Valve driving device and process valve

Abstract

To provide a valve driving device capable of enhancing safety of installation while reducing labor and preventing accidental opening by necessary rotational movement.SOLUTION: The valve driving device includes a driving device housing 100 having an opening part 102, and a closing body 200 for closing the opening part 102. 200, the at least one latch hook 206a to 206c of the closing body 200 engages with the at least one recess 106a to 106c and, in order to release the locking between the drive housing 100 and the closing body 200, the at least one latch hook 206a to 206c is moved out of the recess 106a to 106c of the drive housing 100 by a relative rotational movement between the drive housing 100 and the closing body 200 about the imaginary adjustment axis S of the valve drive 4.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a valve drive device and a process valve. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0002] The problems of the prior art are solved by a valve drive device according to claim 1 and a process valve according to the further independent claims. [Means for solving the problem]

[0003] A first aspect of the present specification relates to a valve drive device for a process valve, comprising: a drive device housing having an opening, the opening leading to the interior of the drive device housing; and a closure body that closes the opening, wherein, when the drive device housing and the closure body are in a locked state, at least one latching hook of the closure body engages with at least one notch in the drive device housing, and to unlock the drive device housing and the closure body, the at least one latching hook moves out of the notch in the drive device housing by relative rotational movement between the drive device housing and the closure body about a virtual adjustment axis of the valve drive device.

[0004] The valve actuation device provided increases safety of installation while reducing labor: the required rotational movement prevents accidental opening.

[0005] Furthermore, the ease with which the closure can be moved to the unlocked state improves the inspectability, repairability, and recyclability of the valve actuation device. After simply removing the closure, components can be removed from the interior of the valve actuation device and replaced as needed. This improves the environmental impact of the valve actuation device.

[0006] One advantageous example is characterized in that at least one seal designed as a protrusion protrudes from the closure body, and the at least one seal is at least partially broken by at least one seal breaker of the drive device housing during the relative rotational movement between the drive device housing and the closure body for unlocking.

[0007] This makes it easy to know whether the valve drive has already been opened before it arrives for a scheduled inspection, which advantageously makes the certification case easier to understand.

[0008] An advantageous example is characterized in that the at least one seal engages in a recess in the drive housing in the locked state and the at least one seal breaker is a wall of the recess.

[0009] This advantageously provides a structurally simple way of providing a sealing function.

[0010] An advantageous example is characterized in that, in order to lock the drive housing and the closure body, a relative axial movement is made between the drive housing and the closure body, in particular a relative axial movement parallel to the adjustment axis of the valve drive.

[0011] By axial movement, the internally located components can be easily captively fixed in their functional position using the closure.

[0012] An advantageous example is characterized in that the head of the at least one latching hook is guided on an associated insertion surface of the valve housing for locking and is initially pushed in the direction of the imaginary adjustment axis of the valve drive in order to move into and engage with the at least one cutout when it reaches the at least one cutout.

[0013] The engagement of the head in the notch provides an anti-pullout locking position between the drive housing and the closure, which means that the head of the latching hook can be removed from the notch by simply rotating it without causing any damage.

[0014] Advantageously, the at least one resilient latching hook can be pushed into the notch by its own spring force after being pressed inwards to reach the locked position.

[0015] One advantageous example is characterized in that, for unlocking, at least one unlocking surface of the at least one latching hook and an associated opposing surface of the at least one cutout cooperate during the relative rotational movement to guide the at least one latching hook from the associated cutout onto the peripheral surface of the valve housing that defines the associated cutout.

[0016] The resilient latching hook can therefore be released from the notch without being damaged, whereby the latching hook loses its latching effect and the closure can be removed from the drive housing.

[0017] One advantageous example is characterized in that after the drive housing and the closure body have rotated relative to each other, at least one of the latching hooks is moved away from each other by the relative axial movement of the drive housing and the closure body.

[0018] The radial movement disengages the latching hooks from the notches, allowing subsequent pulling of the closure from the driver housing.

[0019] One advantageous example is characterized in that during the relative axial movement of the drive unit housing and the closure body, at least one latching hook is removed from the interior of the drive unit housing by contacting a withdrawal surface from the peripheral surface defining the cutout portion.

[0020] This allows for easy removal of the closure.

[0021] An advantageous embodiment is characterized in that the closure body comprises at least one through opening through which the actuating rod of the valve actuating device passes.

[0022] Thus, advantageously, the closure body is arranged in the valve body side opening of the actuator housing, which advantageously provides design freedom for the side facing away from the valve body.

[0023] An advantageous example is characterized in that the valve drive comprises a pneumatic piston movable along the adjustment axis and rigidly connected to the drive rod, and a compression spring supported on the pneumatic piston and on the drive housing.

[0024] An advantageous example is characterized in that the valve drive device comprises a pneumatic piston movable along the adjustment axis and rigidly connected to the drive rod, and a compression spring supported on the pneumatic piston and the closure body.

[0025] An advantageous example is characterized in that the closure body comprises a clamping portion adapted to clamp a lateral outer collar of the valve diaphragm between the clamping portion and the valve body.

[0026] One advantageous example is characterized in that, in a locked state between the drive unit housing and the closure body, each of the multiple latching hooks of the closure body engages with an associated one of the multiple notches of the drive unit housing, and, in order to unlock the drive unit housing and the closure body, the multiple latching hooks disengage from the associated one of the multiple notches of the drive unit housing by relative rotational movement between the drive unit housing and the closure body.

[0027] A second aspect of the present disclosure relates to a process valve, in particular a diaphragm valve, comprising a valve driver according to the first aspect and a valve body rigidly connected to the valve driver.

[0028] An advantageous version is characterized in that the valve diaphragm with its lateral outer collar is clamped between the valve driver and the valve body, and for its movement the valve diaphragm is connected to a drive rod. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0029] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 shows a process valve in cross section along an adjustment axis. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 shows a detailed view of the process valve. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 shows the process valve in a cross section perpendicular to the adjustment axis. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a view showing a closing body of the valve drive device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0030] 1 shows a valve actuator 4 for a process valve 2. The valve actuator 4 includes an actuator housing 100 having an opening 102 leading to an interior 104 of the actuator housing 100, and a closure 200 closing the opening 102 in the actuator housing 100.

[0031] When the drive unit housing 100 and the closure body 200 are locked together, at least one of the latching hooks 206a to 206d of the closure body 200 engages with at least one of the notches 106a to 106d of the drive unit housing 100.

[0032] In order to lock the drive housing 100 and the closure body 200 during manufacturing, a relative axial movement is effected between the drive housing 100 and the closure body 200, in particular parallel to the imaginary adjustment axis S of the valve drive 4.

[0033] The head 216a-216d of the at least one latching hook 206a-206d is guided by an associated insertion surface 116a-116d in the interior 104 of the actuator housing 100 for locking and is initially, i.e. when inserted into the interior 104, pushed in the direction of the imaginary adjustment axis S of the valve actuator 4. Then, when the head 216a-216d reaches the at least one cutout 106a-106d, the spring force of the associated latching hook 206a-206d moves the head 216a-216d into the at least one cutout 106a-106d and thus engages in the at least one associated cutout 106a-106d.

[0034] The insertion surface 116a-116d of the power housing 100 contacts at least one of the latching hooks 206a-206d when the closure body 200 is inserted. In this case, the heads 216a-216d of the latching hooks 206a-206d are pushed further in the direction of the adjustment axis S as the closure body 200 is guided further into the opening leading to the interior 104. While being pushed inward, the latching hooks 206a-206d are guided further into the interior 104. When the associated heads 216a-216d reach the associated cutouts 106a-106d, they snap into the cutouts.

[0035] In the locked state, the locking surface 226a-226d of at least one latching hook 206a-206d, together with the opposing locking surface 126a-126d of the associated cutout 106a-106d, prevents the closure 200 from being removed from the driver housing 100 by axial movement.

[0036] The locking surfaces 226a to 226d and the opposing locking surfaces 126a to 126d extend perpendicular to the adjustment axis S.

[0037] The valve drive unit 4 is transported in a locked state.

[0038] To test the valve actuator 4, the valve actuator 4 is brought into an unlocked state and the closure body 200 is removed from the actuator housing 100.

[0039] To unlock the drive unit housing 100 and the closure body 200, at least one of the latching hooks 206a-206d is moved out of the notch 106a-106d of the drive unit housing 100 by relative rotational movement between the drive unit housing 100 and the closure body 200 around the imaginary adjustment axis S.

[0040] During operation of the process valve 2, relative rotational movement is prevented by fastening means (not shown), particularly bolts or screws, that pass through both the actuator housing 100 and the closure body 200 to fasten the valve actuator 4 to the valve body 6. Thus, the actuator housing 100 and the closure body 200 cannot rotate relative to each other during operation.

[0041] During relative axial movement between the drive housing 100 and the closure body 200, in order to remove the closure body 200, at least one of the latching hooks 206a-206d is moved from the peripheral surface 114a-114d defining the cutout portion 106a-106d to outside the interior 104 of the drive housing 100 by contacting the withdrawal surface 118a-118d.

[0042] The closure body 200 comprises at least one through opening 230 through which the drive rod 20 of the valve drive device 4 passes.

[0043] The actuator housing 100 comprises at least a first guide portion 30 for axially guiding the drive rod 20 of the valve actuator 4, and the closure body 200 comprises at least a second guide portion 232 for axially guiding the drive rod 20 of the valve actuator 4. The closure body also serves to guide the drive rod 20 during operation.

[0044] The drive rod 20 is moved along the adjustment axis S during operation of the process valve 2 .

[0045] The closure body 200 is securely received in the drive housing 100 in at least one imaginary vertical plane in the adjustment axis S. This is ensured, for example, by the outer surfaces of the latching hooks 206a-206c abutting the associated surfaces 116a-116d in the locked state.

[0046] 1 shows a valve actuator 4 for a normally closed process valve. The valve actuator 4 is movable along an adjustment axis S and includes a pneumatic piston 40 rigidly connected to an actuator rod 20, and a compression spring 50 supported by the pneumatic piston 40 and an actuator housing 100.

[0047] In the example of a normally open process valve (not shown), the valve actuator 4 comprises a pneumatic piston movable along the adjustment axis S and rigidly connected to a drive rod, and a compression spring supported on the pneumatic piston and the closure body 200.

[0048] The closure body 200 is provided with a circular receiving groove 250, into which the compression spring of the valve drive device 4 is adapted to engage.

[0049] The stopper 234 of the closure body 200 disposed in the interior 104 provides a stop surface so that a component disposed in the interior 104, which may be subjected to a spring force along the adjustment axis S, can abut against the closure body 200.

[0050] The closure 200 is secured to the drive housing 100 in a pull-out-proof manner along the adjustment axis S via at least one latching hook 206a-206d. Thus, the closure 200 retains the components arranged in the interior 104.

[0051] In the example shown, a closure body 200 is provided which comprises a clamping portion 280 adapted to clamp the lateral outer collar of the valve diaphragm 8 between the clamping portion 280 and the valve body 6 .

[0052] When the drive unit housing 100 and the closure body 200 are in a locked state, each of the multiple latching hooks 206a-206d of the closure body 200 engages with an associated one of the multiple notches 106a-106d of the drive unit housing 100, and to unlock the drive unit housing 100 and the closure body 200, the multiple latching hooks 206a-206d disengage from the associated one of the multiple notches 106a-106d of the drive unit housing 100 by relative rotational movement between the drive unit housing 100 and the closure body 200.

[0053] In the illustrated example, two of the four latching hooks 206a to 206d are arranged in pairs facing each other, and two of the four notched portions 106a to 106d are arranged in pairs facing each other.

[0054] The process valve 2 is designed, for example, as a diaphragm valve. Of course, other types of process valves, such as seat valves, may also be used.

[0055] The process valve 2 comprises a valve driver 4 and a valve body 6 rigidly connected to the valve driver 4 .

[0056] In the example of a diaphragm valve, the valve diaphragm 8 with its lateral outer collar is clamped between the valve driver 4 and the valve body 6, and the valve diaphragm 8 is connected to an actuation rod 20 for its operation.

[0057] To close a flow path in the process valve 2, the valve diaphragm 8 is pressed against the valve seat 7 in the valve body 6 via the actuation rod 8 and pressure piece (not shown). To open a flow path, the valve diaphragm 8 is lifted from the valve seat 7 by the actuation rod 20.

[0058] 2 shows a detail of the valve driver 4 in an unlocked state. At least one seal 210a-210b formed as a protrusion protrudes from the closure body 200. The at least one seal 210a-210b is at least partially broken by at least one seal breaker 112a-112b of the driver housing 100 during the relative rotational movement between the driver housing 100 and the closure body 200 for unlocking.

[0059] In this example, at least one seal 210a-210b projects from the closure body 200 parallel to the adjustment axis S.

[0060] In the locked state, the at least one seal 210a-210b engages the recess 112 in the drive housing 100. The at least one seal breaker 112a-112b is a wall of the recess 112.

[0061] To remove the closure 200 from the driver housing 100 after locking, the two components must be rotated relative to each other, which destroys at least one seal 210a-210b located in the recess 112.

[0062] Recess 112 abuts the exterior surface of driver housing 100 so that both the broken and unbroken seals 210a-210b are visible from the outside.

[0063] After the relative rotational movement of the drive housing 100 and the closure 200 relative to one another, at least one of the latching hooks 206a-206d is released by relative axial movement of the drive housing 100 and the closure 200 away from one another.

[0064] 3 shows the valve drive device 4 in a cross section perpendicular to the adjustment axis in the locked state, where the latching hooks 206a to 206d engage with the associated notches 106a to 106d.

[0065] For unlocking, at least one unlocking surface 208a-208d, 210a-210d on the head 216a-216d of at least one latching hook 206a-206d and an associated opposing surface 108a-108d, 110a-110d of at least one cutout 106a-106d are provided which cooperate during relative rotational movement to guide at least one latching hook 206a-206d from the associated cutout 106a-106d to a peripheral surface 114a-114d of the drive housing 100, which is the peripheral surface that defines the associated cutout 106a-106d.

[0066] At least one of the unlocking surfaces 208a to 208d, 210a to 210d of the heads 216a to 216d extends in the circumferential direction around the imaginary adjustment axis S so as to deviate from the imaginary circle.

[0067] The shape and arrangement of the at least one unlocking surface 208a-208d, 210a-210d, the shape and arrangement of the associated at least one opposing surface 108a-108d, 110a-110d, and the restoring force of the hooks 206a-206d clearly determine the force that must be overcome to move the at least one hook 206a-206d out of the notch 106a-106d by relative rotational movement. For multiple hooks 206a-206d, a corresponding combined force is generated.

[0068] 4 is a perspective view of an example closure 200 with seals 210a-210b intact. Closure 200 has a flange region 290 with a hole pattern. At least one seal 210a-210b protrudes from flange region 290.

[0069] The hooks 206a to 206d are arranged along an imaginary circle with the adjustment axis S as its center.

[0070] A sleeve 211 that provides at least a portion of the through opening 230 is disposed within the latching hooks 206a to 206d.

Claims

1. A valve drive device (4) for a process valve (2) comprising: a drive device housing (100) having a valve body side opening (102), the valve body side opening (102) communicating with an interior (104) of the drive device housing (100); and a closure body (200) that closes the valve body side opening (102), wherein when the drive device housing (100) and the closure body (200) are locked together, at least one latching hook (206a-206d) of the closure body (200) a locking hook (206a-206d) engages with at least one notch (106a-106d) of the drive device housing (100), and the at least one latching hook (206a-206d) is moved out of the notch (106a-106d) of the drive device housing (100) by a relative rotational movement between the drive device housing (100) and the closure body (200) about a virtual adjustment axis (S) of the valve drive device (4).

2. 2. The valve drive device (4) according to claim 1, wherein at least one seal (210a-210b) designed as a protrusion protrudes from the closure body (200), and the at least one seal (210a-210b) is at least partially broken by at least one seal breaker (112a-112b) of the drive device housing (100) during a relative rotational movement between the drive device housing (100) and the closure body (200) for unlocking.

3. 3. The valve drive device (4) according to claim 2, wherein the at least one seal (210a-210b) engages with a recess (112) in the drive device housing (100) in the locked state, and the at least one seal breaker (112a-112b) is a wall of the recess (112).

4. 3. The valve drive device (4) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a relative axial movement between the drive device housing (100) and the closure body (200), in particular a relative axial movement parallel to the virtual adjustment axis (S) of the valve drive device (4), is performed between the drive device housing (100) and the closure body (200) in order to lock them together.

5. The valve drive (4) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a head (216a to 216d) of the at least one latching hook (206a to 206d) is guided on an associated insertion surface (116a to 116d) of the drive housing (100) for locking, and is initially pushed in the direction of the imaginary adjustment axis (S) of the valve drive (4) in order to move into and engage with the at least one cutout (106a to 106d) when it reaches the at least one cutout.

6. 6. The valve drive device according to claim 1, wherein, for unlocking, at least one unlocking surface (208a-d, 210a-d) of the at least one latching hook (206a-206d) and an associated opposing surface (108a-108d, 110a-110d) of the at least one cutout (106a-106d) cooperate during a relative rotational movement to guide the at least one latching hook (206a-206d) from the associated cutout (106a-106d) into a peripheral surface (114a-114d) of the drive device housing (100) that defines the associated cutout (106a-106d).

7. The valve drive device (4) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein after the relative rotational movement of the drive device housing (100) and the closure body (200) relative to each other, the at least one latching hook (206a to 206d) is moved away from each other by the relative axial movement of the drive device housing (100) and the closure body (200).

8. 8. The valve drive device (4) according to claim 6 or claim 7, wherein during the relative axial movement of the drive device housing (100) and the closure body (200), the at least one latching hook (206a-206d) is moved from the peripheral surface (114a-114d) defining the cutout portion (106a-106d) to outside the interior (104) of the drive device housing (100) by contacting a withdrawal surface (118a-118d).

9. The valve drive device (4) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the closure body (200) has at least one through opening (230) through which the drive rod (20) of the valve drive device (4) passes.

10. The valve drive device (4) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, comprising: a pneumatic piston (40) movable along the virtual adjustment axis (S) and rigidly connected to the drive rod (20); and a compression spring (50) supported by the pneumatic piston (40) and the drive device housing (100).

11. The valve drive device (4) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, comprising: a pneumatic piston (40) movable along the virtual adjustment axis (S) and rigidly connected to the drive rod (20); and a compression spring supported on the pneumatic piston (40) and the closure body (200).

12. The valve actuation device (4) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the closure body (200) comprises a clamping portion (280) adapted to clamp a lateral outer collar of a valve diaphragm (8) between the clamping portion (280) and the valve body (6).

13. 13. The valve drive device (4) according to claim 1, wherein, in a locked state between the drive device housing (100) and the closure body (200), each of the plurality of latching hooks (206a to 206d) of the closure body (200) engages with an associated one of the plurality of notches (106a to 106d) of the drive device housing (100), and, in order to unlock the drive device housing (100) and the closure body (200), the plurality of latching hooks (206a to 206d) disengage from the associated one of the plurality of notches (106a to 106d) of the drive device housing (100) by a relative rotational movement between the drive device housing (100) and the closure body (200).

14. A valve drive device (4) according to any one of claims 1 to 13; a valve body (6) rigidly connected to the valve driver (4); A process valve (2), in particular a diaphragm valve.

15. 15. The process valve (2) of claim 14, wherein a valve diaphragm (8) is clamped between the valve driver (4) and the valve body (6) at a lateral outer collar of the valve diaphragm (8), and the valve diaphragm (8) is connected to a drive rod (20) for movement.

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