AU2010100668A4 - Valve - Google Patents

Description

P/00/011 28/5/91 Regulation 3.2 AUSTRALIA Patents Act 1990 ORIGINAL COMPLETE SPECIFICATION INNOVATION PATENT Name of Applicant: Australian Valve Group Pty Ltd Actual Inventor(s): Peter John Morris Address for service is: Golja Haines & Friend 35 Wickham Street East Perth Western Australia 6004 Invention Title: Valve The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me: 1 Title "Valve" Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a valve. More particularly, the present 5 invention relates to a pressure and temperature relief ("PTR") valve. Throughout the specification unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers. 10 Throughout the specification unless the context requires otherwise, the word "include" or variations such as "includes" or "including", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers. Background Art 15 The discussion of the background art, any reference to a document and any reference to information that is known, which is contained in this specification, is provided only for the purpose of facilitating an understanding of the background art to the present invention, and is not an acknowledgement or admission that any of that material forms part of the common general 20 knowledge as at the priority date of the application in relation to which this specification was filed. PTR valves are used to provide pressure relief when the temperature of a fluid exceeds a particular level. PTR valves have a temperature probe that senses the temperature of the fluid. The temperature probe has a temperature 25 sensitive element that expands with increases in temperature. When the temperature of the fluid increases to a particular level, the corresponding expansion of the temperature sensitive element of the temperature probe 2 causes the PTR valve to open. This opening of the PTR valve allows fluid to escape to provide the pressure relief. In the prior art, a PTR valve usually consists of a body that houses the valve components with the temperature probe extending from the PTR valve. In 5 use, the temperature probe is in contact with the fluid whose temperature is being sensed. The body of such a prior art PTR valve is often made of bronze and is a one-piece fabrication. This bronze body is made by a casting process. However, such prior art PTR valves with bronze bodies have a relatively high 10 failure rate due to the porosity of bronze. This high failure rate can result in a high percentage of re-working being required of the manufactured PTR valves. This, in turn, makes the manufacturing process longer and more expensive. One way to address this failure rate is by making the walls of the body of the valve thicker. However, this has the result of using a greater amount of metal 15 to make the valve body consequently resulting in a heavier and more costly valve. It would be advantageous if a PTR valve could have a brass body rather than a body made of bronze. Having a brass body would provide benefits such as reduced re-working of manufactured valves, thereby providing a quicker 20 manufacturing process, along with cost savings. Whilst brass is a more desirable metal to use for the bodies of such PTR valves, casting valves from brass presents its own problems due to the difficulty of casting brass. Disclosure of the Invention In accordance with one aspect of the invention, there is provided a valve 25 comprising: a body, a valve member and a valve seat, said valve member arranged to, in use, seat on said valve seat in a first condition and unseat from said valve seat in a second condition, to thereby control flow of fluid through said valve, 3 a temperature probe to, in use, cause said valve member to unseat from said valve seat in said second condition, an inlet for fluid to enter said valve in said second condition. an outlet for fluid to exit said valve in said second condition, 5 wherein said body comprises a first body portion and a second body portion, said valve member and said valve seat are located in said second body portion, and said first body portion and said second body portion are connected together. Preferably, said first body portion has first body portion connection means and 10 said second body portion has second body portion connection means engageable with said first body portion connection means to connect together said first and second body portions. Preferably, said first body portion connection means and said second body portion connection means are located upstream of said valve seat and said 15 valve member. Preferably, seal means is provided between said first body portion and said second body portion. Preferably, said seal means comprises an O-ring. Preferably, locking means is provided to lock together said first body portion 20 and said second body portion. Preferably, said locking means comprises a pin extending through respective holes in said first and second body portions. Preferably, said first body portion is provided with said inlet and said second body portion is provided with said outlet. 25 Preferably, said temperature probe is supported between a portion of said first body portion and a portion of said second body portion. 4 Preferably, said first body portion is provided with grooves to locate a support member such that said temperature probe is supported between a portion of said first body portion and a portion of said second body portion. Preferably, said first body portion and said second body portion are made of 5 brass. Preferably, said first body portion and said second body portion are made by forging. Brief Description of the Drawings The present invention will now be described, by way of example, with 10 reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a valve in accordance with the present invention; Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view through the valve shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a perspective view of the first body portion of the valve shown in 15 Figure 1; Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the first body portion shown in Figure 3; Figure 5 is an end view of the first body portion shown in Figure 3; Figure 6 is a perspective view of the second body portion of the valve shown in Figure 1; and 20 Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of the second body portion shown in Figure 6. Best Mode(s) for Carrying Out the Invention In Figures 1 and 2, there is shown a valve 1 comprising a body 2, a valve member 4, a valve seat 6, a temperature probe 8, an inlet 10 and an outlet 12. 25 The valve member 4 seats on the valve seat 6 in a first condition of the valve. In this first condition, fluid is unable to flow through the valve 1, i.e. the valve is 5 in a closed condition. This first (closed) condition is shown in Figure 2. In a second condition of the valve 1, the valve member 4 unseats from the valve seat 6 to open the valve 1 to allow fluid to flow therethrough, i.e. the valve is in an open condition. In the second condition of the valve 1, the inlet 10 allows 5 fluid to enter the valve 1 and the outlet 12 allows fluid to exit the valve 1. This will be further described later herein. In this way, the valve 1 is able to control flow of fluid therethrough. In use, the temperature probe 8 causes the valve member 4 to unseat from the valve seat 6 in the second condition, as will be later herein described. 10 The body 2 comprises a first body portion 16 and a second body portion 18. The first and second body portions 16 and 18 are two separate pieces. The first body portion 16 is provided with first body portion connection means and the second body portion 18 is provided with second body portion connection means. The first and second body portion connection means are used to 15 connect together the first and second body portions 16 and 18 as will be further described later herein. The first body portion 16 is substantially tubular, in the form of a union. The first body portion 16 has a first internal surface 20. A passage 22 extends through the first body portion 16. The first body portion 16 has a first section, 20 or part, 24 and second section 26. The first section 24 has a greater diameter than the second section, or part, 26. The first body portion connection means is provided as a screw thread 28 on the first section 24 of the first body portion 16. The screw thread 28 is provided on the external surface of the first body portion 16. 25 The first body portion 16 has an end portion, or region, 30 having two grooves 32. The end portion 30 is provided on the first section 24. The first section 24 of the first body portion 16 is provided with a circumferential groove 34 near the end portion 30. The circumferential groove 34 is provided between the screw thread 28 and the grooves 32. 6 The first body portion 16 has a second end portion, or region, 36 that has an opening that defines the inlet 10. The passage 22 extends from the first end portion 30 to the second end portion 36. The first body portion 16 is provided with an annular ledge 38 that extends 5 from the internal surface 20 of the first body portion 16. The ledge 38 extends from the internal surface 20 in a sloped manner and terminates at an opening 42 of a narrowing 43 of the passage 22 through the first portion16. The narrowing 43 of the passage 22 has a non-circular cross-section. The narrowing 43 extends from the opening 42 to a second internal surface 40 of 10 the first portion 16. The internal surface 40 extends from the narrowing 43 to the inlet 10. The second body portion 18 has a main part 44, a first offset part 46 and a second offset part 48. The first offset part 46 and the second offset part 48 are each offset from the main part 44. The first offset part 46 is provided with an 15 opening that defines the outlet 12 and the second offset part 48 accommodates an auxiliary relief as will be later herein described. The second body portion connection means is provided as a screw thread 50 on the main part 44 of the second body portion 18. The screw thread 50 is provided on the internal surface 52 of the second body portion 18 adjacent an 20 end portion, or part, 54 of the main part 44. An opening 56 is provided at the end portion 54 of the main part 44 of the second body portion 18. The valve seat 6 is provided in the second body portion 18. The valve seat 6 is formed by an extension 57 from the internal surface 52 of the main part 44 of the second body portion 18. 25 The valve member 4 is provided in the second body portion 18. The valve member 4 is provided with a seal 58. A spring 60 biases the valve member 4 into sealing contact with the valve seat 6 such that the seal 58 is in sealing contact with the valve seat 6. This is the first condition of the valve 1 in which fluid is unable to flow through the valve 1. The spring 60 is contained in a boot 30 62 that shields the valve member 4 and the spring 60 from the fluid that may flow through the valve 1. In this way, the valve member 6 and spring 60 are 7 shielded from any corrosive elements in the fluid. A closure plate 64 secures the boot 62 and valve member 4 in the main part 44 of the second body portion 18. The valve member 4 is pivotally connected to a lever 66 located externally of 5 the second body portion 18. The lever 66 may be manually actuated to open the valve 1 and thereby provide pressure relief as desired if required. The lever 66 provides an override so that the valve 1 may be opened manually if required. The second offset part 48 accommodates an auxiliary pressure relief 68 that is 10 screw-threadedly connected to the second offset part 48. In the event that the main pressure relief becomes blocked such that fluid cannot exit via the outlet 12 in the second condition of the valve 1, the auxiliary pressure relief 68 has a component 70 that will blow out and thereby provide pressure relief. The temperature probe 8 is substantially elongated and is provided with a 15 temperature-sensitive element 72 contained in a sheath 74. The sheath 74 protects the temperature-sensitive element 72 from corrosive elements in the fluid. A support member 76 supports the temperature probe 8. The support member 76 is retained in the grooves 32 of the first section 24 of the first body portion 16. The support member 76 is a strip-like member with a hole in its 20 middle region and the temperature probe 8 is received through the hole. The portion of the temperature probe 8 located in the hole is retained in place by a collar-like member 77 located between the temperature probe 8 and the edge of the hole. The temperature probe 8 extends through the first body portion 16 and 25 through the opening that forms the inlet 10. The temperature probe 8 is maintained in a substantially axially central orientation in the first body portion 16 by the narrowing 43 of the passage 22, located at the end of the ledge 38. Since the narrowing 43 has a non-circular cross-section, fluid is able to flow through the narrowing 43 and the opening 42 around the temperature probe 8 30 when the valve 1 is in an open condition. In addition, since the support member 76 is a strip-like member, fluid is able to flow around the support 8 member 76 from the first body portion 16 into the second body portion 18 when the valve 1 is in an open condition. The screw thread 28 on the first body portion 16 and the screw thread 50 on the second body portion 18 engage to thereby connect together the first and 5 second body portions 16 and 18. The first section 24 of the first body portion 16 is received in the main part 44 of the second body portion 18 adjacent the end portion 54. The end portion 30 of the first body portion 16 abuts with an annular surface 78 of the second body portion 18 with the support member 76 located in the grooves 32. In this way, the temperature probe 8 is supported 10 between the first body portion 16 and the second body portion 18 and secured in position. The screw thread 28 and the screw thread 50 are located upstream (with respect to the direction of fluid flow from the inlet 10 to the outlet 12 through the valve 1) of the valve member 4 and the valve seat 6. 15 A seal 80 is provided in the circumferential groove 34. The seal 80 is provided between respective surfaces of the first and second body portions 16 and 18, downstream of the screw threads 28 and 50. The seal 80 prevents fluid leaking from the connection of the first and second body portions 16 and 18. The seal 80 may be an O-ring. 20 A pin 82 extends through a hole in the wall of the second body portion 18 and into a hole in the wall of the first body portion 16. The pin 82 locks together the first and second body portions 16 and 18 in their engaged condition. The first body portion 16 is provided with an external screw thread 84 on the second section 26. 25 In the valve 1 hereinbefore described and shown in the drawings, the first body portion 16 is provided with an external (male) screw thread 28 and the second body portion 18 is provided with an internal (female) screw thread 50 so that the first and second body portions 16 and 18 can be connected together via engagement of the screw threads 28 and 50 as hereinbefore 30 described. 9 In an alternative embodiment (not illustrated in the drawings), the first and second body portions 16 and 18 may be formed such that the first body portion 16 is provided with an internal (female) screw thread 50 and the second body portion 18 is provided with an external (male) screw thread 28. In 5 such an alternative, the two grooves 32 are provided in the end portion 54 of the second body portion 18 and the circumferential groove 34 is provided on the second body portion 18 between the end portion 54 and the external screw thread 28 on the second body portion 18. The seal 80 is provided in the circumferential groove 34 in the second body portion 18. The pin 82 extends 10 through a hole in the wall of the first body portion 16 and into a hole in the wall of the second body portion 18. The annular surface 78 is provided on the first body portion 16 such that the end portion 54 of the second body portion 18 abuts with the annular surface 78. The support member 76 of the temperature probe 8 is located in the grooves 32. The screw-threaded engagement 15 between the first and second body portions 16 and 18 and abutment of the end portion 54 with the annular surface 78 of the first body portion 16 means that the temperature probe 8 is supported in a similar manner (as hereinbefore described with reference to the embodiment illustrated in the drawings) between the first body portion 16 and the second body portion 18 and secured 20 in position. In other respects, the alternative embodiment is similar to the embodiment as hereinbefore described and illustrated in the drawings The first and second body portions 16 and 18 of the valve 1 may be made by a forging process. Consequently, the first and second body portions 16 and 18 25 may be made from brass. The use and operation of the valve 1 of the present invention is similar to that of PTR valves of the prior art. In that regard, the valve 1 is secured in position by the screw thread 84 on the external surface of the second section 26 of the first body portion 16. The valve 1 is secured in position such that the 30 temperature probe 8 extends into the fluid whose temperature is to be sensed. The fluid may be contained in a storage tank. The temperature-sensitive element 72 expands with the rise in temperature of the fluid. If the temperature 10 of the fluid rises to a particular level, the temperature-sensitive element 72 will expand to such an extent that it contacts the valve member 4 and unseats it from the valve seat 6, against the biasing action of the spring 60. This places the seal 58 out of contact with the valve seat 6. This opens the valve 1 and 5 allows fluid to escape from the fluid storage tank through the open valve 1 and drain out through the outlet 12 to relieve pressure build-up in the storage tank. When the temperature of the fluid decreases below the particular level, the seal 58 again contacts the valve seat 6 under the biasing action of the spring 60 on the valve member 8. This then closes the valve 1. 10 Modifications and variations such as would be apparent to a skilled addressee are deemed to be within the scope of the present invention. 11

Claims (13)

1. A valve comprising: a body, a valve member and a valve seat, said valve member arranged to, in use, 5 seat on said valve seat in a first condition and unseat from said valve seat in a second condition, to thereby control flow of fluid through said valve, a temperature probe to, in use, cause said valve member to unseat from said valve seat in said second condition, an inlet for fluid to enter said valve in said second condition. 10 an outlet for fluid to exit said valve in said second condition, wherein said body comprises a first body portion and a second body portion, said valve member and said valve seat are located in said second body portion, and said first body portion and said second body portion are connected together. 15

2. A valve according to claim 1, wherein said first body portion has first body portion connection means and said second body portion has second body portion connection means engagable with said first body portion connection means to connect together said first and second body portions. 20

3. A valve according to claim 2, wherein said first body portion connection means and said second body portion connection means are located upstream of said valve seat and said valve member.

4. A valve according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein seal means is 25 provided between said first body portion and said second body portion.

5. A valve according to claim 4, wherein said seal means comprises an 0 ring. 12

6. A valve according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein locking means is provided to lock together said first body portion and said second body portion. 5

7. A valve according to claim 6, wherein said locking means comprises a pin extending through respective holes in said first and second body portions.

8. A valve according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said first body portion is provided with said inlet and said second body portion is 10 provided with said outlet.

9. A valve according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said temperature probe is supported between a portion of said first body portion and a portion of said second body portion. 15

10.A valve according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said first body portion is provided with grooves to locate a support member such that said temperature probe is supported between a portion of said first body portion and a portion of said second body portion. 20

11.A valve according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said first body portion and said second body portion are made of brass.

12.A valve according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said first 25 body portion and said second body portion are made by forging.

13.A valve substantially as herein before described with reference to the accompanying drawings. 30 13