Valve insert and actuator with conical coupling for a regulator valve

Abstract

A valve insert (10) for a regulator valve comprises a fitting (11) for coupling with a valve body, the fitting (11) defining a vertical-axis duct (11a), a stem (13) movable coaxially in the vertical duct (11a) between a top and a bottom end-of-travel position, the stem (13) having a bottom free end provided with an obturator (13a;113a), first coupling means (18a,18b) for coupling with complementary coupling means (28,38) of an actuator body (21,31) of an actuator (20,30) for actuating the stem (13), the first coupling means being fixed vertically during use with respect to the fitting (11). The stem (13) has a head (13b) provided with a conical seat (14) or a conical pin configured for coupling with a conical pin (24,34) or a complementary conical seat formed on the output element (23,33) of an actuator (20,30) for actuating the stem, along a coupling axis (y1) parallel to an axis (y) of the conical seat or of the conical pin.

Description

[0001] VALVE INSERT AND ACTUATOR WITH CONICAL COUPLING FOR A REGULATOR

[0002] VALVE

[0003] -0-

[0004] The present invention relates to a valve insert and an actuator for actuating a regulator valve.

[0005] In the technical plumbing and heating sector, increasing focus on the comfort of living spaces and increasingly demanding expectations regarding consumption have been noted in recent years. These demands have also been accompanied by regulatory aspects, first and foremost the energy certification of buildings, which has become an important part of the monetary valuation of a property. The energy efficiency of buildings has favoured the use of radiant panel systems, which permit considerable advantages in terms of both comfort and consumption.

[0006] In the art of constructing fluid distribution networks, the need to set up multiway header elements for sending / returning fluid to / from end users is known; an example of such applications is represented by the supply and return headers of water distribution pipelines for plumbing or heating systems, particularly of the underfloor radiant panel type.

[0007] Referring to Figure 1 , it is known in this context that fluid distribution circuits generally comprise a multiway supply header 1 , from which a plurality of branch ducts 2 branch off transverse to the longitudinal direction of the header, which feed the flow to respective end utilities 3 (for example coil panels for underfloor heating) from which the fluid returns via respective return branch ducts 2 that branch off from a return header 5.

[0008] A known solution for the management of such systems, illustrated in Fig. 1 , provides for measuring the flow rate in each branch of the circuit by means of flow meters 6 arranged in one of the two headers (generally the supply one 1 ) at the branch duct 2 of the respective branch of the circuit, and implementing regulation of the flow rate and / or opening / closing of the branch itself by means of a regulator valve 7 arranged in the other header (generally the return one 5) at the respective return branch duct 2.

[0009] The most widespread solution for the regulation of systems of this type provides for the use of regulator valves on the return header.

[0010] Generally, a regulator valve for use with a multiway header of this type comprises a valve insert assembly (or footer) and an actuator.

[0011] The footer assembly generally comprises a fitting for coupling with the header, which defines a vertical duct, transverse to the header and coaxial in use to the branch duct whose opening / closing and / or flow rate is to be regulated. A stem is movable in the vertical duct, the lower free end whereof carries an obturator for opening / closing of the opening of the branch duct.

[0012] The valve actuator is generally configured to be coupled to the valve insert assembly and act on the stem so as to regulate the position of the obturator with respect to the branch duct to be opened / closed. For this purpose, the actuator and the insert assembly comprise means of reciprocal coupling.

[0013] One problem of known regulator valves is linked to the manner of coupling between the footer and actuator assemblies, which always requires screwing / unscrewing, consequently leading to complex manoeuvring operations that also require tools and space to manoeuvre between one valve and the other along the header development.

[0014] It also results in a considerable length of the header itself, as the valves cannot be arranged one too close to the other, leading to architectural housing and cost problems. These regulator valves can be actuated (usually this circumstance occurs only momentarily during the phase of start-up of the system) by means of threaded actuator caps whose rotation in a clockwise direction causes closure of the valve and opening in the case of anticlockwise rotation.

[0015] Normally, however, actuators for actuation of the valve are of the type with one-way ON / OFF regulation; with this type of actuator, in order to make possible the movement of the stem in the two directions, it is necessary to use a spring that acts on the stem to push the obturator towards the open (normally open insert-NO) or closed (normally closed insert-NC) position.

[0016] In this case, however, the most widely used actuators are of the electrothermal type, that is, devices that consume energy to perform ON / OFF regulation.

[0017] The insert assembly is in most cases of the normally open (NO) type, that is, with a spring that pushes the stem towards a raised position wherein the obturator opens the duct to be regulated.

[0018] In some solutions, a combination of an NO valve insert and an NO actuator is provided. Once the actuator is mounted on the valve insert, the combination of actuator and insert becomes a normally closed (NO) valve system. The spring load in the closed condition is of the order of 40 N, to which the thrusts on the obturator are added. 40N of thrust and ON / OFF electrothermal actuators are therefore required to close this obturator of the valve insert, which must be powered in order to keep the valve open. A further problem of the prior art is therefore represented by the consumption of the actuators, which must be powered continuously to keep the valve open and / or require considerable energy in order to overcome the action of the thrust spring.

[0019] Examples of prior art according to the preamble of Claim 1 are described and illustrated in US3,761 ,052, US8,820,343, US2019 / 162315.

[0020] The technical problem therefore arises of producing a valve insert assembly and / or actuator for regulator valves, in particular for use in a multiway header of heating and plumbing systems, that would solve or at least lessen the aforementioned problems of the prior art.

[0021] An object of the present invention is to provide a valve insert assembly and actuator for regulator valves that are without thrust springs on the header and can be assembled more easily on site.

[0022] An additional object is to reduce the consumption of the regulator valves of the flow rate of the branches of a header.

[0023] An additional object of the present invention is to provide a header assembly with reduced longitudinal dimensions.

[0024] Within the context of this problem, it is also required that the insert assembly, actuator, and in general the valve be simple, compact, and compatible with the overall dimensions of the headers, at the same time being easy and inexpensive to manufacture.

[0025] Such technical problems are solved according to the present invention by a valve insert according to claim 1 and by an actuator according to claim 21 .

[0026] A regulator valve and a method of producing the same form a further object of the present invention.

[0027] In a first aspect, the invention therefore relates to a valve insert for a regulator valve, comprising: a fitting for the coupling to a valve body, the fitting defining a vertical-axis duct; a stem movable coaxially in the vertical duct between a top end-of-travel position and a bottom end-of-travel position, the stem having a lower free end provided with an obturator; first coupling means for the coupling with complementary coupling means of an actuator body of a actuator for actuation of the stem, the first coupling means being in use fixed vertically with respect to the fitting; wherein the stem has a head provided with second coupling means suitable for operational engagement with an output element of the actuator for actuation of the stem, said second coupling means comprising a conical seat or a conical pin configured for the coupling with a conical pin or a complementary conical seat formed on the output element of the actuator, along a coupling axis parallel to an axis y of the conical seat or of the conical pin.

[0028] Preferably, the axis of conical seat or conical pin is a horizontal axis, inclined at an angle with respect to the vertical axis of movement of the stem, preferably orthogonal to the vertical axis of movement of the stem.

[0029] In preferred embodiments, a maximum-dimension opening of the conical seat of the stem is turned forwards along the axis of the seat, such that the conical seat is tapered in a front-rear direction. The conical seat may also have the maximum-dimension opening arranged to the rear of the vertical axis of the stem along the conical seat axis.

[0030] In preferred embodiments, frontally to the conical seat along the conical seat axis, the head of the stem has a guide surface to guide the conical pin towards the conical seat, the guide surface being preferably a concave guide surface, preferably with an aperture angle different from the aperture angle of the conical seat.

[0031] In preferred embodiments, the conical seat is axially through, such that it has a frustoconical inner lateral surface.

[0032] In preferred embodiments, the stem comprises a rod whose free end is in the form of said obturator and whose upper end has means of coupling with the head, whereby the rod and the head are assembled following the insertion of the rod through the vertical duct of the fitting.

[0033] In preferred embodiments, when assembled, the insert has the stem coaxially inserted in the duct of the fitting with the obturator protruding below with respect to the fitting and the head protruding above with respect to the same along the vertical axis.

[0034] In preferred embodiments, the stem is freely movable along the vertical axis with respect to the fitting, elastic or resilient means acting with thrusting on the stem not being present. In preferred embodiments, the fitting has a coaxial annular seat recessed at the top outlet of the vertical duct, which allows partial coaxial insertion of the head.

[0035] In preferred embodiments, the insert also comprises a frame piece, arranged fixed in use to the fitting and comprising said first means of coupling. The frame piece may comprise a collar that defines a coaxial through duct, in which the fitting and stem are inserted. An annular seat may be formed within the duct of the frame piece, on which an annular flange of the fitting abuts, such that in use the frame piece is held in a fixed position with respect to the fitting.

[0036] Preferably, the frame piece comprises a vertical back extending from the collar and the first coupling means comprise two arms extending forwards from the back, substantially parallel to the axis y of the conical pin or seat and opposed one to the other on opposite sides of the vertical axis of the stem. Between a surface of the collar and each arm is preferably defined a respective horizontal guide recess for the first means of coupling of the actuator body. The arms may be arched in their development between a rear part of connection to the back at a front free end thereof, preferably with radius substantially corresponding to that of the collar.

[0037] A lower part of the frame piece can be saddle shaped for transverse coupling on the body of a main duct of a header, or a hollow cylinder shape for coaxial coupling on an annular edge of a protruding duct of a valve body.

[0038] In preferred embodiments, the valve insert also comprises anti-rotation means suitable for blocking rotation of the stem about the vertical axis of displacement, preferably comprising vertical shoulders suitable for being arranged on opposite sides of the head of the stem to prevent the same from rotating around the vertical axis.

[0039] In preferred embodiments, the valve insert further comprises means of reversible locking in the position of the actuator body of the actuator for actuation, following coupling with the valve insert. The locking means preferably comprise a snap-action locking pushbutton, capable of vertically displacing between a top position and a bottom position against the action of a spring.

[0040] Preferably, in a front position, the frame piece has a horizontally protruding chin that is provided with a compartment open upwards, and inside the compartment is arranged said pushbutton so as to be displaced vertically between a top position, protruding from the chin, and a bottom position of insertion in the compartment, against the action of the spring that is inserted between the compartment and the pushbutton to push the latter towards the top position of protrusion from the chin. An upper surface of the pushbutton can be inclined with respect to the axis of the conical pin or seat with a rear-front descending course.

[0041] According to a further aspect, the invention relates to an actuating actuator for the actuation of the stem of a valve insert in a vertical direction of displacement, comprising an actuator body and an output element suitable for operational engagement with a head of the stem, the actuator body having first coupling means for coupling with complementary first means of coupling of the valve insert, and the output element has second coupling means suitable for operational engagement with the head of the stem of the valve insert for its actuation, said second coupling means comprising a conical pin or a conical seat configured for coupling with a complementary conical pin or conical seat of the head of the stem, along a coupling axis coaxial with an axis of the conical pin or conical seat of the output element.

[0042] Preferably, the output element comprises a vertical stem, one lower free end whereof has said conical pin or conical seat facing towards the front for engagement with the complementary conical seat or conical pin of the stem of the valve insert.

[0043] In preferred embodiments, the actuator body has a front opening and a rear back opposed in the direction of coupling, and said first coupling means comprise arms extended from the rear back parallel to said axis of coupling. Between the arms and a horizontal surface of the actuator body respective recesses may be defined, suitable for receiving corresponding arms of the valve insert, preferably each arm is connected to said horizontal surface by means of a vertical containing web.

[0044] In preferred embodiments, the output element is fixed in the vertical direction with respect to the actuator body such that the conical pin or conical seat is configured to arrange the stem of the valve insert in a predefined fixed position in the vertical direction.

[0045] In preferred embodiments, the output element is movable in the vertical direction with respect to the actuator body, and an actuating unit is designed to actuate in a controlled manner in vertical displacement the output element with respect to the actuator body to regulate a position along the vertical axis of displacement of the conical pin or conical seat of the output element and thus a position of the stem of the valve insert. The actuating unit preferably comprises an electric drive with a driven shaft coupled to the output element to move it in displacement along a vertical axis upon operation of the electric drive.

[0046] The actuator body may have a vertical-axis hollow sleeve in which the driven shaft is inserted, the output element of the actuator having a vertical stem inserted in the sleeve such that it protrudes below and can be displaced along the vertical axis.

[0047] The actuator may also have a hollow top cap open at the bottom, which is fixed on the actuator body and covers the electric drive, also having an outlet window for the passing of electric drive connection connectors to the outside.

[0048] Preferably, the seat axis or conical pin is inclined with respect to the vertical axis by an angle between 45 and 135 degrees, preferably orthogonal to said vertical axis z.

[0049] The seat axis or conical pin and / or coupling axis of the valve insert or of the actuator is preferably oriented so as to be, in use, inclined with respect to a main axis of the valve body, at an angle comprised between 45 and 135 degrees, preferably orthogonal to said main axis of the valve body. A further aspect of this description relates to a regulator valve comprising a valve insert and an actuator coupled by means of said first coupling means such that said second coupling means are operationally engaged.

[0050] A further aspect of this description relates to a header assembly comprising a header with a main duct a extended in a longitudinal direction and one or more branch ducts extended transversely to the main duct and open inside the same, the main duct defining one or more respective valve bodies in which one or more valve inserts are coupled according to the invention such that the respective obturator a is movable in order to regulate the opening / closing of an aperture of the respective branch duct .

[0051] A further aspect of this description relates to a regulator valve comprising a valve insert and actuator that can be coupled and uncoupled by displacing the actuator body with respect to the valve insert along a direction of displacement for coupling.

[0052] In particular, the valve insert may comprise: a fitting for coupling to a valve body, the fitting defining a vertical-axis duct; a stem movable coaxially in the vertical duct between a top end-of-travel position and a bottom end-of-travel position, the stem having a top head and a bottom free end provided with an obturator; and a frame piece fixed in use to the fitting. The actuating actuator of the stem of the valve insert may comprise an actuator body and an output element suitable for operational engagement with the head of the stem. The frame piece and actuator body preferably comprise respective first coupling means for coupling the actuator body with the frame piece, and the head of the stem of the valve insert has second coupling means suitable for operational engagement with complementary second coupling means of the output element of the actuating actuator. Advantageously, the first means of coupling of the valve insert are configured such that coupling with the first means of coupling of the actuator body takes place by displacing the actuator body with respect to the frame piece in a displacement direction different from the vertical direction of movement of the stem, from an initial coupling position to a final coupling position, and the second coupling means are arranged such that, by displacing the actuator body to the final coupling position, the second coupling means of the output element operatively engage the coupling means of the stem head.

[0053] In preferred embodiments of the valve, the direction of displacement for the coupling is a horizontal direction, inclined at an angle of 45 to 135 degrees with respect to the vertical axis z of movement of the stem, preferably orthogonal to the vertical axis of movement of the stem. In preferred embodiments of the valve, the frame piece and / or actuator body are configured to achieve a stable snap coupling between the actuating actuator body and the frame piece when the actuator body is displaced from the initial position of coupling to the final position of coupling.

[0054] In preferred embodiments of the valve, the first coupling means are configured to act as guide means for correct operational coupling of the second coupling means of the stem with the complementary coupling means of the actuator output element when the actuator body is displaced from the initial coupling position to the final coupling position.

[0055] In preferred embodiments of the valve, the second coupling means of the actuator have a coupling axis and the second coupling means of the stem head of the valve insert have a respective coupling axis; the first and second coupling means of the actuator and of the frame piece are also arranged and configured such that in the initial coupling position said coupling axes of the actuator and of the valve insert are parallel and in the final coupling position said coupling axes are coaxial.

[0056] A further aspect of this description relates to a method of making a regulator valve, comprising:

[0057] + providing a valve insert, comprising: a fitting for coupling to a valve body, the fitting defining a vertical-axis duct; a stem movable coaxially in the vertical duct between a top end-of-travel position and a bottom end-of-travel position, the stem having a lower free end provided with an obturator;

[0058] + providing an actuator for actuation of the stem of the valve insert, comprising an actuator body and an output element suitable for operational engagement with the stem of the valve insert;

[0059] + arranging first means of coupling of the actuator body in an initial coupling position with corresponding first means of coupling of the valve insert;

[0060] + displacing the actuator body with respect to the valve insert in a direction of displacement different from the vertical direction of movement of the stem, from the initial coupling position to a final coupling position in which the output element operatively engages the stem of the valve insert.

[0061] In preferred embodiments, the method comprises:

[0062] + arranging first means of coupling of the actuator body in an initial coupling position with corresponding first means of coupling of the frame piece;

[0063] + displacing the actuator body with respect to the frame piece in the direction of displacement of coupling, from the initial coupling position to the final coupling position, wherein the output element and a stem head comprise second coupling means and the first coupling means and the second coupling means of the valve insert and of the actuator body are arranged such that, by displacing the actuator body to the final coupling position, the second coupling means of the output element operationally engage the coupling means of the stem head.

[0064] A further aspect of the present description relates to a regulator valve comprising a valve insert that comprises: a fitting for coupling to a valve body, defining a vertical duct; a stem movable coaxially in the vertical duct between a top end-of-travel position and a bottom end-of-travel position, the stem having a bottom end provided with an obturator. The regulator valve further comprises an actuator for actuation of the stem, comprising: an actuator body and an output element operationally coupled to the stem of the valve insert to regulate a position of the obturator of the stem of the valve insert along the vertical axis of displacement. The stem is freely movable in displacement in the vertical duct of the fitting, there being no elastic or resilient means acting on the stem.

[0065] Preferably, the output element is movable with respect to the actuator body and the actuating actuator further comprises an actuating unit designed to move the output element with respect to the actuator body in a controlled manner in order to move the stem along the vertical axis of displacement to regulate the position of the obturator of the stem of the valve insert along the vertical axis of displacement. In preferred embodiments, the actuating unit comprises an electric drive with a driven shaft coupled to the output element to move it in displacement along a vertical axis parallel to the axis of the stem of the valve insert.

[0066] Thanks to the fact that the stem of the valve insert is freely movable in displacement in the vertical direction with respect to the fitting, positioning the obturator in a desired vertical position by means of the actuator requires minimal force, as the action of any resilient or elastic means acting on the stem does not have to be overcome. In addition, if the actuator comprises an actuating unit, such as an electric drive, this can regulate the position of the obturator over the entire travel of the stem with very low energy consumption, the thrust of elastic means such as the spring typically inserted in normally open valve inserts not having to be overcome. In addition to this, the adoption of modulating actuators, which consume only when they are actuated to move the stem, allows an energy saving in comparison with what occurs with common ON / OFF electrothermal actuators that have to be continuously supplied in order to be able to keep the valve open. Preferably, the driven shaft of the actuating unit is a rotating shaft coupled with a screw- nut coupling to the output element such that a rotation of the shaft corresponds to a displacement of the output element in the vertical direction.

[0067] The regulator valve can advantageously be a two-way valve for the regulation of a flow of fluid in input or output from a header, comprising a valve body whereto the fitting is coupled. The valve body has a longitudinal upstream duct with an upstream mouth, a longitudinal downstream duct with a downstream mouth, a web that separates the upstream duct from the downstream duct, and a chamber in communication with the upstream duct and with the longitudinal downstream duct, and the obturator of the valve is arranged in the chamber and configured to regulate or close the fluid communication between the upstream duct and the downstream duct of the valve body.

[0068] In another preferred embodiment, the valve can be used in a header assembly comprising a header with a main duct extended in a longitudinal direction and a branch duct extended transversely to the main duct and open inside the same, the main duct defining a valve body in which the fitting of the valve insert is coupled such that the obturator is movable to regulate the opening / closing of an aperture of the respective branch duct.

[0069] The regulator valve can be used in a method of regulating the flow rate of a fluid through an aperture of a duct, in which the regulator valve is arranged with the fitting of the valve insert coupled to a valve body such that the obturator of the valve insert is freely movable along the vertical axis to vary the opening of or close the aperture of the duct, and in which the output element of an actuator for actuating the stem is operatively coupled to the stem of the valve insert to regulate a position of the obturator of the stem of the valve insert along the vertical axis of displacement, thereby regulating the opening / closing of said duct aperture.

[0070] Preferably, an actuating unit of the actuator of the valve moves in a controlled manner the output element with respect to the actuator body to actuate in displacement the stem of the valve insert, which moves in displacement in the vertical duct of the valve insert, varying a position of the obturator of the stem along the vertical axis of displacement with respect to the aperture of the duct to regulate the opening / closing of said duct aperture. Further details and technical advantages may be seen from the following description of non-limiting examples of embodiment of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings which show: In Figure 1 : A schematic view of the structure of a coil heating system, with a plurality of branches connected to a supply header and a return header;

[0071] In Figure 2: An exploded perspective view of an embodiment example of a valve insert assembly according to the present invention.

[0072] In Figure 3: A front view of the valve insert assembly of Fig. 2, blown-up view;

[0073] In Figure 4: A sectional view along plane IV of the valve insert assembly of Fig. 2, blown-up view;

[0074] In Figure 5: An axonometric view of an assembled valve insert;

[0075] In Figure 6: A vertical section view of the insert of Fig. 5;

[0076] In Figure 7: A front axonometric view of the assembled valve insert assembly of Fig. 2;

[0077] In Figure 8: A front view of the assembled valve insert assembly of Fig. 2;

[0078] In Figure 9: A vertical section view along plane A-A of the valve insert assembly of Fig. 8;

[0079] In Figure 10: A plane view from above of the valve insert assembly of Fig. 7;

[0080] In Figure 11 : A plane view from below of the valve insert assembly of Fig. 7;

[0081] In Figure 12: A vertical section view along plane B-B of the valve insert assembly of Fig. 11 ;

[0082] In Figure 13: A front axonometric view of an embodiment example of an actuating actuator suitable for coupling to the valve insert assembly of Fig. 2;

[0083] In Figure 14: A vertical sectional view of the actuator of Fig. 13;

[0084] In Figure 15: An exploded perspective view of an embodiment example of a modulating actuating actuator according to the present invention;

[0085] In Figure 16: A front view of the actuator of Fig. 15 exploded;

[0086] In Figure 17: A side view of the actuator of Fig. 15, exploded;

[0087] In Figure 18: A vertical section view of the actuator of Fig. 15, exploded;

[0088] In Figure 19: A vertical sectional view of the actuator of Fig. 15, assembled;

[0089] In Figure 20: A front view of the actuator of Fig. 15, assembled;

[0090] In Figure 21 : A diagram of the principle of coupling between a valve insert and an actuator of the present invention;

[0091] In Figure 22: A rear axonometric view of a header assembly with three branch ducts and respective valve inserts inserted in the header, with an actuator of Fig. 19 and an actuator of Figure 13 in the initial position of coupling to a respective one of the valve inserts; In Figure 23: A front axonometric view of the header assembly in Fig. 22, with the actuator of Fig. 19 and the actuator of Fig. 13 in the final position of coupling to the respective valve insert;

[0092] In Figure 24: A sectional view along a vertical-longitudinal plane of the header assembly of Fig. 23;

[0093] In Figures 25a, 25b, 25c: vertical sectional views of the sequence of coupling between an actuator of Fig. 13 and a valve insert of Fig. 2 inserted in a header;

[0094] In Figures 26a, 26b, 26c: vertical sectional views of the sequence of coupling between an actuator of Fig. 19 and a valve insert of Fig. 2 inserted in a header;

[0095] In Figure 27: A front axonometric view of an embodiment variant of a valve insert of the present invention, applied to the valve body of a two-way valve;

[0096] In Fig. 28: A sectional view of the assembly of Fig. 27, along a vertical section plane parallel to the horizontal axis of coupling to an output element of an actuating actuator;

[0097] In Figure 29: A sectional view of the assembly of Fig. 27, along a vertical-longitudinal plane of section, orthogonal to the horizontal axis of coupling to an output element of an actuating actuator.

[0098] With reference to Figs. 2-12, and assuming for simplicity of description and non-limiting a trio of axes generically defined respectively: longitudinal X, corresponding to the direction of flow in the header; horizontal / transverse Y corresponding to the direction of coupling between actuator and obturator; vertical Z corresponding to the direction of coupling between insert and header as well as obturator movement; as well as a front access part F for actuator / header coupling.

[0099] A preferred embodiment example of a valve insert assembly 10 according to an aspect of the present invention comprises a fitting 11 that has an external thread 11 d designed to form the means of coupling the insert to the body of a main duct, for example the longitudinal duct 1 a of a header 1 (Figs. 21 , 24). For example, fitting 11 is suitable for coupling to a nut in an upper aperture of header 1 , coaxially opposite to a vertical branch duct 2, with interposition of a sealing element 11 e. The body of the main duct 1 a is therefore a preferred example of a valve body in which valve insert 10 is inserted.

[0100] The fitting 11 is traversed by a vertical-axis duct 11 a, coaxial in use to the aperture of branch duct 2. A vertical stem 13 is coaxially movable in displacement in the vertical duct 11 a between a top end-of-travel position (Fig. 9) and a bottom end-of-travel position.

[0101] Stem 13 has a free end part, conventionally assumed as bottom end, configured with an obturator 13a suitable for insertion in the aperture of a duct 2 whose opening / closing is to be regulated. Obturator 13a may be in itself conventional and not described in detail.

[0102] Head 13b of stem 13, conventionally assumed as top part, is configured with a conical seat 14 with a horizontal axis y, orthogonal to the vertical axis z of the stem. Conical seat refers to a concave seat that has a substantially conical or frustoconical inner lateral surface. Preferably the seat is through such that the lateral surface is frustoconical.

[0103] A maximum-dimension opening of the conical seat 14, that is to say the base of the cone or larger base or frustoconical, is turned forwards along the horizontal axis y, such that the seat is tapered in the front-rear direction.

[0104] Frontally to the conical seat 14 in the horizontal direction, the head of the stem has a seat 14a with concave guide surface, open at the top. As can be seen in Fig. 6, the concave guide seat 14a may have a different angle of opening from the angle of opening of the conical seat 14, in particular a larger angle of opening, to facilitate the phase of coupling with a conical actuation pin and avoid jamming. The guide surface may also be convex.

[0105] To facilitate assembly, the stem 13 is preferably formed by a rod 13c whose bottom end 13a is in the form of an obturator and whose top end has a thread for coupling with the head 13b, such that the rod 13c can be inserted in the duct 11 a from below with interposition of sealing means 13d and the head 13b can subsequently be stably coupled to the rod 13c, for example by means of a nut in which the thread for coupling of the rod 13c engages.

[0106] As shown in Figs. 5-6, when assembled, the insert has stem 13 coaxially inserted in duct 11 a of fitting 11 with obturator 13a protruding below with respect to fitting 11 and head 13b protruding above with respect to the same. Preferably, the fitting has a coaxial annular seat 11 c recessed at the top outlet of the vertical duct 11 a, which allows partial coaxial insertion of the head 13b in the fitting 11 .

[0107] Advantageously, the conical seat 14 serves as a means of coupling for engagement with an output element of an actuating actuator capable of actuating the stem 13 in the axial- vertical direction z, as will be made clearer here below.

[0108] As illustrated, conical seat 14 preferably has inlet opening (that is to say, larger base) arranged to the rear of the axis z of the stem in the direction y of coupling. Such a configuration facilitates correct alignment and coupling between conical seat 14 and complementary output conical pin of the actuator, during the coupling displacement of the actuator with the valve insert, guided by the first coupling means.

[0109] In the preferred embodiment shown, the insert assembly 10 also comprises an outer frame piece 12 which, in use, is designed to be arranged on the body of the longitudinal main duct 1 a of the header 1 , coupled to the fitting 11 so as to be coaxially fixed with respect to the same.

[0110] Frame piece 12 comprises a collar 12a that defines a coaxial through duct 12b, through which fitting 11 and therefore stem 13 are inserted.

[0111] A bottom part 12c of the frame piece is configured with a saddle shape for coupling on the body of the main duct 1 a.

[0112] An annular seat 12d (Fig. 4) is formed inside the duct 12b of the frame piece 12, on which an annular flange 11 f of the fitting 11 abuts (Fig. 9), with interposition of sealing means 11 e, such that when the fitting 11 is screwed into the main duct 1 a the frame piece 12 is held against the duct 1 itself and fixed with respect to the fitting 11 .

[0113] Frame piece 12 also comprises a vertical back 18 extended upwards from collar 12a and two horizontal upper arms 18a extended from back 18 forwards, substantially orthogonal to the axis z of stem 13 and duct 12b and opposed to each other from opposite sides of stem 13.

[0114] Between a horizontal surface 12e of collar 12a (Fig. 7) and each horizontal arm 18a is defined a respective horizontal recess 18b below the respective arm 18a.

[0115] The arms 18a and respective recesses 18b are preferably arched in their development between a rear part of connection to the back 18 at one of the front free ends thereof, preferably with radius substantially corresponding to that of collar 12a.

[0116] Said arms 18a and recesses 18b form coupling means with corresponding horizontal arms of the actuator and also serve as guide means for coupling between actuator and valve insert.

[0117] In a substantially central position, the back 18 has a recess 18d open at the top designed to receive an insert 15 designed to be attached to the back of the frame piece 12 by means of fastening means such as screws 15c to provide anti-rotation means for locking the rotation of the stem 13 around the vertical axis z of displacement. In particular, the insert 15 has a nose 15a projecting in the horizontal direction toward the axis z with two vertical shoulders 15b designed to be arranged on opposite sides of the head 13b of the stem 13 to prevent the same from rotating around its own axis z. In front position, opposed to the back 15 in the horizontal direction, the frame piece 12 has a horizontally protruding chin 16 that is provided with a compartment 16a open upwards. Inside compartment 16a is arranged a pushbutton 16b capable of displacing vertically between a top position, protruding from chin 16, and a bottom position, of insertion in compartment 16a (Fig. 12). Pushbutton 16b is displaced against the action of a spring 16c inserted between the compartment and pushbutton 16b to push the latter toward the top position of protruding from chin 16.

[0118] The compartment 16a with the pushbutton 16b is closed by a plate 16d with a hole to allow the passage of the protruding part of the pushbutton 16b.

[0119] A top surface of the pushbutton 16b is preferably inclined with respect to the horizontal axis y in a rear-to-front downward trend, that is from the vertical axis z of the stem towards the chin 16.

[0120] As will be made clearer here below, pushbutton 16b constitutes a preferred example of means of reversible locking in position of an actuator for actuation of the stem 13 following coupling with the valve insert assembly.

[0121] With reference to Figures 2-9, it is possible to proceed as follows for assembly and installation of the valve insert assembly 10: the rod of the stem 13 is inserted coaxially inside duct 11 a of fitting 11 , with obturator 13a protruding below from fitting 11 ;

[0122] - the head 13b of the stem is coupled to the rod, screwing it onto the top end of the latter, thus forming the insert shown in Fig. 6, with the head protruding at the top from fitting 11 ;

[0123] - the pushbutton 16b is assembled inside the chin 16 of the frame piece 14 with interposition of the spring 16c;

[0124] - fitting 11 with assembled stem 13 is inserted inside frame piece 12, subsequently assembling insert 15 on back 18, which holds fitting 11 inside frame piece 12 and stem 13 in a predetermined position, not rotated around the vertical axis z, with conical seat 14 oriented with the opening facing forward and axis y parallel to a horizontal direction of coupling with an output element of an actuator;

[0125] - the frame piece 12 is arranged on the target duct, for example coupling in the vertical direction Z the bottom saddle 12c on either side of the outer surface of duct 1 a, at a vertical-axis hole for insertion of the fitting 11 of the insert assembly 10; - fitting 11 is coupled to duct 1 a by screwing it into the nut of the vertical-axis hole, securing in this way frame piece 12 and fitting 11 to the target duct 1 a.

[0126] As can be seen from Figs. 6-9, according to a preferred aspect of the invention, once insert assembly 10 is assembled, stem 13 is freely movable in displacement in vertical duct 11 a. "Freely movable" is intended to mean that the insert assembly 10 does not comprise resilient or elastic means, such as a coaxial spring, capable of pushing the stem 13 towards a predetermined position in the vertical direction z of displacement.

[0127] In particularly preferred embodiments, the valve insert 10 is configured such that, after assembly, at least one top part of the conical seat 14 protrudes above with respect to the coupling arms 18a when the stem 13 is in the bottom end-of-travel position.

[0128] Advantageously, the horizontal axis y of insertion in the conical seat 14 is preferably oriented so as to be non-parallel to the longitudinal axis of the main duct 1 a, preferably orthogonal to the latter, although other angles of inclination are possible, for example, comprised between 45 and 135 degrees.

[0129] The axis y of insertion is preferably orthogonal to the axis z of displacement of stem 13, other angles of inclination being however possible, for example between 45 and 135 degrees.

[0130] With reference to Figs. 13-21 , a further aspect of the present invention relates to an actuator for actuating stem 13 of valve insert assembly 10 in the vertical direction z. Referring to Figs. 13-14, in a simple embodiment, the actuator 20 for manual actuation comprises an actuator body 21 suitable for coupling in the transverse direction Y with the frame piece 12 of the valve insert assembly 10, and an output element in the form of a vertical stem 23 fixed to the actuator body 21 and provided with a conical pin 24 with horizontal axis y1 suitable for engaging operationally in the conical seat 14 of the stem 13 of the valve insert 10.

[0131] The actuator body 21 has a front opening 22 and a rear back 25 opposed in a horizontal direction y1 of coupling with the valve insert assembly. A compartment is defined between the back 25 and the front opening 22, within which the conical pin 24 is arranged. From the rear back horizontal arms 28 extend forwards, suitable for insertion in the corresponding horizontal recesses of the valve insert assembly. Advantageously, between the arms 28 and a horizontal surface of the actuator body 21 respective horizontal recesses 28a are defined, suitable for receiving the arms 18a of the valve insert assembly.

[0132] Each arm 28 is preferably connected to said horizontal surface by a vertical web 28b. Arms 28 may be arched in their development between a rear part of connection to back 18 and one of their front free ends, preferably with radius substantially corresponding to that of arms 18a of valve insert assembly 10.

[0133] As will be made clearer below, the arms 28 and horizontal recesses 28a of actuator body 21 are configured to co-operate with the complementary arms 18a and recesses 18b of coupling of valve insert assembly 10, so as to serve as coupling and guiding means for coupling of the valve body 21 on frame piece 12.

[0134] The actuator of Figs. 13-14 with fixed output pin 24 can advantageously be used to arrange stem 13 and therefore obturator 13a in a predefined fixed position with respect to the frame piece 12 and therefore to the target duct 1 a. Generally, this will be a bottom end-of-travel position for closing an aperture of branch duct 2 that is intended to be regulated by means of the regulator valve consisting of valve insert assembly 10 and actuating actuator 20.

[0135] With reference to Figs. 15-18, a preferred embodiment of an actuating actuator provides for it to be a motorized, modulating actuator 30 comprising an electric drive 40 and an output element 33 capable of being coupled to the stem 13 of the valve insert assembly to move it in displacement along the vertical axis z controlled by the electric drive 40.

[0136] In the preferred example described, the electric drive 40 comprises an output shaft 43 that can be actuated in rotation in a controlled manner, for example stepped. A rotation of the shaft 43 moves in displacement an output element 33 of the actuator suitable for being stably coupled to the stem 13 of the valve insert assembly 10 to drive it in displacement along the vertical axis z.

[0137] The electric drive can be attached above the actuator body 31 , which in this case has (Fig. 18) a vertical-axis hollow sleeve 31 a in which the output shaft 43 is inserted. In particular, the sleeve 31 a is extended between a top surface of the body 31 and the front compartment that houses the output element 33

[0138] The output element 33 of the actuating actuator can be composed of a vertical stem 33 inserted in the bottom sleeve 31 a such that it projects below and can be displaced along the vertical axis. The stem 33 is coupled to the shaft 43 of the electric drive 40 with a coupling (for example screw-nut) such that a rotation of the shaft 43 corresponds to a certain vertical displacement of the output stem 33 of the actuator.

[0139] The stem has, at one of its bottom ends, a conical pin 34 with horizontal axis y1 turned forwards for insertion and engagement inside the conical seat 14 of the stem 13 of the valve insert. The conical pin 34 is arranged in a compartment between a front opening and a rear back 35 of the actuator body 31 .

[0140] In more general terms, preferred embodiments of the present invention comprise a modulating actuator in which a vertical displacement of the output element with respect to the actuator body and therefore a position of the second coupling means along the vertical axis of displacement can be regulated by a controlled actuating unit, such as an electric drive.

[0141] As illustrated in Figs. 15-20, the actuator may additionally comprise a cap 39 hollow at the top and open at the bottom, which is fixed on the actuator body 31 and covers the electric drive 40, moreover having (Figs. 16,18) an outlet window 39a for connectors 44 for connection of the drive towards the outside. The electric drive 40 can therefore be connected to telecommunication means and controlled remotely by an appropriate control unit.

[0142] Fig. 21 shows schematically the principle of coupling between actuator 30 and valve insert assembly 10 to form a regulator valve according to one aspect of the invention: by arranging the first complementary means 18a, 28 of coupling and guide for coupling of actuator body and frame piece 12 in an initial coupling position, in which they are appropriately aligned in the direction y1 of coupling, in this case horizontal, it is possible to displace the actuator body horizontally, inserting the horizontal arms 28 in the horizontal recesses 18b of the frame piece 12.

[0143] The horizontal surfaces of arms 18a, 28, collar 12a and body 31 guide the displacement of actuator body 31 parallel to the axis y1 of insertion.

[0144] Vertical webs 28b, if present, allow facilitating of the centring of the actuator body 31 with respect to the vertical axis z.

[0145] By displacing the actuator body 21 ,31 horizontally from the initial coupling position to the end position (Fig. 21 ) of coupling with the valve insert assembly 10, the output conical pin 24 of the actuator is inserted in horizontal direction y1 in the conical seat 14 of the stem 13 determining the stable operational coupling between the stem 13 of the valve insert and the output element 33 of the actuator.

[0146] In general terms, the arms and recesses of the valve insert and of the actuator body form a preferred embodiment example of complementary means of coupling for stable coupling of the frame piece 12 to the actuator body, configured such that the coupling occurs by displacing the actuating actuator along an axis y1 of displacement different from the vertical axis z of movement of the stem 13 and without screwing the actuator 20 onto the valve insert assembly 10, preferably in a horizontal direction substantially orthogonal to the vertical axis z of displacement of the stem.

[0147] An advantageous aspect is that the complementary means of coupling, when coupled together, are configured to arrange the output element 23 of the actuator with axis y1 parallel to the axis y of the conical seat 14 of the stem 13, such that by displacing the actuator body with respect to the frame piece 12 the conical pin 24 of the actuator engages in the conical seat 14.

[0148] Preferably, the frame piece 12 and the actuator body 21 ,31 realize a snap coupling between the actuating actuator and the frame piece itself, in particular thanks to the pushbutton 16 which, after being actuated towards the position inserted in the seat 16a to insert the actuator body 21 ,31 on the frame piece 12, with the coupling displacement completed, snaps upwards in the vertical direction, arranging itself in a position of locking of the body 21 ,31 itself that prevents displacement in the opposite direction of extraction. The pushbutton 16b can preferably be actuated by the back 25 of actuator body 21 which acts on the top inclined surface of pushbutton 16b when actuator body 21 is displaced from the initial coupling position to the final coupling position. The opposite action is not however possible, that is to say the pushbutton, once extracted, locks the back of actuator body 21 in place, preventing displacement thereof in output (Figs. 25c, 26c). Manual action by the operator is required to unlock the coupling.

[0149] It will be clear to the skilled person that the arrangement of the second means of coupling could be reversed, that is to say, the head of the stem 13 could have a conical pin, for the coupling with a complementary conical seat formed on the output element 32, 23 of the actuator.

[0150] In addition, although a horizontal axis y1 of displacement is preferred for the coupling orthogonal to the vertical direction z of movement of the stem, alternative configurations are possible, with the axis inclined at a different angle with respect to the axis z of the stem.

[0151] Referring to Figs. 22-24, a multiway header 1 is illustrated that has a longitudinal main duct 1 a and a plurality of branch ducts 2 (three in the example illustrated: left, middle and right respectively) which branch off parallel to a vertical direction z from the main duct 1 a, extending inside header 1 in a direction substantially transverse to that of flow of the fluid in main duct 1 a.

[0152] Each branch duct 2 is in the example substantially frustoconical in shape, tapering from header 1 towards the branch duct. In the example shown, each branch duct 2 is formed by a fitting 2a made integral with header 1 by a screw / nut coupling with interposition of a sealing ring 2b.

[0153] The free edge of fitting 2a, corresponding to the smaller base of branch duct 2, forms the aperture of opening of duct 2 inside the main duct 1 a of header 1 .

[0154] Coaxially to each branch duct 2, on the opposite side of the main duct 1 a in the respective vertical-transverse direction, an example of valve insert assembly 10 of the present invention is arranged.

[0155] Fig. 22 shows a modulating actuator 30 (left) and a closure actuator 20 (in the centre) in an initial stage of coupling to the respective valve insert assembly 10. Figure 23 shows, from the opposite perspective, actuators 30,20 in the final operational coupling position with the respective valve insert 10, at the end of the displacement of actuator 20,30 in direction y1 of coupling. Figure 24 is a sectional view along a vertical-longitudinal plane of the assembled header assembly of Fig. 23

[0156] In the example in Figure 24, a first valve insert 10 (left in the drawing) is shown with stem 13 in the position of opening of branch duct 2, regulated by means of modulating actuator 40 whose shaft 43 has actuated the stem 33 with conical pin 34. The other two valve inserts 10 shown have stem 13 in the bottom end-of-travel position, in which the respective obturator 13a closes the aperture of the respective duct 2.

[0157] With reference to Figs. 25a-25c, an example of coupling with displacement of actuator 20 on the central valve insert 10 in Figs. 22 is described.

[0158] In Fig. 25a, the actuator body 21 with fixed output element 23 is arranged in the initial coupling position with the frame piece 12, such that the horizontal arms 28 and the horizontal arms and recesses 18a of valve insert 10 are in contact and correctly aligned. The first coupling and guide means 18a, 18b, 28, 28a are therefore correctly aligned, such that the axis y1 of the conical pin 24 is parallel to the axis y of the conical seat 14 of the stem 13.

[0159] As can be seen, conical seat 14 of stem 13 however results in a misaligned position in the vertical direction z with respect to the position of conical pin 24, such that the axis y of conical seat 14 is offset upwards with respect to the axis y1 of the conical pin 24.

[0160] Displacing the actuator body 21 in horizontal direction of coupling towards the head of the stem 13, the arms 28 slide on the surface 12a of the frame piece guided by the arms and recesses 18a, 18b until the conical pin 24 engages the surface of the conical seat 14 or the concave guide surface 14a frontally to it (Fig. 25b). Continuing the displacement in the direction of coupling up to the final position of coupling between the first complementary means 28,18a, 18b of the body 21 and of the frame piece 12, the interaction between the conical surfaces (concave and convex) of the seat 14 and of the conical pin 24 automatically results in the progressive vertical displacement of the stem 13 until the coaxial alignment between the axes y1 ,y of the conical pin 24 and of the conical seat 14 is achieved at the position of Fig. 25c of stable operational coupling between conical pin 24 and conical seat 14. As can be seen in Fig. 25c, in the example illustrated the position of stem 13 in the vertical direction z is in this case a bottom end- of-travel position, with obturator 13a arranged for closure of the aperture of the duct 2 that is to be regulated, this in that the simple actuator 20 of Figs. 25a-c has conical pin fixed in position of closure of the valve.

[0161] For the insertion of the actuator body 21 on the frame piece 12, the pushbutton 16 can be lowered to the retracted position in the seat 16a with compression of the relative spring 16c, the lowering can advantageously be operated by the back 25 of the actuator body 21 during the coupling displacement.

[0162] Having reached the final coupling position, pushbutton 16 can snap upwards, placing itself in the position of locking of the displacement of the actuator body 21 with respect to the frame piece 12.

[0163] Figs. 26a-26c show a similar example of coupling with displacement of the left modulating actuator 30 in Fig. 22 up to coupling with the respective valve insert 10.

[0164] In Fig. 26a, actuator body 31 with output element 33 is arranged in the initial coupling position with frame piece 12, such that horizontal arms 28 and horizontal arms and recesses 18a of valve insert 10 are in contact and correctly aligned. The first coupling and guide means 18a, 18b, 38, 38a are therefore correctly aligned, such that the axis y1 of the conical pin 34 is parallel to the axis y of the conical seat 14 of the stem 13.

[0165] As can be seen, the conical seat 14 of stem 13 results however in a misaligned position in the vertical direction z with respect to the position of conical pin 34, such that the axis y of conical seat 14 is offset downwards with respect to the axis y1 of conical pin 34.

[0166] By displacing in a horizontal direction of coupling the actuator body 31 towards the head of the stem 13, the arms 38 slide on the surface 12a of the frame piece guided by the arms and recesses 18a, 18b until the conical pin 34 engages the conical surface of the conical seat 14 (Fig. 26b).

[0167] In this case too, continuing the displacement in the direction y1 of coupling up to the final position of coupling between the complementary means 28,18a, 18b of coupling of the body 31 and of the frame piece 12, the interaction between the conical surfaces (concave and convex) of the seat 14 and of the conical pin 34 automatically determines the progressive vertical displacement of the stem 13 up to the coaxial alignment between the axes y1 ,y of the conical pin 34 and of the conical seat 14, at the position of Fig. 26c of stable operational coupling between conical pin 34 and conical seat 14.

[0168] It is therefore seen how the first complementary means of coupling of the actuator body and of the frame piece enable the arrangement of the conical pin and the conical seat with axes y1 ,y parallel and in such a position that the displacement of coupling of the actuator body towards the frame piece 12 determines the auto-centring between the output element of the actuator and the head of the stem 13 of the valve insert 10 achieving that in the final coupling position the axes y1 ,y of the conical pin and of the conical seat are always correctly coaxial and centred.

[0169] Also in this example, for the insertion of actuator body 21 on the frame piece 12, pushbutton 16 can be lowered to the retracted position in seat 16a with compression of the relative spring 16c by actuator body 31 during the displacement of coupling, to then be arranged in the raised position of locking of the displacement of actuator body 31 once the final coupling position is reached.

[0170] As can be seen in Fig. 26c, in the example shown, the position of stem 13 in the vertical direction z is in this case a regulated positioning of opening of the aperture of the duct 2 that is to be regulated.

[0171] When operational coupling has taken place between output element 33 and stem 13, it is possible to regulate the opening or closing of duct 2 by actuating the shaft 43 of electric drive 40 in a controlled manner via control signals sent to connection terminals 44. Shaft 43 consequently moves stem 33 in the vertical direction z to a desired position of regulation, the conical pin 34 then draws the head of stem 13 in displacement in the direction z varying the position of obturator 13a and thus the opening / closing of duct 2 to be regulated.

[0172] Thanks to the fact that the stem 13 of valve insert 10 is freely movable in displacement in the vertical direction with respect to the fitting 11 , the electric drive 40 can regulate the position of the obturator over the entire travel of stem 13 with very low energy consumption, not having to overcome the thrust of elastic means such as the spring typically inserted in normally open valve inserts, such that the closing thrust of the obturator requires a force of about 40 N less. In addition to this, the adoption of modulating actuators 30, which consume only when they are actuated to move the stem 13, saves energy in comparison with the case of common ON / OFF electrothermal actuators that are powered in order to be able to keep the valve open .

[0173] With reference to Figs. 27-29, a variant embodiment of a valve insert 110 of the present invention is described, mounted on a valve body 111 of a two-way regulator valve that can, for example, be installed upstream or downstream of a header to open / close or regulate an overall flow of fluid in input or output from the header itself. For valve insert 110 of Figs. 27-29, elements substantially identical to those of Figs. 2-12 maintain the same references.

[0174] Valve insert 110 differs from valve insert 10 of Figs. 2-12 in that the bottom part 112c of the frame piece has a substantially cylindrical conformation for coupling on an annular edge 111 a projecting outwards in the vertical direction of a vertical-axis duct 111 b of valve body 111 , in which stem 13 is movable.

[0175] The valve body 111 also has: an upstream longitudinal duct 122, open towards an upstream part of the valve body with an upstream mouth 122a and closed towards a downstream part by a vertical web 122b; a downstream longitudinal duct 123, open downstream with a downstream mouth 123a and separated from the upstream duct 122 by said vertical web 122b; and a chamber 124 below the vertical duct 111 that has a first opening 124a communicating with the upstream longitudinal duct 122 and a second opening 124b communicating with the downstream longitudinal duct 123.

[0176] The valve body 111 is therefore typical of valves known by the name of fan coil valves, known in the industry for regulating the flow in input or output at the main duct of a header, with a larger diameter with respect to the branch ducts present on the header itself, such that the regulation acts on the entire flow that flows in the header.

[0177] As illustrated, fitting 11 is coupled with its own external thread 11 d to the internal nut 112d of a counter-fitting 112, which has in turn an external thread 120a engaged in a nut 111 c of the vertical duct 111 b of valve body 111. The counter-fitting 112 defines within duct 11 b a compensation chamber 120 coaxial to the axis of stem 13 and to the chamber 124 of valve body 111.

[0178] The free end of the stem 13 of the insert is in the form of an obturator 113a arranged and configured to regulate the flow rate of fluid between the upstream mouth 122a and the downstream mouth 123a of the valve body 111. In more detail, the obturator 113f is inserted in the chamber 124 and movable in the vertical direction to regulate the opening of or close the first opening 124a of communication with the upstream longitudinal duct 122. A top portion of the obturator 113a is inserted in the compensation chamber 120 of the counter-fitting 112 and a body of the obturator 113a is dimensioned to close said compensation chamber 120 below.

[0179] In the preferred embodiment shown, the obturator 113a is advantageously a compensated obturator, which has in particular a vertical-axis duct 113f that opens in the bottom part of the obturator towards the upstream duct and in the top part towards the compensation chamber 120 defined by the counter-fitting 112.

[0180] The through duct 113f allows passage of the fluid from the upstream duct 122 to the compensation chamber 120, inside which the pressure of the fluid present at the upstream mouth 122a is re-proposed. In this way, the obturator 113a is exposed both below and above to the same pressure, which acts on two equivalent surfaces. The resultant of these two forces is approximately zero. The use of a compensated obturator allows the forces due to the upstream-downstream pressure difference to be rebalanced and therefore needs a smaller thrust by the actuator to actuate the stem in the vertical direction.

[0181] The methods of coupling a previously described actuator 20,30 to the valve insert 110 in Figs. 27-29 are similar to what is described above.

[0182] Once the output element 33 of the modulating actuator 30 has been coupled to the conical seat 14 of the stem 13, it is possible to control the position of the obturator 113a along its entire travel in the vertical-axial direction consequently varying the flow of fluid between the upstream duct 122 and the downstream duct 123 or closing the communication between the two longitudinal ducts, consequently regulating the flow in input or output to the header connected downstream or upstream of the two-way valve.

[0183] It is therefore found that the valve insert assembly and the actuator according to the invention are easy and fast to couple even in confined spaces and without the need for relative screwing, also resulting in self-centring of the respective operating elements (output stem of the actuator and head of the stem of the insert).

[0184] The actuator can be coupled to the valve insert in a frontal manner, sliding the actuator body in displacement inside grooves available on the frame piece of the valve insert, also realizing an alignment of the reciprocal position of the stem of the insert stem and of the actuator stem (by means of conical coupling or the like). Advantageously, a system of locking / unlocking of the coupling may be provided, in particular of the snap type. The resulting regulator valve advantageously also allows the longitudinal dimensions of the target ducts (for example of a header) to be reduced, the manoeuvring spaces for relative screwing by means of wrenches no longer being necessary, and since the coupling can take place along a direction of displacement orthogonal to or angled differently with respect to a longitudinal direction of the main duct and with respect to the vertical axis of movement of the stem of the insert.

[0185] The valve, which is without a thrust spring on the obturator, is therefore of reduced dimensions and easy and inexpensive to manufacture and assemble, as well as easy to apply to the target ducts. The valve allows the realisation of shorter headers, for example, with centre to centre distance of less than 50 mm, which allows the use of less material but also a smaller transverse dimension at the wall (with consequent architectural advantage).

Claims

CLAIMS1) Valve insert (10) for a regulator valve, comprising: a fitting (11 ) for coupling to a valve body, the fitting (11 ) defining a vertical-axis duct (11 a); a stem (13) coaxially movable within the vertical duct (11 a) between a top end-of- travel position and a bottom end-of-travel position, the stem (13) having a bottom free end provided with an obturator (13a;113a); first coupling means (18a, 18b) for coupling with complementary coupling means (28,38) of an actuator body (21 ,31 ) of an actuator (20,30) for actuating the stem (13), the first coupling means being fixed, during use, in the vertical direction with respect to the fitting (11 ); wherein the stem (13) has a head (13b) provided with second coupling means for operative engagement with an output element (33,43) of the actuator for actuating the stem, said second coupling means comprising a conical seat (14) or a conical pin configured for coupling with a complementary conical pin (24,34) or conical seat formed on the output element (23,33) of the actuator (20,30), along a coupling axis (y1 ) parallel to an axis (y) of the conical seat or the conical pin; characterized in that also comprises a frame piece (12) arranged during use fixed to the fitting (11 ) and comprising said first coupling means, and in that the frame piece (12) comprises a collar (12a) which defines a coaxial through duct (12b), in which the fitting (11 ) and the stem (13) are inserted.2) Valve insert according to Claim 1 , wherein the axis (y) of the conical seat or conical pin is a horizontal axis (y), inclined at an angle of between 45 and 135 degrees with respect to the vertical axis (z) of movement of the stem, preferably orthogonal to the vertical axis (z) of movement of the stem.3) Valve insert according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a maximumdimension opening of the conical seat (14) of the stem (13) is directed forwards along the axis (y) of the seat, such that the conical seat (14) is tapered in a front-to-rear direction.4) Valve insert according to the preceding claim, wherein the conical seat (14) has the maximum-dimension opening arranged rearward of the vertical axis (z) of the stem (13) along the axis of the conical seat.5) Valve insert according to one of the preceding claims, wherein in front of theconical seat (14) along the axis (y) of the conical seat, the head of the stem has a guide surface (14a) for guiding the conical pin towards the conical seat, the guide surface (14a) being preferably a concave guide surface, preferably with an aperture angle different from the aperture angle of the conical seat (14).6) Valve insert according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the conical seat (14) is an axial through-seat, such that it has a frustoconical inner side surface.7) Valve insert according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the stem (13) includes a rod (13c), the free end (13a) of which is in the form of said obturator and the top end of which has coupling means for coupling with the head (13b), whereby the rod (13c) and the head (13b) can be assembled following insertion of the rod (13c) through the vertical duct (11 a) of the fitting (11 ).8) Valve insert according to one of the preceding claims, wherein, once assembly has been completed, the insert has the stem (13) coaxially inserted inside the vertical duct (11 a) of the fitting (11 ) with the obturator (13a) projecting from the bottom of the fitting (11 ) and the head (13b) projecting from the top thereof along the vertical axis.9) Valve insert according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the stem is freely movable along the vertical axis with respect to the fitting (11 ), there not being present elastic or resilient means biasing the stem.10) Valve insert according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the fitting (11 ) has an inset, annular, coaxial seat (11 c) at the top outlet of the vertical duct (11 a) which allows partial coaxial insertion of the head (13b) inside the fitting (11 ).11) Valve insert according to the preceding claim, wherein inside the duct (12b) of the frame piece (12) there is formed an annular seat (12d) against which an annular flange (11 f) of the fitting (11 ) bears, such that in use the frame piece (12) is held fixed in position with respect to the fitting (11 ).12) Valve insert according to one of Claims, 1 -11 wherein the frame piece (12) comprises a vertical back (18) extending from the collar (12a) and wherein the first coupling means include two arms (18a) extending forwards from the back (18) substantially parallel to the axis (y) of the conical pin or seat and arranged opposite each other on opposite sides of the vertical axis of the stem (13).13) Valve insert according to claims 1 -12, wherein a respective horizontal guide slot (18b) for the first coupling means of the actuator body is defined between a surface (12e) of the collar (12a) and each arm (18a).14) Valve insert according to the preceding claim, wherein the arms (18a) are curvedalong their extension between a rear part for connection to the back (18) at a free front end thereof, preferably with a radius substantially corresponding to that of the collar (12a).15) Valve insert according to one of Claims 1 -14, wherein a bottom part (12c) of the frame piece is shaped as a saddle, for transverse coupling on the body of a main duct of a header, or as a hollow cylinder for coaxial coupling on an annular edge of a duct projecting from a valve body.16) Valve insert according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising antirotation means for preventing rotation of the stem (13) about the vertical axis (z) of displacement, preferably comprising vertical shoulders (15b) designed to be arranged on opposite sides of the head (13b) of the stem (13) so as to prevent it from rotating about the vertical axis (z).17) Valve insert according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising reversible locking means for reversibly locking in position the actuator body (21 ,31 ) of the actuating actuator following coupling with the valve insert.18) Valve insert according to the preceding claim, wherein the locking means comprise a snap-action locking pushbutton (16b) able to be vertically displaced between a top position and a bottom position against the action of a spring (16c).19) Valve insert according to the preceding claim when dependent on one of Claims 1 -15, wherein in a front position the frame piece (12) has a horizontally projecting chin (16) which is provided with a compartment (16a) open at the top and wherein the said pushbutton (16b) is arranged inside the compartment (16a) so as to be displaced vertically between a top position, projecting from the chin (16), and a bottom position inserted within the compartment (16a), against the action of the spring (16c) which is inserted between the compartment and the pushbutton (16b) so as to push the latter towards the top position projecting from the chin (16).20) Valve insert according to one of Claims 18-19, wherein a top surface of the pushbutton (16b) is inclined with respect to the axis (y) of the conical pin or seat with a rear-to-front downwards slope.21) Actuating actuator (20,30) the stem (13) of a valve insert (10) according to claims 1 -20, in a vertical direction of displacement, comprising an actuator body (21 ,31 ) and an output element (23,33) configured for operative engagement with a head (13b) of the stem (13), wherein the actuator body (21 ;23) has first coupling means (28) for coupling with complementary coupling means (14a) of the valve insert and the output element (23,33) has second coupling means (24,34) suitable for operative engagement with thehead of the stem of the valve insert for actuation thereof.22) Actuator according to the preceding claim, wherein the output element includes a vertical stem (23,33), a bottom free end of which has said conical pin (24,34) or conical seat directed towards the front for engagement with the complementary conical seat (14) or conical pin of the stem (13) of the valve insert.23) Actuator according to one of Claims 21 -22, wherein the actuator body (21 ,31 ) has a front opening (22) and a rear back (25,35) situated opposite each other in the coupling direction (y1 ) and wherein said first coupling means comprise arms (28) extending from the rear back parallel to said coupling axis.24) Actuator according to the preceding claim, wherein respective slots (28a) designed to receive corresponding arms (18a) of the valve insert are defined between the arms (28) and a horizontal surface of the actuator body (21 ), wherein preferably each arm (28) is connected to said horizontal surface by means of a vertical containing web (28b).25) Actuator according to one of Claims 21 -24, wherein the output element (23) is fixed in the vertical direction with respect to the actuator body (21 ) such that the conical pin (24) or the conical seat is configured to arrange the stem (13) of the valve insert in a predefined fixed position in the vertical direction.26) Actuator according to one of Claims 21 -24, wherein the output element (33) is movable in the vertical direction with respect to the actuator body (31 ), further comprising an actuating unit for vertically displacing the output element (33) with respect to the actuator body (31 ) in a controlled manner, to thereby adjust a position along the vertical axis of displacement of the conical pin (34) or conical seat of the output element and therefore a position of the stem (13) of the valve insert.27) Actuator according to the preceding claim, wherein the actuating unit comprises an electric drive (40) with a driven shaft coupled to the output element (33) so as to move it displaceably along a vertical axis upon operation of the electric drive (40).28) Actuator according to one of Claims 26-27, wherein the actuator body (31 ) has a hollow vertical-axis sleeve (31 a) inside which the driven shaft (43) is inserted and wherein the output element (33) of the actuator has a vertical stem (33) inserted inside the sleeve (31 a) so as to project at the bottom therefrom and be displaceable along the vertical axis.29) Actuator according to one of Claims 27-28, further comprising a hollow top cap (39) which is open at the bottom and is fixed onto the actuator body (31 ) and covers the electric drive (40), also having an outlet window (39a) for passage of connectors (44) forconnecting the electric drive externally.30) Actuator according to one of Claims 21 -29, wherein the axis (y) of the conical seat or pin is inclined with respect to the vertical axis (z) at an angle of between 45 and 135 degrees, preferably orthogonal to said vertical axis (z).31) Valve insert according to one of Claims 1 -20 or actuator according to one of Claims 21 -30, wherein the axis (y) of the conical seat or pin and / or the coupling axis is oriented so as to be, in use, inclined with respect to a main axis of the valve body at an angle of between 45 and 135 degrees, preferably orthogonal to said main axis of the valve body.32) Regulator valve comprising a valve insert according to one of Claims 1 -20 and an actuator according to one of Claims 21 -31 , coupled by means of said first coupling means such that said second coupling means are operatively engaged.33) Header assembly comprising a header with a main duct (1 a) extending in a longitudinal direction and one or more branch ducts (2) extending transversely with respect to the main duct and open inside it, the main duct (1 a) defining one or more valve bodies in which respective one or more valve inserts according to one of Claims 1 -20 are coupled such that the respective obturator (13a) is movable in order to adjust the opening / closing of an aperture of the respective branch duct (2).

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