Diaphragm valve housing and method for manufacturing a diaphragm valve housing

Abstract

Diaphragm valve housing, with at least two axially extending fluid channels (10, 12) which are aligned with and converge towards each other, a partition (38) between the fluid channels (10, 12) which has a free end towards a valve chamber (32) and with its free end forms a valve seat (26) which lies between adjacent openings (28, 30) of the fluid channels (10, 12), wherein the fluid channels (10, 12) each have a cylindrical axial section (34, 36) and a channel end section (40, 42) adjoining the axial section (36) and extending laterally and obliquely towards each other, towards the valve chamber (32) relative to the axial direction (A) of the axial sections (34, 36), which are separated by the partition (38), characterized in that the partition (38), viewed in axial longitudinal section, has a axial direction (A) flatter inclined section (44, 46) near the valve seat (26) and an adjoining,has a steeper section (48, 50, 82, 84), wherein the inclined section (44, 46) and the steeper section (48, 50, 82, 84) are formed in longitudinal section view by a straight section, wherein the inclined section (44, 46) transitions at its lateral ends, perpendicular to the axial direction (A) and viewed in plan view of the valve seat (26), into arcuate sections (52, 54), and wherein the arcuate sections (52, 54) transition into the steeper sections (48, 50) towards the axial section (34, 36).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a diaphragm valve housing with at least two axially extending fluid channels that are aligned with and converge towards each other, and a partition between the fluid channels which has one free end facing a valve chamber and forms a valve seat with its other free end. The valve seat is located between adjacent openings of the fluid channels, and each fluid channel has a cylindrical, preferably circular, axial section and an adjoining channel end section that extends laterally and obliquely towards each other relative to the axial direction of the fluid channels and is separated by the partition. The invention further relates to a method for manufacturing a diaphragm valve housing.

[0002] Diaphragm valve bodies have inlet and outlet connections that lead into fluid channels. These two aligned fluid channels, sharing a common axial axis, are typically defined by pipe sections. Shortly before the partition, the channels bend laterally and converge to open into the common valve chamber. This chamber is then closed by a diaphragm against the valve body. The diaphragm is clamped between the valve body and an actuator housing flanged to it. The actuator housing contains actuators with plungers and / or pistons that press the diaphragm against the valve seat or allow it to be lifted from the valve seat, thus connecting or separating the channels.

[0003] Manufacturing valve housings with angled channel end sections is complex. Various methods exist for producing these channel end sections, for example, by manufacturing them step-by-step using a process called line milling. The surface is correspondingly rough and is then polished, sometimes necessarily by hand, as access for machine operation is sometimes limited. A diaphragm valve housing of this type is known from DE 102 23 824 B4. In this diaphragm valve housing, the continuously rounded transition between the axial sections and the angled channel end section is particularly expensive to manufacture.

[0004] US Patent 5,377,956 A discloses a diaphragm valve housing with two axially extending, cylindrical fluid channels. The fluid channels are separated from each other by a valve seat. The diaphragm valve housing also has two threaded sections into which a connector can be screwed.

[0005] US Patent 2,056,113 A describes a diaphragm valve housing with a valve seat formed on a partition wall, the partition wall having a curved, angled section on each side of the valve seat when viewed in longitudinal section. Threaded sections are formed adjacent to the angled sections, into which a connecting piece can be screwed.

[0006] DE 883 372 B discloses a diaphragm valve with a valve body having a bore with a partition extending transversely to it, which forms a bearing surface for a diaphragm.

[0007] US Patent 7,527,241 B2 describes a diaphragm valve comprising a valve body with an inlet sleeve and an outlet sleeve that converge to form a fluid flow chamber. The fluid flow chamber contains a valve seat and is divided into two parts, one of which forms the valve body and the other is a cap that seals onto the valve body.

[0008] BE 526 360 A discloses a valve with a diaphragm valve body that has two fluid channels aligned with each other.

[0009] The object of the invention is to provide a diaphragm valve housing that can be manufactured more cost-effectively, as well as a method for manufacturing such a diaphragm valve housing.

[0010] In a diaphragm valve housing of the type mentioned above, this is achieved by the partition, viewed in axial longitudinal section, having a sloping section closer to the valve seat and a subsequent steeper section to define the fluid channels. The sloping section and the steeper section are formed by a straight section in longitudinal section. At its lateral ends, perpendicular to the axial direction and viewed from above the valve seat, the sloping section transitions into arcuate sections. These arcuate sections then transition into the steeper sections towards the axial section. These arcuate sections are the lateral, opposite ends of the partition.

[0011] While in the prior art the entire end section of the channel, viewed in longitudinal section, always transitions smoothly and linearly into the axial section at a large radius, the invention provides a contrasting solution. According to the invention, the end section of the channel is not straight and uniformly inclined. Instead, it features sections with varying inclinations. Closer to the opening, an inclined section is provided that is less steeply inclined relative to the axial direction than a subsequent section that is inclined more steeply. This creates a kind of "step" or cross-sectional enlargement in the end section of the channel, viewed from the opening of the respective channels. This non-continuous wall profile results in turbulence for the fluid coming from the opening.These turbulences, however, are not disruptive, as tests have shown, but rather beneficial with regard to particle deposits at the transition between the end channel section and the axial section. The turbulence stirs up deposits, causing them to be carried along in the flow. The steeper section reduces the complexity of manufacturing the curved section and can be produced by machine, for example, by axial sections extending deep into the housing, which can be easily produced by turning, drilling, or milling. Another manufacturing option is to produce this steeper section section by section by milling from the outlet, simply by setting the milling cutter at a steeper angle relative to the axial direction.The diaphragm valve housing can thus be manufactured on a larger scale using automated processes; polishing is only necessary on very small areas, significantly reducing overall manufacturing costs. Alternatively, instead of milling, a different material removal method can be used, such as electrochemical machining (ECM). The invention allows for very simple electrode movements, and here too, little or no post-polishing work is required.

[0012] By forming the inclined and steep sections in longitudinal section view with a straight section, i.e., a linear path, the manufacturing process is greatly simplified. The milling cutter does not need to trace the housing in rows and change its angle between rows for this section. Instead, the cutter can machine this part of the channel end section, or more precisely, this section of the wall of the channel end section, along a curve, preferably by gear hobbing.

[0013] It is particularly easy if the inclined section is designed as a plane and thus a surface inclined to the axial axis.

[0014] The steeper section can, for example, be designed as a cylindrical surface or as a flat surface; in both cases, the manufacturing process is relatively simple compared to the state of the art.

[0015] The steeper section can run radially to the axial direction, so that the production of this steeper section is simply created during milling or preferably turning of the axial sections and no extra work step is required for this.

[0016] Preferably, the steeper section should form the transition to the adjacent axial section of the fluid channel, so that preferably only two or at most three differently inclined sections (seen in longitudinal section) form the inclined channel end section.

[0017] Since the axial section of the fluid channels preferably has a circular cylindrical shape, a lateral transition between the inclined section and the remaining wall area, which defines the channel end section, is usually provided in radial view, i.e., in top view of the valve seat.

[0018] Furthermore, the housing should have a lateral ring flange molded on it for attaching the diaphragm, with the valve seat connecting opposite sections of the ring flange, i.e. running transversely to the adjacent valve chamber.

[0019] The fluid channels, viewed from above on the ring flange, have, for example, a semicircular opening cross-section.

[0020] The invention further relates to a method for manufacturing a diaphragm valve housing according to the invention. The method according to the invention provides that the inclined sections are produced in a valve housing blank by material removal, in particular by milling, and that the axial sections are produced before or after the production of the inclined sections. The material removal is carried out from one side of the blank, in particular from an integrally formed lateral annular flange.

[0021] The valve housing blank according to the invention can be manufactured in various ways. For example, the housing is produced from pipe sections by forming and then machined by material removal, for example, by cutting. For more demanding applications, the blank can also be a forged stainless steel blank or a cast blank. When manufactured from a pipe section, the axial sections are preferably already formed, or the inner wall can be machined afterwards. The axial sections do not necessarily have to be cut into the solid material by machining alone. When manufactured using pipe sections, the partition wall can be produced by laterally pressing the pipe wall before machining.However, the inventive method offers such great potential for savings that the blank can also be a solid block or cuboid from which the housing is machined "from a solid piece". Such a method still offers cost advantages compared to previous methods.

[0022] One aspect of the invention provides that the axial sections are produced first, followed by the inclined sections. When milling the inclined sections, the cutter is inserted to such a depth that the channel end sections are already connected to the axial sections. This means that the so-called offset milling can potentially be completely eliminated, or at least minimized.

[0023] After creating the inclined section, the steeper section(s) should be removed or milled away, or the steeper section can be rotated during the creation of the axial sections. In this case, the end face resulting from the rotation forms the steeper section, which thus runs radially to the axial direction of the axial section of the corresponding channel. This radial surface can also be chamfered in the transition area to the inclined section.

[0024] As previously explained, the transition between the channel end sections and the axial section can optionally be polished. This transition can also have a small radius. The radius itself does not necessarily have to be produced by grinding; rather, it is possible to use a milling cutter with a spherical tip, with which the radius is then created during milling.

[0025] Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description and from the following drawings, to which reference is made. The drawings show: - Fig. 1 a top view of a valve housing blank from which the diaphragm valve housing according to the invention is manufactured, - Fig. 2 a perspective view of the valve housing blank after Fig. 1, - Fig. 3 a longitudinal section view through the valve housing blank after Fig. 1, - Fig. 4. the valve housing blank Fig. 1 when milling fluid channels in perspective view, - Fig. 5 Another perspective view of the valve housing blank during milling, - Fig. 6 a top view of a first embodiment of the diaphragm valve housing according to the invention, - Fig. 7 a longitudinal section view through the diaphragm valve housing Fig. 6, - Fig. 8 a longitudinal sectional view through a second embodiment of a diaphragm valve housing according to the invention, - Fig. 9 a top view of the diaphragm valve housing according to Fig. 8, and - Fig. 10 a radial section view through the diaphragm valve housing along line XX in Fig. 9.

[0026] In the Fig. 6 and Fig. Figure 7 shows a first embodiment of a diaphragm valve housing, which is made from a one-piece valve housing blank, for example as described in the Fig. The production process is shown in 1 to 3.

[0027] The diaphragm valve housing has two axially extending fluid channels 10, 12 along a common central axis A, extending towards each other and aligned accordingly. These fluid channels 10, 12 extend partially into the nozzle-like, tubular ends 14, 16, at which the diaphragm valve housing is connected to fluid lines.

[0028] In addition to the nozzle-shaped ends 14, 16, the diaphragm valve housing has a lateral annular flange 18 formed on it, which is preferably flat, extends parallel to the central axis A and against which a diaphragm 20 is pressed (see Fig. 7).

[0029] The diaphragm 20 is pressed between the diaphragm valve housing and an actuator housing 22, in which a pressure piece 24, axially movable by an actuator, is radially mounted. The actuator for the pressure piece 24 can be a magnetic, hydraulic, pneumatic, or other type of actuator. The pressure piece 24 rests against the rear of the diaphragm 20 and can press it against a valve seat 26 in the diaphragm valve housing to separate the two fluid channels 10 and 12 from each other.

[0030] The fluid channels 10 and 12 each have an outlet opening 28 and 30, respectively, in the region of the ring flange 18, through which the fluid channels 10 and 12 open into a common valve chamber 32, which is formed above the valve seat 26 when the diaphragm 20 is lifted. The fluid channels 10 and 12 are optionally interconnected via the valve chamber 32.

[0031] The fluid channels 10, 12 therefore have, with reference to Fig. 7, each a circular cylindrical axial section 34 or 36, wherein this section is the section of the fluid channels 10, 12 in which these run axially and are aligned with each other. The two axial sections 34, 36 terminate at a partition 38, which is an integral part of the valve housing. The partition 38 then defines, section by section, the channel end sections 40 and 42 that adjoin the axial sections 34, 36. These channel end sections form the transition from the axial sections 34, 36 to the outlet openings 28 and 30, respectively, and run obliquely towards each other and towards the valve chamber 32 in the axial direction. The respective channel end sections 40, 42 are thus bounded section by section by the partition wall 38 and otherwise by side walls, which are partly formed in the stub-shaped ends 14, 16 and partly at the ring flange 18.

[0032] In Fig. Figure 6 shows that the openings 28, 30 are kidney-shaped or, in the broadest sense, semicircular or segment-shaped, and that the two flat sides face each other. The valve seat 26 extends between the flat sides of the two kidney-shaped openings 28, 30, forming the upper surface of the web-like partition 38 facing the valve chamber 32. This valve seat 26 lies slightly lower than the upper surface of the annular flange 18 and can also have a slight arc shape when viewed axially, that is, it extends from the flange surface towards its center below the plane of the annular flange 18 and then rises again towards the plane of the annular flange 18.

[0033] The partition wall 38, with its free end towards the valve chamber 32, forms the valve seat, so to speak.

[0034] In Fig. Figure 7 shows that the partition 38 has several sections to delimit the two fluid channels 10, 12. Starting from the valve seat 26, the partition 38 forms a sloping section 44, 46 close to the valve seat 26, which is shallower in the axial direction, i.e., towards the central axis A, and a subsequent steeper section 48, 50. The shallower sloping sections 44, 46 give the partition 38 a trapezoidal shape in this area (see Figure 7). Fig. 7).

[0035] In the embodiment according to the Fig. 6 and Fig. 7. The shallower inclined sections 44, 46 are each formed by a flat surface, which is also in Fig. 6 can be seen. However, this should not be understood as a limitation.

[0036] In this embodiment, the steeper sections 48, 50 are designed as surfaces that run perpendicular to the plane of the ring flange 18, and section by section, preferably in the area where they adjoin the inclined sections 44, 46, as planar radial surfaces, that is, as surface sections that lie perpendicular to the central axis A.

[0037] In Fig. Figure 7 shows that the steep sections 48, 50 then transition into the respective cylinder wall in a small radius, which limits the axial sections 34, 36.

[0038] The shallow inclined sections 44, 46 end on both lateral directions, see Fig. 6, in arc-shaped sections 52, 54.

[0039] Viewed from the valve seat 26 along the inclined sections 44, 46, the kink between the inclined sections 44, 46 and the steeper sections 48, 50 results in an undercut which bears the reference numerals 56, 58.

[0040] If fluid flows from fluid channel 10 into fluid channel 12, turbulence forms in the undercut 58, which would carry away any particles possibly carried in the fluid from the undercut 58.

[0041] The inclined sections 44, 46 and, in the present embodiment, also the steep sections 48, 50 are each formed by straight sections in longitudinal section view.

[0042] In the illustrated embodiment, the arc-shaped sections 52, 54 transition into the steep section 48, 50, specifically into a top view (see Fig. 6) cylindrical segment-shaped section 60 of the steeper section 48, 50 above.

[0043] The method for manufacturing the diaphragm valve housing according to the Fig. 6 and Fig. 7 will be discussed below using the following examples: Fig. 1 to 5 explained. The blank already forms recesses 62, 64 as well as a base for the partition wall.

[0044] Preferably, the stub-shaped ends 14, 16 are first machined externally and internally, preferably by turning, so that the two cylindrical axial sections 34, 36 are produced first. During this turning, the workpiece is cut so deeply that the end face of the resulting opening already forms the steeper section 48, 50.

[0045] Subsequently, the channel end sections 40 and 42 are produced by milling, as shown in the Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 can be seen. The milling cutter bears the reference number 70.

[0046] The milling cutter 70 is positioned at an angle to the plane of the ring flange 18 and, in this embodiment, does not need to produce the corresponding opening by cam milling, but preferably entirely by means of gear hobbing. The preferably flat inclined sections 44, 46, in particular, can be produced very quickly.

[0047] Finger milling cutters with a cylindrical outer contour can be used here, although a slightly conical outer contour is also possible. The cutter tip can optionally also have a spherical shape.

[0048] As in Fig. As can be seen in Figure 5, the arc-shaped sections 52, 54 are very simply determined by the outer shape of the cutter (turning point of the cutter movement), which here is simply moved along a linear path to form the inclined section, and then along an arc to produce the curved section of the kidney-shaped opening 28, 30 and the corresponding wall section. Fig. 5 is only a part of the corresponding channel end section 40 that is outlined with a thick line, whereas the channel end section 42 has already been milled.

[0049] The surface can then optionally be sanded, although in the embodiment shown this can only be done by machine.

[0050] The embodiment according to the Fig. Sections 8 to 10 correspond to the previous embodiment except for the design of the steeper section 48, 50, so only the differences need to be discussed below. The corresponding sections, parts, or surfaces retain their reference numerals; full reference can be made to the previous description.

[0051] In the embodiment according to the Fig. 8 to 10, the respective steeper section 48, 50 is identical in its basic form to the embodiment according to the Fig. 6 and Fig. 7, however, the edge is 80 (see Fig. 8, arrow with reference numeral 80) in the area of ​​the transition from the inclined section 44, 46 to the section 48, 50 running perpendicular to the plane of the ring flange 18, is milled section by section, i.e. chamfered. In Fig. Figure 9 shows that the arc-shaped milling results in the steeper section receiving additional sections 82 and 84. These sections 82 and 84 are also oriented at a steeper angle to the central axis A than the corresponding inclined sections 44 and 46.

[0052] How Fig. As can also be seen from Figure 9, the milled, arc-shaped steep sections 82, 84 are only present in the area of ​​the flat areas of the inclined section 44, 46, i.e. following it, so that the arc-shaped sections 52, 54, as in the previous embodiment, transition directly into the arc-shaped recesses 60, 62 of the steeper sections running perpendicular to the plane of the ring flange 18.

[0053] The diaphragm valve housing is manufactured as in the previously described embodiment. The only difference is that at the end of the manufacturing process for producing the channel end sections 40, 42, the edge 80 on both channel end sections 40, 42 is milled off section by section by tilting the milling cutter.

[0054] It should be emphasized that, of course, the production of the cylindrical axial sections 34, 36 can also take place at the end of the production process in both embodiments, so that the channel end sections 40, 42 are produced at the beginning.

[0055] Furthermore, the diaphragm valve housing can also be manufactured from a cast blank or a forged stainless steel blank.

Claims

[1] Diaphragm valve housing, with at least two axially extending fluid channels (10, 12) which are aligned with each other and converge towards each other, a partition (38) between the fluid channels (10, 12) which has a free end towards a valve chamber (32) and with its free end forms a valve seat (26) which lies between adjacent openings (28, 30) of the fluid channels (10, 12), wherein the fluid channels (10, 12) each have a cylindrical axial section (34, 36) and a channel end section (40, 42) adjoining it, which extends laterally and obliquely towards each other, towards the valve chamber (32) with respect to the axial direction (A) of the axial sections (34, 36) and which are separated by the partition (38), characterized by, that the partition (38) viewed in axial longitudinal section has, for the purpose of limiting the fluid channels (10, 12), a sloping section (44, 46) that is shallower in the axial direction (A) and close to the valve seat (26), and a subsequent steeper section (48, 50, 82, 84), wherein the sloping section (44, 46) and the steeper section (48, 50, 82, 84) are formed in longitudinal section by a straight section, wherein the sloping section (44, 46) transitions at its lateral ends, transverse to the axial direction (A) and viewed in plan view of the valve seat (26), into arcuate sections (52, 54), and wherein the arcuate sections (52, 54) transition into the steeper sections (48, 50) towards the axial section (34, 36). [2] Diaphragm valve housing according to claim 1, characterized by , that the inclined section (44, 46) is a flat surface. [3] Diaphragm valve housing according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by, that the steeper section (48, 50, 82, 84) is at least partially a cylindrical surface and / or a planar surface. [4] Diaphragm valve housing according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the steeper section (48, 50) runs radially to the axial direction (A). [5] Diaphragm valve housing according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the steeper section (48, 50, 82, 84) forms the transition to the adjacent axial section (34, 36) of the fluid channel (10, 12). [6] Diaphragm valve housing according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the steeper section (48, 50, 82, 84) is composed of subsections with varying gradients. [7] Diaphragm valve housing according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by, that a lateral ring flange (18) for attaching a diaphragm is formed on the housing, wherein the valve seat (26) connects opposite sections of the ring flange (18) together. [8] Diaphragm valve housing according to claim 7, characterized by , that, viewed from above on the ring flange (18), the fluid channels have a semicircular opening (28, 30). [9] Method for manufacturing a diaphragm valve housing according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the inclined sections (44, 46) are produced in a valve housing blank by removing material and that the axial sections (34, 36) are produced before or after the production of the inclined sections (44, 46). [10] Method according to claim 9, characterized by , that the material removal originates from a lateral ring flange (18) molded onto the valve housing blank. [11] Method according to claim 9 or 10, characterized by, that first the axial sections (34, 36) are produced and then the inclined sections (44, 46), wherein when milling the inclined sections (44, 46) the milling cutter is fed in so deep that it connects the produced channel end sections (40, 42) with the axial sections (34, 36). [12] Method according to any one of claims 9 to 11, characterized by , that after generating the inclined sections (44, 46) partial surfaces of the steeper sections (82, 84) are removed, in particular milled and / or that at least partial surfaces of the steeper sections (48, 50) are rotated when generating the axial sections (34, 36). [13] Method according to any one of claims 9 to 12, characterized by , that at least the inclined sections (44, 46) are produced by gear hobbing.

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