VALVE, ESPECIALLY CHECK VALVE

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a valve according to the preamble of the first claim.

[0002] Check valves are a known technology and are widely used in production plants in the food processing, pharmaceutical, fine chemical, and biotechnology industries. These applications are characterized by stringent hygiene requirements. One objective is to prevent the formation of residues from product, product precursors, or cleaning agents within the valve.

[0003] One way a check valve works is to block flow in one direction and release flow in the opposite direction when a certain criterion is met. This criterion could be, for example, a spring element that exerts a force on a closing element, a force which must be overcome by the flowing medium.

[0004] For example, DE 10 2005 059 318 A1 presents a design for a check valve with reduced residue buildup. This design proposes providing the retaining element, in which a valve closing element is slidably mounted, with a means to prevent residue buildup. This means can be designed as a recess for draining fluid, which is, for example, located on the retaining element at a contact point of a return spring.

[0005] The scalability of a check valve to sizes with high throughput capacity while maintaining residue-free operation was not considered.

[0006] From EP 2 072 871 A2, a check valve is known with a valve chamber formed between an inlet and an outlet in a valve housing. A valve body is movable within the valve chamber so that it can be selectively brought into contact with or lifted from a valve seat. The valve seat comprises a first valve seat section and a second valve seat section, with which a first valve body section and a second valve body section, respectively, can be brought into contact. A first rod is arranged on a first side of the valve body, and a second rod is arranged on a second side opposite the first side.

[0007] Another check valve is known from US 2,301,276 A. A valve body is axially movably arranged in a valve chamber formed by two housing parts with first and second ports. A first rod is arranged on one side of the valve body and a second rod on the other side. A valve seat for the valve body and a bearing for the second rod are provided on a separate component located between the first and second housing parts.

[0008] Another valve is known from US 2,233,649 A, comprising a valve body with first and second valve stems arranged on opposite sides, on which anti-wear bushings made of a resistant elastic material, for example, rubber, are supported. The valve stems include annular grooves at their outer ends in which annular projections of the bushings are received in the assembled state.

[0009] The purpose of the invention was therefore to create a valve with a high throughput capacity that also meets high hygienic requirements.

[0010] This problem is solved by a valve having the features of the first claim. The dependent claims specify advantageous embodiments of the invention.

[0011] The valve is designed to include a closing element with a rod on each of its two opposite sides. Each rod is associated with a bearing sleeve in which it is movably mounted. Each bearing sleeve is part of a housing component. A seal is provided to seal a contact gap between two directly adjacent housing components against a cavity in the valve in which the closing element is located.

[0012] The presence of at least one seal and the one-piece design of the bearing sleeves on associated housing parts ensures a hygienic valve design that, thanks to two bearing points for the closing element, allows for large pipe diameters of 100 millimeters. The arrangement of the bearing points on two opposite sides of the closing element also results in a compact design, which further helps to prevent residue buildup in the valve.

[0013] These advantages are enhanced by the measures relating to dependent claims and supplemented with further advantages.

[0014] It is advantageous if the spring is supported on a support element instead of on the bearing sleeve. This reduces the area in which the spring contacts another component, making such an area susceptible to deposits.

[0015] An additional reduction of the area at risk of deposits is achieved if the spring has two ends arranged on opposite sides of the spring, each resting on a surface curved by the first and second.

[0016] Another improvement relates to limiting the opening movement of the closing element. Deposit formation is reduced and valve cleaning is significantly simplified if the first rod has a shoulder which, in the open position of the valve, is in contact with the first bearing sleeve, and if, in the open position, the rod's outer surface transitions smoothly into the bearing sleeve's outer surface.

[0017] The invention improves the hygienic properties by means of a first helical groove formed on the first rod and a second helical groove formed on the second rod. The helical grooves extend over a portion of the respective rod that engages in the bearing sleeve associated with that rod.

[0018] A constriction may be provided at the transition of the second rod into the closing element to reduce deposits.

[0019] A further improvement relates to the design of the spring. The formation of deposits on the spring is reduced by designing the spring as a coil spring and ensuring that, in every position of the locking element, the distance between each pair of coils corresponds to at least one wire diameter of the coil spring.

[0020] The valve is designed to be particularly compact with few interfaces between housing parts, as the invention states that the first connection is located on the first housing part and the second connection on the second housing part, and that the first and second housing parts are directly adjacent. Reducing the number of interfaces simultaneously reduces areas in the valve that are susceptible to contamination.

[0021] The aforementioned design is further improved by aligning the housing parts, and thus also the bearing sleeves, with a first centering surface on the first housing part and a second centering surface on the second housing part. These centering surfaces define the contact gap. The centering surfaces can be cylindrical around the axis of movement of the closing element or conical. This design allows the valve to be scaled to large closing element diameters while maintaining its excellent properties regarding cleanability and resistance to deposits.

[0022] The invention will be explained in more detail using an exemplary embodiment and its further developments, and the presentation of its effects and advantages will be explored in greater depth.

[0023] The only Fig. shows a longitudinal section through a valve in an open position.

[0024] The valve1 It has a housing, which is a first housing part. 2 and second housing part 3 includes. On the first housing part 2 is a first connection 4 planned, a second connection 5 is located on the second part of the housing 3.

[0025] Inside the valve 1 There is a cavity 6, one fluid connection from the first connection 4 to the second connection 5 creates.

[0026] Inside the cavity 6 is a locking element 7 arranged. This locking element 7 is designed and arranged in such a way that it is in sealing contact with a valve seat in a closed position 8, which is located on the second part of the housing 3 is located, can be brought. This sealing contact causes a separation of the fluid connection between the first connection. 4 and second connection 5and forms a closed position of the valve 1.

[0027] According to a further development, the sealing effect is achieved preferably by a sealing element. 7 arranged main seal 9 increased, whereby this main seal 9 in the closed position in direct, touching contact with the valve seat 8 stands.

[0028] The closed position of the locking element 7 is powered by the force of a compressed spring 10, preferably generated by a coil spring. This force is determined according to the requirements of the valve's application. 1 measured and depends on the pressure of the fluid, which is in the second connection 5 is located and opposes the force of the spring 10 directed force on the closing element 7 exerted. Exceeds the pressure resulting from the fluid pressure acting against the spring. 10 directed force, the force of the spring 10,does the locking element move 7 into an open position in which the spring 10 is more heavily compressed and the locking element 7 from the valve seat 8 has been lifted. Between first connection 4 and second connection 5 Is the fluid connection then through the cavity? 6 produced through it.

[0029] On one of the first connections 4 The closing element is located on the side facing the opposite side. 7 a first pole 11 up, which are made of spring gears 10 is surrounded. The first pole 11 is one piece with the locking element 7 executed or bonded to it. In these variants, the connection is designed in such a way that no gaps or similar points of entry for contamination occur.

[0030] The first pole 11 penetrates a first bearing sleeve 12 and is movable within this first bearing sleeve12 guided. The first bearing sleeve 12 is on the first housing part 2 trained. A first supporting element 13 is with the first bearing sleeve 12 on the one hand and the first housing part 2 on the other hand connected and preferably integral with the first housing part 2 and the first bearing sleeve 12 executed.

[0031] On a second side of the locking element 7, which is opposite the first side and the second connection 5 The locking element is facing the direction it has 7 a second pole 14. This is preferably one piece with the locking element 7 or made in a material-bonded manner with it, in order to avoid gaps or similar features as starting points for the adhesion of contaminants.

[0032] The second housing part 3 includes a second bearing sleeve 15, in which the second pole 14It is mounted in a sliding manner. A second support element 16 is with the second bearing sleeve 15 on the one hand and the second housing part 3 on the other hand, connected or advantageously one-piece with a second bearing sleeve 15 and second housing part 3 executed.

[0033] First pole 11 and first bearing sleeve 12 as well as second pole 14 and second bearing sleeve 15 form a double bearing and thus also guide the locking element. 7 inside the valve 1. The double bearing is also located on opposite sides of the locking element. 7. This is advantageous for large-scale valves. A disc-shaped closing element. 7It can be used. Thanks to the bearings arranged on opposite sides, this valve has a short design and reliable operation. The short design reduces the internal surface area of ​​the valve. 1 and thereby also reduces the deposition and formation of pollution.

[0034] The valve housing 1 It can be composed of several housing parts, of which two are directly adjacent to each other. In the example shown, the housing advantageously comprises only the first and second housing parts. 2 and 3. Where two adjacent housing parts touch, a contact gap always remains. 17. This will be made as tight as technically possible, but there remains a risk of fluid ingress. This ingress will be prevented by a seal. 18 prevented, which the contact gap 17 between the first and second housing parts 2 and 3seals.

[0035] The spring 10 on one hand it is supported by the locking element 7 and on the other hand, on the housing side. The exemplary embodiment shows the advantageous solution that the spring 10 housing side on the first support element 13 supports. This supports, on the one hand, the first bearing sleeve. 12 and, on the other hand, is permeable and / or permeable to fluid. It therefore does not extend over the entire circumference of the first bearing sleeve. 12. The spring 10 It therefore does not sit across its entire circumference. This significantly reduces its susceptibility to deposits and contamination.

[0036] Resistance to contamination is increased in the area of ​​the spring. 10 additionally enhanced by the following design feature.

[0037] A bearing sleeve surface 19 the first bearing sleeve 12enters a surface of the first supporting element 13 about. Together they form a first curved surface. 20 shaped. One of the first bearing sleeves sits on this. 12 end of the spring facing the spring 10 The curvature is in a section plane that defines a longitudinal axis. L It is formed as a continuous, step-free and kink-free curve with increasing distance to the longitudinal axis L.

[0038] A rod's outer surface 21 the first pole 11 goes into one of the first connection 4 facing surface of the locking element 7 above and together in the transition area form a second curved surface 22 shaped. On this sits a locking element. 7 end of the spring facing the spring 10The curvature is formed in a section plane that includes the longitudinal axis L as a continuous, step-free and kink-free curve with increasing distance to the longitudinal axis L.

[0039] In addition to the beneficial effect of resistance to soiling, the first curved surface 20 and second curved surface 22 a centering of the spring in relation to the locking element 7 and first bearing sleeve 12.

[0040] The first pole 11 has a paragraph 23 open. This is in an open position of the valve. 1 with the first bearing sleeve 12 in touching contact. This contact is such that the movement of the locking element along the longitudinal axis L of the valve 1 is limited. First pole 11 and first bearing sleeve 12 are designed so that in the open position of the valve 1 the outer surface of the rod21 smooth, especially stepless, into the outer surface of the bearing sleeve 19 This reduces the formation of adhesions and deposits and increases cleanability.

[0041] The poles 11 and 14 are in the bearing sleeves 12 and 15 with narrow gaps to ensure safe guidance of the rod movement 11 and 14 in the bearing sleeves 12 and 15 and alignment of the locking element 7, especially in relation to the valve seat 8, to ensure that no dirt forms or becomes trapped in these narrow gaps, the first pole 11 a first helical groove 24 and the second pole 14 a second helical groove 25 on, which grooves 24 and 25 in the direction of the longitudinal axis L each via one into the assigned bearing sleeve 12 and15 immersing part of the rod 11 and 14 extend.

[0042] Another measure against the deposition of pollutants is a constriction. 26, the second pole 14 at a transition into the closing element 7. This constriction 26 preferably has a cross-sectional plane that defines the longitudinal axis L includes a cross-section shaped as a circular segment with a radius of at least 3 mm.

[0043] The spring designed as a coil spring 10 is dimensioned so that in every position of the locking element 7 a distance A between each two turns of the coil spring, at least one wire thickness D This corresponds to the coil spring. This results in a reduction of adhesion and deposits on the spring 10 and improves its hygienic properties.

[0044] Scalability towards larger sizes with wide-diameter connections 4 and 5 with a comparatively short distance between the bearing sleeves 12 and 15 in the direction of the longitudinal axis L their relationship is improved by modifying the first part of the housing. 2 a first centering surface 27 and on the second housing part 4 a second centering surface 28 and first and second centering surfaces 27 and 28 the contact gap 17 are formed as limiting surfaces. The centering surfaces 27 and 28 This results in a highly accurate alignment of the second housing part. 3 on the first housing part 2 and thus also the bearing sleeves 12 and 15 to each other. A clamping element 29 fixes the housing parts 2 and 3 by frictional engagement. A comparatively short distance between the bearing sleeves. 12 and 15is given when this distance is approximately a diameter W of the locking element 7 perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L corresponds.

[0045] The second bearing sleeve 15 and the second supporting element 16 are in the second part of the housing 3 arranged that in the closed state of the valve 1, when the locking element 7 and the valve seat 8 in tight contact with each other, a free space between the second bearing sleeve 15 and second support element 16 on the one hand and locking element 7 On the other hand, there is a space. This clearance is dimensioned to ensure cleanability and is preferably at least 3 mm.

[0046] The cleanability and resistance to deposits of the presented embodiment is further increased by adding a layer to each bearing sleeve. 12 and 15end of the rod associated with this bearing sleeve facing this bearing sleeve 11 and 14 is rounded, for example with a radius of more than 4 mm. Reference symbol list

[0047] 1 Valve 2 First housing part 3 Second housing part 4 First connection 5 Second connection 6 Cavity 7 Closing element 8 Valve seat 9 Main seal 10 Spring 11 First rod 12 First bearing sleeve 13 First support element 14 Second rod 15 Second bearing sleeve 16 Second support element 17 Contact gap 18 Seal 19 Bearing sleeve outer surface 20 First curved surface 21 Rod outer surface 22 Second curved surface 23 Shoulder 24 First helical groove 25 Second helical groove 26 Reduction 27 First centering surface 28 Second centering surface 29 Clamping element Longitudinal axis A Distance D Wire thickness W Diameter Locking element

Claims

1. A valve (1), particularly a non-return valve, having a housing, a first port (4), a second port (5), a closing element (7), which is arranged in a cavity (6) connecting the first port (4) to the second port (5), and which can be brought into sealing contact with a valve seat (8) for closing the valve (1), and having a spring (10) which is arranged to apply a force on the closing element (7) for closing the valve (1), and having a first rod (11) which is arranged on a first side of the closing element (7) and is accommodated in a first bearing bushing (12), wherein the closing element has a second rod (14) which is arranged on a second side of the closing element (7) opposite the first side, and the second rod (14) is accommodated in a second bearing bushing (15) and the first bearing bushing (12) is formed in a first housing part (2) and the second bearing bushing (15) is formed on a second housing part (3), wherein the first port (4) is formed on the first housing part (2) and the second port (5) is formed on the second housing part (3) and the first and second housing parts (2, 3) are designed directly adjacent to one another, wherein a seal (18), which seals off a contact gap (17) between the two directly adjacent housing parts (2, 3) relative to the cavity (6), is provided, characterized in that the first rod (11) has a first spiral groove (24) and the second rod (14) has a second spiral groove (25) which extend in the direction of the longitudinal axis (L) in each case over a part of the rod (11, 14) which is immersed in the assigned bearing bushing (12, 15), and in that an end, which respectively faces the bearing bushing (12, 15), of the rod (11, 14), which is assigned to this bearing bushing (12, 15), is designed to be rounded.

2. The valve according to claim 1, characterized in that the spring (10) is designed to be supported on a first support element (13) supporting the first bearing bushing (12).

3. The valve according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that a first curved surface (20) and a second curved surface (22) are provided and an end of the spring (10) which is assigned to the first bearing bushing (12) is positioned on the first curved surface (20) and an end of the spring (10) which is assigned to the closing element (7) is positioned on the second curved surface (22).

4. The valve according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first rod (11) has a shoulder (23) which is in contact with the first bearing bushing (12) in an open position of the valve (1), whereby the movement of the closing element (7) is defined along a longitudinal axis (L) of the valve, and wherein in the open position a rod outer surface (21) transitions smoothly into a bearing bushing outer surface (19).

5. The valve according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second rod (14) has a constriction (26) at a transition into the closing element (7).

6. The valve according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the spring (10) is designed as a helical spring and in each position of the closing element (7) a spacing (A) between two respective turns of the helical spring (10) corresponds at least to a wire thickness (D) of the helical spring (10).

7. The valve according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a first centering surface (27) is formed on the first housing part (2) and a second centering surface (28) is formed on the second housing part (3) and the first and second centering surfaces are formed so as to define the contact gap (17).