Valve for regulating an air flow, comprising a sealing member with a radial flap

Abstract

The invention relates to a valve for regulating an air flow, which valve comprises a valve body (100), at least one air flow channel extending between an air inlet (102) and an air outlet (103), the valve body comprising a pair of mechanical stops (110a, 110b) arranged peripherally; at least one sealing member (200) formed by a plurality of radial flaps (210), each rotatably mounted about a radial shaft (220) between an open position corresponding to the open position of the sealing member and a closed position corresponding to the closed position of the sealing member, at least one actuator of the sealing member comprising a notched ring (300) mechanically engaged with a plurality of pinions (230), each respectively mounted such that it is rigidly connected to a radial shaft (220) of a radial flap of the plurality of radial flaps such that the rotation of the notched ring causes the concomitant pivoting of each radial flap about its radial shaft in order to move the sealing member from the open position to the closed position and vice versa, the notched ring further comprising a radially projecting lug (310).

Description

[0001] DESCRIPTION

[0002] TITLE OF THE INVENTION: AIR FLOW REGULATION VALVE COMPRISING A SHUT-OFF VOLTAGE WITH A FLAP

[0003] RADIAL

[0004] Technical field of the invention

[0005] The invention relates to an airflow control valve. The invention particularly relates to an airflow control valve for aircraft air systems, said valve comprising a radial flap shut-off element.

[0006] Technological background

[0007] Aircraft air systems use valves for multiple functions such as partitioning or regulating airflow, pressure or temperature.

[0008] The technology used on these valves mainly involves the actuation of a butterfly mounted on an axis perpendicular to the airflow.

[0009] Existing control valves include shut-off mechanisms that can be actuated by pneumatic, electro-pneumatic, or electrical mechanisms. In addition, other types of valves exist, notably those using louvered flaps or rotary plugs as shut-off mechanisms.

[0010] Valves with multi-bladed shutters also exist, but these are not widely used due to the complexity involved in controlling such a shutter. In airflow regulation, butterfly valves are more commonly used because of their relatively simple operation.

[0011] Radial axis multi-flap valves are therefore very uncommon due to the complexity of flap actuation, but also because of the problems inherent in the loss of one or more flaps during operation.

[0012] Conventional valves typically include butterfly valves, whose passage area occupies the entire cross-section of the valve body. Therefore, if the butterfly valve fails, the entire valve assembly must be replaced.

[0013] There are also valves with a shut-off mechanism comprising radial flaps actuated simultaneously by a peripheral actuator. In the event of a failure of the peripheral actuator or the loss of a radial flap, the aerodynamic torque exerted on the shut-off mechanism can cause the valve to open fully, which may be undesirable, particularly if the actuator is not mechanically engaged with the flaps. These valves do not offer a safety device to prevent actuator failure or the loss of a radial flap.

[0014] In addition, butterflies are often bulky and it is necessary to limit the size, mass and cost of systems incorporating these butterflies.

[0015] The inventors therefore sought to develop a new type of valve that would overcome the drawbacks of currently available solutions.

[0016] Objectives of the invention

[0017] The invention aims to provide a control valve comprising a radial flap shut-off element driven by means of a peripheral ring to the valve body.

[0018] The invention also aims to provide, in at least one embodiment, a valve whose closing element makes it possible to limit the opening section of said valve in the event of the loss of a radial flap.

[0019] The invention also aims to provide, in at least one embodiment, a valve enabling good internal sealing.

[0020] The invention also aims to provide, in at least one embodiment, a control valve for adapting the speed or operating torque of the shut-off device by varying the reduction ratio according to the pressure upstream of the shut-off device or according to the opening and closing dynamics of the flaps. The invention also aims to provide, in at least one embodiment, a valve in which the actuator is controlled by electromagnetic induction.

[0021] The invention aims to provide, in at least one embodiment, a control valve whose architecture makes it possible to obtain an aerodynamic torque proportional to the opening angle.

[0022] The invention also aims to provide, in at least one embodiment, a reliable control valve in case of mechanical failure of the sealing element.

[0023] The invention aims to provide a means of limiting the opening of the valve in the event of mechanical failure of the actuator of the closing device or the loss of a radial flap.

[0024] Description of the invention

[0025] To this end, the invention relates to an airflow control valve comprising: a valve body, at least one air circulation channel extending longitudinally between an air inlet and an air outlet, said valve body comprising a pair of peripherally arranged mechanical stops; at least one shut-off member arranged in at least one circulation channel, said regulated channel, and configured to be able to move from an open position allowing all or part of the airflow in said regulated channel, from said air inlet to said air outlet, to a closed position preventing all said airflow in said regulated channel from said air inlet to said air outlet, said shut-off member being formed of a plurality of radial flaps,each mounted to rotate freely around a radial shaft between an open position corresponding to the open position of said obturator and a closed position corresponding to the closed position of said obturator, at least one actuator of said obturator configured to be able to control the position of said obturator between said open position and said closed position, said actuator comprising a toothed ring peripheral to the valve body in mechanical contact with a plurality of pinions, each mounted respectively integral with a radial shaft of a radial flap such that the rotation of said toothed ring causes the concomitant pivoting of each radial flap around its radial shaft to tilt the obturator from the open position to the closed position and vice versa, said toothed ring further comprising a radially projecting lug.

[0026] Thus, according to the invention, the toothed ring comprises lugs configured to abut against the peripheral mechanical stops of the valve body. The valve according to the invention therefore includes a means of limiting the valve opening in the event of a failure of the sealing element, such as the loss of a radial flap or a failure of the actuator. This contributes to ensuring additional safety by preventing unintended full opening. Furthermore, the flow direction is determined by the mechanical stops, thereby limiting the movement of the toothed ring.

[0027] The rotation of the toothed crown and the movement of the radial flaps is thus limited by the movement of the crown's lug between the stops of the valve body; the opening of the obturator is stopped by the interaction between the lug and one of the stops, the said lug coming against the said stop.

[0028] Throughout the following text, the regulated channel is defined as the portion of an airflow channel within which the valve closure element of the invention is arranged. The valve according to the invention may thus comprise a plurality of airflow channels and / or a plurality of regulated channels.

[0029] Furthermore, it must be understood that the position of the shut-off element of said valve in the valve body thus determines the regulated channel in relation to the circulation channel.

[0030] It is also conceivable that a valve according to the invention may comprise a regulated channel whose cross-section corresponds partially or entirely to the cross-section of a circulation channel in the valve body. In this case, the shut-off element occupies the corresponding cross-section of the circulation channel, which corresponds to said regulated channel.

[0031] The valve according to the invention is preferably a tubular valve comprising a shut-off element with a plurality of radial flaps. To meet different application requirements and accommodate the variability in valve diameters, the shut-off element can comprise between 2 and 2+n radial flaps, where n is an integer greater than or equal to 1. The number of radial flaps is thus chosen according to the type of valve. A small number of radial flaps will improve the internal and external sealing of the valve, while a large number of radial flaps will limit the leakage area in the event of the loss of a radial flap.

[0032] According to the invention, each radial flap advantageously and preferably has a radially symmetrical, actinomorphic petal shape and is mounted to rotate freely around a radial shaft. It is understood that each flap has an identical cross-section and comprises a respective radial shaft. Furthermore, each flap includes a pinion mounted integrally with its radial shaft.

[0033] The valve also includes an actuator configured to switch the shut-off member between a closed and an open position. To achieve this, the actuator comprises a peripheral toothed ring mechanically meshed with a plurality of gears such that the rotation of said peripheral toothed ring causes the concomitant rotation of each gear fixed to the radial shaft of a radial flap of said shut-off member.

[0034] The valve according to the invention allows the use of a reduction via the mechanical linkage of the pinions of the radial shafts with the toothed ring in order to actuate the rotation of said ring and thus the rotation of the radial flaps of the obturator between a closed position and an open position and / or vice versa.

[0035] Such a mechanism advantageously allows the opening and / or closing speed of the sealing element to be adapted according to the size of the valve body and the upstream pressure.

[0036] A valve according to the invention advantageously provides an aerodynamic torque proportional to the opening angle on each radial flap. Furthermore, thanks to the number of radial flaps, the aerodynamic torque naturally tends to close the valve's sealing element, resulting in a reliable valve with a significantly reduced leakage area in the event of a radial flap failure. A consequence of the valve's design is that the aerodynamic torque on the petals is proportional to the opening angle. The torque always acts in the closing direction and decreases towards the opening, thus enhancing the valve's reliability.

[0037] Advantageously and according to the invention, said toothed ring is arranged in a groove of the valve body.

[0038] Thus, according to the invention, the drive by the actuator is located outside the circulation channel and the groove ensures the sliding function of said crown.

[0039] Advantageously and according to the invention, the radial shaft of each pinion is mounted on at least one first bearing, called the outer bearing, arranged radially on the valve body.

[0040] In one variant, the radial shaft of each pinion is mounted on two bearings, with a first bearing called the outer bearing, arranged radially on the valve body, and a second bearing, called the inner bearing, arranged coaxially inside the valve body.

[0041] Preferably, the inner bearing can be a part with an ogive shape.

[0042] Thus, and in this respect, the radial flaps can overlap up to the axis of the valve body, offering an ideal configuration for valves with small cross-sectional diameters to minimize pressure losses. Furthermore, when the radial shaft is mounted on two bearings, this allows the sealing element to be adapted to valves with larger cross-sectional diameters.

[0043] Advantageously, and according to the invention, each radial flap comprises a respective radial shaft extending along the radial axis of said flap. Advantageously, and according to the invention, the valve further comprises two concentric air circulation channels, referred to respectively as the inner channel and the outer channel, said sealing member being arranged in said inner channel and / or said outer channel.

[0044] It is understood that the inner channel has a smaller cross-sectional diameter than the outer channel. Furthermore, the arrangement of the obturator in either channel defines the channel as the regulated channel.

[0045] Furthermore, it may be provided that an air circulation channel or that the regulated channel may have an air inlet and an air outlet identical or different from the other air circulation channel or vice versa.

[0046] Thus, according to the invention, this arrangement allows for the selective regulation of the airflow circulating in one or the other of the air circulation channels independently of the respective air inlet and air outlet of said channels.

[0047] Advantageously and according to the invention, the external channel is a regulated channel comprising said obturator.

[0048] According to this advantageous variant, the valve allows for selective regulation of the airflow in the external channel section.

[0049] Advantageously and according to the invention, the valve comprises a single air circulation channel, called a regulated channel, said regulated channel comprising at least one shut-off element.

[0050] Advantageously and according to the invention, said regulated channel corresponds to a portion of the cross-section of the circulation channel, said obturating device being arranged in said portion of the cross-section of said circulation channel.

[0051] According to this advantageous variant, the valve allows the regulation of an airflow circulating in only a portion of the circulation channel section.

[0052] Advantageously and according to the invention, at least one radial flap of said shuttering member has a surface that at least partially overlaps the surface of an adjacent radial flap when said shuttering member is in the closed position.

[0053] Thus, according to this variant, the valve ensures good internal sealing by overlapping the flaps when it is in the closed position.

[0054] Advantageously and according to the invention, the sealing element comprises a plurality of radial flaps of identical cross-section.

[0055] According to this aspect of the invention, the valve makes it possible to limit the opening area or the air leakage area in the event of the loss of a radial flap.

[0056] Advantageously and according to the invention, the valve further comprises an electrical or pneumatic control means for the actuator.

[0057] Advantageously and according to the invention, the control means is an electrical control means comprising a stator mounted concentrically around the toothed ring, said toothed ring being adapted to be driven by electromagnetic induction.

[0058] It is understood that the toothed ring comprises a conductive material known to a person skilled in the art, said material being suitable to be driven by such electromagnetic induction.

[0059] The invention also relates to an airflow control valve combining all or part of the features mentioned above or below.

[0060] List of figures

[0061] Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description, given by way of non-limiting example only, and which refers to the accompanying figures in which:

[0062] [Fig.1] represents a valve according to a first embodiment of the invention in which the sealing member is in an open position.

[0063] - [Fig. 2] represents a detailed view of the obturator in a fully open position according to the first embodiment.

[0064] - [Fig. 3] represents a detailed view of the sealing element in a fully closed position according to the first embodiment of the invention.

[0065] - [Fig. 4] represents a valve according to a second embodiment of the invention.

[0066] - [Fig. 5A] represents a valve according to a third embodiment of the invention.

[0067] - [Fig. 5B] represents a valve according to the third embodiment of the invention.

[0068] Detailed description of an embodiment of the invention

[0069] In the figures, the scales and proportions are not strictly respected, for the purposes of illustration and clarity.

[0070] In the entire detailed description that follows with reference to the figures, unless otherwise indicated, each element of the valve according to the invention is described as it is arranged in use.

[0071] Identical, similar or analogous elements are designated by the same references in all figures.

[0072] In the described embodiment, the control valve is a tubular valve comprising a longitudinal valve body 100 having a single air circulation channel 101. Said channel 101 is arranged between an air inlet 102 and an air outlet 103 longitudinally opposed to said inlet 102.

[0073] The valve includes a shut-off element 200 arranged within the air circulation channel 101, said shut-off element 200 occupying the entire cross-section of said channel 101. It is thus understood that the channel 101 of the described embodiment is a regulated channel. The shut-off element 200 is configured to be able to move from an open position allowing air circulation in said channel 101, from said air inlet 102 to said air outlet 103, to a closed position preventing any said air circulation in said channel 101 from said air inlet 102 to said air outlet 103. It is understood that said open position comprises an infinite number of positions, said positions being between a fully open position allowing maximum airflow, and a fully closed position preventing any air circulation.

[0074] The obturator has the particularity of being formed of a plurality of radial flaps 210. The radial flaps 210 advantageously have a petal shape and are each mounted movable in rotation around a radial shaft 220 between an open position corresponding to the open position of said obturator 200 and a closed position corresponding to said closed position of said obturator 200.

[0075] The valve according to the described embodiment is a symmetrical valve which has a preferred direction of airflow depending on the closure or opening of the sealing element 200.

[0076] The valve further includes at least one actuator of the shuttering member 200 configured to be able to control the position of said shuttering member 200, between said open position and said closed position.

[0077] The valve actuator can be a pneumatic or electric type actuator.

[0078] This actuator includes a toothed ring 300 arranged peripherally to the valve body 100. Said toothed ring 300 is mechanically connected to a plurality of pinions 230, each mounted respectively fixed to a radial shaft 220 of a radial flap 210 such that the rotation of said toothed ring 300 causes the concomitant pivoting of each radial flap 210 around its radial shaft 220 to tilt the obturator 200 from the open position to the closed position and vice versa.

[0079] The actuator thus enables the rotation of the toothed ring 300, which is the origin of the concomitant pivot of the radial flaps 210 of the sealing element 200. In the described embodiment, it is understood that the closed position of the sealing element 200 prevents any air circulation in the single circulation channel 101, referred to as the regulated channel, because the sealing element 200 occupies the entire cross-section of said channel 101. However, it should be considered, as will be described later, that the invention can be extended to other embodiments in which the closed position of the sealing element does not necessarily prevent all air circulation in the circulation channel 101, but only in said regulated channel, corresponding to the channel in which said sealing element 200 is arranged.

[0080] Figure 1 represents a preferred embodiment of the invention in which the obturating member 200 occupies substantially the entire cross-section of the valve body 100. The circulation channel 101 is thus a channel regulated by said 200.

[0081] The obturator 200 has five radial flaps 210 and is in an open position. It is understood that the obturator has an infinite number of open positions, allowing the circulation of an airflow between the inlet 102 and the outlet 103, said open positions being between a fully open position allowing a maximum airflow, and a fully closed position preventing any air circulation.

[0082] Figures [Fig. 2] and [Fig. 3] respectively represent a detailed view of a valve according to the embodiment of [Fig. 1].

[0083] According to [Fig. 2], the obturator 200 is in the fully open position and allows maximum airflow. Each radial flap 210 comprises a radial shaft 220 extending along a radial axis on either side of its respective radial flap. Furthermore, each radial shaft 220 is mounted respectively on a first bearing, called the outer bearing 240, arranged radially on the valve body 100, and on a second bearing, called the inner bearing 250, arranged coaxially inside the valve body.

[0084] The bearing 250 is an ogive-shaped component on which the lower end of the radial shaft 220 and its respective radial flap 210 are mounted. This embodiment describes two bearings 240 and 250, which can be used for valves with a large cross-sectional diameter. However, the invention can also dispense with the inner bearing 250 for valves with small cross-sectional diameters or low flow rates. In this case, the radial flaps 210 are configured to overlap at their respective lower ends at the axis of the valve body 100.

[0085] Figure 3 represents the obturator 200 in a fully closed position. In this position, each radial flap 210 has a surface overlapping the surface of another adjacent radial flap 210.

[0086] Advantageously, this overlap ensures good internal sealing by at least partially covering the surfaces of each radial flap 210 with each other.

[0087] The switching from the closed position to the open position of the shutter member 200 thus corresponds to the concomitant pivoting of each radial flap 210 around its respective radial shaft 220. In addition, this is made possible by the pinions 230 arranged at the radial end of each shaft 220.

[0088] The 230 pinions are mechanically engaged with a toothed ring 300 whose rotation around the periphery of the valve body 100 allows the simultaneous pivoting of the radial flaps 210.

[0089] The toothed ring 300 further includes a radially projecting lug 310 and the valve body 100 includes a pair of mechanical stops 110a, 110b arranged peripherally to the valve body 100.

[0090] The valve thus benefits from a preferred airflow direction imposed by the position of the radial flaps. As the valve is symmetrical, the flow direction is determined by the mechanical stops 110a and 110b, which limit the movement of the toothed ring 300 on a peripheral position of the valve body 100.

[0091] Figure 4 represents a second embodiment of a valve according to the invention in which the regulated channel corresponds to only a part of the section of the valve body 100.

[0092] This embodiment comprises only one air circulation channel 101, divided into a regulated channel 101 A and an unregulated channel 10 IB. The channels 101 A and 10 IB are mechanically separated by a separator 105.

[0093] In this figure, the obturator 200 comprises 3 radial flaps 210 and is in an open position.

[0094] Figures [Fig. 5A] and [Fig. 5B] represent a third embodiment in which the valve body 100 comprises two concentric air circulation channels, referred to respectively as inner channel 101D and outer channel 10 IC, said obturator 200 being arranged in said outer channel 10 IC which is thus a regulated channel.

[0095] In this embodiment, the valve body 100 comprises an air inlet 102 and two separate air outlets 103D and 103C corresponding respectively to channels 101D and 103C. The obturator 200 comprises six radial flaps arranged on an internal hexagonal bearing 250 and allows regulation of channel 10IC.

[0096] According to another embodiment, said obturator 200 is arranged in said internal channel 101D, which is thus a regulated channel.

[0097] According to another embodiment, said valve body 100 comprises a first obturating member arranged in said inner channel 101D and a second obturating member arranged in said outer channel 101C, which are thus regulated channels, said obturating members being actuable independently of each other.

Claims

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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