CA2016924A1 - Valves with improved actuators - Google Patents
Valves with improved actuatorsInfo
- Publication number
- CA2016924A1 CA2016924A1 CA002016924A CA2016924A CA2016924A1 CA 2016924 A1 CA2016924 A1 CA 2016924A1 CA 002016924 A CA002016924 A CA 002016924A CA 2016924 A CA2016924 A CA 2016924A CA 2016924 A1 CA2016924 A1 CA 2016924A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- valve
- actuating shaft
- operating stem
- ball
- actuating
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
Classifications
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16K—VALVES; TAPS; COCKS; ACTUATING-FLOATS; DEVICES FOR VENTING OR AERATING
- F16K41/00—Spindle sealings
- F16K41/10—Spindle sealings with diaphragm, e.g. shaped as bellows or tube
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16K—VALVES; TAPS; COCKS; ACTUATING-FLOATS; DEVICES FOR VENTING OR AERATING
- F16K31/00—Actuating devices; Operating means; Releasing devices
- F16K31/44—Mechanical actuating means
- F16K31/50—Mechanical actuating means with screw-spindle or internally threaded actuating means
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16K—VALVES; TAPS; COCKS; ACTUATING-FLOATS; DEVICES FOR VENTING OR AERATING
- F16K31/00—Actuating devices; Operating means; Releasing devices
- F16K31/44—Mechanical actuating means
- F16K31/52—Mechanical actuating means with crank, eccentric, or cam
Abstract
VALVES WITH IMPROVED ACTUATORS
Abstract A bellows valve comprises a main body defining a valve chamber including a valve seat having inlet and an outlet passages connected therewith. A valve element is positioned in the chamber and has an operating stem with a free end extending axially therefrom. An actuating assembly for moving the valve element toward and away from the seat, includes a rotatably mounted actuating shaft having a free end axially aligned with the free end of the operating stem and an operator for selectively producing axial movement of the actuating shaft. The operating stem is joined to the actuating shaft by a connection including a first ball member positioned axially between the free ends of the operating stem and the actuating shaft with a spring engaged with the first ball member and acting to bias the free ends of the operating stem and actuating shaft axially apart. A
plurality of second ball members interconnect the stem and shaft for preventing axial separation of the free ends while permitting free relative rotation.
Abstract A bellows valve comprises a main body defining a valve chamber including a valve seat having inlet and an outlet passages connected therewith. A valve element is positioned in the chamber and has an operating stem with a free end extending axially therefrom. An actuating assembly for moving the valve element toward and away from the seat, includes a rotatably mounted actuating shaft having a free end axially aligned with the free end of the operating stem and an operator for selectively producing axial movement of the actuating shaft. The operating stem is joined to the actuating shaft by a connection including a first ball member positioned axially between the free ends of the operating stem and the actuating shaft with a spring engaged with the first ball member and acting to bias the free ends of the operating stem and actuating shaft axially apart. A
plurality of second ball members interconnect the stem and shaft for preventing axial separation of the free ends while permitting free relative rotation.
Description
: ` 201~924 VALVES WIl'H IMPROVED ACTUATORS : -~
~ackground of the Invention The sub~ect invention i~ directed toward the valve art ~ -and, more particularly, to valves having improved operators. The invention is particularly aulted for use in bellows type valves `
and will be described with particular reference thereto; however, as will be appreciated, the invention i~ capable of broader application and could be incorporated in many different types of ! valves.
Corrugated bellows members formed from metal provide a highly efficient method of seallng valve chambers. Bellows sealed valves are well known and widely used when hermetically sealing and/or the elimination of mechanical ~eals i8 desired. ~`
Typically, the metal bellows members used for valve sealing have a long life. Generally they are capable of undergoing a very large number of operating cycles so long as 15 they are subjected to only axial exten~ion and contraction and -are not al80 sub~ected to torque.
When bellows sealed valves are actuated through the use of air cylinders or similar linear motion devices, torque problems are not present. Ilowever, when using rotary actuators such as a rotary threaded operating stem, tor~ue transmi~sion to the bellows becomes a problem. S~milarly, problems can be encountered with other actuators such as certain toggle and lever actuators.
Many different solutions have been proposed for eliminating the various problems discussed above. For example, a ,~
~ ~ C ~." ~ J ~
~ - 2016924 variety of pinned, non-torque transmi~sive joints have been used.
These are illustrated, for example, in U. S. Patents 1,906,313, 3,278,156 and 3,491,789. Generally, however, these prior arrangements tran~mit some torque and typically have an . ~ ~
undesirable amount of backlash.
Brief Statemen~ of the Invention The sub~ect invention overcome~ the problems discu66ed above and provides a valve and a¢tuatlng a~ambly which eliminates torque transmission between a rotary actuator and the ¦ 10 valve element while also eliminating backlash.
In accordance with the sub~ect invention, a valve i5 provided which comprises a main body that define~ a valve chamber having an inlet and an outlet with a valve seat located therebetween. Positioned in the valve chamber is a valve element having an operating stem with a free end extending therefrom.
Actuating means are provided for moving the valve element toward and away from the seat. The actuating means include a rotatably mounted actuating ~haft having a free end facing and axially aligned with the free end of the operating stem. Means are provided for selectively producing axial movement of the actuating shaft. In addition, connecting means are provided for ~oining the operating stem to the actuating shaft. The , connecting means includes a first ball member positioned axially between the free ends of the operating stem and the actuating ~haft. A spr1ng moans ln engagod w1th tho f1rst ball momber and ~::
` 2016924 acts to bias the free ends of the operating stem and actuating shaft axially apart. xn addition, second ball means are provided for preventing axial separation of the free end~ while permitting free relative rotation.
Preferably, and in accordance with a more limited aspect of the invention, the ~ wond ball mean~ includes a plurality of second ball member~ which are located between the operating ~tem and the actuat~ng ~haft at a location radially outwardly of the first ball member.
lo It is preferable that the second ball members be carried in openings formed about one or the other of the actuating shaft and operating stem and that ~hey engage in a circumferentially extending groove formed in the other of the operating stem and actuating stem shaft. It is further desirable to the second ball members equally spaced circumferentially of the axis of the first ball member at a location radially spaced therefrom.
The combination of the first ball member and its associated compression spring acts to permit axial force to be transmitted between the actuating shaft and the operating stem.
The second ball members and their interconnection between the operating stem and the actuating shaft allows tension forces to be carried by the connection between the operating stem and the actuating shaft. ~he overall combination of the elements does, however, eliminate the transmission of torque between the rotatable actuating shaft and the axially driven operating stem.
.' .
'.'~
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''` 2016924 The means for moving the actuating shaft can be of a variety of types. For example, the actuating shaft can be a simple rotary actuator with external threads for producing the desired axial movement. Alternatively, various types of toggle and lever arrangement~ can be u~ed to produce axial movement with a lesser component of rotary movement.
Accordingly, a primary object of the sub~ect invention i~ th~ provision of a valve actuating ~y~tem which i~
particularly useful in bellows type valve~ for eliminatinq lo backlash and torque tran6mission between a rotary actuating shaft and a linearly movable operating stem.
Still further ob~ect i~ the provision of a connecting and force transmission system for use in valve operators wherein all of the axial forces are transmitted through rotary mounted ball members which are maintained under a bia~ to eliminate backlash.
A still further object i~ the provision of a system of the type described which i~ relatively simple and highly reliable.
~rief Description of the Drawinas The above and other objects and advantages will become apparent from the following description when~read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein~
, Figure 1 i8 a vertical cross-sectional view through a bellows type valve incorporating a manually actuated rotary operator; I ~ -_4_ ''~
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. ~ , , ,, .,, " ,~ ~, .j? '! . `' ` ~ ~
~' 20~6~24 Figure 2 is a view similar to Figure 1 but illustrating a toggle type operator: and, Figure 3 i~ a view taken on line 3-3 of Figure 1. ~ :
Referring more particularly to the drawings wherein the showings are for the purpose of illu~trating preferred embodiments of the invention only, and not for the purpose of limiting ~ame, Figur~ 1 lllustrates a bellow~ typ~ valve 10 incorporating a body and valve hou~ing a~Rembly 12 carrying a rotary type manual aotuator as~embly 14. The valve body and~ :
housing assembly 12 could have a variety of constructions and arrangements but, in the 6ub~ect embodiment, i5 the same as shown in commonly assigned U. S. Patent 4,687,017 which is incorporated herein by reference. As more particularly ~hown and described in the prior patent, the body and housing assembly 12 comprises a main body member 16 having a generally cylindrical valve chamber 18 and suitable inlet and outlet passages 20, 22. Mounted axially within the valve chamber 18 is a valve element 24 having a generally cylindrical shape and carrying a replaceable valve :
tlp member 26 arranged to cooperate with a seat member 28.
Movement of the valve element 24 is accomplished through a stem portion 30 which extend~ axially from the valve chamber 18.
Movement of the stem 30 i8 guided by a suit~ble sleeve bearing 32 carried in a gland member 34.
In the aub~ect embodiment, ~ealing of the valve chamber is accomplished by a metal bellows member 36 which has its lower end suitably ~oined at 38 to the inner end of the valve element 24. Preferably the ~oining i~ accomplished through a suitable ~' ~::`` :
weld. The upper end of the bellows i8 likewise welded or otherwise positively ~oined at 40 to the inner end of the sealing gland 34. A seal between the gland 34 and the upper end of body 16 is provided by a bead 42 which engages a suitable sealing surface formed circumferentially about the upper end of the valve chamber 18. The gland member 34 i8 clamped into ~ealing position and held in propex alignment with the valve chamber by a bonnet member 44 and a bonnet nut 46. A~ illu~trated, cooperating flanges 48, 50 are formed on the bonnet 44 and the bonnet nut 46 lo re~pectively. Threads 52 are formed internally of the nut 46 and are engaged with external threads 54 formed about the upper end of the body 16.
In the embodiment under consideration, axial movement of the valve member 24 to move the valve tip 26 into and out of engagement with the seat 28 i8 accomplished through a manual actuator 14 which comprises an actuating stem assembly 58 terminating in a~ outer free end to which is connected an operating handle 60. The operating handle 60 is, in the subject embodiment, releasably connected through the use of a set screw 62 which engages with a suitable flat 64 formed on the upper end of the actuating shaft 58.
Rotary movement of the handle 60 i~ converted to axial movement through cooperatlng threads 66 and 68 formed about the enlarged lower exterior of the stem 58 and the interior of the bonnet 44 respectively. A seal and guide ring 70 is carried in the upper end of the bonnet and retained therein by an inwardly ..~
~t,,,~ ; ' . ' .r ~
` -` 2016924 .
extending flange 72. The guide and seal ring 70 serve~ to . contain a suitable lubricant ~ealed within the bonnet to s maintain the cooperating tread~ 66, 68 properly lubricated.
As previously discussed, metal bellows, such as the 5 bellows member 36, are capable of undergoing axial flexure for an extremely high number of cycle~ without failure so lon~ as they are not subjected to twisting or torque force~. As a consequence, to properly utilize ~uch bellows in a valve of the type under consideration, means must be provided to allow the lo axial movement of the actuating shaft 58 to be tran~ferred to the operating stem 30 without conducting torque thereto. In particular, the connection used in the subject valve comprises a first rigid ball member 80 which is carried within an inwardly extending and axially aligned cylindrical opening 82 formed in ~.
15 the enlarged lower end of the actuating shaft 58. The ball ~ :
member 80 i~ arranged to engage against the conical surface 84 formed at the inner end of the opening 82. In order to overcome backlash and, for reasons sub~iequently to be discussed, a relatively heavy coil ~prlng member 86 is carried within a small :~
diameter bore 88 formed inwardly of ball 80. The spring 86 maintains a continual axial bia~ against the ball member 80 acting to move it ln a direction toward the upper end 90 of the operating stem 30. ~:
As illustrated, the upper end 90 of the operating stem 30 ls sized so as to be closely received within the inwardly extending cylindrical bore 82. The end of stem 30 includes a '~
_7_ , ,,.': ' : :.
201~;92~
somewhat conical depression 92 which iQ engaged with the ball 80.
The action of spring 86 maintains the ball in contact with the conical depression 92 and allows axial forces to be transmitted between the actuating ~haft 58 and the operating stem 30. A
positive axial connection between the operating stem 30 ~nd the actuating shaft 58 is maintained by a group of second ball members 94 which are positioned axially outwardly o~ the axis of ball member 80 a~ illustrated ln Figure 3. In particular, there are preferably three of the ball membera 94 positioned at locations equally ~paced clrcumferentially of operating stem 30.
As shown, the balls engage in a continuous groove 96 formed circumferentially about the upper end of stem 30. They are maintained in the groove by belng received through openings 98 formed through the wall of the inner end of operating stem 58. A
circumferentially extendlng ~leeve lO0 iB closely received on the end of actuating shaft 58 and is retained in position by a circumferentially extending ~nap ring or the like 102. As can be appreciated, the arrangement of the ball members 94 assures that ~:
there i8 a direct and positive connection between actuating shaft 58 and operating stem 30 for conducting forces and producing simultaneous axial movement between the actuating shaft 58 and the operating stem 30. However, the arrangement i~ clearly such ::
that free relative rotational movement can take place between the two components and no torque or rotary movement will be conducted ., .
25 therebetween. In addit~on, the arrangement o~ the co~pression : .
npring 86 aGnUren th~t beakl~nh or lont motion will be '~'~
~ ¦ ~ "" .j ;;~: i ;! '; ' ~' ' - 201692'4 maintained at a minimum durlng reversing movement of the actuating shaft 58. ~-Figure 2 illustrates the invention as applied to a toggle type valve actuator. In the Figure 2, embodiment like reference numeral~ differentiated by a prime 6uffix h~ve been used to illustrate the same or corre~pondin~ parts as those previously discussed with reference to the Figure 1 embodiment.
New or modified elements are identified with new numeral~.
In the Figure 2 embodiment the actuating shaft 58' has a reduced diameter upper end portion llo which extend through a suitable guide element 112 carried in the upper end of bonnet 44'. In this embodiment, the actuating shaft 58' i5 maintained under a continuous downward bias by a relatively heavy compression 6pring 114 received about the exterior of the actuating shaft 58'. The lower end of spring 114 engages against a shoulder 116 formed on actuat~ng shaft 58'. The upper end of the spring 114 engages aB shown against the inwardly extending flange 72 on the upper end of bonnet 44'. This continually biases the valve element 24' and the valve tip 26' toward a -;
closed position relative to the valve seat 28'.
In this embodiment, the means for moving the valve stem 30' in a direction to move the valve 24' away~from the seat 28' comprises a toggle handle 118 which is suitably connected to the , upper end of portion 110 of actuating shaft 58' by a transversely extending pivot pin 120. The toggle member 118 includes a camming surface 122 which i~ arranged to engage the upper surface ......
_g~
. , .
'''.....
; .
- Z0~L6924 of guide 112 when handle or to~gle 118 i8 pivoted to the dotted line position. The camming siurface 122 iB, of course, arranged to cause the actuating shaft 58' to be pulled upwardly. The arrangement thus far described allows the actuating toggle or handle 118 to serve to move the valve to an open po~ition but, also, the toggle can be p~voted to extend in substantially any direction relative to the valve 10. Such pivoting movement is perm~tted and no torque i~ transmitted to the sealing bellowsi 36' ;
l because of the arrangement o~ the prevlously discus~d ballq 80' ;~ 10 and ball members 94'.
The invention has been described with reference to preferred and alternate embodiments. Obviously, modifications and alterations will occur to others upon the reading and understanding of this specification. It is intended to include all such modifications and alterations insofar as they come within the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof.
' , ` ., . ...
.
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i r A .:, ' '., . , ' ~ ; . t, ~ ' ~
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~ackground of the Invention The sub~ect invention i~ directed toward the valve art ~ -and, more particularly, to valves having improved operators. The invention is particularly aulted for use in bellows type valves `
and will be described with particular reference thereto; however, as will be appreciated, the invention i~ capable of broader application and could be incorporated in many different types of ! valves.
Corrugated bellows members formed from metal provide a highly efficient method of seallng valve chambers. Bellows sealed valves are well known and widely used when hermetically sealing and/or the elimination of mechanical ~eals i8 desired. ~`
Typically, the metal bellows members used for valve sealing have a long life. Generally they are capable of undergoing a very large number of operating cycles so long as 15 they are subjected to only axial exten~ion and contraction and -are not al80 sub~ected to torque.
When bellows sealed valves are actuated through the use of air cylinders or similar linear motion devices, torque problems are not present. Ilowever, when using rotary actuators such as a rotary threaded operating stem, tor~ue transmi~sion to the bellows becomes a problem. S~milarly, problems can be encountered with other actuators such as certain toggle and lever actuators.
Many different solutions have been proposed for eliminating the various problems discussed above. For example, a ,~
~ ~ C ~." ~ J ~
~ - 2016924 variety of pinned, non-torque transmi~sive joints have been used.
These are illustrated, for example, in U. S. Patents 1,906,313, 3,278,156 and 3,491,789. Generally, however, these prior arrangements tran~mit some torque and typically have an . ~ ~
undesirable amount of backlash.
Brief Statemen~ of the Invention The sub~ect invention overcome~ the problems discu66ed above and provides a valve and a¢tuatlng a~ambly which eliminates torque transmission between a rotary actuator and the ¦ 10 valve element while also eliminating backlash.
In accordance with the sub~ect invention, a valve i5 provided which comprises a main body that define~ a valve chamber having an inlet and an outlet with a valve seat located therebetween. Positioned in the valve chamber is a valve element having an operating stem with a free end extending therefrom.
Actuating means are provided for moving the valve element toward and away from the seat. The actuating means include a rotatably mounted actuating ~haft having a free end facing and axially aligned with the free end of the operating stem. Means are provided for selectively producing axial movement of the actuating shaft. In addition, connecting means are provided for ~oining the operating stem to the actuating shaft. The , connecting means includes a first ball member positioned axially between the free ends of the operating stem and the actuating ~haft. A spr1ng moans ln engagod w1th tho f1rst ball momber and ~::
` 2016924 acts to bias the free ends of the operating stem and actuating shaft axially apart. xn addition, second ball means are provided for preventing axial separation of the free end~ while permitting free relative rotation.
Preferably, and in accordance with a more limited aspect of the invention, the ~ wond ball mean~ includes a plurality of second ball member~ which are located between the operating ~tem and the actuat~ng ~haft at a location radially outwardly of the first ball member.
lo It is preferable that the second ball members be carried in openings formed about one or the other of the actuating shaft and operating stem and that ~hey engage in a circumferentially extending groove formed in the other of the operating stem and actuating stem shaft. It is further desirable to the second ball members equally spaced circumferentially of the axis of the first ball member at a location radially spaced therefrom.
The combination of the first ball member and its associated compression spring acts to permit axial force to be transmitted between the actuating shaft and the operating stem.
The second ball members and their interconnection between the operating stem and the actuating shaft allows tension forces to be carried by the connection between the operating stem and the actuating shaft. ~he overall combination of the elements does, however, eliminate the transmission of torque between the rotatable actuating shaft and the axially driven operating stem.
.' .
'.'~
" '.: ~ . ? ~
''` 2016924 The means for moving the actuating shaft can be of a variety of types. For example, the actuating shaft can be a simple rotary actuator with external threads for producing the desired axial movement. Alternatively, various types of toggle and lever arrangement~ can be u~ed to produce axial movement with a lesser component of rotary movement.
Accordingly, a primary object of the sub~ect invention i~ th~ provision of a valve actuating ~y~tem which i~
particularly useful in bellows type valve~ for eliminatinq lo backlash and torque tran6mission between a rotary actuating shaft and a linearly movable operating stem.
Still further ob~ect i~ the provision of a connecting and force transmission system for use in valve operators wherein all of the axial forces are transmitted through rotary mounted ball members which are maintained under a bia~ to eliminate backlash.
A still further object i~ the provision of a system of the type described which i~ relatively simple and highly reliable.
~rief Description of the Drawinas The above and other objects and advantages will become apparent from the following description when~read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein~
, Figure 1 i8 a vertical cross-sectional view through a bellows type valve incorporating a manually actuated rotary operator; I ~ -_4_ ''~
..'.~
. ~ , , ,, .,, " ,~ ~, .j? '! . `' ` ~ ~
~' 20~6~24 Figure 2 is a view similar to Figure 1 but illustrating a toggle type operator: and, Figure 3 i~ a view taken on line 3-3 of Figure 1. ~ :
Referring more particularly to the drawings wherein the showings are for the purpose of illu~trating preferred embodiments of the invention only, and not for the purpose of limiting ~ame, Figur~ 1 lllustrates a bellow~ typ~ valve 10 incorporating a body and valve hou~ing a~Rembly 12 carrying a rotary type manual aotuator as~embly 14. The valve body and~ :
housing assembly 12 could have a variety of constructions and arrangements but, in the 6ub~ect embodiment, i5 the same as shown in commonly assigned U. S. Patent 4,687,017 which is incorporated herein by reference. As more particularly ~hown and described in the prior patent, the body and housing assembly 12 comprises a main body member 16 having a generally cylindrical valve chamber 18 and suitable inlet and outlet passages 20, 22. Mounted axially within the valve chamber 18 is a valve element 24 having a generally cylindrical shape and carrying a replaceable valve :
tlp member 26 arranged to cooperate with a seat member 28.
Movement of the valve element 24 is accomplished through a stem portion 30 which extend~ axially from the valve chamber 18.
Movement of the stem 30 i8 guided by a suit~ble sleeve bearing 32 carried in a gland member 34.
In the aub~ect embodiment, ~ealing of the valve chamber is accomplished by a metal bellows member 36 which has its lower end suitably ~oined at 38 to the inner end of the valve element 24. Preferably the ~oining i~ accomplished through a suitable ~' ~::`` :
weld. The upper end of the bellows i8 likewise welded or otherwise positively ~oined at 40 to the inner end of the sealing gland 34. A seal between the gland 34 and the upper end of body 16 is provided by a bead 42 which engages a suitable sealing surface formed circumferentially about the upper end of the valve chamber 18. The gland member 34 i8 clamped into ~ealing position and held in propex alignment with the valve chamber by a bonnet member 44 and a bonnet nut 46. A~ illu~trated, cooperating flanges 48, 50 are formed on the bonnet 44 and the bonnet nut 46 lo re~pectively. Threads 52 are formed internally of the nut 46 and are engaged with external threads 54 formed about the upper end of the body 16.
In the embodiment under consideration, axial movement of the valve member 24 to move the valve tip 26 into and out of engagement with the seat 28 i8 accomplished through a manual actuator 14 which comprises an actuating stem assembly 58 terminating in a~ outer free end to which is connected an operating handle 60. The operating handle 60 is, in the subject embodiment, releasably connected through the use of a set screw 62 which engages with a suitable flat 64 formed on the upper end of the actuating shaft 58.
Rotary movement of the handle 60 i~ converted to axial movement through cooperatlng threads 66 and 68 formed about the enlarged lower exterior of the stem 58 and the interior of the bonnet 44 respectively. A seal and guide ring 70 is carried in the upper end of the bonnet and retained therein by an inwardly ..~
~t,,,~ ; ' . ' .r ~
` -` 2016924 .
extending flange 72. The guide and seal ring 70 serve~ to . contain a suitable lubricant ~ealed within the bonnet to s maintain the cooperating tread~ 66, 68 properly lubricated.
As previously discussed, metal bellows, such as the 5 bellows member 36, are capable of undergoing axial flexure for an extremely high number of cycle~ without failure so lon~ as they are not subjected to twisting or torque force~. As a consequence, to properly utilize ~uch bellows in a valve of the type under consideration, means must be provided to allow the lo axial movement of the actuating shaft 58 to be tran~ferred to the operating stem 30 without conducting torque thereto. In particular, the connection used in the subject valve comprises a first rigid ball member 80 which is carried within an inwardly extending and axially aligned cylindrical opening 82 formed in ~.
15 the enlarged lower end of the actuating shaft 58. The ball ~ :
member 80 i~ arranged to engage against the conical surface 84 formed at the inner end of the opening 82. In order to overcome backlash and, for reasons sub~iequently to be discussed, a relatively heavy coil ~prlng member 86 is carried within a small :~
diameter bore 88 formed inwardly of ball 80. The spring 86 maintains a continual axial bia~ against the ball member 80 acting to move it ln a direction toward the upper end 90 of the operating stem 30. ~:
As illustrated, the upper end 90 of the operating stem 30 ls sized so as to be closely received within the inwardly extending cylindrical bore 82. The end of stem 30 includes a '~
_7_ , ,,.': ' : :.
201~;92~
somewhat conical depression 92 which iQ engaged with the ball 80.
The action of spring 86 maintains the ball in contact with the conical depression 92 and allows axial forces to be transmitted between the actuating ~haft 58 and the operating stem 30. A
positive axial connection between the operating stem 30 ~nd the actuating shaft 58 is maintained by a group of second ball members 94 which are positioned axially outwardly o~ the axis of ball member 80 a~ illustrated ln Figure 3. In particular, there are preferably three of the ball membera 94 positioned at locations equally ~paced clrcumferentially of operating stem 30.
As shown, the balls engage in a continuous groove 96 formed circumferentially about the upper end of stem 30. They are maintained in the groove by belng received through openings 98 formed through the wall of the inner end of operating stem 58. A
circumferentially extendlng ~leeve lO0 iB closely received on the end of actuating shaft 58 and is retained in position by a circumferentially extending ~nap ring or the like 102. As can be appreciated, the arrangement of the ball members 94 assures that ~:
there i8 a direct and positive connection between actuating shaft 58 and operating stem 30 for conducting forces and producing simultaneous axial movement between the actuating shaft 58 and the operating stem 30. However, the arrangement i~ clearly such ::
that free relative rotational movement can take place between the two components and no torque or rotary movement will be conducted ., .
25 therebetween. In addit~on, the arrangement o~ the co~pression : .
npring 86 aGnUren th~t beakl~nh or lont motion will be '~'~
~ ¦ ~ "" .j ;;~: i ;! '; ' ~' ' - 201692'4 maintained at a minimum durlng reversing movement of the actuating shaft 58. ~-Figure 2 illustrates the invention as applied to a toggle type valve actuator. In the Figure 2, embodiment like reference numeral~ differentiated by a prime 6uffix h~ve been used to illustrate the same or corre~pondin~ parts as those previously discussed with reference to the Figure 1 embodiment.
New or modified elements are identified with new numeral~.
In the Figure 2 embodiment the actuating shaft 58' has a reduced diameter upper end portion llo which extend through a suitable guide element 112 carried in the upper end of bonnet 44'. In this embodiment, the actuating shaft 58' i5 maintained under a continuous downward bias by a relatively heavy compression 6pring 114 received about the exterior of the actuating shaft 58'. The lower end of spring 114 engages against a shoulder 116 formed on actuat~ng shaft 58'. The upper end of the spring 114 engages aB shown against the inwardly extending flange 72 on the upper end of bonnet 44'. This continually biases the valve element 24' and the valve tip 26' toward a -;
closed position relative to the valve seat 28'.
In this embodiment, the means for moving the valve stem 30' in a direction to move the valve 24' away~from the seat 28' comprises a toggle handle 118 which is suitably connected to the , upper end of portion 110 of actuating shaft 58' by a transversely extending pivot pin 120. The toggle member 118 includes a camming surface 122 which i~ arranged to engage the upper surface ......
_g~
. , .
'''.....
; .
- Z0~L6924 of guide 112 when handle or to~gle 118 i8 pivoted to the dotted line position. The camming siurface 122 iB, of course, arranged to cause the actuating shaft 58' to be pulled upwardly. The arrangement thus far described allows the actuating toggle or handle 118 to serve to move the valve to an open po~ition but, also, the toggle can be p~voted to extend in substantially any direction relative to the valve 10. Such pivoting movement is perm~tted and no torque i~ transmitted to the sealing bellowsi 36' ;
l because of the arrangement o~ the prevlously discus~d ballq 80' ;~ 10 and ball members 94'.
The invention has been described with reference to preferred and alternate embodiments. Obviously, modifications and alterations will occur to others upon the reading and understanding of this specification. It is intended to include all such modifications and alterations insofar as they come within the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof.
' , ` ., . ...
.
-10- '~
i r A .:, ' '., . , ' ~ ; . t, ~ ' ~
. ~r:~
Claims (12)
1. A valve comprising:
a main body defining a valve chamber having inlet and an outlet passages connected therewith; a valve seat located in said chamber between said inlet and outlet passages;
a valve element positioned in said chamber having an operating stem with a free end extending axially therefrom; and, actuating means for moving said valve element toward and away from said seat, said actuating means including a rotatably mounted actuating shaft having a free end facing and axially aligned with the free end of said operating stem; means for selectively producing axial movement of said actuating shaft;
connecting means for joining said operating stem to said actuating shaft, said connecting means including a first ball member positioned axially between the free ends of said operating stem and said actuating shaft, spring means engaged with said first ball member and acting to bias said free ends of said operating stem and actuating shaft axially apart, and second ball means for preventing axial separation of said free ends while permitting free relative rotation.
a main body defining a valve chamber having inlet and an outlet passages connected therewith; a valve seat located in said chamber between said inlet and outlet passages;
a valve element positioned in said chamber having an operating stem with a free end extending axially therefrom; and, actuating means for moving said valve element toward and away from said seat, said actuating means including a rotatably mounted actuating shaft having a free end facing and axially aligned with the free end of said operating stem; means for selectively producing axial movement of said actuating shaft;
connecting means for joining said operating stem to said actuating shaft, said connecting means including a first ball member positioned axially between the free ends of said operating stem and said actuating shaft, spring means engaged with said first ball member and acting to bias said free ends of said operating stem and actuating shaft axially apart, and second ball means for preventing axial separation of said free ends while permitting free relative rotation.
2. The valve as defined in claim 1 wherein said second ball means includes a plurality of second ball members located between said operating stem and said actuating shaft.
3. The valve as defined in claim 2 wherein said plurality of second ball members are located radially outwardly of said first ball member.
4. The valve as defined in claim 2 wherein said plurality second ball members are engaged in cooperating grooves and openings carried by said operating stem and said actuating shaft.
5. The valve as defined in claim 1 wherein said means for producing axial movement of said actuating shaft includes a pivotal toggle lever drivingly connected to said actuating shaft.
6. The valve as defined in claim 1 wherein said means for producing axial movement of said operating shaft includes threads carried by said operating shaft.
7. The valve as defined in claim 1 wherein one of said actuating shaft and said operating stem carries a socket portion which receives the free end of the other.
8. The valve as defined in claim 7 wherein said ball means comprise a plurality of second ball members carried in openings in said socket portion.
9. A valve comprising:
a valve body defining a valve chamber having inlet and outlet flow passages connected through a valve seat:
a valve element carried on an operating stem in said valve chamber for movement toward and away from said seat; an actuating shaft carried by said body and having a free end axially aligned with a free end of said operating stem: and, connecting means for joining said actuating shaft to said operating stem for permitting transfer of axial forces therebetween while preventing transfer of torque, said connecting means including a first ball member positioned between and axially aligned with said free ends of said actuating shaft and said operating stem, a spring means acting against said first ball member to apply a biasing force acting to bias said operating stem and said actuating shaft in axially opposite directions, and retaining means for preventing axial separation of said operating stem and said actuating shaft while allowing free relative rotation therebetween.
a valve body defining a valve chamber having inlet and outlet flow passages connected through a valve seat:
a valve element carried on an operating stem in said valve chamber for movement toward and away from said seat; an actuating shaft carried by said body and having a free end axially aligned with a free end of said operating stem: and, connecting means for joining said actuating shaft to said operating stem for permitting transfer of axial forces therebetween while preventing transfer of torque, said connecting means including a first ball member positioned between and axially aligned with said free ends of said actuating shaft and said operating stem, a spring means acting against said first ball member to apply a biasing force acting to bias said operating stem and said actuating shaft in axially opposite directions, and retaining means for preventing axial separation of said operating stem and said actuating shaft while allowing free relative rotation therebetween.
10. The valve as defined in claim 9 wherein said retaining means includes a plurality of second ball members spaced axially and radially of the first ball member.
11. The valve as defined in claim 10 wherein said second ball members engage in a circumferential groove carried on one of said operating stem and said actuating shaft.
12. The valve as defined in claim 11 wherein said second ball members are positioned circumferentially about said operating stem and are retained in said circumferential groove by a sleeve member.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US354,616 | 1982-03-04 | ||
| US07/354,616 US4911412A (en) | 1989-05-19 | 1989-05-19 | Valves with improved actuators |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2016924A1 true CA2016924A1 (en) | 1990-11-19 |
Family
ID=23394166
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002016924A Abandoned CA2016924A1 (en) | 1989-05-19 | 1990-05-16 | Valves with improved actuators |
Country Status (5)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| US (1) | US4911412A (en) |
| EP (1) | EP0400846B1 (en) |
| JP (1) | JPH0379872A (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2016924A1 (en) |
| DE (1) | DE69011420T2 (en) |
Families Citing this family (21)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JP3106366B2 (en) * | 1991-02-26 | 2000-11-06 | 清原 まさ子 | Fluid controller |
| US6821773B1 (en) * | 1992-07-09 | 2004-11-23 | Nl Technologies, Ltd. | Drainable ferrule valve design |
| US6133022A (en) * | 1992-07-09 | 2000-10-17 | Nl Technologies, Limited | Automated sample extractor or feeder/inoculator for bioreactors and similar equipment |
| US5296197A (en) * | 1992-07-09 | 1994-03-22 | Nl Technologies, Limited | Automated sample extractor or feeder/inoculator for bioreactors and similar equipment |
| TW244368B (en) * | 1992-11-06 | 1995-04-01 | Fujikin Kk | |
| US5407173A (en) * | 1994-03-02 | 1995-04-18 | The Lincoln Electric Company | Valve for gas burning torch |
| US5725198A (en) * | 1996-02-20 | 1998-03-10 | Ohmeda Inc. | Non-rotating needle valve |
| JP3435077B2 (en) * | 1998-09-16 | 2003-08-11 | 株式会社鷺宮製作所 | Bellows pressure operated valve |
| US7389792B2 (en) * | 1998-12-24 | 2008-06-24 | Nl Technologies, Ltd. | Dip tube valve assembly |
| EP1148949A4 (en) | 1998-12-24 | 2006-05-10 | Nl Technologies Ltd | Dip tube valve assembly |
| DE50010902D1 (en) * | 1999-04-20 | 2005-09-15 | Siemens Ag | fluid metering |
| US6905108B2 (en) * | 2001-11-15 | 2005-06-14 | Fisher Controls International Llc. | Control valve flow adjustment device |
| JP4296196B2 (en) * | 2006-11-15 | 2009-07-15 | シーケーディ株式会社 | Vacuum valve |
| AT505982B8 (en) * | 2007-10-25 | 2009-08-15 | Vse Vakuumtechnik | VALVE F R HIGH-LEVEL MEDIA |
| US8333307B2 (en) | 2009-10-06 | 2012-12-18 | Nordson Corporation | Liquid dispensing module |
| US9377114B2 (en) | 2012-04-25 | 2016-06-28 | Nordson Corporation | Pressure control valve for reactive adhesives |
| CN103016756A (en) * | 2013-01-07 | 2013-04-03 | 李江平 | Throttling stop valve |
| US9746098B2 (en) * | 2013-07-19 | 2017-08-29 | Aktiebolaget Skf | Valve operator assembly with compensating actuator |
| CN104676011A (en) * | 2015-01-16 | 2015-06-03 | 苏州东山防腐仪表阀门有限公司 | Integrated plastic adjusting valve with fluorine lining |
| WO2018053662A1 (en) * | 2016-09-22 | 2018-03-29 | 沈静静 | Supercritical small diameter corrugated pipe spherical sealing forged shut-off valve |
| DE102020134025A1 (en) * | 2020-12-17 | 2022-06-23 | Arianegroup Gmbh | Fluid line valve with improved stem |
Family Cites Families (18)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US1374571A (en) * | 1920-02-07 | 1921-04-12 | Charles F Hummel | High-pressure valve |
| US1890248A (en) * | 1926-07-02 | 1932-12-06 | Ohio Injector Company | High pressure self-grinding valve |
| US1696070A (en) * | 1927-05-09 | 1928-12-18 | Liquo Gas Company | Valve |
| US1906313A (en) * | 1929-01-18 | 1933-05-02 | Clifford Mfg Co | Packless valve |
| US1892344A (en) * | 1930-12-16 | 1932-12-27 | Huber Peter | Apparatus for dispensing oils and fats |
| GB683387A (en) * | 1949-04-05 | 1952-11-26 | Stanley William Hoskins | Improvements relating to valves |
| FR1095150A (en) * | 1954-03-10 | 1955-05-27 | Petroleum gas shut-off valve | |
| FR1234306A (en) * | 1959-05-15 | 1960-10-17 | Improvements to taps and valves | |
| US3204925A (en) * | 1962-05-15 | 1965-09-07 | Montuori Enrico | Valve with nonrotating valve stem |
| US3278156A (en) * | 1965-12-27 | 1966-10-11 | Nuclear Products Company | Bellows valve |
| US3491789A (en) * | 1966-07-28 | 1970-01-27 | Nupro Co | Bellows valve |
| US3787023A (en) * | 1971-08-05 | 1974-01-22 | Nupro Co | Bellows valve |
| FR2184143A5 (en) * | 1972-05-08 | 1973-12-21 | Alsthom Cgee | |
| US4166607A (en) * | 1976-10-14 | 1979-09-04 | Hoke, Inc. | Bellows seal valve |
| IT1116432B (en) * | 1977-04-28 | 1986-02-10 | C N E N Comitato Nazionale En | REMOVABLE INTERCEPTION VALVE FOR USE IN THE PRESENCE OF HALOGENATED GASES |
| FR2521677B1 (en) * | 1982-02-12 | 1986-06-06 | Rollot Andre | VALVE |
| US4513779A (en) * | 1983-08-12 | 1985-04-30 | Kerotest Manufacturing Corp. | Metering valve |
| SU1315707A1 (en) * | 1986-03-27 | 1987-06-07 | Предприятие П/Я В-8088 | Vacuum valve |
-
1989
- 1989-05-19 US US07/354,616 patent/US4911412A/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
-
1990
- 1990-05-16 CA CA002016924A patent/CA2016924A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 1990-05-18 EP EP90305387A patent/EP0400846B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1990-05-18 DE DE69011420T patent/DE69011420T2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1990-05-18 JP JP2128975A patent/JPH0379872A/en active Pending
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| EP0400846B1 (en) | 1994-08-10 |
| DE69011420D1 (en) | 1994-09-15 |
| EP0400846A2 (en) | 1990-12-05 |
| DE69011420T2 (en) | 1994-12-15 |
| EP0400846A3 (en) | 1991-02-27 |
| US4911412A (en) | 1990-03-27 |
| JPH0379872A (en) | 1991-04-04 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| EEER | Examination request | ||
| FZDE | Discontinued |