AIR FLOW REGULATION VALVE COMPRISING A RADIAL FLAP SHUTOFF ORGAN

Abstract

AIR FLOW REGULATION VALVE COMPRISING A RADIAL FLAP SHUTTER ORGAN The invention relates to an air flow regulation valve comprising: a valve body (100), at least one air circulation channel extending between an air inlet and an air outlet, at least one shutting organ (200) formed of a plurality of radial flaps (210), each mounted to rotate freely about a radial shaft (220) between an open position corresponding to the open position of said shutting organ (200) and a closed position corresponding to said closed position of said shutting organ (200), at least one actuator of said shutting organ (200) comprising a toothed ring (300) mechanically meshed with a plurality of pinions (230),mounted integrally on a radial shaft (220) of a radial flap (210) such that the rotation of said toothed ring (300) causes the concomitant pivoting of each radial flap (210) around its radial shaft (220) to tilt the shutter member (200) from the open position to the closed position and vice versa. Figure for the abbreviation: Figure 2,

Description

Title of the invention: AIR FLOW REGULATION VALVE COMPRISING A RADIAL FLAP OBTURATION DEVICE Technical field of the invention

[0001] The invention relates to an airflow control valve. The invention particularly relates to an airflow control valve for aircraft air systems, said valve comprising a radial flap closure element. Technological background

[0002] Aircraft air systems use valves for multiple functions such as partitioning or regulating airflow, pressure or temperature.

[0003] The technology employed on these valves mainly comprises the actuation of a butterfly mounted on an axis perpendicular to the airflow.

[0004] Existing control valves include shut-off devices that can be actuated by pneumatic, electropneumatic, or electrical mechanisms. In addition, there are other types of valves that use, in particular, louvered flaps or rotary plugs as shut-off devices.

[0005] Valves also exist that include a multi-flap obturator, but these valves are not widespread or used due to the complexity involved in controlling such an obturator. In the field of airflow regulation, butterfly valves are more widely used because of the relative simplicity of their control.

[0006] Multi-flap radial axis valves are therefore very uncommon due to the complexity of flap actuation, but also because of the problems inherent in the loss of one or more flaps during operation.

[0007] Conventional valves generally include butterfly valves, the passage area of ​​which occupies the entire cross-section of the valve body. Therefore, if the butterfly valve fails, the entire sealing element must be replaced.

[0008] In addition, butterflies are often bulky and it is necessary to limit the size, mass and cost of systems incorporating these butterflies.

[0009] The inventors therefore sought to develop a new type of valve that would overcome the drawbacks of currently available solutions. Objectives of the invention

[0010] The invention aims to provide a control valve comprising a radial flap shut-off element driven by means of a peripheral ring to the valve body.

[0011] The invention also aims to provide, in at least one embodiment, a valve whose closing element makes it possible to limit the opening section of said valve in the event of the loss of a radial flap.

[0012] The invention also aims to provide, in at least one embodiment, a valve enabling good internal sealing.

[0013] The invention also aims to provide, in at least one embodiment, a control valve allowing the speed or operating torque of the obturating element to be adapted by varying the reduction ratio as a function of the pressure upstream of the obturating element or as a function of the opening and closing dynamics of the flaps.

[0014] The invention also aims to provide, in at least one embodiment, a valve in which the actuator is controlled by electromagnetic induction.

[0015] The invention aims to provide, in at least one embodiment, a control valve whose architecture makes it possible to obtain an aerodynamic torque proportional to the opening angle.

[0016] The invention also aims to provide, in at least one embodiment, a reliable control valve in the event of mechanical failure of the sealing element. Description of the invention

[0017] To this end, the invention relates to an airflow control valve comprising: - a valve body, with at least one air circulation channel extending longitudinally between an air inlet and an air outlet, - at least one shuttering device arranged in at least one circulation channel, called a regulated channel, and configured to be able to move from an open position allowing all or part of the air circulation in said regulated channel, from said air inlet to said air outlet, to a closed position preventing all said air circulation in said regulated channel from said air inlet to said air outlet, said shuttering device being formed of a plurality of radial flaps, each mounted to rotate about a radial shaft between an open position corresponding to the open position of said shuttering device and a closed position corresponding to the closed position of said shuttering device, - at least one actuator of said shuttering device configured to be able to control the position of said shuttering device, between said open position and said closed position, said actuator comprising a toothed ring peripheral to the valve body in mechanical contact with a plurality of pinions, each mounted respectively integrally with a radial shaft of a radial flap such that the rotation of said toothed ring causes the concomitant pivoting of each radial flap around its radial shaft to tilt the obturating member from the open position to the closed position and vice versa.

[0018] Throughout the following text, the regulated channel is defined as the portion of an air circulation channel within which the shut-off element of the valve according to the invention is arranged. The valve according to the invention may thus comprise a plurality of air circulation channels and / or a plurality of regulated channels.

[0019] Furthermore, it must be understood that the position of the obturating element of said valve in the valve body thus determines the regulated channel in relation to the circulation channel.

[0020] It is also conceivable that a valve according to the invention may comprise a regulated channel whose cross-section corresponds partially or entirely to the cross-section of a circulation channel in the valve body. In this case, the shut-off element occupies the corresponding cross-section of the circulation channel, which corresponds to said regulated channel.

[0021] The valve according to the invention is preferably a tubular valve comprising a shut-off element having a plurality of radial flaps. In order to meet the different application requirements and the variability of valve diameters, the shut-off element may comprise between 2 and 2+n radial flaps, where n is an integer greater than or equal to 1. The number of radial flaps is thus chosen according to the type of valve. A small number of radial flaps will improve the internal and external sealing of the valve, while a large number of radial flaps will limit the leakage area in the event of the loss of a radial flap.

[0022] According to the invention, each radial flap advantageously and preferably has a radially symmetrical petal shape of the actinomorphic type and is mounted to rotate freely around a radial shaft. It is understood that each flap has an identical cross-section and comprises a respective radial shaft. Furthermore, each flap includes a pinion mounted integrally with its radial shaft.

[0023] The valve also includes an actuator configured to switch the obturator between a closed position and an open position. To do this, the actuator includes a peripheral toothed ring mechanically meshed with a plurality of gears such that the rotation of said peripheral toothed ring causes the concomitant rotation of each gear integral with the radial shaft of a radial flap of said obturator.

[0024] The valve according to the invention allows the use of a reduction via the mechanical linkage of the pinions of the radial shafts with the toothed ring in order to actuate the rotation of said ring and thus the rotation of the radial flaps of the obturator between a closed position and an open position and / or vice versa.

[0025] Such a mechanism advantageously allows the opening and / or closing speed of the sealing element to be adapted according to the size of the valve body and the upstream pressure.

[0026] A valve according to the invention advantageously makes it possible to obtain an aerodynamic torque proportional to the opening angle on each radial flap, in addition, and thanks to the number of radial flaps, the aerodynamic torque naturally tends to close the valve's sealing element, which makes it possible to obtain a reliable valve whose leakage area in the event of the loss of a radial flap is greatly reduced.

[0027] Advantageously and according to the invention, said toothed ring is arranged in a groove of the valve body.

[0028] Thus and according to the invention, the drive by the actuator is located outside the circulation channel and the groove makes it possible to ensure the sliding function of said crown.

[0029] Advantageously and according to the invention, the radial shaft of each pinion is mounted on at least one first bearing, called the outer bearing, arranged radially on the valve body.

[0030] In one variant, the radial shaft of each pinion is mounted on two bearings, with a first bearing called the outer bearing, arranged radially on the valve body, and a second bearing, called the inner bearing, arranged coaxially inside the valve body.

[0031] Preferably the inner bearing can be a part having an ogive shape.

[0032] Thus, and according to this aspect, the radial flaps can overlap up to the axis of the valve body and offer an ideal configuration for valves with small cross-sectional diameters in order to limit pressure losses. Furthermore, when the radial shaft is mounted on two bearings, this allows the sealing element to be adapted to valves with a larger cross-sectional diameter.

[0033] Advantageously and according to the invention, each radial flap comprises a respective radial shaft extending along the radial axis of said flap.

[0034] Advantageously and according to the invention, the valve further comprises two concentric air circulation channels, referred to respectively as the inner channel and the outer channel, said sealing member being arranged in said inner channel and / or said outer channel.

[0035] It is understood that the inner channel has a smaller cross-sectional diameter than the cross-sectional diameter of the outer channel. Furthermore, the arrangement of the obturator in either channel defines the so-called regulated channel.

[0036] In addition, it may be provided that an air circulation channel or that the regulated channel may have an air inlet and an air outlet identical or different from the other air circulation channel or vice versa.

[0037] Thus and according to the invention, this arrangement makes it possible to selectively regulate the airflow circulating in one or the other of the air circulation channels independently of the respective air inlet and air outlet of said channels.

[0038] Advantageously and according to the invention, the external channel is a regulated channel comprising said obturator.

[0039] According to this advantageous variant, the valve allows the airflow in the external channel section to be selectively regulated.

[0040] Advantageously and according to the invention, the valve comprises a single air circulation channel, said regulated channel, said regulated channel comprising at least one obturating element.

[0041] Advantageously and according to the invention, said regulated channel corresponds to a portion of the cross-section of the circulation channel, said obturating device being arranged in said portion of the cross-section of said circulation channel.

[0042] According to this advantageous variant, the valve allows the regulation of an airflow circulating in only a portion of the cross-section of the circulation channel.

[0043] Advantageously and according to the invention, at least one radial flap of said sealing member has a surface that at least partially overlaps the surface of an adjacent radial flap when said sealing member is in the closed position.

[0044] Thus and according to this variant, the valve makes it possible to guarantee a good internal seal by the overlapping of the flaps with each other when the latter is in the closed position.

[0045] Advantageously and according to the invention, the sealing member comprises a plurality of radial flaps of identical cross-section.

[0046] According to this aspect of the invention, the valve makes it possible to limit the opening area or the air leakage area in the event of the loss of a radial flap.

[0047] Advantageously and according to the invention, the valve further comprises an electrical or pneumatic control means for the actuator.

[0048] Advantageously and according to the invention, the control means is an electrical control means comprising a stator mounted concentrically around the toothed ring, said toothed ring being adapted to be driven by electromagnetic induction.

[0049] It is understood that the toothed ring comprises a conductive material known to a person skilled in the art, said material being suitable to be driven by such electromagnetic induction.

[0050] The invention also relates to an airflow control valve combining all or part of the features mentioned above or below. List of figures

[0051] Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description, given by way of non-limiting example only, and which refers to the accompanying figures in which: • [Fig. 1] represents a valve according to a first embodiment of the invention in which the sealing member is in an open position. • [Fig. 2] represents a detailed view of the obturator in a fully open position according to the first embodiment. • [Fig. 3] represents a detailed view of the obturator in a fully closed position according to the first embodiment of the invention. • [Fig.4] represents a valve according to a second embodiment of the invention. • [Fig.5A] represents a valve according to a third embodiment of the invention. • [Fig.5B] represents a valve according to the third embodiment of the invention.

[0052] Detailed description of an embodiment of the invention

[0053] In the figures, the scales and proportions are not strictly respected, for the purposes of illustration and clarity.

[0054] In the entire detailed description that follows with reference to the figures, unless otherwise indicated, each element of the valve according to the invention is described as it is arranged during its use.

[0055] Identical, similar or analogous elements are designated by the same references in all figures.

[0056] In the described embodiment, the control valve is a tubular valve comprising a longitudinal valve body 100 having a single air circulation channel 101. Said channel 101 is arranged between an air inlet 102 and an air outlet 103 longitudinally opposed to said inlet 102.

[0057] The valve includes a shut-off element 200 arranged in the air circulation channel 101, said shut-off element 200 occupying the entire cross-section of said channel 101. It is thus understood that the channel 101 of the described embodiment is a regulated channel. The shut-off element 200 is configured to be able to move from a position open allowing air to flow in said channel 101, from said air inlet 102 to said air outlet 103, to a closed position preventing any said air flow in said channel 101 from said air inlet 102 to said air outlet 103. It is understood that said open position includes an infinite number of positions, said positions being between a fully open position allowing a maximum flow of air, and a fully closed position preventing any air flow.

[0058] The shuttering member has the particularity of being formed of a plurality of radial flaps 210. The radial flaps 210 advantageously have a petal shape and are each mounted movable in rotation around a radial shaft 220 between an open position corresponding to the open position of said shuttering member 200 and a closed position corresponding to said closed position of said shuttering member 200.

[0059] The valve according to the described embodiment is a symmetrical valve which has a preferential direction of airflow depending on the closure or opening of the sealing element 200.

[0060] The valve further includes at least one actuator of the shuttering member 200 configured to be able to control the position of said shuttering member 200, between said open position and said closed position.

[0061] The valve actuator can be a pneumatic or electric type actuator.

[0062] This actuator comprises a toothed ring 300 arranged peripherally to the valve body 100. Said toothed ring 300 is mounted in mechanical engagement with a plurality of pinions 230, each mounted respectively fixed to a radial shaft 220 of a radial flap 210 such that the rotation of said toothed ring 300 causes the concomitant pivoting of each radial flap 210 around its radial shaft 220 to tilt the obturating member 200 from the open position to the closed position and vice versa.

[0063] The actuator thus makes it possible to drive in rotation the toothed ring 300 which is at the origin of the concomitant pivot of the radial flaps 210 of the obturator member 200.

[0064] In the described embodiment, it is understood that the closed position of the sealing element 200 prevents any air circulation in the single circulation channel 101, referred to as the regulated channel because the sealing element 200 occupies the entire cross-section of said channel 101. However, it should be considered, as will be described later, that the invention may extend to other embodiments in which the closed position of the sealing element does not necessarily prevent all air circulation in the circulation channel 101, but only in said regulated channel, corresponding to the channel in which said sealing element 200 is arranged.

[0065] Fig. 1 represents a preferred embodiment of the invention in which the obturating member 200 occupies substantially the entire cross-section of the valve body 100. The circulation channel 101 is thus a channel regulated by said 200.

[0066] The sealing element 200 has five radial flaps 210 and is in an open position. It is understood that the sealing element has an infinite number of open positions, allowing the circulation of an airflow between the inlet 102 and the outlet 103, said open positions being between a fully open position allowing a maximum airflow, and a fully closed position preventing any air circulation.

[0067] Figures [Fig.2] and [Fig.3] respectively represent a detailed view of a valve according to the embodiment of [Fig.1].

[0068] According to [Fig. 2], the obturator 200 is in the fully open position and allows maximum airflow. Each radial flap 210 comprises a radial shaft 220 extending along a radial axis on either side of its respective radial flap. Furthermore, each radial shaft 220 is mounted respectively on a first bearing, referred to as the outer bearing 240, arranged radially on the valve body 100, and on a second bearing, referred to as the inner bearing 250, arranged coaxially inside the valve body.

[0069] The bearing 250 is an ogive-shaped part, on which is mounted the lower end of the radial shaft 220 and its respective radial flap 210.

[0070] This embodiment describes two bearings 240 and 250, which can be used for valves with a large cross-sectional diameter. However, the invention can also dispense with the inner bearing 250 for valves with small cross-sectional diameters or low flow rates. In this case, the radial flaps 210 are configured to overlap at their respective lower ends at the axis of the valve body 100.

[0071] Figure 3 represents the obturator 200 in a fully closed position. In this position, each radial flap 210 has a surface overlapping the surface of another adjacent radial flap 210.

[0072] Advantageously, this overlap ensures good internal sealing by at least partial overlap of the surfaces of each radial flap 210 with each other.

[0073] The switching from the closed position to the open position of the shutter member 200 thus corresponds to the concomitant pivoting of each radial flap 210 around its respective radial shaft 220. In addition, this is made possible by the pinions 230 arranged at the radial end of each shaft 220.

[0074] The pinions 230 are mechanically engaged with a toothed ring 300 whose rotation around the periphery of the valve body 100 allows the concomitant pivoting of the radial flaps 210.

[0075] The toothed ring 300 further includes a radially projecting lug 310 and the valve body 100 includes a pair of mechanical stops 110a, 110b arranged peripherally to the valve body 100.

[0076] The valve thus benefits from a preferred direction of airflow imposed by the position of the radial flaps. Since the valve is symmetrical, the flow direction is imposed by the mechanical stops 110a, 110b which limit the movement of the toothed ring 300 on a peripheral position of the valve body 100.

[0077] Figure 4 represents a second embodiment of a valve according to the invention in which the regulated channel corresponds to only a part of the section of the valve body 100.

[0078] This embodiment comprises only one air circulation channel 101, divided into a regulated channel 101A and an unregulated channel 10IB. The channels 101A and 101B are mechanically separated by a separator 105.

[0079] In this figure, the obturator 200 comprises 3 radial flaps 210 and is in an open position.

[0080] Figures [Fig. 5A] and [Fig. 5B] represent a third embodiment in which the valve body 100 comprises two concentric air circulation channels, referred to respectively as inner channel 101D and outer channel 101C, said obturator 200 being arranged in said outer channel 10IC which is thus a regulated channel.

[0081] In this embodiment, the valve body 100 comprises an air inlet 102 and two separate air outlets 103D and 103C corresponding respectively to channels 101D and 103C. The shut-off member 200 comprises six radial flaps arranged on an internal hexagonal bearing 250 and allows regulation of channel 101C.

[0082] According to another embodiment, said obturator 200 is arranged in said internal channel 101D, which is thus a regulated channel.

[0083] According to another embodiment, said valve body 100 comprises a first obturating member arranged in said inner channel 101D and a second obturating member arranged in said outer channel 101C, which are thus regulated channels, said obturating members being actuable independently of each other.

Claims

Demands

1. Air flow control valve characterized in that it comprises: - a valve body (100), at least one air circulation channel (101) extending in a longitudinal direction between an air inlet (102) and an air outlet (103), said valve body comprising a pair of peripherally arranged mechanical stops (110a, 110b); - at least one shuttering device (200) arranged in at least one circulation channel (101), referred to as a regulated channel, and configured to be able to move from an open position allowing all or part of the air circulation in said regulated channel, from said air inlet (102) to said air outlet (103), to a closed position preventing all said air circulation in said regulated channel from said air inlet (102) to said air outlet (103), said shuttering device (200) being formed of a plurality of radial flaps (210),each mounted to rotate freely around a radial shaft (220) between an open position corresponding to the open position of said obturator (200) and a closed position corresponding to the closed position of said obturator (200), - at least one actuator of said obturator (200) configured to be able to control the position of said obturator (200), between said open position and said closed position, said actuator comprising a toothed ring (300) peripheral to the valve body (100) mechanically meshed with a plurality of pinions (230), each mounted respectively integrally with a radial shaft (220) of a radial flap (210) such that the rotation of said toothed ring (300) causes the concomitant pivoting of each radial flap (210) around its radial shaft (220) to tilt the obturator (200) from the open position to the closed position and vice versa,said notched crown further comprising a radially projecting lug.

2. Valve according to claim 1, characterized in that said toothed ring (300) is arranged in a groove of the valve body.

3. Valve according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the radial shaft (220) of each pinion (230) is mounted on the less a first bearing, called the outer bearing, arranged radially on the valve body (100).

4. Valve according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it further comprises two concentric air circulation channels, referred to respectively as inner channel and outer channel, said sealing member (200) being arranged in said inner channel and / or said outer channel.

5. Valve according to claim 4, characterized in that the outer channel is a regulated channel comprising said obturator member (200).

6. Valve according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that it comprises a single air circulation channel, said regulated channel, said regulated channel comprising at least one shut-off member (200).

7. Valve according to claim 6, characterized in that said regulated channel corresponds to a portion of the cross-section of the circulation channel, said obturating member being arranged in said portion of the cross-section of said circulation channel.

8. Valve according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one radial flap (210) of said sealing member (200) has a surface that at least partially overlaps the surface of an adjacent radial flap (210) when said sealing member (200) is in the closed position.

9. Valve according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sealing member (200) comprises a plurality of radial flaps (210) of identical cross-section.

10. Valve according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it further comprises an electrical or pneumatic control means for the actuator.

11. Valve according to any one of the preceding claims characterized in that the control means is an electrical control means comprising a stator mounted concentrically around the toothed ring (300), said toothed ring (300) being adapted to be driven by electromagnetic induction.

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