Valve with ventilation function

Abstract

The invention relates to a valve (1) for connecting to a pressure source (3) and transferring the pressure to at least one load, having a valve body with a pressure channel (4). A ventilation valve (2) is incorporated into the pressure channel (4), wherein the ventilation valve (2) has an axially movable pin (12) which is held in an operating position and which can be brought to a ventilating position by axially moving the pin (12), thus dispensing the pressure present in the pressure channel (4) into the surroundings (U).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a valve for connection to a pressure source according to the features in the preamble of claim 1.

[0002] It is known from the prior art to use high pressures, especially high media pressures, in certain applications. For example, particularly in stationary fire protection systems, an extinguishing gas, primarily CO₂, can be supplied in pressurized cylinders and, when required, transported to the point of use via pipelines by manual or automatic activation. In some cases, operating pressures of more than 100 bar up to 150 bar are stored.

[0003] It is also common practice to pneumatically power various tools, especially hand tools. In these systems, operating pressures of up to 300 bar are stored. This operating pressure is provided by a pressure source, particularly a pressure cylinder, and then conveyed to the consumer, i.e., the hand tool, via lines, especially hoses.

[0004] For transport or maintenance purposes, it is necessary to partially dismantle the assembly or disconnect the lines, especially hoses. However, if these are still under the aforementioned high pressures, there is a significant risk to workplace safety.

[0005] From DE 10 2019 000 737 A1 a valve for connection to a pressure source according to the preamble of claim 1 is known.

[0006] The present invention therefore aims to demonstrate a way to improve safety and user-friendliness in the aforementioned high-pressure applications.

[0007] The aforementioned problem is solved according to the invention with a valve for connection to a pressure source according to the features of claim 1.

[0008] Advantageous further developments of the present invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

[0009] The valve serves to connect to a pressure source and transmit the pressure to at least one consumer. The valve is preferably a cylinder valve, and the pressure source is preferably a pressure cylinder. The valve is suitable for operating pressures up to 300 bar. The consumer is, for example, a fire protection system or a pneumatic hand tool. A gaseous pressure medium is used as the pressure medium. The valve has a valve body. The valve body has a pressure channel. The pressure channel serves to connect the pressure medium located in the pressure source and transmit it to a line, in particular a hose, in order to convey the pressure medium to the consumer as needed. In the operating state, the cylinder valve is therefore open, and the operating pressure is present in the pressure channel and in the line at the consumer.

[0010] According to the invention, a vent valve is now integrated into the pressure channel. It is provided that, for example, by closing the valve, in particular the cylinder valve, the pressure still present in the line and in the pressure channel can be released to the environment via the vent valve. Afterwards, the line, in particular the hose, can be disconnected from the valve, or the consumer can be disconnected from the hose. Ideally, ambient pressure is then present in the pressure channel, the line, or the hose.

[0011] To ensure the vent valve is particularly user-friendly and easy to operate, it features an axially displaceable bolt that is held in an operating position. In its initial state, the vent valve bolt is held in the operating position, thus connecting the pressure source to the pressure channel and the lines connected to it. By axially displacing the bolt into a venting position, the pressure in the pressure channel can be released to the environment.

[0012] The vent valve with an axially displaceable bolt is therefore significantly easier to operate, as its position is immediately apparent. By simply actuating it, for example with a thumb, and sliding the bolt axially, the pressure can be released. In particular, the bolt is held in the operating position against a spring force. This offers the advantage that the pressure can be released as needed by pressing the bolt, and as soon as force is released from the bolt, for example by the hand or thumb of a technician, it returns to its operating position and venting ceases.

[0013] The vent valve itself has a mechanically robust, solid, and simple design. It consists of an outer sleeve. Alternatively, it is also preferably possible for the previously described movable bolt to be integrated directly into the valve. In this case, a recess or a multi-stage bore with different diameters is integrated directly into the valve or bore. All subsequent descriptions regarding the sleeve or the inner surface of the sleeve in conjunction with the bolt also apply to direct integration into the valve. The outer sleeve can preferably be inserted into the main valve. The wall of the sleeve has through-holes that are fluid-conducting and connected to the pressure channel. The bolt is axially supported within the sleeve. A pressure chamber is preferably formed between the sleeve and the bolt.For this purpose, the bolt itself is preferably constricted, tapered, or reduced within its pressure gauge. Seals are integrated axially spaced from the tapering or the recesses in the sleeve walls, thus forming the pressure chamber. A spring is preferably arranged at one axial end, holding the bolt in the operating position. A stop is preferably formed in the sleeve of the vent valve and in the bolt, so that, in the operating position, the spring holds the bolt in the operating position against the stop of the stop.

[0014] At one end of the sleeve, at least on its inner surface, the sleeve is flared. The bolt has a sealing ring at one end. By axially sliding the bolt with the sealing ring towards the flared section of the sleeve, the pressure chamber is released to the environment. The pressure in the pressure chamber is thus vented to the environment. The pressure chamber is connected to the pressure channel via a pressure conductor, so that venting of the pressure channel takes place.

[0015] This is where another special feature of the invention comes into play. Since the application takes place, particularly at pressures exceeding 100 bar, and the ambient pressure under normal conditions is approximately 1 bar, a pressure surge or pressure pulse occurs due to the high pressure difference when the venting process is initially initiated. This pressure pulse, however, has a detrimental effect on the venting function itself as well as on the service life of the sealing ring.

[0016] The present invention addresses this by providing an additional seal positioned axially upstream of the main sealing ring. According to the invention, the main sealing ring completely seals the pressure chamber between the operating pressure and the ambient pressure. The additional seal preferably does not provide a 100% seal, so that a lower operating pressure, but higher than the ambient pressure, exists between the additional seal and the main sealing ring. When the bolt is axially displaced, the initial pressure surge on the main sealing ring is thus reduced, since the pressure surge from the additional seal only occurs when the additional seal passes the expansion point. The additional seal can also be described as a sacrificial seal. With repeated actuation, sometimes even over years of use of the vent valve, the additional seal may wear out; however, the sealing capability of the vent valve is always ensured by the main sealing ring.The pressure surge itself only reaches the sealing ring in a reduced form or not at all, since the pressure surge originates at the additional seal.

[0017] A further advantageous embodiment of the present invention provides that the additional seal has an opening that extends through its wall. The additional seal itself is designed as a sealing ring. The opening preferably extends radially through the wall and is designed as a radially circumferential slot. This ensures that, when the opening of the additional seal passes through the expansion, pressure is initially released or vented. Thus, upon complete passage through the additional seal, the resulting pressure surge is reduced in its peak or intensity.

[0018] InIn another advantageous embodiment, the vent valve is arranged transversely to the course of the pressure channel. This facilitates operation and actuation of the vent valve.

[0019] Further advantages, features, properties, and aspects of the present invention are the subject of the following description. Preferred embodiments are shown schematically in the following figures.

[0020] These serve to facilitate a simple understanding of the invention. They show: Figure 1 shows the valve according to the invention in longitudinal section view, Figure 2 shows a cross-sectional view along section line AA. Figure 1 Figure 3 View according to Figure 2 in a venting position, Figure 4 shows the venting valve according to Figure 2 and Figure 5 Representation of the vent valve according to Figure 3 Figures 6 to 8 show an alternative design variant to Figures 1 to 3with direct integration of the bolt into the valve body in a longitudinal section view as well as two cross-sectional views analogous to Figures 2 and 3 ,

[0021] In the figures, the same reference symbols are used for identical or similar components, even if a repeated description is omitted for the sake of simplicity.

[0022] Figure 1 Figure 1 shows a valve 1 in longitudinal section. According to the invention, a vent valve 2 is inserted into the valve 1.

[0023] The valve 1 itself is designed to be placed on a pressure source 3, represented by a pressure bottle. A pressure channel 4 is provided, which transmits the operating pressure from the pressure source 3 via this channel. A screw connection 5 is also provided, allowing the connected pressure source 3 to be opened or closed. The operating pressure can be displayed via a pressure gauge 6. A connection 7 is also provided. A consumer can be connected to connection 7, particularly via a hose (not shown). Connection 7 can also be used to fill the pressure source 3. A closure 8 seals the pressure channel 4 from the pressure source 3 when the screw connection 5 is actuated. Connection 7 is in fluid contact with the pressure channel 4. Thus, when the venting position is reached according to... Figure 3Once the screw connection 5 is closed and the pressure source is sealed, the pressure channel 4 is vented to the environment U.

[0024] Figure 2 shows a cross-sectional view according to section line AA according to Figure 1 The vent valve 2 is inserted transversely into the valve 1, perpendicular to the pressure channel 4. For this purpose, the valve 1 has a receiving opening 9 in the form of a complex bore. The vent valve 2 is inserted transversely. Various seals 10 are provided on the outside, which seal the vent valve 2 to the valve 1 with respect to its pressure channel 4. Recesses 11 are provided in a surface of the vent valve 2, which connect the pressure channel 4 to the vent valve 2 in a fluid-conducting manner.

[0025] Figure 3 shows the view according to Figure 2 , where the vent valve 2 is not located here as in Figure 2The diagram shows the component not in an operating position, but in a venting position. For this purpose, a bolt 12 is displaced axially to an outer sleeve 13. This creates a Figure 2 The pressure chamber 14 of the vent valve 2 is fluid-conducting and connected to the environment U. A filter screen 15 is located at one axial end of the vent valve 2, so that no mechanical contaminants can affect the function of the vent valve 2.

[0026] Furthermore presented in Figures 2 and 3 Hose connection 16 is used to fill the pressure source 3 and preferably includes a non-return valve or check valve. Hose connection 16 is not mandatory and can be omitted. In this case, filling the pressure source 3 can be done via connection 7, as described above.

[0027] Figure 4 and 5Each shows a detailed representation of the vent valve 2 according to Figures 2 and 3 The vent valve 2 has an outer sleeve 13 and an axially displaceable bolt 12 in the sleeve 13. The bolt 12 can also be referred to as a piston. The bolt 12 is held against a spring force (F) in the Figure 4The operating position shown is maintained. For this purpose, a stop 18 is formed between bolt 12 and sleeve 13. The bolt 12 is covered by a cap 19. A setscrew 20 is provided inside the cap 19, so that the bolt 12 holds the compression spring 17 and the compression spring 17 simultaneously applies a spring force (F) to the bolt 12. In the operating position, a pressure chamber 14 is formed between the inner surface 21 of the sleeve 13 and the bolt 12. The pressure chamber 14 is supplied with the operating pressure from the outside via the recesses 11 located in the outer surface of the sleeve 13, such that the operating pressure is also present in the pressure chamber 14. If the Figure 5When the bolt 12 is in the depicted venting position, it is displaced to the left in the axial direction A, relative to the plane of the image. The pressure chamber 14 is thus connected to the environment U via a fluid-conducting connection. For this purpose, the sleeve 13 is initially expanded at its inner surface 21 in an axial end section. The axial displacement of the bolt 12 exposes a sealing ring 22, as this ring is no longer in contact with the inner surface 21. This then connects the pressure chamber 14 to the environment U, thus enabling the venting function.

[0028] In an unspecified intermediate step between Figure 4 and 5Thus, when the bolt 12 moves axially within the sleeve 13, a pressure surge occurs as the sealing ring 22 passes over the expanded inner surface 21, when the operating pressure in the pressure chamber 14 is released or vented to the environment U. This pressure surge adversely affects operation, operational safety, and the service life of the sealing ring 22. Therefore, an additional seal 23 is positioned axially spaced A in the direction of the pressure chamber 14. The actual sealing ring is preferably designed as an O-ring. The additional seal 23 can be designed as a square or rectangular sealing ring. Thus, the main sealing ring first passes over the expanded inner surface 21, while the additional seal 23 then seals the pressure chamber 14 against the environment U.Only at a later point, namely when the bolt 12 is further inserted into the sleeve 13, does the additional seal 23 also pass the expanded inner surface 21 and release the operating pressure in the pressure chamber 14 to the environment U. The actual sealing ring 22 is therefore not fully affected by the initial pressure surge itself, as the intensity of the pressure surge is reduced by the additional seal 23.

[0029] To further reduce the pressure surge, a radially oriented slot 24 extends through the wall of the additional seal 23. This slot 24 allows an initial pressure maximum of the pressure surge to escape to the surroundings U as it passes over the expanded inner surface 21, thus reducing the intensity of the pressure surge. The slot 24 is radially circumferential and oriented radially around the additional seal 23.

[0030] For the sake of completeness, it should be mentioned that the pressure chamber 14 on the right side of the image plane is also sealed against the ambient pressure by a sealing ring 22 and an additional seal 23. Furthermore, a further additional seal 23 or a support ring 25 may be provided, which is positioned in front of the sealing ring 22 in axial direction A opposite the additional seal 23.

[0031] Figures 6, 7 and 8 show an alternative design variant to Figures 1 to 3 In this case, bolt 12 is directly integrated into valve 1. No additional sleeve is present. All versions of Figures 1 to 3 The following apply accordingly. The inner surface areas to Figures 1 to 3 and especially to Figures 4 and 5The provisions apply accordingly, whereby the sleeve is now omitted and the inner surface 27 of a bore 26 in the valve 1 or valve body itself interacts directly with the seal 22 and the additional seal 23. Reference symbol:

[0032] 1 - Valve 2 - Vent valve 3 - Pressure source 4 - Pressure channel 5 - Screw connection 6 - Pressure gauge 7 - Connection 8 - Closure 9 - Receipt opening in 1 for 2 10 - Seals 11 - Recesses 12 - Bolt 13 - Sleeve 14 - Pressure chamber 15 - Filter screen 16 - Hose connection 17 - Compression spring 18 - Stop 19 - Cap 20 - Grub screw 21 - Expanded inner surface 22 - Seal 23 - Additional seal 24 - Slot 25 - Support ring 26 - Bore to 1 27 - Inner surface to 26 U - Ambient A - Axial direction R - Radial direction F - Spring force

Claims

1. A valve (1) for connecting to a pressure source (3) and for transmitting the pressure to at least one consumer, having a valve body with a pressure channel (4), wherein a vent valve (2) is integrated into the pressure channel (4), wherein the vent valve (2) has an axially displaceable bolt (12) which is held in an operating position and can be moved into a venting position by axial displacement of the bolt (12), thereby releasing the pressure in the pressure channel (4) to the environment (U), characterised in that the vent valve (2) has an outer sleeve (13) and the bolt (12) is mounted in the sleeve (13) so that it can move axially, or in that the bolt (12) is integrated directly into a bore (26) in the valve (1).

2. The valve (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the outer sleeve (13) has recesses (11) extending through its shell surface, wherein the recesses (11) are connected with the pressure channel (4) such that they can guide fluid.

3. The valve (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that seals (10) are provided between the sleeve (13) and the valve (1).

4. The valve (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the sleeve (13) widens towards a vent end at least with its inner shell surface (21), or that the bore (26) widens towards a vent end in its inner shell surface (27).

5. The valve (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that a pressure chamber (14) is formed between the bolt (12) and the sleeve (13) in the operating position, or in that there is a pressure chamber (14) between the bolt (12) and the bore (26) in the operating position.

6. The valve (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that seals (22, 23) are provided between the bolt (12) and the sleeve (13) or that seals (22, 23) are provided between the bolt (12) and the bore (26).

7. The valve (1) according to claim 6, characterised in that a sealing ring (22), in particular an O-ring, is integrated at one end of the pressure chamber (14), wherein an additional seal (23) is located upstream of the sealing ring (22) in the direction of the pressure chamber (14), wherein the additional seal (23) is spaced axially from the sealing ring (22).

8. The valve (1) according to claim 7, characterised in that the additional seal (23) has at least one opening which passes through the wall of the additional seal (23).

9. The valve (1) according to claim 8, characterised in that the opening is configured as a radially sectional circumferential slot (24).

10. The valve (1) according to claim 8, characterised in that the opening extends radially through the wall of the additional seal (23).

11. The valve (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the vent valve (2) is arranged transversely to the course of the pressure channel (4).

12. The valve (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the bolt (12) is held in the operating position against a spring force (F).

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