Exhaust valve

Abstract

To provide an exhaust valve capable of performing initial quick exhaust in spite of a simple configuration, and suppressing a leakage amount of water (transfer liquid) when repeatedly performing automatic exhaust.SOLUTION: When a piping system starts to transfer transfer water, initial air in a valve chamber 7 receives transfer pressure, passes through a large hole passage 4 and a small hole passage 5 formed in a cylindrical valve body 2, enters an internal communication passage 3 along the direction of an arrow 95, and is exhausted from an outflow port 24 along the direction of an arrow 96 (rapid exhaust). After the initial air is discharged, the transfer water flows into the valve chamber 7 from an inflow port 23, and a float 10 and the cylindrical valve body 2 float to come into a valve closed state. Thereafter, when air is mixed in the transfer water being transferred, the air stays in an upper part of the valve chamber 7, and the float 10 and the cylindrical valve body 2 are lowered by their own weights. Thus, only the small hole passage 5 is exposed to the lower side from an exhaust passage 26, and the air passes through the small hole passage 5 and is exhausted from the outflow port 24 (automatic exhaust).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The exhaust valve according to the present application relates to a configuration of an exhaust valve that automatically discharges air or the like mixed in liquid transfer piping such as water.

Background Art

[0002] Industrial plants are sometimes provided with piping for transferring water. If air mixes into this piping, it will interfere with the transfer of water, so it is necessary to appropriately discharge air to the outside of the piping system. For this purpose, an exhaust valve is connected to the piping. The exhaust valve automatically opens to discharge the air mixed in the piping to the outside of the piping, and automatically closes to prevent water leakage after the air is discharged.

[0003] Incidentally, immediately after the piping system starts transferring, the inside of the piping is filled with air. For this reason, in addition to the automatic exhaust function that repeatedly and continuously discharges air mixed in during water transfer, the exhaust valve is required to have an initial rapid exhaust function for discharging initial air as rapidly as possible.

[0004] As an exhaust valve having both such an automatic exhaust function and an initial rapid exhaust function, there is one disclosed in Patent Document 1 described later. In this exhaust valve, a first valve seat 6 and a second valve seat 7 are provided on a cover 2 attached to a main body 1 by screw connection. A small valve port 8 is formed in the first valve seat 6, and a large valve port 9 is formed in the second valve seat 7. A float 15 is arranged in a free state in a valve chamber 3 inside the main body 1, and the small valve port 8 is directly opened and closed by the outer surface of the float 15.

[0005] Further, a lever 16 is attached to the cover 2 by a pin 17 provided toward the valve chamber 3. The pin 17 is arranged near the large valve port 9, and the lever 16 is rotatable with the pin 17 as a fulcrum. The lever 16 is provided with a valve body 18 for opening and closing the large valve port 9. The valve body 18 is provided via a snap ring 19. One end portion of the lever 16 on the pin 17 side is strip-shaped, and the other end portion has a ring shape, and the float 15 can move in and out to open and close the small valve port 8.

[0006] In the initial stages of water supply, the float 15 descends, opening the small valve opening 8, while the lever 16 rotates counterclockwise in the diagram, opening the large valve opening 9. As a result, immediately after the piping system begins to transport water, the initial air is rapidly discharged from both the small valve opening 8 and the large valve opening 9.

[0007] After the initial air is discharged, water flows into the valve chamber 3. As the water level rises, the float 15 rises, lifting the lever 16 and closing the large valve opening 9 with the valve body 18. At the same time, the outer surface of the float 15 directly closes the small valve opening 8. Subsequently, the valve body 18 attached to the lever 16 maintains the closure of the large valve opening 9 by the elasticity of the snap ring 19. In contrast, the small valve opening 8 automatically vents by repeatedly opening or closing in accordance with the amount of air flowing into the valve chamber, as the float 15 descends or rises.

[0008] Furthermore, Patent Document 2, described below, discloses the following exhaust valve. The main body consists of a lower body 2, an upper body 4, and a cylindrical body 6, and the main body has an inlet 1, a valve chamber 5, and an exhaust port 3. A valve seat member 11 is attached to the upper body 4, which has a communication hole 12 that connects the valve chamber 5 and the exhaust port 3. A cylindrical exhaust valve body 13 is slidably positioned within the communication hole 12. A float 21 is integrally fixed below the exhaust valve body 13, and the upper part of the exhaust valve body 13 is slidably inserted into a hole 19 formed in the upper body 4.

[0009] The valve chamber 5 and the hole 19 are in communication through the through hole 15, which is the hollow part of the cylindrical exhaust valve body 13. The upper end portion of the exhaust valve body 13 has elongated exhaust valve holes 23, 24, and 25 formed along the direction of movement of the exhaust valve body 13.

[0010] When water transfer begins, the transfer pressure causes the air in the valve chamber 5 to pass through holes 16, 17, and 18 formed in the exhaust valve body 13, through the through-hole 15, through the exhaust valve holes 23, 24, and 25, and be rapidly discharged from the exhaust port 3. As water flows into the valve chamber 5, the float 21 rises as the water level in the valve chamber 5 rises, and the exhaust valve body 13 also rises, so that the exhaust valve holes 23, 24, and 25 are positioned within the hole 19 and closed, preventing the discharge of water to the exhaust port 3. Subsequently, if air is mixed with the water in the valve chamber 5, the float 21 and exhaust valve body 13 descend as the water level drops, and the air is automatically exhausted from the exhaust port 3 via the exhaust valve holes 23, 24, and 25. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0011] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 2-69183 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 7-4546 [Overview of the Initiative] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0012] However, the exhaust valve disclosed in the aforementioned Patent Document 1 requires the provision of a float 15 and a valve body 18 attached to a rotating lever 16, which can lead to a complex and large configuration.

[0013] Furthermore, the exhaust valve disclosed in the aforementioned Patent Document 2 exhausts air through exhaust valve holes 23, 24, and 25 which are formed to be long along the direction of movement of the exhaust valve body 13. Although this allows for rapid exhaust of initial air, water leakage may occur during subsequent automatic exhaust. Specifically, after opening the valve to automatically exhaust air, a relatively large amount of water may suddenly flow out from the exhaust valve holes 23, 24, and 25 in the short time before closing the valve. Since automatic exhaust is repeated, the amount of water leakage may increase, potentially leading to losses in water transport.

[0014] Therefore, the objective of the present invention is to provide an exhaust valve that has a simple structure, is capable of rapid initial exhaust, and can suppress the amount of water (transferred liquid) leakage when repeatedly performing automatic exhaust. [Means for solving the problem]

[0015] The exhaust valve relating to this application is A main body connected to a piping system for transferring a liquid to be transferred and a gas to be discharged, the main body having an inlet communicating with the piping system, a valve chamber communicating with the inlet, and an outlet communicating with the valve chamber, and having a flow path formed with the side of the inlet being the primary side and the side of the outlet being the secondary side. A reciprocating movement path formed in the main body, which is interposed between the valve chamber and the outlet and connects the valve chamber and the outlet. A reciprocating means positioned within the aforementioned reciprocating path in a manner that allows for reciprocating movement, and which reciprocates according to the amount of transfer liquid accumulated in the valve chamber, wherein a first communication hole and a second communication hole having a smaller diameter than the first communication hole are formed therein. An exhaust valve equipped with, When the positional relationship between the reciprocating movement path and the reciprocating movement means is in the initial open state, the valve chamber and the outlet are in communication at least through the first communication hole. When the reciprocating mechanism moves, and the positional relationship between the reciprocating path and the reciprocating mechanism changes from the open state to the slightly open state, the first communication hole is closed by the reciprocating path, and the valve chamber and the outlet are in communication through the second communication hole. When the reciprocating mechanism moves, and the positional relationship between the reciprocating path and the reciprocating mechanism changes from the slightly open state to the closed state, both the first and second communication holes are closed by the reciprocating path, thereby blocking communication between the valve chamber and the outlet. It is characterized by the following: [Effects of the Invention]

[0016] In the exhaust valve according to the present application, when the positional relationship between the reciprocating passage and the reciprocating means is in an initial open state, the valve chamber portion communicates with the outlet portion through at least the first communication hole. Therefore, initial air can be discharged through the first communication hole having a larger diameter, and rapid exhaust of the initial air can be achieved.

[0017] Further, when the positional relationship between the reciprocating passage and the reciprocating means changes from the open state to a slightly open state due to the movement of the reciprocating means, the first communication hole is closed by the reciprocating passage, and the valve chamber portion communicates with the outlet portion through the second communication hole. Therefore, while discharging the gas to be discharged mixed in the transferred liquid through the second communication hole having a smaller diameter than the first communication hole, leakage of the transferred liquid from the first communication hole can be prevented, and the leakage amount of the transferred liquid as a whole can be suppressed.

[0018] Furthermore, when the positional relationship between the reciprocating passage and the reciprocating means changes from the slightly open state to a closed state due to the movement of the reciprocating means, both the first communication hole and the second communication hole are closed, and communication between the valve chamber portion and the outlet portion is blocked. Therefore, leakage of the transferred liquid can be reliably prevented. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] [Figure 1] It is a sectional view showing an exhaust valve device 1 which is a first embodiment of the exhaust valve according to the present application, and is a sectional view showing an initial valve open state. [Figure 2] It is a side view of a cylindrical valve body 2, a float 10 and the like shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 3] It is a sectional view showing a valve closed state of the exhaust valve device 1 shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 4] It is a sectional view showing an operating state of the exhaust valve device 1 shown in FIG. 1. MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0020] [Description of Terms in Embodiment] Main terms shown in the embodiment respectively correspond to the following elements of the exhaust valve according to the present application.

[0021] Exhaust valve device 1... Exhaust valve Cylindrical valve body 2... Reciprocating movement means Large hole road 4...1st communication hole Small hole path 5...2nd communication hole Valve chamber 7...Valve chamber part valve closing ring 9... sealing means Lower body 21 and upper body 22... Body Inflow port 23...Inlet section Outlet port 24...Exit part Exhaust passage 26...return travel path Transfer water...Transfer liquid Air... Gas to be emitted Initial valve open state... Open state Operating state... Slightly open state Closed state... Blocked state

[0022] [First Embodiment] The exhaust valve device 1, which is a first embodiment of the exhaust valve according to the present application, will be described with reference to Figures 1 and 2. The exhaust valve device 1 is connected to piping for transporting water (transfer water) and automatically opens to discharge initial air filling the piping system and air mixed in with the transport water to the outside of the piping system, and automatically closes after discharge to prevent leakage of the transport water.

[0023] (Description of the configuration of exhaust valve device 1) First, let's explain the configuration of the exhaust valve device 1. The exhaust valve device 1 consists of a cylindrical lower body 21 to which an upper body 22 is fixed. The connection between the lower body 21 and the upper body 22 forms a valve chamber 7 inside. The opening at the bottom of the valve chamber 7 is the inlet 23, and piping (not shown) is connected to this inlet 23, through which the transported water flows into the valve chamber 7.

[0024] A float 10, made of a hollow material, is freely positioned within the valve chamber 7. The diameter of the float 10 is slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the valve chamber 7, creating a gap between the outer surface of the float 10 and the inner wall of the valve chamber 7. Four support protrusions 15 are provided below the valve chamber 7, and the float 10 is supported by these protrusions 15 and positioned within the valve chamber 7. The support protrusions 15 are inserted and attached to the inner wall of the valve chamber 7 at equal intervals in the circumferential direction.

[0025] A cylindrical exhaust passage 26 is formed in the center of the upper body 22, extending vertically. The opening at the top of the exhaust passage 26 is the outlet 24, to which an exhaust pipe (not shown) is connected. The axes of the cylindrical exhaust passage 26 and the valve chamber 7 are arranged coaxially along the center line L1.

[0026] A cylindrical valve body 2 is inserted and positioned in the exhaust passage 26. The diameter of the cylindrical valve body 2 is slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the exhaust passage 26, and the cylindrical valve body 2 is positioned to be able to reciprocate along the center line L1 in the directions of arrows 91 and 92 within the exhaust passage 26. The lower surface of the cylindrical valve body 2 is a curved recess, and this curvature of the lower surface is formed as a recess that follows the outer surface of the float 10. As shown in Figure 2, the lower surface of the cylindrical valve body 2 and the outer surface of the float 10 are fixed together by welding, adhesive, or the like.

[0027] Inside the cylindrical valve body 2, there is an internal communication passage 3, which is a long space in the direction of the centerline L1. The upper part of the internal communication passage 3 is open, but the lower part is not open and does not penetrate. On the side surface of the cylindrical valve body 2, there are four large holes 4 formed at equal intervals in the circumferential direction. The large holes 4 are elliptical through-holes that are long in the vertical direction and are formed to connect the valve chamber 7, which is on the outside of the cylindrical valve body 2, with the internal communication passage 3, which is on the inside.

[0028] Furthermore, below the large passage 4, four small passages 5 are formed at equal intervals in the circumferential direction. The small passages 5 are circular through-holes, and their inner diameter is formed to be sufficiently smaller than the minor axis length of the large passage 4. Like the large passage 4, the small passages 5 connect the valve chamber 7, which is the outside of the cylindrical valve body 2, to the internal communication passage 3, which is the inside. Note that the elliptical shapes of the outer surfaces of the large passage 4 and the small passages 5 are schematically represented in the cross-sectional view.

[0029] Thus, the valve chamber 7 and the internal communication passage 3 are connected, and the exhaust valve device 1 has a flow path that passes through the inlet passage 23, the valve chamber 7, the large hole passage 4 and the small hole passage 5, the internal communication passage 3, the exhaust passage 26, and the outlet passage 24. In this flow path, the inlet passage 23 side is the primary side, and the outlet passage 24 side is the secondary side.

[0030] Furthermore, as shown in the figure, the large hole 4 and the small hole 5 are oblique holes in which the centerline (axis) of each flow path is inclined toward the primary side. That is, the centerline L1 and the centerline L4, and the centerline L1 and the centerline L5 intersect with an angle on the primary side that is less than a right angle. For example, the centerline L4 of the large hole 4 and the centerline L5 of the small hole 5 are each inclined toward the primary side at a predetermined angle (for example, about 60 degrees) with respect to the centerline L1 of the cylindrical valve body 2. Note that in Figure 1, the inner circumferential surfaces of the large hole 4 and the small hole 5 are shown to be parallel to the centerlines L4 and L5, respectively, but each inner circumferential surface may be a tapered shape that widens from the primary side to the secondary side.

[0031] Furthermore, a ring-shaped valve closing ring 9 is fixed to the outer circumference of the lower end of the cylindrical valve body 2. The diameter of this valve closing ring 9 is larger than the outer diameter of the cylindrical valve body 2, and the lower end of the cylindrical valve body 2 is fixed so that it passes through the central hole of the valve closing ring 9. In this embodiment, the valve closing ring 9 is made of, for example, stainless steel, and a packing 19 is fitted into the annular recess on its upper surface. The packing 19 protrudes slightly from the upper surface of the valve closing ring 9 (see Figure 2). Note that the valve closing ring 9 can also be constructed entirely of an elastic material without the packing 19.

[0032] (Explanation of the operation of exhaust valve device 1) Next, the operation of the exhaust valve device 1 will be explained. At the initial stage of operation of the piping system that transports the transported water, the piping and the valve chamber 7 of the exhaust valve device 1 are filled with initial air. This initial open valve state is shown in Figure 1. As shown in Figure 1, the float 10 and the cylindrical valve body 2 are descending in the direction of arrow 92 due to their own weight, and the float 10 and the cylindrical valve body 2 are at their limit of descent as the float 10 comes into contact with the support projection 15.

[0033] In this state, when the piping system begins to transfer the water, the initial air in the valve chamber 7 receives the transfer pressure and passes through both the large and small holes 4 and 5 of the cylindrical valve body 2 along the direction of arrow 95, entering the internal communication passage 3, and is exhausted through the exhaust passage 26 and out the outlet 24 along the flow path in the direction of arrow 96. Also, the initial air in the piping receives the transfer pressure and flows into the valve chamber 7, passes through the gap between the inner wall of the valve chamber 7 and the outer surface of the float 10, and is exhausted through the same flow path (arrows 95 and 96). At this time, the initial air is exhausted through the small hole 5 and simultaneously through the large hole 4, which has a larger diameter than the small hole 5, so the initial air is exhausted rapidly (rapid exhaust).

[0034] After the initial air is exhausted, the transport water flows into the valve chamber 7 from the inlet 23, and the water level of the transport water in the valve chamber 7 rises. Consequently, the float 10 gradually rises in the direction of arrow 91, and the cylindrical valve body 2 fixed to the float 10 also rises simultaneously. Then, the float 10 and the cylindrical valve body 2 reach the closed valve state shown in Figure 3.

[0035] Let's explain the state shown in Figure 3. As the cylindrical valve body 2 rises, the packing 19 of the closing ring 9 fixed to the cylindrical valve body 2 comes into contact with the bottom surface 22a of the upper body 22. This closed valve state is the limit position for the float 10 and the cylindrical valve body 2 to rise in the direction of arrow 91. Note that the length of the cylindrical valve body 2 is set so that the upper end of the cylindrical valve body 2 does not protrude from the outlet 24 when the valve is closed.

[0036] In the closed state, the cylindrical valve body 2 is completely housed within the exhaust passage 26, so the large and small holes 4 and 5 formed in the cylindrical valve body 2 are closed by the inner wall of the exhaust passage 26. Furthermore, the packing 19 provided on the valve closing ring 9 contacts the bottom surface 22a of the upper body 22, reliably blocking communication between the valve chamber 7 and the exhaust passage 26, thus more reliably closing the large and small holes 4 and 5. With the large and small holes 4 and 5 closed, the water being transferred in the valve chamber 7 does not flow out from the outlet 24, reliably closing the valve and preventing leakage of water being transferred from the exhaust valve device 1.

[0037] During the process of transporting water through the piping system, air may be mixed into the water. This air enters the valve chamber 7 from the inlet 23 and accumulates at the top of the valve chamber 7. This pushes down the water level of the water being transported in the valve chamber 7, and accordingly, the float 10 and the cylindrical valve body 2 gradually descend in the direction of arrow 92 due to their own weight.

[0038] Let's explain the state shown in Figure 4. As the float 10 and cylindrical valve body 2 descend, a gap is created between the packing 19 provided on the valve closing ring 9 and the bottom surface 22a of the upper body 22, causing the opening portion of the small passage 5 on the valve chamber 7 side to be exposed downwards from the exhaust passage 26. With the small passage 5 exposed to the valve chamber 7 side, the air stagnating in the upper part of the valve chamber 7 passes through the small passage 5 into the internal communication passage 3 of the cylindrical valve body 2, and is exhausted through the exhaust passage 26 to the outlet 24 along the direction of arrow 96.

[0039] At this time, the large hole 4 remains located within the exhaust passage 26, and communication between the valve chamber 7 and the large hole 4 is blocked. Therefore, leakage of the transferred water from the large-diameter large hole 4 immediately after exhaust can be prevented.

[0040] Furthermore, as mentioned above, the small passage 5 is an oblique hole whose axis is inclined towards the primary side with respect to the center line of the cylindrical valve body 2. Therefore, it is possible to offset the opening portion of the small passage 5 on the valve chamber 7 side to the lower end of the cylindrical valve body 2 compared to the opening portion on the outlet 24 side. As a result, the small passage 5 can be exposed to the valve chamber 7 with only a slight downward movement of the cylindrical valve body 2 in the direction of arrow 92, thereby achieving efficient automatic exhaust.

[0041] The exhaust through the small passage 5 reduces the amount of air in the upper part of the valve chamber 7, causing the water level of the transferred water to rise, and the float 10 to float in the direction of arrow 91. Accordingly, the cylindrical valve body 2 also rises and returns to the closed state shown in Figure 3, preventing leakage of the transferred water. In this way, the exhaust valve device 1 repeatedly cycles between the closed state in Figure 3 and the operating state in Figure 4, performing the operation of exhausting air mixed in with the transferred water as needed (automatic exhaust).

[0042] [Other embodiments] In the embodiments described above, examples were given for each of the following: the liquid to be transferred, the gas to be discharged, the main body, the inlet, the valve chamber, the outlet, the reciprocating movement path, the reciprocating movement means, the first communication hole, the second communication hole, the open state, the partially open state, the closed state, and the sealing means. However, these are merely examples, and different configurations can be adopted for each of these.

[0043] In other words, for example, in the embodiment described above, a cylindrical exhaust passage 26 was exemplified as the reciprocating movement path, but other shapes may be adopted as long as the reciprocating movement means (cylindrical valve body 2, etc.) can be located inside in a state in which it can reciprocate.

[0044] Furthermore, although the cylindrical valve body 2 was exemplified as the reciprocating means in the above-described embodiment, other shapes and structures can be used as long as their positional relationship changes so as to reciprocate with respect to the reciprocating passage (exhaust passage 26, etc.), and they also have a first communication hole (large passage 4, etc.) and a second communication hole (small passage 5, etc.) formed therein. Also, although the above-described embodiment showed an example in which four large passages 4 and four small passages 5 are formed in the cylindrical valve body 2 (reciprocating means), it is also possible to form three or fewer, or five or more.

[0045] Furthermore, although the above-described embodiment showed an example in which the large hole 4 and the small hole 5 are formed at the same location in the direction of the centerline L1 of the cylindrical valve body 2 (reciprocating movement means), they can also be formed at different offset positions in the direction of the centerline L1.

[0046] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, an example was shown in which the centerline L4 of the large holeway 4 and the centerline L5 of the small holeway 5 are parallel. However, they may not be parallel, and the centerlines L4 and L5 may intersect. For example, only the centerline L5 of the small holeway 5 may be inclined with respect to the direction perpendicular to the centerline L1, while the centerline L4 of the large holeway 4 is formed in a direction perpendicular to the centerline L1. Alternatively, the centerline L5 of the small holeway 5 may be formed in a direction perpendicular to the centerline L1.

[0047] In the above-described embodiment, a valve closing ring 9 having a packing 19 was exemplified as a sealing means fixed to the cylindrical valve body 2 (reciprocating means). However, other shapes, structures, or materials of sealing means may be used as long as they can block communication between the valve chamber (valve chamber 7, etc.) and the outlet (outlet 24, etc.).

[0048] Furthermore, the above-described embodiments can be arbitrarily combined to create new embodiments. [Explanation of symbols]

[0049] 2: Cylindrical valve body 4: Large passage 5: Small passage 7: Valve chamber 9: Closing ring 21: Lower body 22: Upper body 23: Inlet 24: Outlet 26: Exhaust passage

Claims

1. A main body connected to a piping system for transferring a liquid to be transferred and a gas to be discharged, the main body having an inlet communicating with the piping system, a valve chamber communicating with the inlet, and an outlet communicating with the valve chamber, and having a flow path formed with the side of the inlet being the primary side and the side of the outlet being the secondary side. A reciprocating movement path formed in the main body, which is interposed between the valve chamber and the outlet and connects the valve chamber and the outlet. A reciprocating means positioned within the aforementioned reciprocating path in a manner that allows for reciprocating movement, and which reciprocates according to the amount of liquid being transferred that remains in the valve chamber, wherein a first communication hole and a second communication hole having a smaller diameter than the first communication hole are formed therein. An exhaust valve equipped with, When the positional relationship between the reciprocating movement path and the reciprocating movement means is in the initial open state, the valve chamber and the outlet are in communication at least through the first communication hole. When the reciprocating mechanism moves, and the positional relationship between the reciprocating path and the reciprocating mechanism changes from the open state to the slightly open state, the first communication hole is closed by the reciprocating path, and the valve chamber and the outlet are in communication through the second communication hole. When the reciprocating mechanism moves, and the positional relationship between the reciprocating path and the reciprocating mechanism changes from the slightly open state to the closed state, both the first and second communication holes are closed by the reciprocating path, thereby blocking communication between the valve chamber and the outlet. An exhaust valve characterized by the following features.

2. In the exhaust valve according to claim 1, The aforementioned reciprocating path has a cylindrical shape. Both or either of the first and second communication holes are oblique holes whose axes are inclined toward the primary side with respect to the center line of the reciprocating movement path. An exhaust valve characterized by the following features.

3. In the exhaust valve according to claim 1 or claim 2, At least one of the reciprocating means or the main body is provided with a sealing means that, when in the closed state, blocks communication between the valve chamber and the outlet. An exhaust valve characterized by the following features.

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