Valve

Abstract

The invention relates to a valve (1) having a valve plate (2) for at least partially closing a valve opening, and a valve shaft (5) extending longitudinally in a longitudinal direction (4), wherein the valve plate (2) is fastened to the valve shaft (5) and the valve shaft (5) connects the valve plate (2) to a valve drive (6) of the valve (1) for adjusting the valve plate (2), wherein the valve (1) has two clamping jaws (7, 8), by means of which the valve plate (2) is clamped to the valve shaft (5).

Description

[0001] 33503 / 34 / ss 20250514 1. Valve. The present invention relates to a valve with a valve disc for at least partially closing a valve opening and a valve stem extending longitudinally in a longitudinal direction, wherein the valve disc is attached to the valve stem and the valve stem connects the valve disc to a valve actuator of the valve for adjusting the valve disc. A valve of this type is known, for example, from US 6,494,434 B1. There, the valve disc is attached to the valve stem by means of a screw passing through the valve stem. The object of the invention is to design a valve of this type in such a way that the valve stem can still be used for other purposes, if possible, despite the valve disc being attached to the valve stem. For this purpose, the invention proposes a valve according to claim 1. 1 vor.According to the invention, the valve has two clamping jaws with which the valve disc is clamped to the valve stem. Securing the valve disc to the valve stem by means of at least two clamping jaws has the advantage that it eliminates the need to route fasteners such as screws or the like completely through the valve stem, as is the case in the prior art mentioned above. This makes it possible to use the interior of the valve stem for other purposes. For example, electrical, pneumatic, or hydraulic supply and / or return lines, sensors, electrical and / or electronic components, and the like can be routed through the area in the interior of the valve stem where the valve stem is connected to the valve disc by means of the clamping jaws.For the sake of completeness, it should be noted that the invention does not require the complete elimination of screwing the valve disc to the valve stem. However, the invention allows the valve stem to be kept at least partially free of fastening elements passing through it, particularly in the area where it is clamped to the valve disc by means of the clamping jaws. In valves according to the invention, for example, a cavity can be formed in the valve stem, at least partially. This cavity is then advantageously extended longitudinally along the valve stem. It is preferred that the valve disc is clamped to the valve stem in the area of ​​the cavity by means of the clamping jaws. Various components of the valve, such as...The aforementioned electrical, pneumatic, or hydraulic supply and / or return lines, sensors, electrical and / or electronic components, and the like may be arranged within the valve stem cavity. Preferably, a heating element is located within the cavity of the valve stem, which can be used to heat the valve stem and, consequently, the attached valve disc. Heating the valve stem and the valve disc can be used, for example, to temper the valve stem and / or the valve disc to such an extent that as few particles as possible, or even no particles at all, adhere to it. The heating element is preferably designed as an elongated heating rod. Advantageously, the heating element is electrically operated. It is preferably inserted into the cavity of the valve stem from an end opposite the valve actuator. The cavity can be dimensioned such that the heating element does not come into direct contact with the valve stem at any point.In other words, the heating element is arranged in the cavity without any direct physical contact with the valve stem. Heat transfer from the heating element to the valve stem can then occur, for example, purely via thermal radiation or, with appropriate filling of the cavity with a heat-transferring fluid, via convection or the like. It is preferred that the valve disc is clamped to the valve stem on a side facing away from the valve actuator by means of the clamping jaws. Preferred embodiments of the invention provide that the clamping jaws are arranged on opposite sides of the valve stem and on the same side of the valve disc. It should be noted that, in the patent claims and in this description, the respective features are generally only specified in their minimum number. Each feature or component, and also each other part of the valve, can be present multiple times where practical. For example,More than two clamping jaws, in particular several pairs of clamping jaws, can be present to clamp the valve disc to the valve stem. The valve stem can also be designed as a valve rod and then referred to as such. Valves according to the invention can be used in a wide variety of applications. Preferably, however, the valves according to the invention are so-called vacuum valves. These are valves used in vacuum technology. Vacuum technology, and thus also vacuum valves, are used in particular when working with pressure levels of less than or equal to 0.001 mbar (millibar) or 0.1 Pascal. However, one can also speak of vacuum technology or vacuum valves when working with pressures below normal pressure, i.e., below 1 bar.In valves according to the invention, the valve disc can be pressed against a valve seat in a closed position to achieve a pressure-tight seal of the valve opening. For this purpose, appropriate seals, known per se, can be provided on the valve seat or on the valve disc. However, valves according to the invention can also be designed as purely control valves, in which a complete seal is not achieved even in the closed position of the valve disc. A butterfly valve is particularly preferred in a valve according to the invention. Such valves can also be referred to as butterfly valves. Particularly in such valves, it is advantageously provided that the valve disc projects beyond the valve stem on two opposite sides.Viewed from a top view orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the valve stem, the valve disc can be partially or completely bounded by a circular outer contour. The valve stem is preferably rotated by the valve actuator about an axis coaxial or at least parallel to the longitudinal direction of the valve stem to adjust the valve disc. This axis advantageously lies in a plane of the valve disc, although the term "plane of the valve disc" is, of course, a simplification due to the spatial extent of the valve disc. In valves according to the invention, it is preferred that the clamping jaws are attached to or formed on the valve disc. The valve stem is preferably held clamped between the clamping jaws. Particularly when there are more than two clamping jaws, it is advantageous if the valve stem is always held clamped between a pair of clamping jaws.The clamping jaws advantageously rest on opposite sides of the valve stem. With more than two clamping jaws, they advantageously rest in pairs opposite each other on the valve stem. The clamping jaws can be integrally formed with the valve head or, in other words, formed from the valve head. Preferably, however, the clamping jaws are attached to the valve head in a way that allows for non-destructive removal. Particularly preferred is the clamping jaw being screwed to the valve head. Other connection methods, such as rivets or adhesive bonds, are also conceivable for attaching the clamping jaws to the valve head.Particularly when the entire interior of the valve stem is not utilized, valves according to the invention can also be provided that, in addition to being secured by the clamping jaws, the valve disc is screwed onto the valve stem at a point distanced from the clamping jaws in the longitudinal direction of the valve stem. Advantageously, the point where the valve disc is screwed onto the valve stem is located in an area where the valve stem is not otherwise used. In such embodiments, it is particularly preferred that the valve disc is screwed onto the valve stem at a point distanced from the clamping jaws in the longitudinal direction of the valve stem by means of a screw screwed into the valve stem. It is particularly advantageous if the screw is screwed into the valve stem in a direction transverse or orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the valve stem.The clamping jaws can be rigid. Preferred variants, however, may also provide for elastic clamping jaws with locking lugs. In such embodiments, the locking lugs for clamping the valve disc to the valve stem can be inserted into the valve stem from the outside through a locking opening in the valve stem. When the locking lugs are fully inserted through the locking opening, they advantageously engage with the valve stem. Preferably, in such embodiments, the valve stem, at least in the area of ​​the locking opening, is designed as a tube with a cavity enclosed by an inner wall of the tube, and the locking lugs for clamping the valve disc to the valve stem bear against the inner wall of the tube.Generally speaking, it is therefore also possible for the valve disc to be clamped to the valve stem by means of the clamping jaws in the form of a latching connection or a snap connection. Further features and details of preferred embodiments of the invention are explained below by way of example. Figures 1 to 7 show illustrations of a first embodiment of a valve according to the invention, and Figures 8 to 13 show an alternative variant according to the invention, showing how the valve disc can be attached to the valve stem. ann.Fig. 1 shows the first embodiment of a valve 1 according to the invention in a view from a low angle. It is a valve 1 with a valve disc 2 for at least partially closing a valve opening 3 and a valve stem 5 extending longitudinally in the longitudinal direction 4. The valve disc 2 is attached to the valve stem 5, and the valve stem 5 connects the valve disc 2 to a valve actuator 6 of the valve 1 for adjusting the valve disc 2 between its maximum closed position and the maximum open position shown in Fig. 1. This adjustment is achieved, as with other butterfly valves, by pivoting the valve disc 2 about the axis 18, which is coaxial with the longitudinal direction 4. In this embodiment, the valve opening 3 is designed as a through-hole in the valve housing 20.In other words, the valve opening 3, which can be completely or partially closed by means of the valve disc 2, is part of the valve 1 in this embodiment. However, this is not mandatory. In valves 1 according to the invention, the valve disc 2 could also be used to close and open a valve opening 3 that is not located directly in the valve 1 or its valve housing 20. This valve opening could, for example, be formed directly in a chamber wall of a process chamber or the like. The valve actuator 6, with which the valve stem 5 is rotated about its axis 18, which extends in the longitudinal direction 4, can be designed in a wide variety of configurations known in the prior art. It can be an electric valve actuator 6, but also pneumatic, hydraulic, or other valve actuators 6. handeln.The valve 1 of this first embodiment is a so-called butterfly valve. In this example, the valve disc 2 projects beyond the valve stem 5 on two opposite sides and, viewed from a top view orthogonal to the longitudinal direction 4 of the valve stem 5, is partially or even completely bounded by a circular outer contour 17. In this example, the valve stem 5 can also be rotated by the valve actuator 6 about the axis 18, which runs coaxially to the longitudinal direction 4 of the valve stem 5, to adjust the valve disc 2. Between the valve actuator 6 and the valve disc 2, in this embodiment, there is an arrangement of cooling fins 21, which support the thermal separation between the valve disc 2 and the valve actuator 6. These cooling fins 21 are optional, however, and can be omitted depending on the application.In this embodiment, the valve housing 20 has through-holes 23 by means of which, for example, using appropriate screws, the valve 1 or its valve housing 20 can be attached to a chamber wall of a transfer or process chamber, or to a pipe, or the like. This is known per se and does not require further explanation. According to the invention, in this first embodiment, the valve 1 is provided with two clamping jaws 7 and 8 with which the valve disc 2 is clamped to the valve stem 5. This is not yet visible in Fig. 1, but will be explained with reference to the following figures. For this first embodiment, Fig. 2 shows a side view in which the section lines AA, BB, and CC are indicated. Fig. 3 shows the section in the section plane AA, and Fig. 4 shows the opposite view in the form of section BB.Figure 5 shows the section plane CC, which is normal to axis 18 and thus to the longitudinal direction 4 of the valve stem 5. In all Figures 2 to 5, the valve disc 2 is in its maximum opening position, in which the valve opening 3 is maximally unobstructed. In the view shown in Figure 3, the heads of three screws 14 and 19 and the at least partially rounded outer contour 17 of the valve disc 2 are visible. Figure 4 shows two clamping jaws 7 and 8, with which the valve disc 2 is clamped to the valve stem 5 according to the invention. The clamping jaws 7 and 8 are attached to the valve disc 2. In the specific embodiment shown here, this attachment of the clamping jaws 7 and 8 to the valve disc is effected by means of the screws 19, which, as can be clearly seen in Figure 5, are screwed through the valve disc 2 into the respective clamping jaws 7 and 8. Figures 4 and 5 also show that the valve stem 5 is held clamped between the clamping jaws 7 and 8.In these embodiments, the clamping jaws 7 and 8 can be either rigid or elastic. In any case, they are screwed onto the valve disc 2 and thus can be removed from the valve disc 2 without damage. Figures 4 and 5 clearly show that the clamping jaws 7 and 8 bear against the valve stem 5 on opposite sides. Figure 4 shows, by way of example, that in preferred embodiments of the invention, the clamping jaws 7 and 8 can be arranged on opposite sides of the valve stem 5 and on the same side of the valve disc 2.In addition to being fastened by means of the clamping jaws 7 and 8, this embodiment according to the invention also provides that the valve disc 2 is additionally screwed to the valve stem 5 at a point spaced from the clamping jaws 7 and 8 in the longitudinal direction 4 of the valve stem 5 by means of the screw 14, as can be seen in Figures 3 and 4. The screw 14 is screwed into the valve stem 5. In this context, reference is made to Figures 6 and 7. Figure 6 shows a view from below of the valve 1 of this first embodiment. The section line DD is also shown there. Figure 7 shows the valve 1 in a longitudinal section along this section line DD. In this section according to Figure 7, it can first be seen that the screw 14 is screwed into the valve stem 5 in a direction 15 orthogonal to the longitudinal direction 4 of the valve stem 5.Of course, the direction 15 could also run transversely at a different angle relative to the longitudinal direction 4. However, the section shown in Fig. 7 primarily reveals that a cavity 13 is formed in the valve stem 5, at least in some areas. This cavity 13 extends longitudinally along the longitudinal direction 4 of the valve stem 5. A heating element 16, designed in this example as a longitudinal heating rod, is located within the cavity 13. This heating element 16 can, for example, be electrically operated and serve to heat the valve stem 5 and, if necessary, also the valve disc 2, in order to prevent or at least minimize deposits on the valve disc 2 and the valve stem 5. In the embodiments shown, as well as in other preferred embodiments, the cavity 13 is open towards one end of the valve stem 5. The opening of the cavity 13 is located at the end of the valve stem 5 opposite the valve actuator 6.This is often advantageous, regardless of the specific embodiment shown here, because the heating element 16 can then be inserted into the cavity 13 of the valve stem 5 from the side opposite the valve actuator 6, optionally through the valve housing 20 as in this embodiment. The heating element 16 can then be attached to the valve housing 20 by means of the heating element mounting 22. In this embodiment, the heating element 16 is arranged in the cavity 13 in such a way that it does not directly touch the valve stem 5 or, in other words, is in direct physical contact with it. One could also say that the heating element 16 is mounted without contact in the cavity 13 of the valve stem 5. The heat transfer between the heating element 16 and the valve stem 5 can then be based purely on thermal radiation and / or, if a heat-transferring fluid is also present in the cavity 13, on thermal convection.In any case, it is advantageously provided, as can be clearly seen in Fig. 7, that the valve disc 2 is clamped to the valve stem 5 in the area of ​​the cavity 13 by means of the clamping jaws 7 and 8. The fastening by means of the screw 14, which is screwed into the valve stem 5, is located outside the cavity 13. If the cavity 13 extends over the entire valve stem 5, for example, to allow cables or lines to pass through, or for the arrangement of electronics in other embodiments, a second pair of clamping jaws 7 and 8 can be provided instead of the fastening by means of the screw 14, with which the valve disc 2 can then be additionally fastened to the valve stem 5. Of course, more than two pairs of clamping jaws 7 and 8 can also be provided to fasten the valve disc 2 to the valve stem 5 in the manner shown.In the illustrated embodiment, the valve disc 2 is clamped to the valve stem 5 on a side facing away from the valve actuator 6 by means of the clamping jaws 7 and 8. Figures 8 to 13 now illustrate an alternative embodiment according to the invention, showing how the valve disc 1 can be clamped to the valve stem 5 by means of the clamping jaws 7 and 8. In Figures 8 to 13, only the valve stem 5 with the valve disc 2 is shown. The following description of this embodiment will focus solely on the connection between the valve disc 2 and the valve stem 5 according to the invention. The valve stem 5 and the valve disc 2 can, for example, be arranged in a valve 1 which otherwise corresponds to the first embodiment. The valve stem 5 and the valve disc 2 of this second embodiment are shown in a perspective view in Figure 8 and in Figure 1.Figure 9 shows a side view. Figure 10 shows the section along section line EE from Figure 9. Figure 11 shows an enlarged view of the area around the valve stem 5 from Figure 10. Figure 12 shows a top view with section line FF, and Figure 13 shows the section along section line FF. The method of fastening the valve disc 2 to the valve stem 5 according to the invention in this second embodiment is best seen in Figures 11 and 13. In particular, Figure 11 clearly shows that a snap-fit ​​connection is formed by means of the clamping jaws 7 and 8 in order to fasten the valve disc 2 to the valve stem 5. For this purpose, the clamping jaws 7 and 8 are elastically designed and have locking lugs 9 and 10. Fig. 11 shows particularly well how the locking lugs 9 and 10 for clamping the valve disc 2 to the valve stem 5 are inserted from the outside through a locking opening 11 of the valve stem 5 into the valve stem 5 or its cavity 13.Figure 11 shows the locked end position, in which the locking lugs 9 and 10 of the clamping jaws 7 and 8 bear against the inner wall 12 of the valve stem 5 to clamp the valve disc 2 to the valve stem 5. In this embodiment, the valve stem 5 is designed, at least in the area of ​​the locking opening 11, as a tube with a cavity 13 enclosed by the inner wall 12. Figure 13 also shows the locked position. Here it can be clearly seen that, in this embodiment, without limiting the generality, two pairs, each with two clamping jaws 7 and 8 and corresponding locking lugs 9 and 10, are used to clamp the valve disc 2 to the valve stem 5 with this type of connection according to the invention. To release the valve disc 2 from the valve stem 5, e.g. for maintenance purposes, a firm pull must be applied to the valve disc 2 as required, so that the clamping jaws 7 and 8 disengage elastically from the valve stem 5.

[0002] Legend for the reference numbers: Ventil Valve plate, valve opening, longitudinal direction, valve stem, valve actuator, clamping jaws, clamping jaws Rastnase Rastnase Locking opening, pipe inner wall Hohlraum Schraube Richtung Heating element outer contour Achse Schraube Valve housing, cooling fins, heating element mounting, feed-through opening

Claims

33503 / 34 / ss 20250514 16 Claims 1. Valve (1) with a valve disc (2) for at least partially closing a valve opening (3) and a valve stem (5) extending longitudinally in a longitudinal direction (4), wherein the valve disc (2) is attached to the valve stem (5) and the valve stem (5) connects the valve disc (2) to a valve actuator (6) of the valve (1) for adjusting the valve disc (2), characterized in that the valve (1) has two clamping jaws (7, 8) with which the valve disc (2) is clamped to the valve stem (5).

2. Valve (1) according to claim 1, wherein the clamping jaws (7, 8) are attached to or formed on the valve disc (2).

3. Valve (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the valve stem (5) is clamped between the clamping jaws (7, 8).

4. Valve (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the clamping jaws (7, 8) are elastically designed and have locking lugs (9, 10).5.Valve (1) according to claim 4, wherein the locking lugs (9, 10) for clamping the valve disc (2) to the valve stem (5) are provided from the outside by a.

6. Valve (1) according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the valve stem (5) is designed, at least in the area of ​​the locking opening (11), as a tube with a cavity (13) enclosed by an inner wall (12) of the tube, and the locking lugs (9, 10) bear against the inner wall (12) of the tube for clamping the valve disc (2) to the valve stem (5).

7. Valve (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the clamping jaws (7, 8) are each attached to the valve disc (2) in a non-destructively detachable manner.

8. Valve (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the clamping jaws (7, 8) are each screwed onto the valve disc (2).

9. Valve (1) according to one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the clamping jaws (7, 8) bear against the valve stem (5) on opposite sides.10.Valve (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the valve disc (2) is additionally screwed onto the valve stem (5) at a point spaced from the clamping jaws (7, 8) in the longitudinal direction (4) of the valve stem (5).

11. Valve (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein a cavity (13) is formed at least partially in the valve stem (5).

12. Valve (1) according to claim 11, wherein the cavity (13) extends longitudinally in the longitudinal direction (4) of the valve stem (5), and / or wherein a heating element (16) is arranged in the cavity (13) of the valve stem (5), and / or wherein the valve disc (2) is clamped to the valve stem (5) with the clamping jaws (7, 8) in the region of the cavity (13).

13. Valve (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the valve (1) is a butterfly valve.

14. Valve (1) according to one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the valve disc (2) projects beyond the valve stem (5) on two opposite sides, and / or wherein the valve disc (2), viewed in a top view orthogonal to the longitudinal direction (4) of the valve stem (5), is partially or completely bounded by a circular outer contour (17).15.Valve (1) according to one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the valve stem (5) is rotatable from the valve actuator (6) for adjusting the valve disc (2) about an axis (18) running coaxially or at least parallel to the longitudinal direction (4) of the valve stem (5).

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