Inner curve pneumatic actuator for valve

Abstract

The utility model discloses an inner curve pneumatic actuator for a valve, which comprises a shell provided with an air hole group for air intake and air exhaust; the main shaft is installed in the shell and can rotate in the circumferential direction, the first end of the main shaft serves as an output end and is used for being connected with a valve, and the second end of the main shaft serves as an input end and is used for being connected with a hand wheel; the driving mechanism is installed in the shell and comprises a piston assembly, a guide rail and a cylinder body, the cylinder body is installed on the main shaft and can circumferentially rotate along with the main shaft, a plurality of piston cavities are circumferentially formed in the side wall of the cylinder body, the piston assembly is slidably installed in the piston cavities, and the sliding direction is perpendicular to the axis of the main shaft; the guide rail is installed in the shell, and the guide face of the guide rail abuts against the end of the piston assembly. And the gas distribution disc is installed in the shell and used for supplying gas to the driving mechanism and exhausting gas from the driving mechanism so that the end of the piston assembly can abut against the guide face of the guide rail all the time and drive the main shaft to rotate. The actuator is compact in structure and stable and continuous in torque output.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of valve technology, specifically to an internal curve pneumatic actuator for valves. Background Technology

[0002] Pneumatic actuators, as devices that convert compressed air energy into rotary motion, are widely used in industrial automation, valve control, and other fields due to their advantages such as cleanliness, explosion-proof properties, and fast response. Traditional pneumatic actuators often employ structures such as gears and racks, blades, or piston rods to achieve the conversion from linear to rotary motion, and their housings contain crossbeams. During operation, these structures often suffer from problems such as structural complexity, large size, unstable torque output, or dead zones. Especially when high torque output is required, it is usually necessary to increase the cylinder diameter or piston stroke, resulting in a significant increase in the overall size and weight of the actuator, making it unsuitable for installation and use in compact spaces, and thus requiring improvement. Utility Model Content

[0003] One technical problem this application aims to solve is to overcome the deficiencies of the aforementioned related technologies and provide an internal curve pneumatic actuator for valves, comprising:

[0004] The housing is provided with a group of air vents for air intake and exhaust;

[0005] The main shaft is installed inside the housing and is capable of circumferential rotation. The first end of the main shaft serves as an output end and is used to connect to the valve, while the second end of the main shaft serves as an input end and is used to connect to the handwheel.

[0006] A drive mechanism is installed inside the housing. The drive mechanism includes a piston assembly, a guide rail, and a cylinder. The cylinder is mounted on the main shaft and can rotate circumferentially with the main shaft. Multiple piston chambers are arranged circumferentially on the side wall of the cylinder. The piston assembly is slidably mounted in the piston chamber and the sliding direction is perpendicular to the axis of the main shaft. The guide rail is installed inside the housing and the guide surface of the guide rail abuts against the end of the piston assembly. The guide surface of the guide rail forms a continuous curved surface in the circumferential direction of the main shaft.

[0007] This drive mechanism has a compact structure and reasonable layout, which can achieve smooth and continuous torque output, effectively reduce radial dimensions, and is suitable for space-constrained occasions.

[0008] Preferably, the guide rail has an inner curve structure. The inner curve structure design can further amplify the torque.

[0009] Preferably, the number of drive mechanisms is multiple and arranged along the axial direction of the main shaft. One group of drive mechanisms is located on the same radial plane, and multiple cylinders are sleeved and mounted on the main shaft, with piston chambers on the same axial plane that are interconnected. This design of multiple drive mechanisms allows the actuator to provide greater torque output capability while maintaining the compactness of the overall structure and smooth operation.

[0010] Preferably, the piston assembly includes a piston body and a rotating component mounted on the end of the piston body. The piston body is slidably mounted within the piston cavity, ensuring that the end of the rotating component always rolls against the guide surface of the guide rail. The structure of the rotating component allows the piston assembly to maintain a stable contact state during movement, avoiding energy loss due to uneven friction.

[0011] Preferably, the rotating component includes a base and balls mounted on the base. The balls roll and rub against the guide surface of the guide rail. The base has a connecting part that is detachably connected to the piston body. This detachable connection structure facilitates maintenance and replacement.

[0012] Preferably, the main shaft has two mounting surfaces, each with a faceplate fitted onto it. The cylinder body is located between the two faceplates and fixed to the main shaft via the faceplates. This design ensures a stable connection between the cylinder body and the main shaft while facilitating assembly and disassembly.

[0013] Preferably, the disc near the valve plate is provided with air holes, and the piston chamber communicates with the air supply or exhaust port of the valve plate through the air holes. The air holes on the disc further ensure the unobstructed gas passage and response speed.

[0014] Preferably, the housing includes an upper cover, a lower cover, and a cylindrical body. The upper cover and the lower cover are respectively installed on the upper and lower end faces of the cylindrical body. Bolts pass through the upper cover, the guide rail, and the lower cover in sequence to fix the guide rail inside the housing. This structure enhances the stability of the guide rail during operation and avoids positional displacement caused by vibration or external forces.

[0015] Compared with related technologies, this utility model has the following advantages: 1. Large and stable continuous output torque: This utility model uses a guide rail with an inner curve structure and a corresponding drive mechanism. The end of the compressed air-driven piston assembly always maintains rolling contact with the guide rail and moves along the guide rail in a curved motion. This "inner curve" structure is evenly distributed on the circumference and acts continuously, resulting in small torque output fluctuations and no dead zones, making it particularly suitable for applications requiring large torque and stable operation. Attached Figure Description

[0016] Figure 1This is a perspective view of the present invention;

[0017] Figure 2 This is a front sectional view of the present invention;

[0018] Figure 3 This is a three-dimensional cross-sectional view of the present invention;

[0019] Figure 4 This is a structural diagram of the internal structure of this utility model;

[0020] Figure 5 This is a structural diagram of the main shaft in this utility model;

[0021] Figure 6 This is a structural diagram of the flower plate in this utility model;

[0022] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the rotating component of this utility model.

[0023] In the diagram: 1. Housing; 101. Air vent assembly; 102. Upper cover; 103. Lower cover; 2. Main shaft; 201. Mounting surface; 3. Air distribution plate; 4. Guide rail; 5. Rotating component; 5a. Seat; 5b. Ball bearing; 5c. Connecting part; 7. Cylinder body; 7a. Piston chamber; 8. Dial plate; 801. Air vent; 802. Bolt hole; 9. Piston body; 10. Handwheel. Detailed Implementation

[0024] First, those skilled in the art should understand that these embodiments are merely used to explain the technical principles of the embodiments of this application and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of the embodiments of this application. Those skilled in the art can make adjustments as needed to adapt to specific application scenarios.

[0025] The present invention will now be described in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0026] like Figures 1-7As shown, an internal curve pneumatic actuator for a valve includes: a housing 1 with an air inlet and outlet assembly 101; a main shaft 2, mounted inside the housing 1 and capable of circumferential rotation, the first end of the main shaft 2 serving as an output end for connection to the valve, and the second end of the main shaft 2 serving as an input end for connection to a handwheel 10; and a drive mechanism, mounted inside the housing 1, the drive mechanism including a piston assembly, a guide rail 4, and a cylinder 7, the cylinder 7 being mounted on the main shaft 2 and capable of circumferential rotation with the main shaft 2. The cylinder 7 is rotated, and a plurality of piston chambers 7a are provided in the circumferential direction. The piston assembly is installed in the piston chamber 7a. The guide rail 4 is installed in the housing 1, and the guide surface of the guide rail 4 abuts against the end of the piston assembly. The guide surface of the guide rail 4 forms a continuous curved surface in the circumferential direction of the main shaft 2. The air distribution plate 3 is installed in the housing 1. The air distribution plate 3 is used to supply air and exhaust air to the drive mechanism so that the end of the piston assembly always abuts against the guide surface of the guide rail 4 and achieves rolling friction.

[0027] This embodiment provides an internal curve pneumatic actuator specifically designed for valve control, comprising: a robust housing with a set of air inlets and outlets for ensuring smooth airflow; a main shaft mounted inside the housing, capable of smooth circumferential rotation, with one end serving as a power output for direct connection to various valves to transmit torque, and the other end serving as a manual operation input for connection to a handwheel; and a drive mechanism, the core component, also housed inside the housing, including a piston assembly, guide rails, and a cylinder, wherein the cylinder is fixedly mounted on the main shaft and rotates circumferentially with it. The actuator features a cylinder with multiple piston chambers evenly distributed along its circumference, each housing a piston assembly capable of reciprocating radially along the main shaft. A guide rail is fixedly mounted within the housing or fitted to its inner wall; its smooth surface, contacting the piston assembly, ensures tight contact and rolling friction with the piston assembly end. A distribution plate, a key component for air circuit control, is also located within the housing, supplying air to the drive mechanism and performing exhaust operations. This ensures stable contact between the piston assembly end and the guide rail's guide surface under all operating conditions. Optimized rolling friction design significantly reduces wear and improves overall transmission efficiency. This drive mechanism is compact and rationally laid out, achieving smooth and continuous torque output while significantly reducing the overall radial dimension of the actuator, making it ideal for industrial applications with limited installation space.

[0028] Further, see Figure 4 The guide rail 4 has an inner curve structure.

[0029] In this embodiment, the guide rail design with an inner curve structure further optimizes torque output. The curved trajectory allows the piston assembly end to generate a varying lever arm length as it moves along the guide rail, thus achieving smooth torque output. This design not only effectively eliminates the torque fluctuation problem present in traditional actuators but also provides additional torque gain within a specific angular range, making it particularly suitable for valve control scenarios requiring overcoming large starting torques. Simultaneously, the guide rail with an inner curve structure improves the piston's motion characteristics, making its acceleration changes more gradual, reducing mechanical shock and vibration, and enhancing the overall operational smoothness of the actuator.

[0030] Furthermore, the number of drive mechanisms is multiple, and these drive mechanisms are arranged sequentially along the axial direction of the main shaft, with each group of drive mechanisms located in the same radial plane. Multiple cylinders 7 are sleeved and mounted on the main shaft, and the piston chambers 7a located in the same axial plane are interconnected.

[0031] In this embodiment, the arrangement of multiple drive mechanisms significantly enhances the actuator's torque output capability while maintaining the overall structural compactness and operational stability. By mounting multiple cylinders on the main shaft and interconnecting the piston chambers within the same axial plane, uniform airflow distribution and effective pressure transmission can be achieved. This design not only improves the actuator's working efficiency but also ensures stable performance under high load conditions. Furthermore, the coordinated operation of multiple drive mechanisms can distribute the stress on individual components, extending the equipment's service life and reducing maintenance frequency. In another embodiment, multiple drive mechanisms are arranged along the axial direction of the main shaft, with multiple cylinders along the axial direction and only one guide rail, the guide surface of which is at a height sufficient to allow piston assemblies of different heights to achieve rolling friction.

[0032] Furthermore, the piston assembly includes a piston body 9 and a rotating component 5 fixedly mounted on the piston body 9. The piston body 9 is slidably mounted inside the piston cavity 7a, and its mating structure with the piston cavity 7a ensures stable guiding performance of the piston body 9 during movement. Meanwhile, the end of the rotating component 5 is designed to continuously contact the external guide rail 4 to achieve rolling friction.

[0033] In this embodiment, the rotating component effectively reduces frictional resistance when in contact with the guide rail, while ensuring smooth movement. Furthermore, the piston body is slidably mounted within the piston cavity, ensuring that the end of the rotating component maintains reliable contact with the guide rail at all times, guaranteeing the continuity and precision of power transmission.

[0034] Further, see Figure 7The rotating component 5 includes a seat 5a and a ball bearing 5b installed in the seat 5a. The ball bearing 5b rolls and rubs against the guide surface of the guide rail 4. The seat 5a is provided with a connecting part 5c, which is detachably connected to the piston body.

[0035] In this embodiment, the rotating component includes a base with ball bearings installed inside, creating rolling friction between the ball bearings and the guide rail. This design significantly reduces frictional resistance and improves transmission efficiency. Simultaneously, the base is equipped with a connecting part featuring a threaded structure. This connecting part is detachably threaded to the piston body, facilitating quick replacement and repair during routine maintenance or in case of damage. This approach not only extends the equipment's lifespan but also reduces downtime caused by component wear, further enhancing the actuator's reliability and ease of operation. Furthermore, the rotating component can be a bullseye bearing.

[0036] Further, see Figure 4 , Figure 5 and Figure 6 The main shaft 2 is provided with mounting surfaces 201, and there are two mounting surfaces 201. The two mounting surfaces 201 are respectively attached to the flower discs 8. The cylinder body 7 is located between the two flower discs 8 and is fixed to the main shaft 2 through the two flower discs 8. Specifically, the bolt passes through the bolt hole 802 on the flower disc 8 and the cylinder body 7 to fix the cylinder body 7 to the main shaft 2.

[0037] In this embodiment, the design of fixing the cylinder body between the two discs significantly improves the connection rigidity between the cylinder body and the spindle, while ensuring that the cylinder body maintains a high degree of coaxiality with the spindle during operation. This structure not only simplifies the assembly process but also effectively reduces the problem of unstable power transmission caused by installation errors. In addition, the bolt fastening method further enhances the reliability of the overall structure, preventing loosening under high load or high frequency of use, thereby extending the service life of the equipment and ensuring its long-term operational accuracy and stability.

[0038] Further, see Figure 6 An air hole 801 is provided on the disc near the air distribution plate 3, and the piston chamber 7a is connected to the air supply hole or exhaust hole of the air distribution plate 3 through the air hole 801.

[0039] In this embodiment, the vent design on the disc significantly improves gas flow efficiency. Through the vents, the piston chamber can quickly connect with the air supply or exhaust port of the distribution plate, ensuring timely intake and exhaust of compressed air. This design not only accelerates the actuator's response speed but also reduces pressure loss caused by poor gas flow, thereby further improving the overall performance of the equipment.

[0040] Further, see Figure 3 The housing 1 includes an upper cover 102, a lower cover 103, and a cylindrical body. The upper cover and the lower cover are respectively installed on the upper end face and the lower end face of the cylindrical body. Bolts pass through the upper cover 102, the guide rail 4, and the lower cover 103 in sequence to fix the guide rail 4 inside the housing.

[0041] In this embodiment, the structure significantly enhances the stability of the guide rail during operation. By sequentially securing the upper cover, guide rail, and lower cover with bolts, the guide rail's positional misalignment caused by external vibration or impact can be effectively prevented. This design not only improves the installation accuracy of the guide rail but also ensures that it maintains a stable contact state throughout long-term use, thereby further optimizing the overall performance and reliability of the actuator.

[0042] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of this application, but the scope of protection of this application is not limited thereto. Any variations or substitutions that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed in this application should be included within the scope of protection of this application. Therefore, the scope of protection of this application should be determined by the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. An internal curve pneumatic actuator for valves, characterized in that, include: The housing is provided with a group of air vents for air intake and exhaust; The main shaft is installed inside the housing and is capable of circumferential rotation. The first end of the main shaft serves as an output end and is used to connect to the valve, while the second end of the main shaft serves as an input end and is used to connect to the handwheel. A drive mechanism is installed inside the housing. The drive mechanism includes a piston assembly, a guide rail, and a cylinder. The cylinder is mounted on the main shaft and can rotate circumferentially with the main shaft. Multiple piston chambers are arranged circumferentially on the side wall of the cylinder. The piston assembly is slidably mounted in the piston chamber and the sliding direction is perpendicular to the axis of the main shaft. The guide rail is installed inside the housing and the guide surface of the guide rail abuts against the end of the piston assembly. The guide surface of the guide rail forms a continuous curved surface in the circumferential direction of the main shaft. An air distribution plate is installed inside the housing. The air distribution plate is used to supply air and exhaust air to the drive mechanism so that the end of the piston assembly always abuts against the guide surface of the guide rail and drives the main shaft to rotate.

2. The internal curve pneumatic actuator for a valve according to claim 1, characterized in that, The guide rail has an inner curve structure.

3. The internal curve pneumatic actuator for a valve according to claim 1, characterized in that, The number of drive mechanisms is multiple and arranged along the axial direction of the main shaft. One group of drive mechanisms is located on the same radial plane, and multiple cylinders are sleeved and installed on the main shaft. The piston chambers are interconnected and located on the same axial plane.

4. The internal curve pneumatic actuator for a valve according to claim 1, characterized in that, The piston assembly includes a piston body and a rotating component mounted on the end of the piston body. The piston body is slidably mounted in the piston cavity, and the end of the rotating component is always rolling and rubbing against the guide surface of the guide rail.

5. The internal curve pneumatic actuator for a valve according to claim 4, characterized in that, The rotating component includes a base and balls mounted on the base. The balls roll and rub against the guide surface of the guide rail. The base is provided with a connecting part, which is detachably connected to the piston body.

6. The internal curve pneumatic actuator for a valve according to claim 1, characterized in that, The main shaft is provided with two mounting surfaces, and each mounting surface is fitted with a flower disc. The cylinder body is located between the two flower discs and is fixed to the main shaft by the two flower discs.

7. A pneumatic actuator for an internal curve valve according to claim 6, characterized in that, The disc near the valve plate is provided with air holes, and the piston chamber is connected to the air supply hole or exhaust hole of the valve plate through the air holes.

8. The internal curve pneumatic actuator for a valve according to claim 1, characterized in that, The housing includes an upper cover, a lower cover, and a cylindrical body. The upper cover and the lower cover are respectively installed on the upper end face and the lower end face of the cylindrical body. Bolts pass through the upper cover, the guide rail, and the lower cover in sequence to fix the guide rail inside the housing.

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