Valve body for process valve and process valve

Abstract

The invention relates to a valve body (100) for a process valve, in which an opening (102) of the valve body (100) opens into a stationary valve seat (104), in which at least two fluid channel sections (110a-110b) open into the valve body (100) from the stationary valve seat (104) of the valve body (100), in which at least one wall (112a) separates one of the fluid channel sections (110a) from at least one dry side (106) of the valve body (100), and wherein at least one surface (114a) of the at least one wall (112a) on the dry side (106) is thermally conductively connected to at least one thermoelectric module (140a).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to an improvement in the field of process valve technology.

[0002] Process valves are basic control and / or regulating elements in industrial process plants and their task is to regulate, control or shut off the flow of process media such as liquids, gases, vapors within a pipe system. This is done by changing the flow opening which is regulated by the valve itself or by an external control unit.

[0003] The operating mode of process valves is usually based on a movable shut-off device (e.g. a valve flap, a valve diaphragm, a seat valve, a ball or a cone) which changes its position relative to the valve body and thereby increases, reduces or completely prevents the flow cross section and thereby the flow of the medium. Depending on the application requirements, the shut-off unit can be actuated manually by a hand wheel or a lever or automatically by a pneumatic, hydraulic or electric actuator.

[0004] The basic object of the present invention is achieved by a valve body according to claim 1 and a process valve according to another independent claim. Advantageous embodiments can be found in the dependent claims and in the following description of exemplary embodiments.

[0005] One aspect of the present description relates to a valve body for a process valve, wherein an opening of the valve body leads to a stationary valve seat, wherein at least two fluid channel portions lead from the stationary valve seat of the valve body into the valve body, wherein at least one wall separates one of the fluid channel portions and at least one dry side of the valve body from each other, and wherein at least one surface on the dry side of the at least one wall is thermally conductively connected to at least one thermoelectric module.

[0006] The thermoelectric module allows to achieve a compact size of the valve body. This is particularly important for small sizes. The lack of moving parts reduces the maintenance effort of the valve body and the operation and assembly of the valve body do not require any additional measures. Furthermore, the thermoelectric module is suitable for precise temperature regulation in combination with a regulated supply voltage. Compared to conventional cooling methods such as heat exchangers and pumps, the energy efficiency is improved.

[0007] Compared to other cooling / heating systems, the thermoelectric module does not require any coolant or cooling fluid and therefore does not need to be left standing before commissioning. The valve body can be installed in any position and in any orientation without having to take the thermoelectric module into account.

[0008] The Peltier effect allows to use the thermoelectric module as a heater or a cooler by reversing the current direction.

[0009] During operation, advantageously the desired setpoint temperature of the process fluid can be maintained. Thus, it is the object to ensure that the warm medium is not unintentionally cooled down, so that e.g. pasty and highly viscous media remain flowable. In particular, thus the flowability of highly viscous process media in the food and cosmetics industry is improved by the temperature control.

[0010] Advantageously, also the cleaning of the process valve can be improved. For example, the process device is heated to more than 100°C in a cleaning cycle. For sterilization purposes, the temperature of more than 100°C is maintained for a certain period of time. For this purpose, hot steam is first sent through the system and also through the valve. Thus, the valves and components that are foremost in the flow direction are heated first. The last valves towards the outlet of the system are lastly brought to the setpoint temperature for sterilization. By preheating the last valves in the system, the sterilization is supported to support the sterilization process and to shorten its duration.

[0011] By means of the active cooling by means of the at least one thermoelectric module, the cooling process after heating of the system can be reduced, e.g. from several hours to 20-30 minutes or from 10 minutes to 1 minute. Also the cooling of the process fluid that is disposed as waste can be eliminated or reduced. This advantageously reduces product waste and shortens the cleaning time.

[0012] One advantageous example is characterized in that the at least one surface of the at least one wall on the dry side is at least partially along a plane.

[0013] Advantageously, the planar surface simplifies the direct contact with the at least one thermoelectric module or another heat conducting element. Peltier elements in particular have planar contact surfaces, wherein the planar surfaces first make assembly possible and simplify it.

[0014] One advantageous example is characterized in that the at least one surface of the at least one wall is arranged on the dry side of the valve body, which is opposite to the opening of the valve body leading to the stationary valve seat.

[0015] Advantageously, the area of the valve body facing away from the actuator side of the valve body is used for cooling. This creates a constructional freedom in the design of the temperature control of the valve body.

[0016] One advantageous example is characterized in that the at least one thermoelectric module is arranged between the at least one wall and at least one heat exchange element.

[0017] Advantageously, the heat exchange element allows a more efficient dissipation of cold or heat from the thermoelectric module, which improves the temperature control performance of the thermoelectric module.

[0018] One advantageous example is characterized in that the at least one heat exchange element has an outer heat exchange surface, and wherein the outer heat exchange surface is at least partly part of a housing of the valve body.

[0019] This advantageously improves the heat dissipation to the outside air. In addition, in this example, the ventilation opening into the interior or dry space of the valve body can be dispensed with. The cleaning ability of the valve body is increased.

[0020] One advantageous example is characterized in that a thermal insulation is arranged between the at least one heat exchange element and the main body of the valve body, the thermal insulation delimiting the at least two fluid channel portions and providing the stationary valve seat.

[0021] The thermal insulation improves the cooling or heating effect of the thermoelectric module. This is because the main body, which is made of a metal alloy for example, is heated or cooled quickly by the medium flowing through it. In order to generate a corresponding opposite thermal effect, the insulation ensures that the heat- exchange element, which is thermally insulated, makes possible the transmission of thermal energy independently of the temperature of the main body, thus improving the cooling or heating effect.

[0022] One advantageous example is characterized in that at least one thermally conductive element is arranged between the at least one thermoelectric module and the heat exchange element.

[0023] Advantageously, the at least one thermally conductive element reduces the thermal resistance between the thermoelectric module and the heat exchange element, which means that the flow of thermal energy between the thermoelectric module and the heat exchange element is improved.

[0024] One advantageous example is characterized in that the valve body comprises at least one active fan, the at least one active fan being configured to generate an air flow during operation, the air flow being directed over the heat exchange element and / or the thermoelectric module.

[0025] The active fan can advantageously improve the dissipation of thermal energy.

[0026] One advantageous example is characterized in that the at least one heat exchange element has a heat exchange surface, and wherein the heat exchange surface is arranged within a dry space of the valve body.

[0027] Advantageously, the thermal energy present in the heat exchange element can be exchanged with the air in the dry space.

[0028] One advantageous example is characterized in that an outer wall of the valve body has at least one ventilation opening, the at least one ventilation opening leading from the outside into the dry space of the valve body.

[0029] In this way, outside air can advantageously enter the dry space and be used to dissipate heat or cold.

[0030] One advantageous example features that the valve body, in particular the main body, comprises at least one temperature sensor generating a signal characterizing a current temperature of the valve body.

[0031] Thus, the temperature of the valve body, which also influences the fluid to be provided, can advantageously be measured.

[0032] One advantageous example features that there is a control circuit configured to operate the at least one thermoelectric module by means of an operating current.

[0033] Another advantageous example features that the control circuit is integrated in the valve body.

[0034] One advantageous example features that the control circuit is configured to determine the operating current based on a specified setpoint temperature and a current temperature of the valve body.

[0035] Another aspect of the present description relates to a process valve comprising a valve body according to the previous aspect, at least one shut-off unit, and at least one valve actuator, wherein the valve actuator moves the shut-off unit between an open position, in which a process fluid can flow through a fluid passage, and a closed position, in which the flow of the process fluid through the fluid passage is interrupted, via an actuator rod.

[0036] In the drawings: Figure 1 is a valve body in a schematic cross-section; Figure 2 is one example of a valve body in a perspective view; Figure 3 is another example of a valve body in a schematic cross-section; Figure 4 is a different example of a valve body in an exploded view; Figure 5 is this example of a valve body in another exploded view; Figure 4 is an additional example of a valve body in an exploded view; and Figure 6 Figure 7 is a process valve comprising a valve body.

[0037] Figure 1 A valve body 100 for a process valve, in particular a diaphragm valve, is shown. In the following, examples of a valve body 100 designed for a diaphragm valve are shown. Of course, the shown examples of a valve body 100 can be easily transferred to other valves, such as seat valves, plug diaphragm valves, ball valves, and other valve types.​

[0038] The opening 102 of the valve body 100 leads to a stationary valve seat 104, wherein at least two fluid passage portions 110a-b lead from the stationary valve seat 104 of the valve body 100 into the valve body 100. In this example, the fluid passage portions 110a-b lead to corresponding process fluid connections 111a-b. At least one wall 112a-b separates one of the fluid passage portions 110a-b and the at least one dry side 106 of the valve body 100 from each other, wherein at least one surface 114a on the dry side 106 of the at least one wall 112a is thermally conductively connected to at least one thermoelectric module 140a.

[0039] The thermoelectric module 140a is, for example, designed as a Peltier element. A Peltier element is a solid-state device that uses the Peltier effect to create a temperature difference across its surfaces by conducting an electric current through it. This allows one of the corresponding surfaces to be cooled or heated without moving parts or liquids.

[0040] For example, the Peltier element of the thermoelectric module 140a comprises a number of thermocouples connected in series. Each thermocouple consists of two different semiconductor materials (n-type and p-type) that are electrically connected in series at one end and thermally connected in parallel at the other end. These couples are embedded between two ceramic plates that provide mechanical stability and act as electrical insulators.

[0041] When a direct current flows through the Peltier element of the thermoelectric module 140a, heat is absorbed at one junction of the thermocouples and dissipated at the other, resulting in cooling on one side of the element and heating on the other. This process is known as the Peltier effect.

[0042] The temperature difference generated by the thermoelectric module 140a can be precisely controlled by varying the direction and intensity of the current.

[0043] For example, the thermoelectric module 140a is connected to the surface 114a by a thermally conductive adhesive.

[0044] The sensor 150 generates a signal S_150 that characterizes the current temperature T of the main body 101 of the valve body 100. For example, at least one temperature sensor 150 contacts the surface 114d on the dry side 106 of the wall 112b.

[0045] The main body 101 is, for example, made of a metal alloy or the like.

[0046] The control circuit 180 is configured to operate the at least one thermoelectric module 140a by means of an operating current S_140.

[0047] The operating current S_140 is specifically a direct current, where the direction of the current determines the direction of heat transfer through the thermoelectric module 140a. A first current direction produces a cooling effect on the valve body 100, i.e., heat is removed from the valve body 100. A second current direction produces a heating effect on the valve body 100, i.e., heat is introduced into the valve body 100.

[0048] The control circuit 180 is integrated within the valve body 100, implemented externally, or a first portion of the control circuit 180 is located within the valve body 100 and a second portion of the control circuit 180 is located outside the valve body 100.

[0049] The control circuit 180 is configured to determine the operating current S_140 based on a specified setpoint temperature Tset and the current temperature T of the valve body 100.

[0050] For example, the setpoint temperature Tset is specified by a higher-level system control and is compared with the current temperature T based on signal S_150. The difference D between the setpoint temperature Tset and the temperature T is formed and fed to the regulator R. The regulator R determines the operating current S_140 based on the difference D.

[0051] Figure 2 The body 101 of the valve body 100 is shown in perspective view, allowing viewing of the drying space on the drying side 106. At least one surface 114a-114h on the drying side 106 of at least one wall 112a-112b is at least partially along a plane.

[0052] At least one surface 114a-114 of at least one wall 112a-112b is arranged on the dry side 106 of the valve body 100, which is opposite to the opening 102 of the valve body 100 leading to the fixed valve seat 104.

[0053] At least two surfaces 114a, 114d or 114g, 114h of the walls 112a-112b of the different fluid channel sections 110a-110b extend along a common imaginary plane. This advantageously saves installation space and simplifies the design of connections to heat-conducting components.

[0054] At least one surface 114a, 114d, 114e-114h extends parallel to the central longitudinal axis A of at least one of the fluid channel portions 110a-110b.

[0055] At least one surface 114b, 114c extends along a corresponding plane, through which an imaginary extension of the central longitudinal axis A of at least one of the fluid passage portions 110a-110b extends. The two surfaces 114b-114c cause the drying space to gradually narrow toward the valve seat 104.

[0056] Figure 3 , Figure 4 , Figure 5 Other examples of valve body 100 are shown. At least one thermoelectric module 140a, 140d is arranged between at least one wall 112a-112b and at least one heat exchange element 160a.

[0057] At least one heat exchange element 160a includes an external heat exchange surface 162, wherein the external heat exchange surface 162 is at least partially part of the housing of the valve body 100.

[0058] At least one heat-conducting element 166 is arranged between at least one thermoelectric module 140a-140h and heat exchange element 160a-160h, and enables heat transfer between the thermoelectric modules 140a, 140d and the heat exchange element 160a-160h.

[0059] For example, thermoelectric module 140a is thermally connected to heat exchange element 160a by means of heat-conducting element 166, such as... Figure 3 Thermal paste or Figure 4 and Figure 5 The metal heat-conducting plate in the middle.

[0060] A thermal insulator 164 is disposed between at least one heat exchange element 160a and the body 101 of the valve body 100. The thermal insulator 164 defines at least two fluid passage portions 110a-110b and provides a fixed valve seat 104.

[0061] Thermal insulator 164 comprises at least one plastic and / or at least one elastomer as materials.

[0062] In all the examples described, the thermal insulator 164 is, for example, partially translucent. Control circuitry 180 is connected to a light source arranged in the drying space, which illuminates the thermal insulator 164.

[0063] In one example, the light source is operated by control circuitry 180 in such a way that it emits red light when the body 101 is heated. This means that the heating is visible from the outside.

[0064] In another example, the light source is operated by control circuitry 180 in such a way that it emits blue light when the body 101 is cooled. This means that the cooling is visible from the outside.

[0065] according to Figure 4 and Figure 5In this example, the heat-conducting plate is designed in a stepped manner in the sense of the heat-conducting element 166, and connects two thermoelectric modules 140a and 140d to the inner surface 163 of the heat exchange element 160a. For this purpose, the circuit board 184 of the control circuit 180 includes a through-hole 182. The heat-conducting element 166 extends through the through-hole 182 to provide thermal coupling between the thermoelectric modules 140a and 140d and the heat exchange element 160a, which serves as an end cap. The inner surface 163 is thermally connected to the contact surface 165 of the heat-conducting element 166.

[0066] In an example not shown, circuit board 184 is omitted. Instead, the area of ​​circuit board 184 directly (i.e., in a straight path) located between thermoelectric modules 140a, 140d and heat exchange element 160a is removed from circuit board 184. This means that differently designed heat-conducting elements are located between each thermoelectric module 140a, 140d and heat exchange element 160a.

[0067] In the assembled state of the valve body 100, at least one electrical contact element 190a-190b is electrically connected to the control circuit 180 and provides electrical contact in the area of ​​the actuator interface 192 to supply electrical energy and data from the actuator side to the control circuit via mating contacts. This means that, advantageously, no connectors are exposed in the area of ​​the valve body 100 in the assembled state of the process valve.

[0068] At least one fastening element 194a-194b on the drying chamber side is arranged between the body 101 and the heat exchange element 160a. At least one fastening element 194a-194b secures at least one associated electrical contact element 190a-190b to the body 101.

[0069] The valve body 100 includes at least one active fan 170, which is configured to generate an airflow during operation, the airflow being directed through heat exchange elements 160a-160h.

[0070] Of course, the active fan 170 can also be omitted, and passive cooling can be achieved.

[0071] The active fan 170 includes, for example, an axially or radially flowing impeller driven by an electric motor, which is arranged to rotate within its own housing.

[0072] Figures 3 to 5 The valve body 100 is airtightly sealed to the outside.

[0073] Figure 6 Another example of valve body 100 is shown. (Compared to...) Figures 3-5 Compared to valve body 100, Figure 6The valve body 100 is not airtight with the outside, but its outer wall includes at least one vent 169 that leads from the outside to the dry space inside the valve body 100.

[0074] In this example, multiple vents 169, in the sense of ventilation grilles, are introduced into the outer walls on both sides of the body 101.

[0075] Cover 198 closes valve body 100 on the side opposite to the actuator.

[0076] In this example, the active fan 170 is mounted on the exterior of the main body 101 on the ventilation grille. Of course, the active fan can also be arranged inside a dry space.

[0077] At least one thermoelectric module 140a-140h is arranged between at least one wall 112a-112b and at least one heat exchange element 160a-160h.

[0078] At least one heat exchange element 160a-160h includes a heat exchange surface 162a-162h, which in this case is formed by cooling fins. For example, the cooling fins are glued to the corresponding thermoelectric module 140a-140h.

[0079] At least one heat exchange element 160a-160h has a larger total effective thermal surface area on the side away from the associated walls 112a-112b than on the side facing the associated walls 112a-112b.

[0080] As shown in the perspective, thermoelectric modules 140e and 140f, and associated heat exchange elements, are... Figure 6 It is invisible in the middle.

[0081] Figure 6 A thermal insulator 164 is disposed between at least one cover 198 and the body 101 of the valve body 100, the thermal insulator 164 defining at least two fluid passage portions 110a-110b and providing a fixed valve seat 104.

[0082] At least one thermoelectric module 140a-140h is arranged between at least one wall 112a-112b and at least one heat exchange element.

[0083] At least one heat exchange element 160a-160h has an external heat exchange surface 162a-162h passing through a cooling fin structure, wherein the external heat exchange surface 162a-162h is used to transfer heat energy by air convection.

[0084] Therefore, at least one heat exchange element 160a-160h includes a heat exchange surface 162a-162h facing away from at least one thermoelectric module 140a-140h, wherein the heat exchange surface 162a-162h is arranged in the dry space of the valve body 100.

[0085] Figure 7 The diaphragm valve 200 shown—which is generally referred to as a process valve—includes a valve body 100. At least one valve diaphragm 300 may also be referred to as a shut-off unit. In the example shown, the valve diaphragm 300 closes an opening 102 leading to a fixed valve seat 104, and thus defines a fluid passage comprising at least two fluid passage portions 110a-110b. In another example, the shut-off unit is not clamped between the edges of the opening 102, but is movably arranged within the process valve to press against the valve seat.

[0086] At least one valve actuator 400 moves a shut-off unit (in this case, a valve diaphragm 300) between an open position and a closed position via an actuator rod 410, in which process fluid can flow through a fluid passage, and in which the flow of process fluid through the fluid passage is interrupted in the closed position.

[0087] The valve actuator 400 includes a housing 420 that is supported on the valve body 100 and clamps the valve diaphragm between the housing 420 and the region of the valve body 100 surrounding the opening 102.

Claims

1. A valve body (100) for a process valve, particularly a valve body for a diaphragm valve, wherein, The opening (102) of the valve body (100) leads to a fixed valve seat (104), wherein at least two fluid passage portions (110a-110b) extend from the fixed valve seat (104) of the valve body (100) into the valve body (100), wherein at least one wall (112a-112b) separates one of the fluid passage portions (110a-110b) from at least one dry side (106) of the valve body (100) from each other, and wherein at least one surface (114a-114h) on the dry side (106) of the at least one wall (112a-112b) is thermally connected to at least one thermoelectric module (140a-140h), the at least one thermoelectric module (140a-140h) being designed as a Peltier element.

2. The valve body (100) according to claim 1, wherein, The at least one surface (114a-114h) is at least partially along a plane on the dry side (106) of the at least one wall (112a-112b).

3. The valve body (100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, At least one surface (114a-114h) of the at least one wall (112a-112b) is arranged on the drying side (106) of the valve body (100), the drying side (106) being opposite to the opening (102) of the valve body (100) leading to the fixed valve seat (104).

4. The valve body (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The at least one thermoelectric module (140a-140h) is arranged between the at least one wall (112a-112b) and the at least one heat exchange element (160a-160h).

5. The valve body (100) according to claim 4, wherein, The at least one heat exchange element (160a) has an external heat exchange surface (162), wherein the external heat exchange surface (162) is at least partially part of the housing of the valve body (100).

6. The valve body (100) according to the preceding claim, wherein, A thermal insulator (164) is disposed between the at least one heat exchange element (160a) and the body (101) of the valve body (100), the thermal insulator (164) defining the at least two fluid passage portions (110a-110b) and providing the fixed valve seat (104).

7. The valve body (100) according to any one of claims 3 to 6, wherein, At least one heat-conducting element (166) is arranged between the at least one thermoelectric module (140a-140h) and the heat exchange element (160a-160h).

8. The valve body (100) according to any one of claims 4 to 7, wherein, The valve body (100) includes at least one active fan (170) configured to generate an airflow during operation, the airflow being directed through the heat exchange elements (160a-160h) and / or the thermoelectric module (140a-140h).

9. The valve body (100) according to any one of claims 2 to 8, wherein, The at least one heat exchange element (166a-166h) has a heat exchange surface (162a-162h), wherein the heat exchange surface (162a-162h) is arranged within the dry space of the valve body (100).

10. The valve body (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The outer wall of the valve body (100) has at least one vent (169) that leads from the outside into the dry space of the valve body (100).

11. The valve body (100) according to any one of the preceding claims includes at least one temperature sensor (150), the at least one temperature sensor (150) generating a signal (S_150) characterizing the current temperature (T) of the valve body (100).

12. The valve body (100) and control circuit (180) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the control circuit (180) is configured to operate the at least one thermoelectric module (140a-140h) by means of an operating current (S_140).

13. The valve body (100) and control circuit (180) according to claim 12, wherein, The control circuit (180) is integrated into the valve body (100).

14. The valve body (100) and control circuit (180) according to claim 10 and any one of claim 12 or 13, wherein, The control circuit (180) is configured to determine the operating current (S_140) based on a specified setpoint temperature (Tset) and the current temperature (T) of the valve body (100).

15. A process valve, particularly a diaphragm valve, comprising: Valve body (100) according to any one of the preceding claims; At least one shut-off unit, in particular a valve diaphragm (400). as well as At least one valve actuator (400) moves the shut-off unit, in particular the valve diaphragm (400), between an open position and a closed position via an actuator rod (410); in the open position, process fluid can flow through a fluid passage, and in the closed position, the flow of process fluid through the fluid passage is interrupted.

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