Pinch valve, methods and uses thereof

Abstract

The present application relates to pinch valves. More specifically, the present application relates to a pinch valve comprising: a pair of sleeve casings, each sleeve casing comprising a first and a second casing portions pivotally connected with respect to one another between a closed and an open position, the pair of casings being configured to receive a removable sleeve and defining an enclosure therebetween; and comprising within the enclosure: a first shaft; a second shaft movable between the closed the open positions; a first pinch element connected at one end to a first end of the first shaft and selectively engageable at another end to a first end the second shaft in the closed position; and a second pinch element pivotally connected at one end to a second end of the first shaft and pivotally connected at another end to a second end of the second shaft; wherein the first and the second pinch elements, in the closed position, move towards each other to compress the sleeve received in the sleeve casings and move away from each other to release the sleeve.

Description

PINCH VALVE, METHODS AND USES THEREOFCROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] The present application claims the benefit of priority of co-pending U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 776,804, which was filed March 24, 2025, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.FIELD

[0002] The present application is in the field of valves. More specifically, the present application relates to pinch valves, methods and uses thereof.BACKGROUND

[0003] Pinch valves are used in various fields including the oil, gas and mining industries. The pinch valve generally comprises a valve body in which a tubular sleeve made of a resilient material is inserted. Upon pinching action, pressure is applied to the sleeve which restricts or reduces the flow of material therethrough.

[0004] Conventional mechanical pinch valves apply pressure using one or more movable elements at one or more point of a circumference of the sleeve, thereby greatly deforming the sleeve. Some pinch valves use air pressure for flattening the sleeve. In any case, a sleeve on which pressure is repeatedly applied by a pinch valve may lose flexibility and crack or otherwise break, as a result of multiple pinching cycles, which will eventually require maintenance for sleeve replacement. Such maintenance often implies downtime and manpower, including for example dismounting the pinch valve from a site, using tools to open the valve to allow changing of the sleeve, and this translated to costs and loss of income due to plant downtime.

[0005] As such, there is need for a pinch valve that is simple and easy to operate for replacement of the sleeve.SUMMARY

[0006] It has been shown herein that pinch valve of the present application provides for a simple and easy manipulation. The pinch valve of the present application further provides for reduced cost and ease of manufacture.

[0007] Accordingly, the present application includes a pinch valve comprising: a pair of sleeve casings, each sleeve casing comprising a first casing portion and a second casing portion pivotally connected with respect to one another and pivotable between a closed position and an open position, the pair of sleeve casings being configured to receive a removable sleeve and being spaced apart to define an enclosure therebetween; and further comprising within the enclosure: a first shaft; a second shaft configured to be movable between the closed position and the open position; a first pinch element connected at one end to a first end of the first shaft and selectively engageable at another end to a first end the second shaft in the closed position; and a second pinch element pivotally connected at one end to a second end of the first shaft and pivotally connected at another end to a second end of the second shaft;wherein the first pinch element and the second pinch element, when the casings are in the closed position, are configured to move towards each other to compress the sleeve received in the sleeve casings for reducing or stopping a flow from passing through the sleeve and move away from each other to release the sleeve and increasing a flow or allowing a free-flow through the sleeve.

[0008] The present application also includes a method for replacing a removable sleeve from a pinch valve, the method comprising: opening the valve by an opening step consisting essentially of pivoting at least one of a first casing portion and a second casing portion away with respect to one another, by about 90° or less to open the pinch valve; removing the removable sleeve; inserting a replacement sleeve; and closing the valve by a closing step consisting essentially of pivoting the at least one of the first casing portion and the second casing portion towards each other by about 90° or less to close the pinch valve.

[0009] Also included is a method for replacing a removable sleeve from a pinch valve, the method comprising: opening the pinch valve by an opening step consisting essentially of pivoting a second casing portion downwardly with respect to a first casing portion, by about 90° or less to open the pinch valve; removing the removable sleeve; inserting a replacement sleeve; and closing the valve by a closing step consistingessentially of pivoting the second casing portion upwardly by about 90° or less to close the pinch valve.

[0010] The present application further provides a method for replacing a removable sleeve from a pinch valve, the method comprising: opening the valve by an opening step consisting essentially of pivoting a second casing portion downwardly with respect to a first casing portion, by about 90° or less to open the pinch valve while pivoting a pinching element downwardly by about 45° or less; removing the removable sleeve; inserting a replacement sleeve; and closing the valve by a closing step consisting essentially of pivoting the second casing portion upwardly by about 90° or less to close the pinch valve while pivoting the pinching element upwardly by about 45° or less.

[0011] Other features and advantages of the present application will become apparent from the following detailed description. It should be understood, however, that the detailed description and the specific examples, while indicating embodiments of the application, are given by way of illustration only and the scope of the claims should not be limited by these embodiments, but should be given the broadest interpretation consistent with the description as a whole.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0012] The embodiments of the application will now be described in greater detail with reference to the attached drawings in which:

[0013] FIG.1 shows a schematic representation of a side view of a pinch valve in the open position according to exemplary embodiments of the application.

[0014] FIG.2 shows a schematic representation of a perspective view of a pinch valve in the open position according to exemplary embodiments of the application, with enlarged section A.

[0015] FIG.3 shows a schematic representation of a front view of a pinch valve in the open position according to exemplary embodiments of the application.

[0016] FIG.4 shows a schematic representation of a side view of a pinch valve in the closed position before actuation of the pinch elements, according to exemplary embodiments of the application.

[0017] FIG.5 shows a schematic representation of a side view of a pinch valve in the closed position with actuation of the pinch elements, according to exemplary embodiments of the application.

[0018] FIG.6 shows a schematic representation of a side view of a pinch valve in the closed position, according to exemplary embodiments of the application, with enlarged sections E, F, G, H and J.DETAILED DESCRIPTIONI. Definitions

[0019] Unless otherwise indicated, the definitions and embodiments described in this and other sections are intended to be applicable to all embodiments and aspects of the present application herein described for which they are suitable as would be understood by a person skilled in the art.

[0020] As used in this application and claim(s), the words "comprising" (and any form of comprising, such as "comprise" and "comprises"), "having" (and any form of having, such as "have" and "has"), "including" (and any form of including, such as "include" and "includes") or "containing" (and any form of containing, such as "contain" and "contains"), are inclusive or open-ended and do not exclude additional, unrecited elements or process steps.

[0021] The term “consisting” and its derivatives as used herein are intended to be closed terms that specify the presence of the stated features, elements, components, groups, integers, and / or steps, and also exclude the presence of other unstated features, elements, components, groups, integers and / or steps.

[0022] The term “consisting essentially of’, as used herein, is intended to specify the presence of the stated features, elements, components, groups, integers, and / or steps as well as those that do not materially affect the basic and novel characteristic(s) of these features, elements, components, groups, integers, and / or steps.

[0023] The terms "about", “substantially” and “approximately” as used herein mean a reasonable amount of deviation of the modified term such that the end result is not significantly changed. These terms of degree should be construed as including a deviation of at least ±5% of the modified term if this deviation would not negate the meaning of the word it modifies or unless the context suggests otherwise to a person skilled in the art.

[0024] As used in the present application, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” include plural references unless the content clearly dictates otherwise. For example, an embodiment including “a component” should be understood to present certain aspects with one component, or two or more additional compounds.

[0025] In embodiments comprising an “additional” or “second” component, such as an additional or second compound, the second component as used herein is different from the other components or first component. A “third” component is different from the other, first, and second components, and further enumerated or “additional” components are similarly different.

[0026] The term “and / or” as used herein means that the listed items are present, or used, individually or in combination. In effect, this term means that “at least one of” or “one or more” of the listed items is used or present.

[0027] The term “suitable” as used herein means that the selection of the particular components or conditions would depend on the specific steps to be performed, the identity of the components to be used and / or the specific use for the components, but the selection would be well within the skill of a person trained in the art.II. Valves of the Application

[0028] It has been shown herein that pinch valve of the present application provides for a simple and easy manipulation. The pinch valve of the present application further provides for reduced cost and ease of manufacture.

[0029] Accordingly, the present application includes a pair of sleeve casings, each sleeve casing comprising a first casing portion and a second casing portionpivotally connected with respect to one another and pivotable between a closed position and an open position, the pair of sleeve casings being configured to receive a removable sleeve and being spaced apart to define an enclosure therebetween; and further comprising within the enclosure:a first shaft;a second shaft configured to be movable between the closed position and the open position;a first pinch element connected at one end to a first end of the first shaft and selectively engageable at another end to a first end the second shaft in the closed position; and a second pinch element pivotally connected at one end to a second end of the first shaft and pivotally connected at another end to a second end of the second shaft; wherein the first pinch element and the second pinch element, when the casings are in the closed position, are configured to move towards each other to compress the sleeve received in the sleeve casings for reducing or stopping a flow from passing through the sleeve and move away from each other to release the sleeve and increasing a flow or allowing a free-flow through the sleeve.

[0030] In some embodiments, the first shaft is fixed on a support. In some embodiments, each pivot between the first casing portion and the second casing portion is fixed on the support. For example, the support may be of any shape or size, as long as it lays flat on a surface for stability and is able to connect to the relevant part of the pinch valve, and the present application is not to be limited thereto. In some embodiments, the support defines the enclosure, together with the pair of sleeve casings.

[0031] In some embodiments, actuation of the second shaft from the open position to the closed position is configured to drive each of the first casing portion and the second casing portion towards each other in a mating arrangement, and to drive the second pinch element in a position parallel to the first pinch element. For example, actuation may be a manual movement from a user, or automated and controllable via a controller.

[0032] In some embodiments, the second shaft further comprises a locking element configure to lock the pinch valve in the closed position. In some embodiments, the locking element is a screw, a latch, or the like. It will be appreciated that the application is not to be limited thereto and any suitable locking mechanism allowing for locking and disengagement may be used.

[0033] In some embodiments, the pair of sleeve casings is configured to receive a removable sleeve within a complementary rim on each of the first casing portion and the second casing portion. In some embodiments, the sleeve will be configured with a lip or protrusion complementary to the rim, to snugly fit within the rim and be retained therein. It will be appreciated that the application is not to be limited thereto and any suitable shape and size of the rim may be used, as long as the rim is complementary to the sleeve to be received.

[0034] In some embodiments, the pinch valve further comprises an actuator mechanism configured to move the first pinch element and the second pinch element towards each other. In some embodiments, the actuator mechanism comprises a base parallel to the first pinch element, a pneumatic cylinder fixed on the base and an actuator arm operatively connected to the pneumatic cylinder and connected to an intermediate portion of the first pinch element configured to move the first pinch element and the second pinch element towards each other upon actuation of the pneumatic cylinder.

[0035] In some embodiments, the first shaft is slidably connected to the first pinch element. In some embodiments, the first shaft is slidably connected to the support. In some embodiments, the second shaft is slidably connected to the first pinch element. In some embodiments, the first shaft is fixedly connected to the base of the actuation mechanism.

[0036] It will be appreciated that some or all parts of the pinch valve of the application may be made of a material, such as steel, stainless steel, polymers, etc., provided enough rigidity and resistance to withstand operation of the valve, and the application is not limited thereto.

[0037] The pinch valve of the present application will now be described with reference to the Figures, showing exemplary embodiments. Turning to FIG.1, pinch valve 100 is shown from a side view in the open position. The pinch valve 100 comprises a first casing portion 102 and a second casing portion 104 pivotally connected at pivot point 106 (only one of the pair visible from the side view). Each casing portion 102, 104 is configured to receive a removable sleeve (not shown) within a rim 108, complementary with the sleeve, for example provided with a complementary lip to fit within the rim 108. The pinch valve 100 also comprises a first shaft 110 configured to be in a fixed position, herein fixed on support 112, and a second shaft 114. When in the open position, as shown on FIG.1, the second shaft 114 rests substantially horizontally on a surface on which the support 112 is resting. That is, in the open position, a longitudinal axis of the second shaft 114 is substantially perpendicular with a longitudinal axis of the first shaft 110. In the closed position (not shown), the second shaft 114 will engage a first pinch element 116, such that the first shaft 110 and the second shaft 116 will be in a parallel configuration.

[0038] Also provided is the first pinch element 116 and a second pinch element 118. The first pinch element 116 is connected at one end to a first end of the first shaft 110 at point 120 and selectively engageable at another end to a first end the second shaft 114 at point 122 when in the closed position (not shown). The second pinch element 118 is pivotally connected at one end to the other end of the first shaft 110 and pivotally connected at another end to the second end of the second shaft 114. It is also shown that the pivot 106 is fixed on the support 112 and to a stabilization arm 124. This stabilization arm is part of the pivot 106 (and 106’ shown on FIG.2) and serves as strap hinge of the pivot.

[0039] Upon actuation of the second shaft 114 towards the closed position (not shown), cooperation between the connected elements will drive the first casing portion 102 and the second casing portion 104 towards each other in a mating arrangement, and drive the second pinch element 118 in a position parallel to the first pinch element 116. The second shaft 114 may also comprise a locking element 126 configured to lock the pinch valve 100 in the closed position (not shown).

[0040] Also illustrated is an actuator mechanism 128, also fixed on the support 112, configured to move the first pinch element 116 and the second pinch element 118 towards each other upon actuation. The actuator mechanism 128 comprises a pneumatic cylinder 130 and an actuator arm 132, the actuator arm 132 being operatively connected to the pneumatic cylinder 130 and connected to an intermediate portion of the first pinch element 116.

[0041] The parts shown in stippled lines would be invisible from a side view as they would be behind the body of the support 112, but are shown for illustrative purposes.

[0042] FIG.2 is a perspective view of a similar embodiments, also in an open position, where each element of the pinch valve is represented by the same reference numerals as above. In this perspective view can be seen the pair of sleeve casings each comprising a first casing portion 102, 102’ and a second casing portion 104, 104’, and pivots 106, 106’.

[0043] FIG.3 is a front view of the exemplary pinch valve 100, also bearing the same reference numerals as above.

[0044] FIG.4 an FIG.5 illustrates the actuation of the pinch valve 100 in the closed position to compress a sleeve received in the sleeve casings. FIG.4 shows the pinch valve 100 before actuation with the first pinch element 116 and the second pinch element 118 in a distant configuration and the actuation arm 132 in an initial position. FIG.5 shows the pinch valve 100 after actuation, where the first pinch element 116 and the second pinch element 118 have been moved towards each other upon actuation of the pneumatic cylinder 130 which forces the actuation arm 132 downwardly, such that the first pinch element 116 is pushed down and the second pinch element 118 is moved up by the first shaft 110 and the second shaft 118 sliding up. A skilled person in the art will appreciate that the terms downwardly, down and up herein refer to the representation on the figures, but are relative to one another, and one could dispose the pinch valve in another configuration (horizontally, laterally, upside down, etc.) such that these terms would be different.

[0045] In some embodiments, the actuation is possible partly due to the connections of the first shaft 110 and the second shaft 114 to the base 134 of the actuation mechanism 128 and the connections of the first pinch element 116 with the first shaft 110 and the second shaft 114. These exemplary connections are shown in greater detail at FIG.6. Enlarged section F shows the disengageable connection between the second shaft 114, the first pinch element 116 and the base 134 of the actuation mechanism 128. Locking mechanism 126, herein shown as a screw, locks the pinch valve 100 in the closed position and locks the second shaft 114 with the base 134 of the actuation mechanism 128, but engagement of the second shaft 114 with the first pinch element 116 is loose of non-fastened such that the first pinch element 116 is slidable along the second shaft 114. Similarly, enlarged section E shows the fixed connection between the first shaft 110 and the base 134 of the actuation mechanism 128, and slidable connections between the first shaft 110 and the support 112 and between the first shaft 110 and the first pinch element 116. These connections allow the first pinch element 116 to slide down along the first shaft 110 and the second shaft 114 upon actuation of the actuation mechanism 128, and the first shaft 110 and the second shaft114 to slide up, entraining the second pinch element 118 connected thereto.

[0046] Enlarged sections G and H show optional further slidable connections between the support 112 and the first and second shafts 110, 114, providing greater stability and serving as guides for the shafts. Also shown on FIG.6 is the enlarged section J, showing the connection between the actuation arm 130 and the intermediate portion of the first pinch element 116.III. Methods and Uses of the Application

[0047] Accordingly, the present application further includes A method for replacing a removable sleeve from a pinch valve, the method comprising: opening the valve by an opening step consisting essentially of pivoting at least one of a first casing portion and a second casing portion away with respect to one another, by about 90° or less to open the pinch valve;removing the removable sleeve;inserting a replacement sleeve; andclosing the valve by a closing step consisting essentially of pivoting the at least one of the first casing portion and the second casing portion towards each other by about 90° or less to close the pinch valve.

[0048] A method for replacing a removable sleeve from a pinch valve, the method comprising:opening the pinch valve by an opening step consisting essentially of pivoting a second casing portion downwardly with respect to a first casing portion, by about 90° or less to open the pinch valve;removing the removable sleeve;inserting a replacement sleeve; andclosing the valve by a closing step consisting essentially of pivoting the second casing portion upwardly by about 90° or less to close the pinch valve.

[0049] A method for replacing a removable sleeve from a pinch valve, the method comprising:opening the valve by an opening step consisting essentially of pivoting a second casing portion downwardly with respect to a first casing portion, by about 90° or less to open the pinch valve while pivoting a pinching element downwardly by about 45° or less; removing the removable sleeve;inserting a replacement sleeve; andclosing the valve by a closing step consisting essentially of pivoting the second casing portion upwardly by about 90° or less to close the pinch valve while pivoting the pinching element upwardly by about 45° or less.

[0050] Without being bound to theory, it will be appreciated that the method of the present application allows for easy opening and closing of the pinch valve, compared to known valves of the art. Specifically, known valves typically require a much higher energy and effort to open since the upper casing, mounted with the actuation mechanism, needs to be moved upwardly by about 180 ° in the open position. Similarly, closing these valves is arduous since all the weight of the casing and actuation mechanism needs to be moved by about 180 ° back to the closed position.

[0051] While the applicant's teachings described herein are in conjunction with various embodiments for illustrative purposes, it is not intended that the applicant's teachings be limited to such embodiments as the embodiments described herein are intended to be examples. On the contrary, the applicant's teachings described and illustrated herein encompass various alternatives, modifications, and equivalents, without departing from the embodiments described herein, the general scope of which is defined in the appended claims.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A pinch valve comprising:a pair of sleeve casings, each sleeve casing comprising a first casing portion and a second casing portion pivotally connected with respect to one another and pivotable between a closed position and an open position, the pair of sleeve casings being configured to receive a removable sleeve and being spaced apart to define an enclosure therebetween;and further comprising within the enclosure:a first shaft;a second shaft configured to be movable between the closed position and the open position;a first pinch element connected at one end to a first end of the first shaft and selectively engageable at another end to a first end the second shaft in the closed position; anda second pinch element pivotally connected at one end to a second end of the first shaft and pivotally connected at another end to a second end of the second shaft;wherein the first pinch element and the second pinch element, when the casings are in the closed position, are configured to move towards each other to compress the sleeve received in the sleeve casings for reducing or stopping a flow from passing through the sleeve and move away from each other to release the sleeve and increasing a flow or allowing a free-flow through the sleeve.

2. The pinch valve of claim 1 , wherein the first shaft is connected on a support.

3. The pinch valve of claim 2, wherein each pivot between the first casing portion and the second casing portion is fixed on the support.

4. The pinch valve of claim 2 or 3, wherein the first casing portion is fixed on the support such that the second casing portion pivots between the open and the closed position.

5. The pinch valve of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein actuation of the second shaft from the open position to the closed position is configured to drive each of thefirst casing portion and the second casing portion towards each other in a mating arrangement, and to drive the second pinch element in a position parallel to the first pinch element.

6. The pinch valve of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the second shaft further comprises a locking element configured to lock the pinch valve in the closed position.

7. The pinch valve of claim 6, wherein the locking element is a screw or a latch.

8. The pinch valve of any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the pair of sleeve casings is configured to receive a removable sleeve within a complementary rim on each of the first casing portion and the second casing portion.

9. The pinch valve of claim 8, wherein the rim is complementary to a lip of the removable sleeve.

10. The pinch valve of any one of claims 1 to 9, further comprising an actuator mechanism configured to move the first pinch element and the second pinch element towards each other.

11. The pinch valve of claim 10, wherein the actuator mechanism comprises a base parallel to the first pinch element, a pneumatic cylinder fixed on the base and an actuator arm operatively connected to the pneumatic cylinder and connected to an intermediate portion of the first pinch element configured to move the first pinch element and the second pinch element towards each other upon actuation of the pneumatic cylinder.

12. The pinch valve of any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the first shaft is slidably connected to the first pinch element.

13. The pinch valve of any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the first shaft is slidably connected to the support.

14. The pinch valve of any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the second shaft is slidably connected to the first pinch element.

15. The pinch valve of any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the first shaft is fixedly connected to the base of the actuation mechanism.

16. The pinch valve of any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein the second shaft is fixedly connected to the base of the actuation mechanism in the closed position.

17. A method for replacing a removable sleeve from a pinch valve, the method comprising:opening the valve by an opening step consisting essentially of pivoting at least one of a first casing portion and a second casing portion away with respect to one another, by about 90° or less to open the pinch valve;removing the removable sleeve;inserting a replacement sleeve; andclosing the valve by a closing step consisting essentially of pivoting the at least one of the first casing portion and the second casing portion towards each other by about 90° or less to close the pinch valve.

18. A method for replacing a removable sleeve from a pinch valve, the method comprising:opening the pinch valve by an opening step consisting essentially of pivoting a second casing portion downwardly with respect to a first casing portion, by about 90° or less to open the pinch valve;removing the removable sleeve;inserting a replacement sleeve; andclosing the valve by a closing step consisting essentially of pivoting the second casing portion upwardly by about 90° or less to close the pinch valve.

19. A method for replacing a removable sleeve from a pinch valve, the method comprising:opening the valve by an opening step consisting essentially of pivoting a second casing portion downwardly with respect to a first casing portion, by about 90° or less to open the pinch valve while pivoting a pinching element downwardly by about 45° or less;removing the removable sleeve;inserting a replacement sleeve; andclosing the valve by a closing step consisting essentially of pivoting the second casing portion upwardly by about 90° or less to close the pinch valve while pivoting the pinching element upwardly by about 45° or less.

20. The method of any one of claims 17 to 19, using the pinch valve as defined in any one of claims 1 to 16.

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