between the first port 4 and the third port 6 are open. This is sometimes referred to as the valve characteristic.

[0041] The guide insert 12 includes a lip 15 arranged along the edge of the opening 13 towards the second port 5 and a lip 16 arranged along the edge of the opening 14 towards the third port 6. The lips 15, 16 abut against the valve element 8, thus ensuring that the cross-sectional dimensions and shape of the fluid passage through each of the openings 13, 14 at a given position of the valve element 8 are well defined. Thereby, accurate and reliable control of the fluid flow through the valve 1 is obtained and the risk of internal leakage is minimized. Moreover, this is achieved with minimal friction between the movable valve element 8 and the other parts of the valve 1, in particular the guide insert 12, since the valve element 8 only abuts against the lips 15, 16 and a sealing element 17 which prevents leakage between the second port 5 and the third port 6.

[0042] In Figure 3 the valve element 8 is positioned in a second end position in which the valve element 8 abuts against a first valve seat 18. In the second end position, the fluid connection between the first port 4 and the second port 5 is fully closed and the fluid connection between the first port 4 and the third port 6 is fully open. The valve 1 also includes a second valve seat 19 against which the valve element 8 abuts when the valve element 8 is in a first end position in which the fluid connection between the first port 4 and the second port 5 is fully open and the fluid connection between the first port 4 and the third port 6 is fully closed.

[0043] The sealing element 17 is installed in a groove 20 formed in the guide insert 12. The groove 20 also holds a lubricant supply for lubricating the sealing element 17. Thus, it is effectively ensured that when the valve element 8 moves while abutting against the sealing element 17, the sealing element 17 is properly lubricated. In addition, since the supply of the lubricant is held in the groove 20 that also houses the sealing element 17, there is no need for a separate reservoir for the lubricant, and thus the size of the valve 1 (especially the height of the valve 1) can be kept to a minimum.

[0044] Figure 4 and Figure 5 is Figure 3 a detail of the cross-sectional view of the valve 1 shown. In Figure 4 it, the valve element 8 is positioned at the first end position, abutting against the second valve seat 19. In Figure 5 it, the valve element 8 is positioned at the second end position, abutting against the first valve seat 18, that is, also the position shown in Figure 3 it.

[0045] Figures 6 to 8 is Figure 3 a perspective cross-sectional view of further details of the valve 1. In Figure 6 it, the valve element 8 and the sealing element 17 have been removed to show the details of the groove 20 that houses the sealing element 17 in Figure 3 it.

[0046] As Figure 6 can be seen, the groove 20 is provided with a plurality of teeth 21 that are distributed substantially uniformly along the groove 20 and define spaces 22 between the teeth 21. When the sealing element is to be installed in the groove 20, the sealing element will be installed between the teeth 21 formed in the upper part and the lower part of the groove 20 respectively. This will hold the sealing element, for example, by means of the friction between the sealing element and the teeth 21, thus ensuring that the sealing element is firmly held in place. Thus, the teeth 21 form a holding portion for holding the sealing element in the groove 20.

[0047] The lubricant housed in the groove 20 contacts the sealing element via the spaces 22 between the teeth 21. Thus, the spaces 22 form a pocket containing the lubricant that contacts the opposite surface of the sealing element. Thus, the holding portion in the form of the teeth 21 and the pocket containing the lubricant in the form of the spaces 22 are arranged alternately along the groove 20. Thus, the sealing element is properly and uniformly lubricated along the circumference of the sealing element and along the surface of the inner part of the sealing element facing the guide insert 12 (where the valve element 8 will be positioned).

[0048] In Figure 7In [the figure], the sealing element 17 has been installed in the groove 20. It can be seen that the sealing element 17 is installed between the teeth 21 formed in the upper part of the groove 20 and the teeth 21 formed in the lower part of the groove 20, and thus the sealing element 17 is held in the groove 20 by the teeth 21 and is held in the groove 20 in a firm and uniform manner at least partially due to the friction between the teeth 21 and the sealing element 17. It can also be seen that the space 22 between the teeth 21 forms a pocket in which the lubricant accommodated in the groove 20 can contact the opposite surface portions of the sealing element 17, thereby providing uniform lubrication to the sealing element 17 along the entire length of the groove 20.

[0049] In Figure 8 [the figure], the movable valve element 8 is also installed in the guide insert 12. It can be seen that the valve element 8 is arranged to abut against the sealing element 17.

[0050] Figures 9a to 12b The figure illustrates a guide insert 12 having a groove 20 for use in a valve according to an embodiment of the present invention. More particularly, Figures 9a to 12b is a perspective cross-sectional view of the guide insert 12 having various additional components. The guide insert 12 is Figures 3 to 8 of the kind illustrated, and thus the remarks set forth above with reference to Figures 3 to 8 also apply herein.

[0051] It can be seen that the guide insert 12 includes a first guide insert portion 12a and a second guide insert portion 12b. An opening 13 towards the second port is formed in the first guide insert portion 12a, and an opening 14 towards the third port is formed in the second guide insert portion 12b. The first guide insert portion 12a and the second guide insert portion 12b are coupled to each other, and a groove 20 for receiving the sealing element 17 is formed at the interface between the first guide insert portion 12a and the second guide insert portion 12b. It should be noted that, alternatively, the guide insert 12 can be formed as a single component.

[0052] Figure 9a and Figure 9b show the guide insert 12 from two different perspectives, in which the sealing element is not installed in the groove 20, similar to Figure 6 the situation illustrated. Thus, the teeth 21 and the space 22 between the teeth 21 can be easily seen.

[0053] In Figure 10In [description], the sealing element 17 has been installed in the groove 20 and is held by the teeth 21 formed in the part of the groove 20 formed by the first guiding insert part 12a and the teeth 21 formed in the part of the groove 20 formed by the second guiding insert part 12b, respectively. It can also be seen that the space 22 between the teeth 21 forms a pocket portion in which the lubricant received in the groove 20 can contact the opposite surface portions of the sealing element 17. This is similar to Figure 7 the situation shown.

[0054] In Figure 11 [description], the movable valve element 8 is also installed inside the guiding insert 12 and abuts against the sealing element 17. This is similar to that in Figure 8 the situation shown.

[0055] Figure 12a and Figure 12b are exploded views of the guiding insert 12 from two different angles. Therefore, in Figure 12a and Figure 12b [description], the first guiding insert part 12a and the second guiding insert part 12b can be seen respectively, and it can be clearly seen that once the first guiding insert part 12a and the second guiding insert part 12b are joined to each other to form the guiding insert part 12, a groove will be formed correspondingly by the mating parts of the first guiding insert part 12a and the mating parts of the second guiding insert part 12b.

Claims

1. A valve (1), comprising a valve housing (2) having a first port (4) and a second port (5), the valve housing (2) accommodating a movable valve element (8) for controlling a fluid flow through the valve (1), the valve (1) further comprising a sealing element (17) arranged in abutment with the movable valve element (8) so as to provide a seal towards the movable valve element (8) when the movable valve element (8) moves relative to the sealing element (17), in, The sealing element (17) is mounted in a groove (20), which contains a lubricant.

2. The valve (1) according to claim 1, wherein: The groove (20) defines a plurality of lubricant-containing pockets (22) that contact opposing surface portions of the sealing element (17).

3. The valve (1) according to claim 2, wherein: The groove (20) further defines a plurality of retaining portions (21) for retaining the sealing element (17) in the groove (20), and wherein the plurality of pockets (22) containing lubricant and the plurality of retaining portions (21) are alternately arranged along the groove (20).

4. The valve (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The valve (1) further comprises a guide insert (12), and the valve element (8) is movably mounted inside the guide insert (12), and wherein the groove (20) is formed in the guide insert (12).

5. The valve (1) according to claim 4, wherein: The guide insert (12) comprises a first guide insert portion (12a) and a second guide insert portion (12b), and wherein the groove (20) is formed at an interface between the first guide insert portion (12a) and the second guide insert portion (12b).

6. The valve (1) according to claim 4 or 5, wherein: The guide insert (12) is made of a composite material.

7. Valve (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The sealing element (17) is an O-ring.

8. Valve (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein The valve housing (2) is made of a composite material.

9. Valve (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The valve (1) is a three-way valve, the valve housing (2) further comprising a third port (6), wherein the first port (4) can be selectively fluidically connected to the second port (5) and / or the third port (6) inside the valve housing (2) by moving the movable valve element (8).

10. The valve (1) according to claim 9, wherein: The sealing element (17) is configured to prevent leakage of fluid between the second port (5) and the third port (6).

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