Pressure-relieved valve

Abstract

The invention relates to a pressure-relieved valve (1) comprising a valve member (14) which is located in a valve chamber (7) of a valve housing (2) and which can be moved axially back and forth between a closed position (24) and at least one open position (25) within the scope of an actuating movement (23), wherein, in the closed position (24), a first sealing element (19) of the valve member (14) fluid-tightly bears against a sealing seat (26) of an overflow opening (6) connecting two valve channels (3, 4), and a second sealing element (20) of the valve member (14) fluid-tightly bears against a sleeve sealing seat (27) of a sleeve (8) provided in the valve chamber (7), and wherein, in the at least one open position (25), the first sealing element (19) is lifted off from the sealing seat (26) and the second sealing element (20) is lifted off from the sleeve sealing seat (27). The valve member (14) is passed through by a relief channel (28) which opens out on an end face (22) of the valve member (14) so as to form a first opening (29) and opens out on the valve member (14) so as to form at least one second opening (30) which is located in a compensation chamber (13).

Description

[0001] August 4, 2025

[0002] 1

[0003] Pressure-relieved valve

[0004] The present invention relates to a pressure-relieved valve according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0005] A pressure-balanced valve of the type mentioned above is known, for example, from US 10,962,265 B2. It has a valve element arranged in a valve chamber, a sealing seat, and a seal, which are arranged along an axial actuating movement of the valve element. Another pressure-balanced valve is described in JP H09 317 922 A. The known pressure-balanced valves have numerous components, which results in high complexity and manufacturing costs, which is undesirable.

[0006] The object of the invention is therefore to provide an improved or at least a different embodiment of a pressure-relieved valve compared to the known valves.

[0007] In the present invention, this problem is solved by the subject matter of independent claim 1. Advantageous embodiments are the subject matter of the dependent claims, the description, and the drawings.

[0008] The invention solves the problem by a pressure-relieved valve comprising a valve housing and at least two valve channels that penetrate the valve housing and are fluidically connected to each other via an overflow opening, a valve chamber delimited by the valve housing, which opens into a first valve channel of these two valve channels and in which a sleeve of the valve is arranged, which is connected to a sealing arrangement arranged on an outer circumferential surface of the sleeve to a sealing arrangement delimiting the valve chamber. 04.08.2025

[0009] 2

[0010] The valve housing wall is fluid-tight, has a central sleeve opening arranged coaxially to the overflow opening, and includes or limits a compensation chamber that is fluidically connected or connectable to the two valve channels via the sleeve opening. It also includes a valve element with a stem that is received in the central sleeve opening and defines a longitudinal axis. Two annular sealing elements are provided on the stem, arranged axially apart on an outer circumferential surface, and the stem has an axial relief surface permanently located in the compensation chamber and an axial end face opposite the relief surface. The valve element is designed to be axially movable back and forth along its longitudinal axis between a closed position and at least one open position during an actuating movement.wherein in the closed position the valve member projects section by section through the overflow opening and thereby the end face of the valve member is arranged in a second valve channel of these two valve channels, a first annular sealing element of the two sealing elements of the valve member rests fluid-tight against a sealing seat of the overflow opening and a second annular sealing element of the two sealing elements of the valve member rests against a sleeve sealing seat of the sleeve, so that the first valve channel is fluid-tightly separated from the second valve channel and the compensation chamber, and wherein in the at least one open position the end face of the valve member is arranged in the first valve channel of these two valve channels, the first sealing element is lifted from the sealing seat of the overflow opening and the second sealing element is lifted from the sleeve sealing seat of the sleeve and thereby a fluid connection between the first valve channel,the second valve channel and the compensation chamber. Furthermore, it is provided that the valve element is penetrated by a relief channel, which opens with a first opening on the axial end face of the valve element and with at least a second opening on a surface section of the outer circumferential surface of the valve element that is permanently located in the compensation chamber. 04.08.2025

[0011] 3

[0012] This results in an overall improved pressure-relieved valve in which, in the closed position of the valve element, the compensating chamber and the second valve channel are fluidically connected via the relief channel, thus establishing a first uniform pressure level in the compensating chamber and the second valve channel. This allows a pressure force acting on the relief surface of the valve element and a counter-pressure force acting on the end face of the valve element to cancel each other out, so that the valve element is pressure-relieved in the closed position. Furthermore, in at least one open position of the valve element, the first valve channel, the second valve channel, and the compensating chamber are fluidically connected, so that a second uniform pressure level can be established in these areas.This allows a pressure force acting on the relief surface of the valve element and a counter-pressure force acting on the end face of the valve element to cancel each other out, so that the valve element is pressure-relieved even in at least one open position. This has the overall advantage that the actuating movement of the valve element can be performed with comparatively small actuating forces. An electrically actuated drive unit intended to provide these actuating forces can therefore be dimensioned relatively small, thus saving costs and weight.

[0013] It is understood that the relief surface of the stem of the valve member and the end face of the stem of the valve member are expediently designed to be the same size or at least substantially the same size.

[0014] The pressure-balanced valve is expediently operated with a fluid flow, for example a liquid or a gas, through which a fluid path extends through the first valve channel, the overflow orifice, and the second valve channel. The first [unclear text] can be dated August 4, 2025.

[0015] 4

[0016] The valve channel may be pressurized with an overpressure, i.e., in particular a pressure higher than standard atmospheric pressure. Furthermore, the second valve channel may be pressurized with a lower pressure and / or standard atmospheric pressure.

[0017] The valve may have a third valve channel that passes through the valve body and opens into an annular channel bounded between the outer circumferential surface of the sleeve and the wall of the valve body. The third valve channel may be pressurized to standard atmospheric pressure.

[0018] The compensation chamber can be located inside the sleeve and / or, for example, be formed by an annular recess in the sleeve that opens into the central sleeve opening. Alternatively, the compensation chamber can be bounded by the sleeve and the wall of the valve chamber.

[0019] The overflow opening can be coaxial with respect to the longitudinal axis. Furthermore, it can be advantageously provided that the sealing seat of the overflow opening has, or is formed by, a sealing surface, particularly one arranged coaxially with respect to the longitudinal axis, which widens in a funnel shape. In particular, the sealing surface can widen in a funnel shape towards the compensation chamber. In the closed position, the first sealing element of the valve member is pressed against the sealing surface, thus enabling an effective seal between the overflow chamber and the first valve channel.

[0020] It may also be advantageously provided that the sleeve's sealing seat is formed by an annular circumferential projection arranged on an inner circumferential surface of the sleeve opening. The projection is advantageously formed integrally with the sleeve. 04.08.2025

[0021] 5

[0022] In this context, it may further be provided that the raised section has a funnel-shaped ramp and a circular cylindrical sliding section adjoining it. It is conceivable that the second sealing element rests against the sliding section in the closed position, and / or that the second sealing element slides onto or off the sliding section via the ramp when the valve member is actuated, and / or that the second sealing element is lifted from the sleeve sealing seat and the inner circumferential surface of the sleeve opening in at least one open position. The diameter of the sleeve sealing seat, in particular the diameter of the sliding section, may be smaller than the diameter of the inner circumferential surface of the sleeve opening.

[0023] In a further embodiment of the invention, the ratio of the diameter of the relief channel, particularly its minimum diameter, to the outer diameter of the valve stem is in the range of 0.42 to 0.5. In this configuration, the diameter of the relief channel and the outer diameter are measured at the same height along the longitudinal axis. Preferably, the diameter of the relief channel is 3 mm and the outer diameter of the stem is 7 mm. This results in a relatively low flow resistance in the relief channel, allowing the first or second uniform pressure level to be established relatively quickly in the channels or chambers of the valve. This enables comparatively short switching times of the valve.

[0024] Furthermore, it may be provided that the first sealing element and / or the second sealing element have a cord diameter between 0.7 mm and 2 mm, in particular a cord diameter of 1 mm, and / or the axial distance between the first sealing element and the second sealing element is in the range of 10 mm to 11 mm. The following is generally preferred: 04.08.2025

[0025] 6. The first sealing element and / or the second sealing element is designed as an O-ring or as an X-ring.

[0026] In particular, the relief channel can be formed by an axial bore having the first opening and a transverse bore having at least one second opening, extending transversely with respect to the longitudinal axis and intersecting the axial bore. The axial bore and the transverse bore are fluidically connected. In such embodiments, the aforementioned diameter of the relief channel refers to the axial bore having the first opening. The transverse bore can have a further, third opening, which is opposite to the at least one second opening of the transverse bore and opens onto the section of the outer circumferential surface of the valve element that is permanently located in the compensation chamber.

[0027] Furthermore, it may be advantageous to provide that the valve element is pre-tensioned in the direction of the closed position by a spring element of the valve, in particular arranged in the compensation chamber.

[0028] In particular, the valve can be provided with an electrically actuated drive unit that effects the positioning movement of the valve element. This allows for the simple control of a fluid flow through the valve, whereby the electrically actuated drive unit, or the actuating force provided by it for actuating the valve element, can be dimensioned comparatively small due to the pressure relief of the valve element.

[0029] Further important features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the dependent claims, the drawings, and the accompanying description of the figures with reference to the drawings. 04.08.2025

[0030] 7

[0031] It is understood that the features mentioned above and those to be explained below can be used not only in the combinations specified, but also in other combinations or individually, without departing from the scope of the present invention. The components of a higher-level unit, such as a device, apparatus, or arrangement, mentioned above and those to be mentioned below, which are designated separately, can form separate parts or components of this unit or be integral areas or sections of this unit, even if this is depicted differently in the drawings.

[0032] Preferred embodiments of the invention are shown in the drawings and are explained in more detail in the following description, wherein identical reference numerals refer to identical or similar or functionally identical components.

[0033] Each of these shows, schematically,

[0034] Fig. 1 shows a sectional view of the pressure-relieved valve according to the invention in a first embodiment,

[0035] Fig. 2 shows the valve from Fig. 1 in a closed position,

[0036] Fig. 3 shows the valve from Fig. 1 in an open position.

[0037] Figures 1 to 3 show a valve, designated in its entirety by reference numeral 1, which is designed to control a fluid flow 44 and has a valve body 2 penetrated by two valve channels 3, 4 through which a fluid path 43 for said fluid flow 44, for example a liquid or a gas, passes. The fluid flow 44 has an overpressure, in particular a pressure increased above standard atmospheric pressure. 04.08.2025

[0038] 8

[0039] For efficient control of the fluid flow 44, the valve channels 3 and 4 are fluidically connected to each other via a bypass opening 6, for example, a connecting bore. Furthermore, the valve 1 has a valve chamber 7 bounded by the valve housing 2, which is open to the environment 45 via a chamber opening and is fluid-tightly sealed by a cover 46. The valve chamber 7 opens with a lower section opposite the chamber opening into a first valve channel 3 of these two valve channels 3 and 4, so that the first valve channel 3 and a second valve channel 4 of these two valve channels 3 and 4 are fluidically connected to the valve chamber 7.

[0040] The valve 1 further comprises a sleeve 8, designed as a stepped sleeve, inserted into the valve chamber 7. This sleeve 8, via a sealing arrangement 10 consisting of two separate O-rings 47 arranged axially apart from each other, forms a fluid-tight seal against a wall 11 of the valve housing 2 that delimits the valve chamber 7. The sleeve 8 has a circumferential annular groove 48 radially on its outer circumferential surface 9 in a section located axially between the two O-rings 47 of the sealing arrangement 10. This groove, together with the wall 11 of the valve housing 2, defines an annular channel 50 sealed by the O-rings 47, which is fluidly connected to a third valve channel 5. The sleeve 8 further comprises a central opening 12 arranged coaxially with the overflow opening 6.Furthermore, it is provided that the sleeve 8 has or limits a compensation chamber 13 which is fluidically connected or connectable to the two valve channels 3, 4 via the sleeve opening 12.

[0041] The valve 1 further comprises a valve element 14, which has a shaft 16 that is received in the central sleeve opening 12 of the sleeve 8 and defines a longitudinal axis 15. Two [unclear text] are attached to the shaft 16 on a 04.08.2025

[0042] 9

[0043] The outer circumferential surface 17 of the shaft 16 is provided with annular sealing elements 19, 20 arranged at an axial distance 18 from each other, which are, for illustrative purposes, commercially available O-rings. Furthermore, the shaft 16 or the valve element 14 has an axial relief surface 21 permanently arranged in the aforementioned compensation chamber 13, as well as an axial end face 22 opposite the relief surface 21.

[0044] To control the fluid flow 44, the valve element 14 is designed to be axially movable back and forth along the longitudinal axis 15 between a closed position 24 and at least one open position 25, within the framework of an actuating movement 23 indicated by a double arrow in Figures 1 to 3. For this purpose, the valve 1 has an electrically actuated drive unit 42, arranged by way of example in the valve chamber 7, which effects the actuating movement 23 of the valve element 14.

[0045] In Fig. 2, the valve member 14 is moved into the closed position 24. It can be seen that in the closed position 24, the valve member 14 projects section by section through the overflow opening 6, thereby positioning the end face 22 of the valve member 14 in the second valve channel 4. A first annular sealing element 19 of the two sealing elements 19, 20 of the valve member 14 abuts a sealing seat 26 of the overflow opening 6, and a second annular sealing element 20 of the two sealing elements 19, 20 of the valve member 14 abuts a sleeve sealing seat 27 of the sleeve 8, creating a fluid-tight seal. This ensures that the first valve channel 3 is fluid-tightly separated from the second valve channel 4 and the compensation chamber 13. The valve member 14 is, purely by way of example, pre-tensioned in the direction of the closed position 24 by a spring element 41 of the valve 1 located in the valve chamber 7.

[0046] In Fig. 3, the valve element 14 is moved into the at least one open position 25, whereby it can be seen that in the at least one open position 25 the end face 22 of the valve element 14 is arranged in the first valve channel 3, the first 04.08.2025

[0047] 10

[0048] The sealing element 19 is lifted from the sealing seat 26 of the overflow opening 6, and the second sealing element 20 is lifted from the sleeve sealing seat 27 of the sleeve 8. This releases or enables a fluid connection between the first valve channel 3, the second valve channel 4, and the compensation chamber 13.

[0049] Figures 1 to 3 further show that the valve element 14 of the valve 1 is penetrated by a relief channel 28, which is formed by an axial bore 39 and a transverse bore 40 intersecting the axial bore 39. The relief channel 28, or the axial bore 39, opens at the axial end face 22 of the valve element 14, forming a first opening 29. Furthermore, the relief channel 28, or the transverse bore 40, opens at a surface section 31 of the outer circumferential surface 17 of the valve element 14, which is permanently located in the compensation chamber 13, forming a second opening 30 and a third opening 49 opposite the second opening 30.

[0050] This ensures that in the closed position 24 of the valve element 14, the compensating chamber 13 and the second valve channel 4 are fluidically connected to each other via the relief channel 28, resulting in a first uniform pressure level in the compensating chamber 13 and the second valve channel 4.

[0051] This allows a pressure force acting on the relief surface 21 of the valve member 14 and a counter-pressure force acting on the end face 22 of the valve member 14 to cancel each other out, so that the valve member 14 is pressure-relieved in the closed position 24. Furthermore, in at least one open position 25 of the valve member 14, the first valve channel 3, the second valve channel 4, and the compensation chamber 13 are fluidically connected to each other, so that a second uniform pressure level can be established in these areas. This allows a pressure force acting on the relief surface 21 of the valve member 14 and a counter-pressure force acting on the end face 22 of the valve member 14 to cancel each other out, so that the valve member 14 is also pressure-relieved in the 04.08.2025

[0052] 11 at least one open position 25 is pressure relieved. This has the overall advantage that the actuating movement 23 of the valve element 14 can be carried out with comparatively small actuating forces. As a result, the aforementioned electrically actuated drive unit 42 can be dimensioned comparatively small.

[0053] Figures 1 to 3 further show that the sealing seat 26 of the overflow opening 6 has or is formed by a sealing seat surface 32 that widens in a funnel shape. Furthermore, the sleeve sealing seat 27 of the sleeve 8 is formed by an annular circumferential projection 34 integrally arranged on an inner circumferential surface 33 of the sleeve opening 12, which has a funnel-shaped leading section 35 and a circular cylindrical sliding section 36 adjoining it.

[0054] Figure 2 shows that the second sealing element 20 is in fluid-tight contact with the sliding section 36 in the closed position 24. Figure 3 further shows that the second sealing element 20 is lifted away from the sleeve sealing seat 27 and the inner circumferential surface 33 of the sleeve opening 12 in at least one open position 25.

[0055] August 4, 2025

[0056] Reference symbol list

[0057] 1. Pressure-relieved valve

[0058] 2. Valve housing

[0059] 3. First valve channel

[0060] 4. Second valve channel

[0061] 5. Third valve channel

[0062] 6. Overflow opening

[0063] 7. Valve chamber

[0064] 8. Sleeve

[0065] 9. Outer circumference of the sleeve

[0066] 10. Sealing arrangement

[0067] 11. Wall

[0068] 12. Sleeve opening

[0069] 13th Compensation Chamber

[0070] 14. Valve element

[0071] 15. Longitudinal axis

[0072] 16. Shaft

[0073] 17. Outer circumferential surface of the shaft

[0074] 18. Distance

[0075] 19. First sealing element

[0076] 20. Second sealing element

[0077] 21. Relief area

[0078] 22. Front surface

[0079] 23. Positioning movement

[0080] 24. Closed position

[0081] 25. Disclosure

[0082] 26. Sealing of the overflow opening

[0083] 27. Sleeve sealing fit of the sleeve

[0084] 28. Relief channel

Claims

August 4, 2025 14 Patent claims 1. Pressure-relieved valve (1) , characterized by - a valve housing (2) and at least two valve channels (3, 4) which pass through the valve housing (2) and are fluidically connected to each other via an overflow opening (6), - a valve chamber (7) bounded by the valve housing (2), which opens into a first valve channel (3) of these two valve channels (3, 4) and in which a sleeve (8) is arranged, which is fluid-tight against a wall (11) of the valve housing (2) bounding the valve chamber (7) via a sealing arrangement (10) arranged on an outer circumferential surface (9) of the sleeve (8), has a central sleeve opening (12) arranged coaxially to the overflow opening (6) and has or bounds a compensation chamber (13) which is fluidly connected or connectable to the two valve channels (3, 4) via the sleeve opening (12), - a valve member (14) having a shaft (16) receiving in the central sleeve opening (12) of the sleeve (8) and defining a longitudinal axis (15), on which two annular sealing elements (19, 20) arranged at an axial distance (18) from each other are provided on an outer circumferential surface (17) of the shaft (16) and which has an axial relief surface (21) permanently arranged in the compensation chamber (13) and an axial end face (22) opposite the relief surface (21), - wherein the valve element (14) is axially movable back and forth along the longitudinal axis (15) between a closed position (24) and at least one open position (25) as part of an actuating movement (23), - wherein in the closed position (24) the valve element (14) extends section by section through the overflow opening (6) and thereby the end face (22) of the valve element (14) in a second valve channel (4) of these two valve channels (3, August 4, 2025 15 4) is arranged, a first annular sealing element (19) of the two sealing elements (19, 20) of the valve member (14) is fluid-tight against a sealing seat (26) of the overflow opening (6) and a second annular sealing element (20) of the two sealing elements (19, 20) of the valve member (14) is fluid-tight against a sleeve sealing seat (27) of the sleeve (8), so that the first valve channel (3) is fluid-tightly separated from the second valve channel (4) and the compensation chamber (13), - wherein in the at least one open position (25) the end face (22) of the valve member (14) is arranged in the first valve channel (3) of these two valve channels (3, 4), the first sealing element (19) is lifted from the sealing seat (26) of the overflow opening (6) and the second sealing element (20) is lifted from the sleeve sealing seat (27) of the sleeve (8) and thereby a fluid connection between the first valve channel (3), the second valve channel (4) and the compensation chamber (13) is released, - wherein the valve member (14) is penetrated by a relief channel (28) which opens by forming a first opening (29) on the axial end face (22) of the valve member (14) and by forming at least a second opening (30) on a surface section (31) of the outer circumferential surface (17) of the valve member (14) which is permanently arranged in the compensation chamber (13).

2. Pressure-relieved valve (1 ) according to claim 1 , characterized in that the sealing seat (26) of the overflow opening (6) has or is formed by a sealing seat surface (32) which widens in a funnel shape.

3. Pressure-relieved valve (1 ) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the sleeve sealing seat (27) of the sleeve (8) is formed by an annular circumferential projection (34) arranged on an inner circumferential surface (33) of the sleeve opening (12). August 4, 2025 16 4. Pressure-relieved valve (1 ) according to claim 3, characterized in that the protrusion (34) has a funnel-shaped starting section (35) and a circular cylindrical sliding section (36) adjoining the same.

5. Pressure-relieved valve (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that - the second sealing element (20) is in the closed position (24) against the sliding section (36), and / or - the second sealing element (20) slides onto or off the sliding section (36) via the starting section (35) when the valve member (14) is actuated, and / or - the second sealing element (20) is lifted in at least one open position (25) from the sleeve sealing seat (27) and the inner circumferential surface (22) of the sleeve opening (12).

6. Pressure-relieved valve (1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the ratio of a diameter (37) of the relief channel (28) to an outer diameter (38) of the shaft (16) of the valve element (14) is in a range of 0.42 to 0.

5.

7. Pressure-relieved valve (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that - the first sealing element (19) and / or the second sealing element (20) have a cord diameter of 1 mm, and / or - the axial distance (18) between the first sealing element (19) and the second sealing element (20) is in a range of 10mm to 11mm.

8. Pressure-relieved valve (1) according to one of the preceding claims, August 4, 2025 17 characterized in that the relief channel (28) is separated from a first opening (29) an axial bore (39) and a transverse bore (40) which has at least a second opening (30), extends transversely with respect to the longitudinal axis (15) and intersects the axial bore (39).

9. Pressure-relieved valve (1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the valve element (14) is biased in the direction of the closed position (24) by a spring means (41) of the valve (1 ).

10. Pressure-relieved valve (1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the valve (1 ) has an electrically actuated drive device (42) which causes the actuating movement (23) of the valve element (14).

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