Gate valve, linkage for a gate valve and method for venting a gate valve

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a gate valve for a fluid line, comprising a fluid line, a blocking body, an actuating means for moving the blocking body into a release position for enabling fluid flow through the fluid line and a blocking position for preventing fluid flow through the fluid line, and a housing configured adjacent to the fluid line and having a housing volume, wherein the actuating means comprises a linkage that extends at least partially through the housing volume. The invention further relates to a linkage for a gate valve and a method for venting a gate valve.

[0002] Gate valves of this type are typically used to completely open and close the entire flow cross-section of a (gas) pipe. Unlike valves, gate valves are not used to regulate the flow rate, but rather to completely prevent or allow a fluid flow.

[0003] After installing a gate valve in a (gas) piping system, all pipelines and fittings, including the gate valve, must be pressure tested. Depending on the test pressure, this test is performed using water as the test medium. After the pressure test, residual pressure may still exist in the gate valve dome caused by the test medium, for example, a mixture of water and gate oil or barrier oil. If the residual pressure is not relieved, the gate valve's barrier body may no longer operate or move, or may only operate with considerable force.

[0004] To prevent subsequent functional impairment, a relief and filling opening on the gate valve dome is usually opened after the pressure test. In known systems, this is done by loosening a vent screw to create a through opening in the gate valve dome. The vent screw is usually located under passive corrosion protection. To loosen the vent screw, the protective covering in the area of ​​the screw plug must be destroyed. After pressure relief, the screw plug must again be passively protected against corrosion. For this purpose, the gate valve must be re-coated, at least in the area of ​​the screw plug. This process involves additional financial expenditure. Furthermore, from a technical perspective, re-coating is disadvantageous compared to the factory coating.

[0005] EP 3 511 600 A1 discloses a gate valve for blocking an opening in a fluid channel. US 2 116 626 A discloses a pressure relief and relief valve for a fluid pipeline. US 3 134 401 A describes a check valve for a fluid system, and DE 529 170 C discloses a venting device for a gate valve.

[0006] None of these documents shows a gate valve with a housing configured adjacent to the fluid conducting section with a housing volume formed by a closed housing container that can be filled with lubricant for the purpose of continuous lubrication and / or for preserving the sliding parts of the gate valve.

[0007] The object of the present invention is to at least partially address the problems described above. In particular, the object of the present invention is to provide a gate valve with improved venting, preferably while retaining an existing enclosure.

[0008] The above object is achieved by the independent patent claims. In particular, the above object is achieved by the gate valve according to claim 1, the rod assembly according to claim 12, and the method according to claim 13. Further advantages of the invention emerge from the subclaims, the description, and the drawings. Features and details described in connection with the gate valve naturally also apply in connection with the rod assembly according to the invention for the gate valve and the method according to the invention, and vice versa, so that with regard to the disclosure, reference is or can always be made to the individual aspects of the invention.

[0009] According to a first aspect of the present invention, a gate valve for a fluid line is provided. The gate valve comprises a fluid conducting section, a blocking body, an actuating means for moving the blocking body into a release position for enabling fluid flow through the fluid conducting section and a blocking position for preventing fluid flow through the fluid conducting section, and a housing configured adjacent to the fluid conducting section and having a housing volume. The term "adjacent" is to be understood as meaning that the fluid conducting section (for the fluid flow) is configured in the immediate vicinity of, but fluidically separated (or separate) from, the housing and the housing volume. Thus, the fluid flow cannot penetrate into the housing volume. The housing has a self-contained housing container, which forms the housing volume.The actuating means comprises a rod assembly that extends at least partially through the housing volume. A vent channel is formed in the rod assembly with an air inlet in and / or on the housing volume and an air outlet for discharging air from the housing volume into the surroundings of the gate valve.

[0010] Within the scope of the present invention, the known concept of a specific vent opening in the housing shell was abandoned. To improve on the known concept, the vent channel through the rod assembly according to the invention was developed. This concept offers the advantage that a corrosion jacket of the gate valve and / or the housing does not have to be locally removed and / or damaged for a venting process, as was the case with previously known systems. In generic gate valves, the rod assembly projects beyond the corrosion jacket, meaning that it does not have to be damaged during the venting process with a gate valve according to the invention. Instead, for the venting process, only the vent channel in the rod assembly can be temporarily opened and then closed again in a fluid-tight manner.

[0011] The vent channel can be manufactured in the form of a hollow hole. The vent channel preferably extends concentrically to the rod assembly in sections or at least concentrically to the rod assembly section in which the vent channel is formed. Towards the air inlet and / or air outlet, the vent channel can extend in the radial direction or obliquely to the radial direction toward an outer circumferential surface of the rod assembly. The vent channel can therefore be L-shaped or substantially L-shaped with respect to a lateral cross-section of the gate valve. The vent channel can therefore have at least two vent channel sections extending obliquely or at right angles to one another.

[0012] The gate valve is designed in particular in the form of a gate valve for a gas line, preferably for completely closing as well as completely releasing the gas line. The fact that the rod assembly extends at least partially through the housing volume can be understood to mean that at least a part of the rod assembly extends through the housing volume and / or that at least a part of the rod assembly extends through at least a part of the housing volume. Preferably, at least a part of the rod assembly extends through the housing volume over the entire height of the housing volume. The part of the rod assembly that extends through the housing volume preferably has a spindle rotatably positioned in the housing, by means of which spindle the blocking body can be moved between the release position and the blocking position.The rod assembly may include the spindle and a force introduction section in an end region of the rod assembly outside the housing for introducing an adjustment force into the rod assembly for adjusting the locking body. The rod assembly is preferably positioned in the housing and / or the gate valve for non-destructive rotation, particularly for adjusting the locking body between the release position and the locking position.

[0013] The housing or the housing volume, which is formed by a closed housing container, is partially filled with lubricant, in particular oil, for the purpose of continuous lubrication and / or for the preservation of the sliding parts of the gate valve, such as the locking body and the rod assembly. This ensures long-term and smooth operation of the gate valve with almost unchanged torque, in particular over the entire product life cycle of the (maintenance-free) gate valve. The housing can be understood as a so-called gate valve dome or at least as a component of the gate valve dome. The housing has a self-contained housing container, through which the housing volume is formed. This housing container (with its housing volume) is advantageously fluidically separated from the fluid conducting section (through which the fluid flow is conducted) (orseparated) to avoid contamination and / or pollution of the lubricant in the housing container.

[0014] The fact that the air inlet is configured in and / or on the housing volume can be understood to mean that the air inlet and / or the ventilation channel can only extend to an edge region of the housing volume and an edge region of the rod assembly, or beyond the rod assembly into the housing volume. A closure means for hermetically closing and opening the air outlet is preferably configured or at least positionable on the air outlet.

[0015] According to a further embodiment of the present invention, it is possible for the rod assembly of a gate valve to have a rod head outside the housing, with the air outlet being configured in the rod head. The rod head protrudes beyond any corrosion layer of the housing, whereby opening and closing the venting channel for a venting process has no effect on the corrosion layer. This can save time and corresponding costs. Furthermore, the quality of the corrosion protection can be prevented from suffering due to a reworked corrosion layer. The air outlet can be configured in a recess in the rod head and / or in the shape of the recess in the rod head, whereby a closure means for hermetically closing the air outlet would not protrude beyond the rod head.This makes the rod head compact and prevents accidental damage to protruding parts.

[0016] Furthermore, in a gate valve according to the present invention, it is possible for the air outlet to be configured concentrically with the rod head. Such a solution is particularly easy to implement. In addition to the air outlet, at least a portion of the vent channel can be configured concentrically with the rod head over a length toward the air outlet. This allows for a uniform distribution of forces from the outflowing air during a venting process.

[0017] Furthermore, it can be advantageous if, in a gate valve according to the present invention, the venting channel extends toward the air outlet, at least in sections, parallel or diagonally to the fluid guide section. This can prevent dirt from accumulating in the area of ​​the air outlet and entering the housing or the housing volume during a venting process. This is particularly advantageous when the gate valve is used underground. The venting channel can extend toward the air outlet, in particular diagonally, with the air outlet opening toward the fluid guide section.

[0018] Furthermore, in a gate valve according to the invention, it is possible for the vent channel in the area of ​​the air inlet to have a gradient toward the fluid guide section. This allows any oil and / or dirt residues to flow and / or fall out of the vent channel into the housing or the housing volume. Consequently, residues in the vent channel can be prevented, ensuring a smooth venting process. The angle of the gradient is less than 90° with respect to the flow direction in the fluid guide section and / or with respect to the longitudinal or axial direction of the fluid guide section.

[0019] According to a further embodiment of the present invention, it is possible for a gate valve to have a thread for a screw connection with a screwing means in and / or on the air outlet. This provides a simple and cost-effective connection option for a closure means for airtight closure and non-destructive release of the ventilation duct. The fact that the thread is formed at the air outlet can be understood to mean that the thread is formed at least in the immediate vicinity of the air outlet. The thread can be formed, for example, in a recess in the rod assembly or in a rod assembly head, so that a screwing means screwed into the thread does not protrude beyond the rod assembly head. In this case, the recess can be understood as the air outlet on which the thread is formed.According to the present invention, the thread can be configured as an internal thread or an external thread. The internal thread can be provided in a particularly space-saving manner and can accommodate a correspondingly small screwing device. The external thread enables a closure that can advantageously protect the venting channel from contamination.

[0020] The gate valve according to the invention can accordingly have a screwing means suitable for the thread for screwing into the thread or for screwing onto the thread for fluidically sealing the venting channel. According to a further embodiment of the present invention, the screwing means can have a sealing element for fluidically sealing the venting channel. By integrating the sealing element into the screwing means, a simple yet reliable air seal for the venting channel can be created. The sealing element can be provided, for example, in the form of an O-ring in the region of a screw head of the screwing means. The screwing means is preferably designed as a cylinder head, flat head, trumpet head, or grub screw. A reliable sealing effect can be achieved with a simple air outlet geometry using a flat head screw or a cylinder head screw.A grub screw can be integrated into an existing system in a particularly space-saving manner and is also easy to do, as no or essentially no changes to the geometry of the rod head need to be made.

[0021] A gate valve according to the invention can further comprise a corrosion protection jacket which covers the outer surface of the gate valve completely or at least a predominant part of the outer surface of the gate valve. This means that the gate valve can be completely or at least predominantly covered by the corrosion protection jacket and / or coated with it, for example over more than 90% of the outer surface of the gate valve. This is particularly advantageous when the gate valve is used in the ground and / or in a humid environment. Due to the inventive design of the vent channel through the rod assembly beyond the housing, the corrosion protection jacket can in principle be applied over the entire surface of the housing without any problems. The corrosion protection jacket comprises at least predominantly, in particular completely or essentially completely, (engineering) polyurethane.

[0022] According to a further aspect of the present invention, a rod assembly for a gate valve as described in detail above is provided. The gate valve accordingly has a vent channel with an air inlet and an air outlet for discharging air from the housing volume into the environment of the gate valve. Thus, a rod assembly according to the invention provides the same advantages as those described in detail with reference to the gate valve according to the invention.

[0023] Within the scope of the present invention, a method for venting a gate valve as described above is also proposed. The method comprises the following steps: Opening the vent channel in the rod assembly to release air from the housing volume into the vicinity of the gate valve through the air outlet, and subsequently closing the vent channel in the rod assembly to prevent air from escaping from the housing volume into the vicinity of the gate valve through the air outlet.

[0024] Thus, a method according to the invention also offers the advantages described above. Thus, an existing corrosion protection coating can remain untouched in the claimed method, so that the gate valve is optimally protected against corrosion.

[0025] The gate valve according to the invention can also be referred to as a gas gate valve, since it is essentially designed for gas pipes and gas lines, which are laid in particular underground.

[0026] Further measures improving the invention will become apparent from the following description of various exemplary embodiments of the invention, which are schematically illustrated in the figures. All features and / or advantages apparent from the claims, the description, or the figures, including structural details and spatial arrangements, may be essential to the invention both individually and in various combinations.

[0027] They show schematically: Figure 1 shows a gate valve according to a first embodiment of the present invention, Figure 2 shows a gate valve according to a second embodiment of the present invention, Figure 3 shows a screw means on a rod head according to a first embodiment of the present invention, Figure 4 shows a screw means on a rod head according to a second embodiment of the present invention, Figure 5 shows a screw means on a rod head according to a third embodiment of the present invention, Figure 6 shows a screw means on a rod head according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention, Figure 7 shows a flow chart for explaining a method according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 8 shows a gate valve according to an embodiment known in the prior art.

[0028] Elements with the same function and mode of operation are provided with the same reference symbols in the figures.

[0029] Fig. 1shows a gate valve 10a for a fluid line in the form of a gas line according to a first embodiment. The illustrated gate valve 10a has a fluid conducting section 11, a blocking body 12, and an actuating means 13. The actuating means 13 is configured to move the blocking body 12 into a release position to enable fluid flow through the fluid conducting section 11 and a blocking position to prevent fluid flow through the fluid conducting section 11. The gate valve 10a further has a housing 14 configured adjacent to the fluid conducting section 11 and having a housing volume 15. The housing 14 has a self-contained housing container 14.1, whereby the housing volume 15 is formed in order to prevent contamination and / or soiling of the lubricant in the housing container 14.1. In order to permanently and long-term lubricate the actuating means 13, a lubricant, in particular in the form of oil, is contained in the housing container 14.1, which is included in the . Fig. 1 , 2 and 8 is indicated by the lubricant level. The actuating means 13 has a linkage 16 that extends through the housing volume 15. A vent channel 17 with an air inlet 18, which is preferably arranged above the lubricant level (in an installed position of the gate valve), is formed in the linkage 16 at the housing volume 15 and an air outlet 19 for discharging air from the housing volume 15 into the surroundings of the gate valve 10a.

[0030] The illustrated rod assembly 16 has a rod head 22 outside the housing 14, with the air outlet 19 formed in the rod head 22. More precisely, the air outlet 10 is formed in a recess in the form of a conical blind hole in the rod head 22. According to the illustrated embodiment, the rod head is designed as a force introduction section with a force introduction surface 24, via which the adjusting force for adjusting the locking body 12 between the release position and the locking position can be introduced into the rod 16 or the actuating means 13.

[0031] The air outlet 19 is designed concentrically to or in the rod head 22. The illustrated gate valve 10a further comprises a screw means 21 in the form of a trumpet head screw for screwing into a thread 20 in the vent channel 17 in the region of the air outlet 19. The thread 20 is designed in the form of an internal thread. Fig. 1The gate valve 10a shown is essentially completely coated with a corrosion protection coating (not shown in detail) made of polyurethane.

[0032] Fig. 2 shows a gate valve 10b according to a second embodiment. The Fig. 2 The gate valve shown essentially corresponds to the one shown in Fig. 1 shown gate valve 10a and differs in particular in that the venting channel 17 in the area of ​​the air inlet 18 has a gradient in the direction of the fluid guide section 11.

[0033] In Fig. 3 a screwing means 21 as described above is shown in detail. The screwing means 21 according to Fig. 3 is provided in the form of a cylinder head screw and has a sealing element 23 in the form of an O-ring for fluidically sealing the vent channel 17. In the Fig. 4In the embodiment shown, the venting channel 17 extends parallel to the fluid guide section 11 over a length toward the air outlet 19. The screw means 21 is again provided in the form of a cylinder head screw. This time, however, the cylinder head protrudes beyond the outer surface of the rod head 22. Fig. 5 shows an embodiment in which the screw means 21 is designed in the form of a grub screw. According to the Fig. 6 In the embodiment shown, the screwing means 21 is designed in the form of a screw cap, which can be screwed onto the rod head 22 via a thread 20 in the form of an external thread. For unobstructed actuation of the actuating means 13 or for adjusting the locking body 12 by means of a socket wrench, the force introduction section, which is enclosed by the force introduction surface 24, has a larger diameter than the thread 20.

[0034] With reference to Fig. 7A method for venting a gate valve 10a, 10b as described in detail above is then explained. In a first step S1, the venting channel 17 in the rod assembly 16 is first opened through the air outlet 19 to release air from the housing volume 15 into the environment of the gate valve 10a, 10b. For this purpose, the screw 21 can simply be unscrewed from the thread. As soon as the housing 14 has been sufficiently vented, the venting channel 17 in the rod assembly 16 is closed again to prevent air from escaping from the housing volume 15 into the environment of the gate valve 10a, 10b. For this purpose, the screw 21 is simply turned into or onto the thread 20 again.

[0035] Fig. 8 shows a gate valve 10c known in the prior art, in which the venting is carried out by means of a vent screw 25 in the housing.

[0036] In addition to the illustrated embodiments, the invention permits further design principles. This means that the invention should not be considered limited to the embodiments explained with reference to the figures. List of reference symbols 10a gate valve 10b gate valve 10c gate valve 11 Fluid guide section 12 Locking body 13 Actuating means 14 Housing 14.1 Housing container 15 Housing volume 16 rods 17 ventilation duct 18 Air intake 19 Air outlet 20 thread 21 Screwing tools 22 rod head 23 Sealing element 24 Force introduction surface 25 vent screw

Claims

1. Gate valve (10a; 10b) for a fluid line, comprising a fluid guiding section (11), a blocking body (12), an actuating means (13) for moving the blocking body (12) into a release position for allowing a fluid flow through the fluid guiding section (11) and a blocking position for preventing a fluid flow through the fluid guiding section (11), and a housing (14) designed adjacent to the fluid guiding section (11) and having a housing volume (15) which is formed by a closed housing container (14.1) which can be filled with lubricant for the purpose of continuous lubrication and / or preservation of the sliding parts of the gate valve, the actuating means (13) having a linkage (16) which extends at least partially through the housing volume (15), wherein a venting channel (17) with an air inlet (18) in and / or on the housing volume (15) and an air outlet (19) for releasing air from the housing volume (15) into the vicinity of the gate valve (10a; 10b) is formed in the linkage (16).

2. Gate valve (10a; 10b) according to claim 1, characterized in that the linkage (16) has a linkage head (22) outside the housing (14), the air outlet (19) being formed in the linkage head (22).

3. Gate valve (10a; 10b) according to claim 2, characterized in that the air outlet (19) is concentric to the linkage head (22).

4. Gate valve (10a; 10b) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the venting channel (17) extends towards the air outlet (19) at least in sections parallel or at an angle to the fluid guide section (11).

5. Gate valve (10b) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the venting channel (17) has a gradient in the direction of the fluid guide section (11) in the region of the air inlet (18).

6. Gate valve (10a; 10b) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a thread (20) for a screw connection with a screw means (21) is formed in and / or on the air outlet (19).

7. Gate valve (10a; 10b) according to claim 6, characterized in that the thread (20) is designed in the form of an internal thread or an external thread.

8. Gate valve (10a; 10b) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a screwing means (21) for screwing into the thread (20) or for screwing onto the thread (20) for fluidically sealing the venting channel (17).

9. Gate valve (10a; 10b) according to claim 8, characterized in that in that the screw means (21) has a sealing element (23) for fluidically sealing the venting channel.

10. Gate valve (10a; 10b) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a corrosion protection jacket that completely or substantially completely covers the gate valve (10a; 10b).

11. Gate valve (10a; 10b) according to claim 10, characterized in that the corrosion protection coating is at least predominantly polyurethane.

12. A method for venting a gate valve (10a; 10b) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, comprising the steps of: - releasing the venting channel (17) in the linkage (16) for letting air out of the housing volume (15) into the vicinity of the gate valve (10a; 10b) through the air outlet (19), and subsequently - Closing the venting channel (17) in the linkage (16) to prevent air from escaping from the housing volume (15) into the vicinity of the gate valve (10a; 10b) through the air outlet (19).