VALVE AND ACTUATOR ASSEMBLIES
The present application relates to valve and actuator assemblies. The valve actuator assemblies may include a capless valve actuating arrangement, include a replaceable passage defining member that includes seal members, include a valve member that is assembled in a valve chamber from an end of the valve body that is opposite an end that a piston is assembled in, and/or include a valve member that may be rotated in a valve body without affecting the ability of the valve member to perform its sealing functions.
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The present application claims priority from provisional application Ser. No. 60/654,917, entitled “Valve Assemblies,” filed on Feb. 22, 2005. Provisional application Ser. No. 60/654,917 is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention relates to valve and actuator assemblies.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONValves that block an inlet passage, block an outlet passage and open a vent passage when in a first state and open an inlet passage, open an outlet passage and block a vent passage when in a second state are sometimes referred to as double block and bleed valves. One application of double block and bleed valves is to select one of a plurality of sample streams that is routed to a process analyzer.
It is common practice to utilize a single automated process analyzer for analyzing multiple sample streams. This significantly reduces the cost of analyzing gas and liquid process streams in petrochemical plants, refineries and other process-related industries. The sample streams are generally transported to an automated valving manifold near an analyzer by tubing or piping. The automated valving manifold is usually electronically controlled to sequentially select and divert individual sample streams to the automated analyzer.
Air actuators are used to operate valves, such as double block and bleed valves. Typical air actuators include an actuator housing that defines a cylinder, a piston disposed in the cylinder, and a cap that closes the piston in the cylinder and limits axial movement of the piston in the cylinder. Air is selectively provided into the cylinder to move the piston against a biasing force of a spring. Some air actuators include a visual indicator that is screwed into the cap to indicate the position of the piston. One such visual indicator includes a plunger that is in contact with the piston. Movement of the piston moves the plunger to indicate the position of the piston. The height of the visual indicator is typically set for each individual valve.
SUMMARYOne aspect of the present application is a capless valve actuating arrangement. A capless valve actuating arrangement allows a position of a piston to be visually inspected. Another aspect of the present application is a valve that allows seal members that facilitate opening and closing of a valve to be easily replaced. One such valve, which may be a double block and bleed valve, includes a replaceable passage defining member that includes seal members. The seal members can easily be replaced by replacing the passage defining member. Another aspect of the present application relates to an actuator construction that eliminates the need for a cap over the piston. For example, a valve, which may be a double block and bleed valve, may include a two or more part valve body that allows a valve member to be assembled in a valve chamber from an end of the valve body that is opposite an end that a piston is assembled in. The piston and the valve member may be connected together to eliminate the need for a cap. Another aspect of the present application relates to a valve that includes first and second co-planar ports that are sealed by a valve member regardless of a rotational position of the valve member. One such valve includes a valve member that can be rotated about an axis and perform double block and bleed seal functions, regardless of the rotational position of the valve member. For example, the valve member may include a flat surface that seals against co-planar ports regardless of the rotational orientation of the valve member. These various aspects may be realized in many alternative embodiments, either individually or in various combinations and subcombinations thereof. Unless expressly excluded herein all such combinations and subcombinations are intended to be within the scope of the present invention.
An example of one valve assembly includes a valve body, a valve member, and a passage defining member. The valve body defines a valve chamber. The valve member is disposed in the valve chamber. The passage defining member defines an inlet passage, an outlet passage, and a vent passage. When the valve member is at the first position, flow between the inlet passage and the valve chamber is blocked, flow between the outlet passage and the valve chamber is blocked, and flow between the vent passage and the valve chamber is open. When the valve member is at the second position, flow between the inlet passage and the valve chamber is open, flow between the outlet passage and the valve chamber is open, and flow between the vent passage and the valve chamber is blocked.
In one embodiment, the passage defining member defines a wall of the valve chamber. In this embodiment, the valve member can be placed in the valve chamber from an end of the valve body that the passage defining member is secured to. In another embodiment, all of the walls of the valve chamber are defined by the valve body.
The inlet passage, the outlet passage, and the vent passage may be opened or blocked in a variety of different ways. In one embodiment, the valve includes an inlet seal that is fixed with respect to the inlet passage and an outlet seal that is fixed with respect to the outlet passage. In this embodiment, the valve member engages the inlet seal and the outlet seal when the valve member is in the first position. The valve member may comprise an annular disk that engages both the inlet seal and the outlet seal. Such an annular disk would selectively open and block the valve passages regardless of a rotational position of the valve member relative to the valve chamber.
In one embodiment, the vent port is centrally located with respect to the valve body. For example, an axis of the vent port may be aligned with an axis of the valve member and/or may be aligned with an axis of the valve chamber.
The valve member may carry one or more sealing structures. For example, the valve may include an elongated inlet sealing structure extending from the valve member and an elongated outlet sealing structure extending from the valve member. In one embodiment, the elongated inlet sealing structure engages the passage defining member to seal the inlet passage and the elongated outlet sealing structure engages the passage defining member to seal the outlet passage when the valve member is in the first position. In another embodiment, the elongated inlet sealing structure engages a valve body outer surface to seal the inlet passage and the elongated outlet sealing structure engages the valve body outer surface to seal the outlet passage when the valve member is in the first position.
The vent passage may be selectively opened and blocked in a variety of different ways. For example, a vent sealing member may be disposed around a valve member shaft. The vent sealing member provides a seal between the valve member and the valve body when the valve member is in one position to block flow between the valve chamber and the vent passage. In another exemplary embodiment, an elongated vent sealing structure extends from the valve member. The elongated vent sealing structure may engage a valve body inner surface to seal the vent passage when the valve member is in the second position.
A capless valve activator can take a wide variety of different forms. An example of one such capless valve actuator assembly includes a valve body, a piston, and a valve member. The valve body defines a piston recess in a first end of the valve body and a valve member recess in a second end of the valve body. The piston is disposed in the piston recess. The valve member is disposed in the valve member recess such that axial movement of the valve member is limited by the valve body. The valve member is coupled to the piston such that axial movement of the piston causes axial movement of the valve member. The axial movement of the piston in the piston recess is limited by the valve member. In one embodiment, the valve body includes a passage that extends between the piston recess and the valve member recess. In this embodiment, the piston is coupled to the valve member by a shaft disposed in the passage.
In one embodiment, the valve member and piston are moveable between a first position and a second position. The piston may extend past an end of the valve body when the piston and the valve member are in the second position. In one embodiment, a portion of the piston that extends past the first end of the valve body has a finish that differs from a valve body finish to provide a visual indication that the valve member and the piston are in the second position.
In one embodiment, a portion of the piston that extends past the first end of the valve body includes a circumferential step. The step limits exposure of a piston seal to foreign objects.
In one embodiment, the passage defining member may comprise a manifold member that routes fluid to the inlet passage, fluid away from the outlet passage, and fluid away from the vent passage. In one embodiment, the passage defining member may comprise a flange member interposed between a manifold and the valve body.
In one embodiment of a passage defining member with inlet and outlet seal members assembled with the valve flange member, a valve member contacts the inlet seal member and the outlet seal member to block flow. The valve member is moved to a position where the valve member is spaced apart from the inlet seal member and the outlet seal member to allow flow. The passage defining member and the valve body may be discrete pieces. The inlet and outlet seal members may be comprised of O-rings that are staked to the passage defining member. The inlet and outlet seal members may be replaced by removing the passage defining member and replacing the passage defining member with a passage defining member that includes new inlet and outlet seal members. Annular grooves that accept the inlet and outlet seal members may be defined in a face of the passage defining member.
Further advantages and benefits will become apparent to those skilled in the art after considering the following description and appended claims in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
The present application relates to various features of valve and actuator assemblies. These features include, but are not limited to; a capless valve actuating arrangement; a replaceable passage defining member that includes seal members; assembling a valve member in a valve chamber from an end of the valve body that is opposite an end that a piston is assembled in; and a valve member that may be rotated in a valve body without affecting the ability of the valve member to perform its sealing functions. These features are embodied in one or more of the double block and bleed valve assemblies 10 illustrated by
In the examples illustrated by
In this application, the term passage defining member encompasses a single component or a plurality of assembled components. The valve body 20 defines a valve chamber 24. The valve member 12 is disposed in the valve chamber 24, such that the valve member 12 is moveable between a first position (
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While various aspects of the invention are described and illustrated herein as embodied in combination in the exemplary embodiments, these various aspects may be realized in many alternative embodiments, either individually or in various combinations and sub-combinations thereof. Unless expressly excluded herein all such combinations and sub-combinations are intended to be within the scope of the present invention. Still further, while various alternative embodiments as to the various aspects and features of the invention, such as alternative materials, structures, configurations, methods, devices, software, hardware, control logic and so on may be described herein, such descriptions are not intended to be a complete or exhaustive list of available alternative embodiments, whether presently known or later developed. Those skilled in the art may readily adopt one or more of the aspects, concepts or features of the invention into additional embodiments within the scope of the present invention even if such embodiments are not expressly disclosed herein. Additionally, even though some features, concepts or aspects of the invention may be described herein as being a preferred arrangement or method, such description is not intended to suggest that such feature is required or necessary unless expressly so stated. Still further, exemplary or representative values and ranges may be included to assist in understanding the present invention however, such values and ranges are not to be construed in a limiting sense and are intended to be critical values or ranges only if so expressly stated.
Claims
1. A capless valve actuating arrangement comprising:
- a) a valve body;
- b) a piston;
- c) a valve member connected to the piston and disposed in the valve body, wherein movement of the valve member in an axial direction is limited by the valve body, and movement of the piston in said axial direction is limited solely by the connection to the valve member.
2. The capless valve actuating arrangement of claim 1 wherein the valve body includes a passage that extends between the piston and the valve member and the piston is connected to the valve member by a shaft disposed in the passage.
3. The capless valve actuating arrangement of claim 1 wherein the valve member and piston are moveable between a first position and a second position, wherein the piston extends past the end of the valve body when the piston and the valve member are in the second position.
4. The capless valve actuating arrangement of claim 3 wherein a portion of the piston that extends past the end of the valve body has a finish that differs from a valve body finish to provide a visual indication that the valve member and the piston are in the second position.
5. The capless valve actuating arrangement of claim 3 further comprising a piston seal disposed between the piston and the valve body, wherein a portion of the piston that extends past the end of the valve body includes a step configured to inhibit objects from contacting the piston seal.
6. A valve actuating arrangement comprising:
- a) a valve body defining a piston recess in an end of the valve body and a valve member recess defined in the valve member assembly body;
- b) a piston disposed in the piston recess;
- c) a valve member disposed in the valve member recess such that movement of the valve member in an axial direction is limited by the valve body, the valve member being coupled to the piston such that movement of the piston in said axial direction causes movement of the valve member in said axial direction and wherein movement of the piston in said axial direction in the piston recess is limited solely by the valve member.
7. The valve member assembly of claim 6 wherein the valve body includes a passage that extends between the piston recess and the valve member recess and the piston is coupled to the valve member by a shaft disposed in the passage.
8. The valve member assembly of claim 6 wherein the valve member and piston are moveable between a first position and a second position, wherein the piston extends past the end of the valve body when the piston and the valve member are in the second position.
9. The valve member assembly of claim 8 wherein a portion of the piston that extends past the end of the valve body has a finish that differs from a valve body finish to provide a visual indication that the valve member and the piston are in the second position.
10. The valve member assembly of claim 8 further comprising a piston seal disposed between the piston and the valve body, wherein a portion of the piston that extends past the end of the valve body includes a step configured to inhibit objects from contacting the piston seal.
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26. A method of replacing seal members of a double block and bleed valve, comprising: a) removing a passage defining member that defines an inlet passage, an outlet passage, and a vent passage and includes an inlet seal member assembled around the inlet passage and an outlet seal member assembled around the outlet passage from a valve body;
- b) assembling a new passage defining member with the valve body.
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39. A valve assembly, comprising:
- a) a valve chamber that includes first and second coplanar ports;
- b) a valve member disposed in the valve chamber, the valve member being axially moveable between a first position and a second position;
- c) wherein the valve member provides a seal with the first port and provides a seal with the second port when the valve member is in the first position regardless of a rotational orientation of the valve member in the valve chamber;
- d) wherein the valve member allows flow through the first port and allows flow through the second port when the valve member is in the second position.
40. The valve of claim 39 wherein the valve member comprises an annular disk.
41. The valve assembly of claim 39 further comprising a vent passage in communication with the valve chamber and wherein flow between the vent passage and the valve chamber is open when the valve member is in the first position for any rotational orientation of the valve member about the central axis.
42. The valve assembly of claim 39 further comprising a vent passage in communication with the valve chamber and wherein flow between the inlet passage and the valve chamber is open, flow between the outlet passage and the valve chamber is open, and flow between the vent passage and the valve chamber is blocked when the valve member is in the second position for any rotational orientation of the valve member about the central axis.
43. The valve assembly of claim 39 wherein an axis of the vent port is aligned with the central axis of the valve member.
44. The valve assembly of claim 39 further comprising a vent passage in communication with the valve chamber comprising a cylindrical vent protrusion that extends into a vent port receiving recess of the valve member.
45. The valve assembly of claim 39 wherein the valve member is a single member that contacts both an inlet seal member and an outlet seal member to block flow between the inlet passage and the valve chamber and to block flow between the outlet passage and the valve chamber when the valve member is in the first position, and wherein the valve member is spaced apart from the inlet seal member and the outlet seal member when the valve member is in the second position.
46. A method of controlling fluid flow comprising:
- providing fluid to an inlet passage that is in communication with a valve chamber;
- moving a valve member along a central axis of the valve member to a first position in the valve chamber where fluid flow between the inlet passage and the valve chamber is blocked, fluid flow between an outlet passage and the valve chamber is blocked, and fluid flow between a vent passage and the valve chamber is open for any rotational orientation of the valve member about the central axis;
- moving the valve member along the central axis to a second axial position in the valve chamber where fluid flow between the inlet passage and the valve chamber is open, fluid flow between the outlet passage and the valve chamber is open, and fluid flow between the vent passage and the valve chamber is blocked for any rotational orientation of the valve member about the central axis.
47. The method of claim 46 further comprising limiting axial movement of a valve actuating piston by coupling the valve actuating piston to the valve member, wherein the valve actuating member is otherwise axially unconstrained.
48. A valve assembly, comprising:
- a valve chamber;
- a piston chamber;
- a spring chamber extending between the valve chamber and the piston chamber;
- an inlet passage in communication with the valve chamber;
- an outlet passage in communication with the valve chamber;
- a vent passage in communication with the valve chamber;
- a valve member disposed in the valve chamber;
- a shaft at least partially disposed in the spring chamber connected to the valve member a piston disposed in the piston chamber connected to the shaft, the valve member being axially moveable by the piston between a first position and a second position;
- a spring disposed in the spring chamber that biases said valve member to one of said first and second positions;
- a first seal between the valve chamber and the spring chamber;
- a second seal between the spring chamber and the piston chamber;
- an opening that vents the spring chamber;
- wherein flow between the inlet passage and the valve chamber is blocked, flow between the outlet passage and the valve chamber is blocked, and flow between the vent passage and the valve chamber is open when the valve member is in the first position;
- wherein flow between the inlet passage and the valve chamber is open, flow between the outlet passage and the valve chamber is open, and flow between the vent passage and the valve chamber is blocked when the valve member is in the second position.
49. The valve assembly of claim 48 further comprising an annular shoulder between the spring chamber and the piston chamber.
50. The valve assembly of claim 49 wherein the spring engages the annular shoulder.
51. The valve assembly of claim 48 wherein the opening that vents the spring chamber extends from the vent chamber to an external surface of the valve assembly.
52. The valve assembly of claim 48 wherein the valve chamber, the spring chamber, and the piston chamber are all defined in a single valve body.
53. The valve assembly of claim 48 wherein said opening that vents the spring chamber, the first seal, and the second seal inhibit mixing of pressurized fluid used to control movement of the piston with fluid that flows through the valve chamber.
Type: Application
Filed: Oct 19, 2009
Publication Date: Feb 18, 2010
Applicant: Swagelok Company (Solon, OH)
Inventors: Joel Feldman (Solon, OH), Peter Sulcs (Chagrin Falls, OH), Daniel E. Zeiler (Mentor, OH), Charles W. Hayes, II (Wickliffe, OH), David Hasak (Concord, OH), Yancy J. Waller (Painesville, OH)
Application Number: 12/581,352
International Classification: F16K 31/00 (20060101);