VALVE

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a valve with a valve seat and a valve disk which can be brought into a first position in which it is in contact with the valve seat and the valve is closed, and into a second position in which the valve is open, wherein the valve has at least one spring element and the valve seat can be displaced against a force applied by the at least one spring element by bringing the valve disk from the second position into the first position and in the process deforming the spring element, wherein the valve disk is displaced from the second position into the first position until the force applied by the spring element corresponds to the force applied by the valve seat.

[0002] Such valves are known, for example, from US 4 815 699, EP 3 431 840 A1, GB 782 851 A, DE33 17 018 A1 and DD 205 226 A1.

[0003] Such valves are manufactured in various sizes and for different applications and types of use and have long been known in the art. The valve disc can be moved from the second position, in which the valve is open, to the first position by moving it toward the valve seat. When it comes into contact with the valve seat, the valve closes. To move the valve disc from the first position, i.e., the closed valve, to the second position, it is moved in the opposite direction, i.e., away from the valve seat.

[0004] Such valves are used, for example, in storage containers, for example tanks, or lines, such as pipelines, and the fittings and attachments required for them, in which a fluid, for example a liquid or a gas, is stored or through which such a fluid is passed. By means of such a valve, the flow rate that is passed through the line, for example, or that is let into or drained from the storage container through the valve, can be adjusted and influenced. Such valves can be used in particular as emergency valves, for example to stop the outflow of fluid from a container or tank if there is a defect or technical problem in a connected line. In this case, the valve, which is conventionally in the open position with the valve disk in the second position, is closed.To do this, the valve plate is moved from the second position to the first position.

[0005] In this and other applications, it is important that as little as possible, ideally no fluid, can pass through the valve when the valve disc is in the first position. It is therefore advantageous to create the most sealing contact possible between the valve disc and the valve seat for the respective fluid.

[0006] In many applications, the valve seat is connected to a flange, via which at least the valve seat, but possibly also the entire valve, is fastened to another component, for example a wall of a container or a line, such as its end. Such a flange is fastened to the other component with several screws or fastening elements, particularly in the case of large valves where the valve seat has an inner diameter of, for example, more than 15 cm, preferably 30 cm, preferably more than 40 cm, particularly preferably more than 50 cm, for example 60 cm. During assembly, the tightening torque of the screws or fastening elements can cause deformation of the flange, which can be transferred to the valve seat, particularly if the valve seat is connected directly to the flange, for example via a weld seam or in the case of integrally cast parts.The flange deforms to compensate for the settlement. This deformation of the valve seat can increase leakage, i.e., the amount of fluid that can pass through the valve when closed. This compromises the quality of the valve.

[0007] Valves in which the valve disk is designed to be elastic and more deformable are therefore known from the prior art. Such a valve is known, for example, from US Pat. No. 3,394,732 or US Pat. No. 5,048,560. Alternative designs are marketed, for example, under the name "Expanda-Seal" by the companies "Shand & Jurs" or "Pentair."

[0008] This is particularly disadvantageous when the fluid whose flow is to be prevented is, for example, toxic, corrosive, or flammable, or may have other negative properties on the surroundings and the environment. By preventing this, the present invention makes a valuable contribution to environmental and climate protection, especially in these cases.

[0009] The invention is therefore based on the object of improving a valve of the type described above in such a way that the sealing effect is improved.

[0010] The invention solves the stated problem by a valve according to the preamble of claim 1, which has a flange with bores through which screws can be passed in order to fasten the valve to another component, wherein the valve is designed in such a way that a deformation of the flange caused by fastening the flange to a component does not lead to a deformation of the valve seat, wherein the deformation of the flange is compensated by the at least one spring element.

[0011] Unlike prior art valves, the actual valve seat, which comes into contact with the valve disk when the valve is closed, is arranged to be displaceable relative to a flange or another component of the valve other than the valve disk. In the open position of the valve, i.e. when the valve disk is in the second position and not in contact with the valve seat, the valve seat is in its basic position. In this basic position, the at least one spring element is relaxed as much as is possible due to the structural conditions of the valve. In certain embodiments, the spring element is completely relaxed. Regardless of whether the spring element still has stored potential energy in this position and situation, it is preferably not possible for it to release further potential energy and reach an even more relaxed state.For the valve seat, this means that its home position is the position in which it is displaced furthest toward the valve disc. Further displacement of the valve seat toward the valve disc from the home position is preferably not possible.

[0012] If the valve is now closed from this position, i.e. the valve plate is moved from the second position to the first position, the distance between the valve plate and the valve seat continuously decreases until the valve plate comes into contact with the valve seat. At this moment, however, the first position of the valve seat has not yet been reached. Rather, the valve plate is moved further and in doing so also moves the valve seat, charging the spring element with potential energy. This means that the displacement of the valve seat together with the valve plate occurs against a force applied by at least one spring element. When the valve plate is moved from the second position to the first position, it partially overcomes the force applied by the spring element and deforms the spring element. The valve plate preferentially compresses the spring element. The force applied by the spring element therefore increases.The deformation ends when the force exerted by the valve disc on the valve seat and thus also on the spring element equals the force exerted by the spring element, and a force equilibrium is established, or further displacement of the valve disc and / or valve seat is no longer possible due to a stop. At this moment, the first position of the valve disc is reached.

[0013] Consequently, a force is exerted on the valve seat which is directed towards the valve plate and which ensures that the best possible contact is achieved between the valve plate and the valve seat, even if a flange is deformed due to tightening torques of fastening elements.

[0014] The spring element preferably comprises at least one elastic component, for example made of a rubber-elastic mass, and / or at least one bellows, for example made of a plastic or a metal. The material used for the spring element is preferably selected depending on the fluid with which the spring element comes into contact when the valve is in use.

[0015] Preferably, the valve seat has a stop against which the valve disk rests when the valve disk is in the first position. Without such a stop, the valve disk would be moved from the second position, in which the valve is open, to close the valve until the force applied by the spring element exceeds the force emanating from the valve seat, which is determined, for example, by the weight of the valve seat, any spring loads present and tensions used to close the valve as quickly as possible, and a pressure exerted by the fluid. This force can be very large, particularly with large valve disks, and in this case requires a very strong spring element. These usually require a lot of space and material and are therefore correspondingly cost-intensive.For a sufficient sealing effect between the valve seat and the valve plate, such a large force exerted by the spring element is often not necessary.

[0016] In such situations, it is advantageous if the valve disc moves the valve seat against the force exerted by the spring element when moving from the second position to the first position, but after a certain distance, it hits or rests against the stop, which then prevents further movement. The majority of the force exerted by the valve disc is then absorbed and diverted by the stop, and the spring element exerts only a force large enough to achieve a sufficiently tight seal.

[0017] The stop is preferably annular. In a preferred embodiment, the stop is an annular elevation or a very short tube whose length is significantly smaller than its diameter. One end of this tube serves as a stop surface against which the valve disk rests when it is in the first position. Preferably, a flange is arranged at the opposite second end of this tube, which projects radially beyond the annular stop. At this projection, it preferably has a plurality of bores which can be aligned with bores on another component in order to fasten the flange to the other component with fastening elements, for example screws.

[0018] Preferably, the at least one spring element is also annular and arranged on the stop. This ensures that a force is exerted by the spring element on the valve seat over the entire circumference of the stop and particularly preferably also over the entire circumference of the valve seat when the valve disk is in the first position. Alternatively, the spring element is not annular. In this case, it preferably has a plurality, for example at least 3, at least 4, at least 6 or at least 16 individual elements, which are distributed over the circumference of the valve seat and / or over the circumference of the stop. Particularly preferably, the individual elements are arranged equidistantly.

[0019] Preferably, the at least one spring element is arranged radially on the outside of the stop. This position is particularly advantageous when the valve is primarily in the open state. The fluid then flows through the annular stop and the annular valve seat and is not, or at least only slightly, affected by the radially outer spring element.

[0020] Alternatively, the at least one spring element is arranged radially inward on the stop. This is always advantageous when the valve is primarily in the closed state. In this state, ideally, no fluid flows through the valve. However, due to manufacturing tolerances and clearance, a complete prevention of such flow is not possible. Nevertheless, the amount of fluid flowing through the valve in this state is very small.

[0021] According to the invention, the valve has a flange and is designed such that deformation of the flange caused by attaching the flange to a component does not lead to deformation of the valve seat. Such deformations occur when the flange is mounted by means of fastening elements, such as screws, to the component that is not part of the valve but may be, for example, a pipeline. The flange is preferably circular or rectangular, for example, square. Of course, other geometric shapes of the flange are also possible.

[0022] According to the invention, the deformation of the flange is compensated by the at least one spring element. The flange and the valve seat are particularly preferably designed to be stress-decoupled.

[0023] In a preferred embodiment, the elasticity of the spring element is greater than the elasticity of the valve seat. It is particularly preferably at least twice as high. The elasticity of the valve seat and the valve plate preferably differs by less than 20%, preferably less than 10%. The elasticity of the valve plate and the valve seat is particularly preferably equal.

[0024] Some embodiments of the present invention are explained in more detail below with the aid of the attached illustrations. They show: Figures 1-8 show schematic sectional views through valves of different embodiments of the invention, Figure 9 shows a schematic sectional view through a valve in the assembled state and Figure 10 shows the valve from Figure 1 in the open state.

[0025] Figures 1 to 8show sectional views through valves according to different embodiments of the invention. They all have a valve seat 2, which is shown on a valve seat receptacle 16. This is shown in the small section in the upper left area of ​​the Figure 1, which corresponds to the content of the circle, is shown enlarged. In the exemplary embodiments shown, it is an annular, preferably circular element that surrounds a flow opening of the valve. Below the actual sectional views, the partial circle 6 shown in dashed lines illustrates that the valve and the valve seat 2 are rotationally symmetrical. This is advantageous, but not necessary. Angular, for example rectangular, valves are also known. At the lower end of the valve seat 2 there is a flange 8 that projects radially with respect to the longitudinal axis 10 of the valve. Elements 12 are shown in the partial circle 6 which illustrate that the flange 8 is provided with bores at certain intervals through which fastening elements, for example screws, can be passed in order to arrange the flange 8 and thus the valve on another component.Above the valve seat 2 is a valve plate 14, on which a valve seat receptacle 16 is located. The spring element 4 rests against this.

[0026] All these components and elements are present in all valves used in the Figures 1 to 8 shown are present and function in the same way. Therefore, a detailed description is omitted below. Instead, the differences between the individual valves are described.

[0027] In Figure 1 The upper end of the spring element 4 has a valve seat receptacle 16, which in the illustrated embodiment rests against the valve disk 14 and thus prevents fluid from penetrating the valve seat 2 and leaving the valve through it. The valve is in the closed state. The opposite end of the spring element 4 rests against a step 18, which in the illustrated embodiment is positioned directly above the flange 8. The spring element 4 is in the Figure 1The embodiment shown is designed as a relatively short bellows with a curved fold.

[0028] The valve seat 2 also has a stop 20, which is designed as an annular element. The valve is shown in the closed position because the valve seat 2, which is arranged on the valve seat receptacle 16, rests against the valve plate 14. The small gap shown between the valve plate 14 and the stop 20 is shown only for clarity.

[0029] The Figure 2 The valve shown differs from the one shown in Figure 2shown valve by a different spring element 4. It also rests between the valve seat receptacle 16, on which the valve seat 2 is arranged, on the valve plate 14 and on the step 18, but is longer in the axial direction with respect to the longitudinal axis 10. The spring element 4 is again designed as a bellows, but now has two folds that are curved. The valve also has a stop that is longer in the axial direction. However, the function corresponds to that of the valve from Figure 1 .

[0030] Figure 3 shows a valve that, compared to the one in Figure 2 The valve shown has a longer stop 20 in the axial direction and thus also a longer spring element 4. This is different from the Figures 1 and 2 not with curved folds, but with bent folds. This gives it a different spring action, for example a different spring characteristic or spring constant, than the one in the Figures 1 and 2 shown design, even if all other parameters, such as the material used, the thickness and the length remain identical.

[0031] In Figure 4 A valve is shown that has two spring elements 4. In the illustrated embodiment, these are arranged concentrically to each other. Both are connected to the valve seat receptacle 16. In the illustrated situation, the valve seat 2 arranged thereon rests against the valve plate 14 and thus closes the valve.

[0032] By using more than one spring element 4 it is particularly easy to increase the spring force compared to, for example, the Figure 1 shown version of the valve. As shown in Figure 4 identical spring elements or different spring elements can be used.

[0033] Figure 5 shows a sectional view through a valve that does not have a stop 20. The spring element 4 lies with the Figure 5 lower end to the flange 8 and has the valve seat receptacle 16 at the upper end, on which the valve seat 2 is arranged, which rests against the valve plate 14. In this embodiment, the valve plate 14 is moved downwards in the closed position until the weight force acting on the valve plate 14, a pressure possibly acting by a fluid and the spring force of the spring element 4 form a force equilibrium.

[0034] In Figure 6 A valve is shown which has a stop 20. Unlike the valves shown in the Figures 1 to 4 In the valves shown, the step 18 against which the spring element 4 rests protrudes not radially outward, but radially inward. The spring element 4 is arranged radially inward with respect to the longitudinal axis 10 of the valve and, as with the other valves shown, has the valve seat receptacle 16.

[0035] In Figure 7A valve with a different type of spring element 4 is shown. Instead of the previously shown bellows, the valve has Figure 7 via a series of coil springs, two of which are shown. Several of these spring elements 4 are arranged distributed around the circumference to apply the desired spring force. Unlike bellows, such spring elements 4 are not suitable for sealing the valve against a medium or fluid flowing in or present from the outside or inside. Therefore, a sealing jacket 22 is arranged radially outside the spring elements 4 with respect to the longitudinal axis 10. However, this can also be arranged radially inside the spring elements 4 with respect to the longitudinal axis.

[0036] The valve according to Figure 8differs from the previously shown valves particularly by the different valve seat receptacle 16. In the previously shown valves, which have a stop 20, this is arranged either radially inside the stop 20 or radially outside the stop 20. In contrast, the valve according to Figure 8 arranged so that it is arranged between the stop 20 and the valve plate 14 and comes into contact with the stop 20 when the valve is closed and the valve seat 2, which is arranged on the valve seat holder, is in contact with the valve plate 14.

[0037] Figure 9 shows a schematic sectional view through the valve according to Figure 8in the assembled state. Screws 26 are passed through the holes 24 in the flange 8 in order to fasten the valve to another component 28. The screws 26 are tightened and this causes a deformation of the stop 20, which is exaggerated and not true to scale for better visibility. If the sealing effect of the valve depended on how good the contact is between the stop 20 and the valve plate 14, this deformation would lead to leakage and impair the sealing effect of the valve. The valve seat holder 16 and thus also the valve seat 2 arranged on it, on the other hand, are not deformed when the screws 26 are tightened. Its contact with the valve plate 14 is crucial for the tightness of the valve and is not impaired.

[0038] Figure 10 shows the valve Figure 1 in the open state. The valve disc 14 has been removed from the valve seat 2, i.e. from the first position, which is Figure 1 shown, has been brought into the second position. List of reference symbols:

[0039] 2Valve seat 4Spring element 6Part circle 8Flange 10Longitudinal axis 12Element 14Valve plate 16Valve seat holder 18Step 20Stop 22Sealing sleeve 24Bore 26Screw 28Component

Claims

1. A valve with - a valve seat (2) and - a valve disk (14), which can be brought into a first position is in contact with the valve seat (2) and the valve is closed, and into a second position in which the valve is open, wherein the valve comprises at least one spring element (4) and the valve seat (2) can be displaced against a force exerted by the at least one spring element (4) by bringing the valve disk (14) from the second position into the first position and thereby deforming the spring element (4), wherein the valve disk (14) is displaced from the second position into the first position until the force applied by the spring element (4) corresponds to the force applied by the valve seat (2), characterized in that the valve has a flange (8) with bores (24) through which screws (26) can be passed in order to fasten the valve to another component (28), the valve being designed such that a deformation of the flange (8), which is caused by fixing the flange (8) to the other component (28), does not lead to a deformation of the valve seat, the deformation of the flange (8) being compensated for by the at least one spring element (4).

2. The valve according to claim 1, characterized in that the spring element (4) comprises at least one elastic component, for example made of a rubber-elastic compound, and / or at least one bellows, for example made of a plastic or a metal.

3. The valve according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the valve seat (2) has an end stop (20) on which the valve disk (14) rests when the valve disk (14) is in the first position.

4. The valve according to claim 3, characterized in that the end stop (20) is designed to be ring-shaped.

5. The valve according to claim 4, characterized in that the at least one spring element (4) is arranged radially outside on the end stop (20).

6. The valve according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the at least one spring element (4) is arranged radially inside on the end stop.

7. The valve according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the flange (8) being designed to be circular or rectangular.

8. The valve according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the elasticity of the spring element (4) is higher, preferably at least twice as high, as the elasticity of the valve seat (2).

9. The valve according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the elasticity of the valve seat (2) and the elasticity of the valve disk (14) deviate from each other by less than 20%, preferably less than 10%; particularly preferably, they are equal.