Fluid regulator valve and cage for a fluid regulator valve

Abstract

The present invention pertains to a fluid regulator valve comprising a housing with an inlet port and an outlet port for connecting the valve to a fluid system via at least one inlet conduit and at least one outlet conduit. The valve further comprises a regulating mechanism for opening and closing a valve opening between the inlet port and the outlet port, wherein the regulating mechanism comprises a diaphragm provided in a diaphragm chamber, a valve rod and a control element, and wherein at least one spring is provided for acting on the valve rod and / or the control element, wherein the first spring is provided within the inlet port. According to the invention, the first spring abuts a cage and the control element via opposing ends of the first spring. The invention is also directed at a cage for a fluid regulator valve.

Description

[0001] 03.11.2025

[0002] 82042-0265-PWO - Ra / Fia

[0003] Applicant: Danfoss A / S Nordborgvej 81 6430 Nordborg

[0004] Fluid regulator valve and cage for a fluid regulator valve

[0005] Description

[0006] The present invention pertains to a fluid regulator valve comprising a housing with an inlet port and an outlet port for connecting the valve to a fluid system via at least one inlet conduit and at least one outlet conduit. The valve further comprises a regulating mechanism for opening and closing a valve opening between the inlet port and the outlet port, wherein the regulating mechanism comprises a diaphragm provided in a diaphragm chamber, a valve rod and a control element, and wherein at least one first spring is provided for acting on the valve rod and / or the control element, wherein the first spring is provided within the inlet conduit. According to the invention, the first spring abuts a cage and the control element via opposing ends of the first spring, wherein the cage supports the first spring while only introducing limited obstructions to the fluid flow through itself and therefore through the inlet conduit. The invention is also directed at a cage for a fluid regulator valve.

[0007] Known fluid regulator valves may comprise a diaphragm and springs which act to control the control element of the valve, thereby controlling the fluid flow across the valve. In order to keep the design of the valve compact and simple, it is known to provide at least one such spring within a conduit of the valve or a conduit leading to the valve.

[0008] However, providing the spring within the conduit necessitates the provision of a suitable support structure supporting the spring. The support structure may typically comprise some intricate ge-

[0009] Classified as Business ometry, increasing the costs and complexity of the valve. Furthermore, the presence of the support structure may obstruct the fluid flow across the conduit, in which it is provided, thereby impacting the performance parameters of the valve.

[0010] The aim of the present invention is to provide an improved fluid regulator valve and an improved cage for the valve, which overcome these limitations and provide reduced costs and improved performance parameters of the valve. This aim is achieved by a fluid regulator valve according to claim 1 and a cage for the valve according to claim 9. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are subject to the dependent claims.

[0011] According to claim 1 , a fluid regulator valve is provided, the valve comprising a housing with an inlet port and an outlet port for connecting the valve via at least one inlet conduit and at least one outlet conduit to a fluid system. The fluid system may be a refrigeration system. The valve further comprises a regulating mechanism for opening and closing a valve opening between the inlet port and the outlet port, wherein the regulating mechanism comprises a diaphragm provided in a diaphragm chamber, a valve rod and a control element. At least one first spring is provided for acting on the valve rod and / or the control element, wherein the first spring is provided within the inlet conduit . According to the invention, the first spring abuts a cage and the control element via opposing ends of the first spring, wherein the cage supports the first spring while only introducing limited obstructions to the fluid flow through itself and therefore through the inlet conduit.

[0012] The cage is provided at least partially within the inlet conduit, such that parts of the cage are compressed between the housing and the inlet conduit. The term cage may refer to any structure which is capable of supporting the first spring while only introducing limited obstructions to the fluid flow through itself and therefore through the inlet conduit.

[0013] The first spring may contact the cage and the control element only at two opposite ends of the spring such that the spring does not contact any other structures via any other portions of the spring. The first spring may be positioned such as to provide a fluid flow path within and outside along the first spring for the fluid flowing through the inlet conduit.

[0014] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the cage is an integrally formed component containing the first spring preferably fully and / or a second spring is provided for acting on the valve rod and / or the control element, wherein the first and second springs act on the valve rod and / or the control element from opposing directions. The cage may be cut from sheet metal and bent into its final shape. The sole component of the cage may be the bent sheet metal component. The cage may be in direct contact with the first spring and the housing of the valve. The two springs may interact with each other at least partially to move the control element and the valve rod for controlling the valve.

[0015] Classified as Business In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the cage comprises an uppermost horizontal portion and / or a bottommost horizontal portion, wherein preferably the uppermost horizontal portion is positioned between a face of the housing and the inlet conduit of the valve. The uppermost horizontal portion may be wider than the bottommost horizontal portion such that the overall shape of the cage resembles a truncated cone.

[0016] In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the first spring abuts the bottommost horizontal portion of the cage. The first spring may abut a side of the bottommost horizontal portion, which faces the control element. The first spring may hence be compressed at least partially between the cage and the control element.

[0017] In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the cage comprises at least two, preferably three intermediate vertical portions connecting the two horizontal portions to each other, wherein preferably the uppermost horizontal portion is subdivided into at least two, preferably three separated horizontal sub-portions, each horizontal sub-portion being directly connected to exactly one intermediate vertical portion. The horizontal sub-portions may each have a partially toroidal shape and may be arranged such that they may form a toroidal structure, when compressed against each other. The intermediate vertical portions may extend at a right or skewed angle to the two horizontal portions. The two horizontal portions may be aligned in parallel to each other.

[0018] In another preferred embodiment of the invention, each horizontal sub-portion comprises a retaining portion for retaining the cage in place, wherein preferably the retaining portion comprises one concave circumferential end and one convex circumferential end for engaging an adjacent horizontal sub-portions and / or wherein preferably the retaining portion comprises a bent collar for inserting into a groove between the housing and the inlet conduit. The retaining portion may be shaped such that the cage can easily be held in place by it in a state, in which the cage is compressed between the housing and the inlet conduit. This ensures that the cage and by extension the first spring remain at their position throughout the operation of the valve. The locking of the retaining portions, which occurs when the concave and convex circumferential ends engage, provides a stable structure. This ensures that the cage is not pulled out of its mounting position between the housing and the inlet conduit when the refrigeration system is running. The locking of the retaining portions means that the cage is not too sensitive towards tolerances as it will be retained in its position as long as the uppermost horizontal portion is within the clamping area of the housing and the inlet conduit.

[0019] Classified as Business The bent collar may be provided at a portion of or along the entire uppermost horizontal portion. The bent collar may be bent with respect to the uppermost horizontal portion by 90° or preferably by between 70° and 110°.

[0020] In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the valve comprises an inner valve chamber with the valve opening, wherein the inner valve chamber is positioned between the two springs. The two springs may be spaced apart considerably from each other and may not be contacting the imminent surrounding structures of the inner valve chamber and / or may not be contacting the same components.

[0021] In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the cage comprises an upper opening defined by the uppermost horizontal portion, a bottom opening defined by the bottommost horizontal portion and / or side openings defined by intermediate vertical portions, wherein the sizes of the areas of the openings are at least 50%, preferably 100% and more preferably more than 150% the size of the areas of the portions defining the openings.

[0022] The invention is also directed at a cage for supporting a first spring within an inlet conduit of a fluid regulator valve, the cage comprising an upper opening defined by an uppermost horizontal portion and / or by horizontal sub-portions, a bottom opening defined by a bottommost horizontal portion and / or side opening defined by intermediate vertical portions, wherein the sizes of the areas of the openings are at least 50%, preferably 100% and more preferably more than 150% the sizes of the areas of the portions defining the openings.

[0023] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the cage is provided for the presently described fluid regulator valve. The cage may hence comprise any suitable interface features which match corresponding features of the remaining components of the valve. For example, the cage may comprise a bent collar which is shaped fit into a corresponding groove within the housing of the valve. The cage may be dimensioned such that it fits into the inlet conduit and / or the inlet port of the valve. In particular, the outer radius of e.g. the uppermost horizontal portion may be selected such that it can be sandwiched between the housing and the inlet conduit. The cage may comprise a sufficient number of openings to allow for a fluid flow through and / or pas the cage, even when the first spring is inserted into the cage.

[0024] Further details and advantages of the invention are described with reference to the embodiments shown in the figures. The figures show:

[0025] Fig. 1 : a cross sectional view of the fluid regulator valve;

[0026] Fig. 2: d detailed view of the cage within the fluid regulator valve;

[0027] Fig. 3: perspective view of the cage;

[0028] Classified as Business Fig. 4: sectional view of another embodiment of the fluid regulator valve; and

[0029] Fig. 5: perspective view of another embodiment of the cage.

[0030] Figure 1 shows a cross sectional view of the fluid regulator valve comprising a housing 6 with an inlet port 1 and an outlet port 2 for connecting the valve via at least one inlet conduit 11 and at least one outlet conduit 12 to a fluid system. The fluid system may be a known refrigeration system and is not shown in more detail in the figures. The ports 1, 2 may broadly refer to any structures, portions and surfaces associated with connecting the internal of the valve to the external fluid system.

[0031] The valve further comprises a regulating mechanism 3 for opening and closing a valve opening 51 between the inlet port 1 and the outlet port 2. The regulating mechanism 3 comprises a diaphragm 31 provided in a diaphragm chamber 32, a valve rod 33 and a control element 34. The axial directions of the valve rod 33 or the direction in which the valve rod 33 is movable may define the vertical direction of the valve.

[0032] Two springs 71, 72 are provided for acting on the valve rod 33 and / or the control element 34 from opposing directions, wherein a first spring 71 is provided within the inlet conduit 11 and provides a fluid flow path through the first spring 71. The invention may be carried out with a single spring 71 present. The first spring 71 and / or the cage 9 may be dimensioned such that they fill a substantial portion of the inlet port 1 and / or of the inlet conduit 11. This may preferably refer to an external dimension such as the external diameter of the spring 71 and / or of the cage 9, which may be selected to be more than 50%, preferably more than 75% and more preferably more than 90% of the internal diameter of the inlet port 1 and / or of the inlet conduit 11. According to the invention, the first spring 71 abuts the cage 9 and the control element 34 via opposing ends of the first spring 71.

[0033] The second spring 72 is provided on one side of the diaphragm 31 , while the valve rod 33 is provided on the opposite side of the diaphragm 31. The second spring 72 thus acts on the control element 34 in an indirect manner only.

[0034] The cage 9 may be provided at least partially within the inlet conduit 11 , such that parts of the cage 9 are compressed between the housing 6 and the inlet conduit 11. The term cage 9 may refer to any structure which is capable of supporting the first spring 71 while only introducing limited obstructions to the fluid flow through the inlet conduit 11.

[0035] The valve comprises an inner valve chamber 5 with the valve opening 51 , wherein the inner valve chamber 5 is positioned between the two springs 71 , 72. The two springs 71 , 72 may be

[0036] Classified as Business spaced apart considerably from each other and may not be contacting the imminent surrounding structures of the inner valve chamber 5.

[0037] Figure 2shows two detailed views of the cage 9 within the fluid regulator valve. The cage 9 is shown to have an approximately cylindrical or conical outer shape. The cage 9 is provided entirely or almost entirely within the inlet conduit 11.

[0038] The first spring 71 may contact the cage 9 and the control element 34 only at the two opposite ends of the spring 71 such that the spring 71 does not contact any other structures via any other portions of the spring 71. The spring 71 presses the control element 34 towards the valve opening 51 for closing the valve opening 51. The cage 9 may hence be in direct contact with the first spring 71 , the housing 6 of the valve and the inlet conduit 11 , wherein the first spring 71 , the housing 6 of the valve and the inlet conduit 11 may be the only components contacting the cage 9.

[0039] The cage 9 may be an integrally formed component containing the first spring 71 preferably entirely or almost entirely. This means that the first spring 71 may also be contained within the inlet conduit 11 preferably entirely or almost entirely. The first spring 71 may hence be compressed at least partially by and between the cage 9 and the control element 34.

[0040] Figure 3 shows a perspective view of the cage 9. The cage 9 may be cut from a sheet metal and bent into its final shape. The cage 9 may comprise an uppermost horizontal portion 91 and / or a bottommost horizontal portion 92, wherein preferably the uppermost horizontal portion 91 is positioned between a face of the housing 6 and the inlet conduit 11 of the valve as indicated in figure 2. The uppermost horizontal portion 91 may be wider than the bottommost horizontal portion 92 such that the overall shape of the cage 9 resembles a truncated cone, wherein the cone may easily be inserted into the inlet conduit 11. Both, the uppermost horizontal portion 91 and the bottommost horizontal portion 92 may have a shape with an approximately hollow circular cross section, i.e. approximating a toroidal shape.

[0041] The first spring 71 shown in figure 2may abut the bottommost horizontal portion 92 of the cage 9. The first spring 71 may abut a side of the bottommost horizontal portion 92, which faces the control element 34. The innermost diameter of the bottommost horizontal portion 92 may be smaller than the outer diameter of the first spring 71.

[0042] The cage 9 may comprise at least two, preferably three intermediate vertical portions 93 connecting the two horizontal portions 91 , 92 to each other. The intermediate vertical portions 93 may extend in substantially the same direction as the first spring 71 and / or the fluid conduit 11.

[0043] Classified as Business The two horizontal portions 91 , 92 may be connected to the intermediate vertical portions 93 via bent portions. In total, the cage 9 may comprise four separate bent portions. Three separate bent portions may be provided between the uppermost horizontal portion 91 and the intermediate vertical portions 93, while one continuous bent portion may be provided between the bottommost horizontal portion 92. The continuous bent portion may extend along the outer perimeter of the bottommost horizontal portion 92.

[0044] Preferably, the uppermost horizontal portion 91 is subdivided into at least two, preferably three separated horizontal sub-portions 911 , each horizontal sub-portion 911 being directly connected to exactly one intermediate vertical portion 93. The intermediate vertical portions 93 may connect to a central portion of each of the horizontal sub-portions 911.

[0045] The horizontal sub-portions 911 may each have a partially toroidal shape and may be arranged such that they may form a toroidal structure, when compressed against each other in a radial direction. The radial direction may be referenced to the toroidal structure defined by the horizontal sub-portions 911. The horizontal sub-portions 911 may all be shaped identically to each other.

[0046] The cage 9 may comprise an upper opening 9T defined by the uppermost horizontal portion 91 , a bottom opening 92’ defined by the bottommost horizontal portion 92 and / or side openings 93’ defined by the intermediate vertical portions 93 and the uppermost and bottommost horizontal portions 91 , 92, wherein the sizes of the areas of the openings 9T, 92’, 93’ are at least 50%, preferably 100% and more preferably more than 150% the size of the areas of the portions 91 , 92, 93 defining the openings 9T, 92’, 93’.

[0047] Each horizontal sub-portion 911 may comprises a retaining portion 94 for retaining the cage 9 in place, wherein preferably the retaining portion 94 comprises one concave circumferential end 91a and one convex circumferential end 91 b for engaging an adjacent horizontal sub-portion 911.

[0048] The retaining portions 94 are locked with respect to each other, when the concave and convex circumferential ends 91a, 91b engage, providing a stable structure. This ensures that the cage 9 is not pulled out of its mounting position between the housing 6 and the inlet conduit 11 when the refrigeration system is running. The locking of the retaining portions 94 means that the cage 9 is not too sensitive towards tolerances as it will be retained in its position as long as the uppermost horizontal portion 91 is within the clamping area of the housing 6 and the inlet conduit 11.

[0049] The retaining portion 94 may be shaped such that the cage 9 can easily be held in place by the retaining portion 94 in a state, in which the cage 9 is compressed between the housing 6 and

[0050] Classified as Business the inlet conduit 11 as shown in e.g. figure 2. This ensures that the cage 9 and by extension the first spring 71 remain at their positions throughout the operation of the valve.

[0051] Figure 4 shows a sectional view of another embodiment of the cage 9 within the fluid regulator valve. The first spring 71 may be fully contained within the cage 9. The cage 9 may be provided for accommodating the control element 34 at least partially. The control element 34 may comprise a conical or tapered upper portion 341 for contacting the valve opening 51. The control element 34 may comprise one or more cylindrical bottom portions 342 for contacting the first spring 71.

[0052] In this embodiment, the retaining portion 94 may comprise a bent collar 95 for inserting into a groove 61 between the housing 6 and the inlet conduit 11. The retaining portion 94 may be shaped such that its collar 95 is at least partially inserted into the housing 6 or rather the grove 61 of the housing 6.

[0053] In this embodiment no or only limited compression of the cage 9 between the housing 6 and the inlet conduit 11 is necessary for holding the cage 9 in place. This facilitates the positioning of the cage 9 relative to other components of the valve throughout the operation of the valve.

[0054] Figure 5 shows a more detailed perspective view of the cage 9 shown in the context of the valve embodiment of figure 4. Instead of the extensive uppermost horizontal portion 91 , the cage of figure 5 comprises a bent collar 95 at each of its horizontal sub-portions 911. The bent collars 95 are oriented along an axial direction of the cage 9 and / or point towards the housing 6 shown in figure 4. The horizontal sub-portions 911 do not extend along the complete upper circumference of the cage 9.

[0055] Correspondingly, the upper opening 9T defined by the horizontal sub-portions 911 is not fully bound by the horizontal sub-portions 911. However, the bottom opening 92’ is defined by a bottommost horizontal portion 92 just as is the case with the embodiment of figure 3. Side openings 93’ defined by intermediate vertical portions 93 are merged with the upper opening 9T such that these openings 93’, 9T form a continuous opening or outer boundary of the cage 9. The sizes of the areas of the openings 9T, 92’, 93’ are at least 50%, preferably 100% and more preferably more than 150% the sizes of the areas of the portions 911 , 92, 93 defining the openings 9T, 92’, 93’.

[0056] As shown in figure 4, the bent collars 95 are provided for being inserted into e.g. a grove such that they firmly lock the cage 9 with respect to the remainder of the valve. In particular, the bent collars 95 prevent the cage 9 from being compressed in a radial direction, once the cage 9 is positioned within the valve.

[0057] Classified as Business

Claims

Claims1. Fluid regulator valve comprising a housing (6) with an inlet port (1) and an outlet port (2) for connecting the valve to a fluid system via at least one inlet conduit (11) and at least one outlet conduit (12), a regulating mechanism (3) for opening and closing a valve opening (51) between the inlet port (1) and the outlet port (2), wherein the regulating mechanism (3) comprises a diaphragm (31) provided in a diaphragm chamber (32), a valve rod (33) and a control element (34), and wherein at least one first spring (71) is provided for acting on the valve rod (33) and / or the control element (34), wherein the first spring (71) is provided within the inlet conduit (11), characterized in that the first spring (71) abuts a cage (9) and the control element (34) via opposing ends of the first spring (71), wherein the cage (9) supports the first spring (71) while only introducing limited obstructions to the fluid flow through itself and therefore through the inlet conduit (11).

2. Fluid regulator valve according to claim 1 , characterized in that the cage (9) is an integrally formed component containing the first spring (71) preferably fully and / or that a second spring (72) is provided for acting on the valve rod (33) and / or the control element (34), wherein the first and second springs (71 , 72) act on the valve rod (33) and / or the control element (34) from opposing directions.

3. Fluid regulator valve according to any of the previous claims, characterized in that the cage (9) comprises an uppermost horizontal portion (91) and / or a bottommost horizontal portion (92), wherein preferably the uppermost horizontal portion (91) is positioned between a face of the housing (6) and the inlet conduit (11) of the valve.

4. Fluid regulator valve according to claim 3, characterized in that the first spring (71) abuts the bottommost horizontal portion (92) of the cage.

5. Fluid regulator valve according at least to claim 3, characterized in that the cage (9) comprises at least two, preferably three intermediate vertical portions (93) connecting the two horizontal portions (91 , 92) to each other, wherein preferably the uppermost horizontal portion (91) is subdivided into at least two, preferably three separated horizontal sub-portions (911), each horizontal sub-portion being directly connected to exactly one intermediate vertical portions (93).Classified as Business6. Fluid regulator valve according to claim 5, characterized in that each horizontal sub-portion (911) comprises a retaining portion (94) for retaining the cage (9) in place, wherein preferably the retaining portion (94) comprises one concave circumferential end (91a) and one convex circumferential end (91b) for engaging an adjacent horizontal sub-portions (911) and / or wherein preferably the retaining portion (94) comprises a bent collar (95) for inserting into a groove (61) between the housing (6) and the inlet conduit (11).

7. Fluid regulator valve according to at least claim 2, characterized in that the valve comprises an inner valve chamber (5) with the valve opening (51), wherein the inner valve chamber (5) is positioned between the two springs (71, 72).

8. Fluid regulator valve according to at least claim 5, characterized in that the cage (9) comprises an upper opening (91’) defined by the uppermost horizontal portion (91), a bottom opening (92’) defined by the bottommost horizontal portion (92) and / or side opening (93’) defined by intermediate vertical portions (93), wherein the sizes of the areas of the openings (9T, 92’, 93’) are at least 50%, preferably 100% and more preferably more than 150% the sizes of the areas of the portions (91, 92, 93) defining the openings (9T, 92’, 93’).

9. Cage (9) for supporting a first spring (71) within an inlet conduit (11) of a fluid regulator valve, the cage (9) comprising an upper opening (9T) defined by an uppermost horizontal portion (91) and / or by horizontal sub-portions (911), a bottom opening (92’) defined by a bottommost horizontal portion (92) and / or side opening (93’) defined by intermediate vertical portions (93), wherein the sizes of the areas of the openings (9T, 92’, 93’) are at least 50%, preferably 100% and more preferably more than 150% the sizes of the areas of the portions (91 , 92, 93) defining the openings (91’, 92’, 93’).

10. Cage (9) according to claim 9, characterized in that it is provided for a valve according to any of the claims 1 to 8.Classified as Business

Images