Cartridge and homogenizing valve equipped with said cartridge

Abstract

A cartridge (1) for a homogenizing valve (100), comprising: a deflector (2) with an elongated development, a hollow case (3) with cylindrical symmetry, through which the deflector (2) penetrates so that at least a part (2a) of the deflector (2) is inside the hollow case (3); a cartridge (1) comprising an annular guide (4) mounted between the inner wall (3a) of said hollow case (3) and said deflector (2).

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a cartridge and a homogenizing valve including the cartridge. [Background technology]

[0002] The invention proposed here can be used in manufacturing fields where homogenization is a step in the manufacturing process.

[0003] Consider, for example, the production of carbon-based nanostructured materials such as graphene and carbon nanotubes, or the disruption of yeast, algae, and microorganisms for the production of intracellular materials.

[0004] The invention may also be used in the food industry, in particular the dairy industry, or in the chemical, pharmaceutical or cosmetic industries. Disclosure of the Invention As is well known, devices for homogenizing fluids break down particles to minimize their size, uniformize particle size, and reduce the variability of particle size distribution.

[0005] In various previously known embodiments, the homogenizing device comprises a high-pressure pump and a homogenizing valve.

[0006] The homogenizing valve includes a first chamber that receives the high-energy fluid from the pump discharge and a second chamber that can provide an output back pressure. The homogenizing action is achieved by passing the fluid through a space or gap of reduced size provided between the first and second chambers.

[0007] The gap is defined by a radial collider integrally joined to the valve body and a deflector axially movable relative to the radial collider.

[0008] The deflector is fitted with a pusher that allows the fluid pressure to be contrasted axially, and the size of the gap is controlled by acting directly on the pusher as a function of the valve flow rate and pressure operating value.

[0009] The energy of the fluid decreases as it passes through the gap according to Bernoulli's principle.

[0010] The main drawback of the solution just described is the reduced service life of the components, especially those exposed to high pressures, namely the deflectors.

[0011] In applications using fibrous fluids, the service life of parts is further shortened by the abrasive nature of the fluid itself, which means that parts exposed to the passage of the fluid wear out more quickly and need to be replaced more frequently.

[0012] Replacing the deflector requires specialized tools, plus other parts must be removed to access the deflector, making the job long and complicated. Summary of the Invention

[0013] In this regard, it is an object of the present invention to provide a cartridge and homogenizing valve that overcomes the above-mentioned problems of the prior art.

[0014] The object of the present invention is to propose a cartridge that has a longer service life than known solutions.

[0015] Another object of the present invention is to provide an easily replaceable cartridge within the homogenizing valve.

[0016] Another object of the invention is to propose a homogenizing valve that is easier to maintain than known solutions.

[0017] The stated technical problem and identified object is to provide a cartridge for a homogenizing valve, comprising: a deflector with an elongated development, a hollow case with cylindrical symmetry, the deflector passing through the hollow case so that at least a part of the deflector is inside the hollow case; This is essentially achieved by a cartridge comprising an annular guide mounted between the inner wall of the hollow case and the deflector.

[0018] Preferably, the annular guide is made of a plastic material.

[0019] According to one aspect of the invention, the hollow case is coaxial with the deflector.

[0020] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the hollow case comprises a tubular body and a hollow plug applied to a first end of the tubular body.

[0021] In particular, the hollow plug has a plurality of first holes.

[0022] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the tubular body has a second end that is bent inwardly to define an annular base in which the deflector is received.

[0023] In particular, the annular base has a plurality of second holes.

[0024] Preferably, the first hole has a larger diameter than the second hole.

[0025] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the cartridge further includes a first ring and a second ring disposed inside the hollow case and around the deflector, and the annular guide is interposed between the first ring and the second ring.

[0026] For example, the first and second rings are made of PEEK.

[0027] Preferably, the hollow case is made of anti-friction steel.

[0028] The stated technical problem and identified objective is to provide a homogenizing valve, comprising: an inlet for high-energy fluids; an outlet for the homogenized low energy fluid; - Radial Collider, a cartridge according to the invention, the deflector being movable relative to the radial collider to define a gap therebetween. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0029] Further features and advantages of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the non-limiting description of preferred, but not exclusive, embodiments of the cartridge and homogenizing valve, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. [Figure 1] 1 shows a cartridge for a homogenizing valve according to the present invention in front view. [Figure 2] 2 shows a perspective view of the cartridge of FIG. 1. [Figure 3] 2 shows a cross-sectional view of the cartridge of FIG. 1. [Figure 4] 1 shows a cross-sectional view of a homogenizing valve according to the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0030] Referring to the drawings, the numeral 1 designates a cartridge for a homogenizing valve 100 .

[0031] The cartridge 1 comprises a deflector 2 with an elongated development. In particular, the deflector 2 has cylindrical symmetry with respect to a longitudinal axis AA.

[0032] The cartridge 1 further comprises a hollow case 3 having cylindrical symmetry to receive the deflector 2 .

[0033] In particular, the hollow case 3 is coaxial with the deflector 2 .

[0034] Additionally, the hollow case 3 is coaxial with the radial collider 20, which is described in more detail below.

[0035] The deflector 2 is disposed within the hollow case 3 so as to penetrate the hollow case 3. At least a portion 2a of the deflector 2 is located inside the hollow case 3. This portion, designated 2a, is referred to as the "inner portion" of the deflector 2.

[0036] The remainder of the deflector 2 is outside the hollow case 3 .

[0037] In particular, the first end 2 b of the deflector 2 and the second end 2 c of the deflector 2 protrude to the outside of the hollow case 3 .

[0038] An annular guide 4 is attached between the inner wall 3 a of the hollow case 3 and the deflector 2 .

[0039] In particular, the annular guide 4 is interposed between the inner wall 3 a of the hollow case 3 and the inner part 2 a of the deflector 2 .

[0040] According to one aspect of the present invention, the annular guide 4 is made of a plastic elastic material, for example, PTFE.

[0041] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the hollow case 3 comprises a tubular body 5 and a hollow plug 6 applied to a first end 5 a of the tubular body 5 .

[0042] The hollow plug 6 is composed of a hollow disk.

[0043] The tubular body 5 has a second end 5b that is bent inwardly to define an annular base 7 in which the deflector 2 is disposed.

[0044] The annular base 7 and the hollow plug 6 constitute the two hollow disk-shaped bases of the hollow case 3 .

[0045] The tubular body 5 is made of a single piece.

[0046] Preferably, the tubular body 5 is made of anti-friction steel.

[0047] In particular, the deflector 2 is coaxial with the tubular body 5 .

[0048] The hollow plug 6 is made of the same material as the tubular body 5, preferably anti-friction steel.

[0049] To avoid sticking with other steel parts of the homogenizing valve 100, anti-friction steel or other anti-friction metals are useful.

[0050] The cartridge 1 further comprises at least two rings 8, 9 arranged inside the hollow case 3 and around the inner part 2a of the deflector 2.

[0051] In particular, the first ring 8 is disposed inside the hollow case 3 in contact with the inner surface of the hollow plug 6 .

[0052] The second ring 9 is disposed inside the hollow case 3 in contact with the inner surface of the annular base 7 .

[0053] The annular guide 4 is interposed between a first ring 8 and a second ring 9 .

[0054] In particular, the two rings 8, 9 are made of an anti-friction material.

[0055] Preferably, the two rings 8, 9 are made of PEEK.

[0056] The rings 8, 9 are dimensioned to maintain the annular guide 4 in the proper position within the tubular body 5 so as to prevent the annular guide 4 from sliding inside the tubular body 5. In particular, the rings 8, 9 are made of a material that is more rigid than the material from which the annular guide 4 is made, which is preferably a viscoelastic material.

[0057] The deflector 2 is therefore maintained coaxial with the tubular body 5 .

[0058] According to one aspect of the present invention, the hollow plug 6 has a plurality of first holes 10 .

[0059] In particular, all the first holes 10 are identical.

[0060] For example, the first hole 10 is a blind hole.

[0061] In the embodiment shown, four blind holes 4 are provided, equally spaced along the circumferential development of the hollow plug 6 .

[0062] According to one aspect of the present invention, the annular base 7 has a plurality of second holes 11 .

[0063] In particular, all second holes 11 are identical.

[0064] For example, the second hole 11 is a blind hole.

[0065] In the embodiment shown, four blind holes 11 are provided that are equally spaced along the circumferential development of the annular base 7 .

[0066] Preferably, the diameter of the first hole 10 is larger than the diameter of the second hole 11 .

[0067] In accordance with the present invention, the homogenizing valve 100 comprises: an inlet 101 for high energy fluids, an outlet 102 for the homogenized low energy fluid; - Radial Collider 20, a cartridge 1 according to the invention.

[0068] A gap is obtained between the deflector 2 of the cartridge 1 and the radial collider 20 .

[0069] The deflector 2 is movable relative to the radial collider 20, for example, by a pneumatic cylinder.

[0070] The deflector 2 is thus arranged partly in a hollow case 3, which is designed as a reversible part.

[0071] In fact, the axial symmetry of the cartridge 1 allows it to be inverted within the homogenizing valve 100. In fact, the cartridge 1 can be turned upside down so that the other end of the deflector 2 can be used to form the gap.

[0072] For example, if the first end 2a of the deflector 2 becomes worn, the cartridge 1 can be removed from the injection chamber, inverted, and the second end 2b of the deflector 2 can be used to form a gap with the radial collider 20.

[0073] The cartridge 1 can be easily removed thanks to holes 10, 11 (in the hollow plug 6 or the annular base 7) into which a screw or other removal tool can be inserted.

[0074] The features of the cartridge and homogenizing valve according to the present invention are clear as are the advantages.

[0075] Specifically, once the deflector wears to a certain extent, the cartridge can be removed, inverted, and repositioned inside the homogenizing valve. Additionally, if the deflector wears out completely (on both sides), the cartridge can be easily replaced.

[0076] In addition, the cartridge is constructed in a way that ensures sufficient pre-compression of the resilient plastic (viscoelastic) material that makes up the annular guide.

Claims

1. A cartridge (1) for a homogenizing valve (100), comprising: a deflector (2) with an elongated development, a hollow case (3) with cylindrical symmetry, through which the deflector (2) penetrates so that at least a part (2a) of the deflector (2) is inside the hollow case (3); a cartridge (1) comprising an annular guide (4) mounted between the inner wall (3a) of said hollow case (3) and said deflector (2).

2. 2. The cartridge (1) according to claim 1, wherein the hollow case (3) is coaxial with the deflector (2).

3. 3. A cartridge (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the hollow case (3) comprises a tubular body (5) and a hollow plug (6) applied to a first end (5a) of the tubular body (5).

4. 4. The cartridge (1) according to claim 3, wherein the hollow plug (6) has a plurality of first holes (10).

5. 5. A cartridge (1) according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the tubular body (5) has a second end (5b) bent inwardly to define an annular base (7) in which the deflector (2) is received.

6. 6. The cartridge (1) according to claim 5, wherein the annular base (7) has a plurality of second holes (11).

7. 7. A cartridge (1) according to claim 6, wherein said first hole (10) has a larger diameter than said second hole (11).

8. A cartridge (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the annular guide (4) is made of a plastic material.

9. 9. The cartridge (1) according to claim 1, further comprising a first ring (8) and a second ring (9) arranged inside the hollow case (3) and around the deflector (2), and the annular guide (4) is interposed between the first ring (8) and the second ring (9).

10. 10. The cartridge (1) according to claim 9, wherein the first ring (8) and the second ring (9) are made of PEEK.

11. A cartridge (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the hollow case (3) is made of anti-friction steel.

12. A homogenizing valve (100), comprising: an inlet (101) for the energetic fluid; an outlet (102) for the homogenized low energy fluid; - Radial Collider (20), and a cartridge (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the deflector (2) is movable relative to the radial collider (20) to define a gap therebetween.

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