CA2038124A1 - Color change valve assembly - Google Patents
Color change valve assemblyInfo
- Publication number
- CA2038124A1 CA2038124A1 CA 2038124 CA2038124A CA2038124A1 CA 2038124 A1 CA2038124 A1 CA 2038124A1 CA 2038124 CA2038124 CA 2038124 CA 2038124 A CA2038124 A CA 2038124A CA 2038124 A1 CA2038124 A1 CA 2038124A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- needle
- seal
- assembly
- valve
- sealing
- 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
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- 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
- F16K41/02—Spindle sealings with stuffing-box ; Sealing rings
- F16K41/04—Spindle sealings with stuffing-box ; Sealing rings with at least one ring of rubber or like material between spindle and housing
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- 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
- F16J—PISTONS; CYLINDERS; SEALINGS
- F16J15/00—Sealings
- F16J15/16—Sealings between relatively-moving surfaces
- F16J15/18—Sealings between relatively-moving surfaces with stuffing-boxes for elastic or plastic packings
- F16J15/184—Tightening mechanisms
- F16J15/185—Tightening mechanisms with continuous adjustment of the compression of the packing
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
- B05B—SPRAYING APPARATUS; ATOMISING APPARATUS; NOZZLES
- B05B12/00—Arrangements for controlling delivery; Arrangements for controlling the spray area
- B05B12/14—Arrangements for controlling delivery; Arrangements for controlling the spray area for supplying a selected one of a plurality of liquids or other fluent materials or several in selected proportions to a spray apparatus, e.g. to a single spray outlet
- B05B12/149—Arrangements for controlling delivery; Arrangements for controlling the spray area for supplying a selected one of a plurality of liquids or other fluent materials or several in selected proportions to a spray apparatus, e.g. to a single spray outlet characterised by colour change manifolds or valves therefor
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Lift Valve (AREA)
Abstract
Abstract of the Disclosure A seal assembly for sealing a valve needle having a generally circular cross section transverse to its longitudinal axis. The needle is situated inside a valve assembly including a housing having a longitudinal axis. The needle controls flow of a fluid from a fluid supply line to a fluid outlet passage. The seal assembly comprises a seal positioner including a cylindrical body portion surrounding the needle and having a first end, a second end, and an inner side wall having a cross section larger than the cross section of the needle to define a space between the inner side wall and the needle. The seal positioner also includes a partition for coupling the body portion to the needle to align the body portion concentrically with the needle and to maintain the concentric alignment upon misalignment of the longitudinal axis of the needle and the longitudinal axis of the valve assembly. The partition provides first and second sealing regions spaced longitudinally along the needle. A first seal in the first sealing region extends perimetrally around the needle and contacts a first portion of it. A second seal in the second sealing region extends perimetrally around the needle and contacts a second portion of it.
Description
2~3~2~
COLOR CHANGE VALVE ASSEMBLY
Backaround and Summary of the Invention The present invention relates to a valve needle seal assembly. It finds particular utility inside a paint valve assembly to provide a seal for a valve needle which controls flow of paint from a supply line to an outlet passage.
Conventional valve assemblies use packing seals to seal a valve needle to prevent the passage of fluid from a fluid supply line along the valve needle beyond the packing seal. Conventional packing seals must be compressed inside the valve assembly to hold the packing seal in engagement with the valve needle. The packing seal is typically compressed inside the valve assembly by an adjustable packing nut. To prevent leakage of the fluid along the needle beyond the packing seal, the packing nut must be continually tightened or adjusted throughout the life of the valve assembly. One problem associated with conventional packing seals is that concentricity of the valve needle and the packing seal must be accurately controlled in order to prevent the packing seal from leaking. Any misalignment of the longitudinal axis of the valve needle and the longitudinal axis of the valve assemb]y can cause the packing seal to leak.
One object of the present invention is to provide a seal assembly which moves or "floats" with the valve needle so that the seal assembly remains concentrically aligned with the valve needle regardless 2~3312~
of the alignment of the valve needle with the valve assembly.
Another object of the present invention is to eliminate the need for direct compression of the seal assembly in order to seal the valve needle.
Yet another object of the present invention is to eliminate the need to continually adjust the valve assembly throughout the life of the valve assembly in order to maintain the valve needle seal.
According to the present invention, a seal assembly is provided for sealing a valve needle situated inside a valve assembly along a longitudinal axis of the valve assembly. The valve needle controls flow of a fluid from a fluid supply line to a fluid outlet lS passage. The seal assembly includes first means for contacting a first portion of the needle to provide a first seal which extends perimetrally around the needle. The seal assembly also includes second means for contacting a second portion of the needle spaced longitudinally on thé needle from the first portion to provide a second seal which extends perimetrally around the needle. The seal assembly further includes means for positioning the first and second sealing means against the needle. The positioning means includes means for maintaining the first and second sealing means in sealing contact with the perimeter of the needle in their respective longitudinally spaced orientations.
The positioning means permits movement of the needle therethrough as the needle moves relative to the valve assembly during operation of the valve.
2~3~124 The positioning means includes a seal positioner having a somewhat H-shaped cross section to define the first and second sealing regions for receiving the first and second sealing means, respectively. The seal positioner includes a body portion having an inner side wall surrounding the needle and a partition extending radially inwardly toward the needle from the inner side wall. A passageway defined in the partition slidably receives the needle. The partition divides a space between the inner side wall and the valve needle into first and second sealing regions spaced axially along the needle. The first sealing means is positioned in the first sealing region, and the second sealing means is positioned in the second sealing region. The inner side wall of the body portion holds the first and second sealing means in sealing engagement with the needle as the needle moves along its axis as the valve operates. The seal positioner and the valve needle remain in alignment without regard to the alignment of the needle with a longitudinal axis of the valve assembly to maintain contact between the valve needle and the first and second sealing means.
Brief DescriDtion of the Drawinas The invention may best be understood by referring to the following description of the accompanying drawings which illustrate the invention.
In the drawings:
Fig. l is a fragmentary sectional view of a conventional packing seal used in prior art devices to seal a valve needle;
~03~12~
Fig. 2 is a sectional view illustrating the seal assembly of the present invention located inside a valve assembly which is coupled to a manifold of a color changer system;
Fig. 3 illustrates an enlarged sectional view of a portion of Fig. 2 illustrating the seal assembly of the present invention in detail; and Fig. 4 illustrates an exploded sectional view of the seal assembly illustrated in Fig. 3.
_etailed Description of the Drawinqs A modular color changer system 10 illustrated in Fig. 2 includes a segment of a manifold 12 and a plurality of valve assemblies 14 coupled to the manifold 12, each by a threaded section 38. For puposes of simplicity, only one such valve assembly is illustrated. However, the arrangement of such assemblies along a manifold is well known in the art.
Each valve assembly 14 includes a housing 16 and a valve needle 18 situated inside the housing 16 for movement longitudinally along an axis 17. A separate valve assembly 14 is provided, for example, for each different color of paint or type of fluid. Manifold 12 and valve housing 16 are preferably made from solvent-resistant resins. A seal between the housing 16 and the manifold 12 is achieved by compression of housing 16 against the manifold 12 and by first and second O-ring seals 49 and 51.
A reciprocating piston 20 located inside housing 16 provides movement of valve needle lB along 2~3~12~
axis 17 to operate the valve. A spring 22 captured in a spring cup provided by a seal retaininer 54 biases the piston 20 in the direction of arrow 21 to maintain the valve in a normally closed position. Valve needle 18 is coupled to piston 20 by a suitable fastener 24. An end cap 26 is threaded into the en~ of 27 of housing 16. A
compressed air supply line 28 is connected to end cap 26 to supply compressed air to move piston 20 in the direction of arrow 23 when valve 14 is to be opened to supply the fluid controlled thereby to manifold 12. A
seal ring 30 is provided between piston 20 and the cylinder wall 31 of housing 16.
The various supplies of paint in color changer system 10 must typically be continuously recirculated to prevent, for example, the settlement of pigments out of them. Manifold 12 includes an inlet port 34, an outlet port 36, and a fluid circulation line 40 extending between inlet port 34 and outlet port 36. When color valve assembly 14 is threaded into manifold 12, an inlet opening 45, a fluid passage 44, and an outlet opening 47 of housing 16 communicate with fluid circulation line 40. Fluid enters inlet port 34 from a remote paint supply. As long as needle 18 is in its position illustrated in Fig. 2, the fluid passes into fluid circulation line 40, through fluid passage 44, through outlet opening 47, and fluid circulation line 40 to outlet port 36.
Manifold 12 includes a central passageway 42 extending through manifold 12. Central passageway 42 conducts paint from manifold 12 through a paint line 2~3~2~
coupled thereto (not shown) to a suitable spraying apparatus (not shown) at a remote location. Valve needle 18 includes a sealing head 48 having a tapered, somewhat frustoconical side wall 50. Valve housing 16 includes a valve seat 52. When piston 20 is moved in the direction of arrow 23, the tapered side wall 50 moves away from valve seat 52. This permits some of the paint passing through the housing 16 to enter the central passageway 42 of manifold 12 to supply paint to the paint spraying apparatus (not shown) at the remote location.
Upon removal of the compressed air signal at line 28, spring 22 moves piston 20 in the direction of arrow 21 to close the valve. This prevents fluid from entering passageway 42, and all of the paint supplied at port 34 recirculates as discussed above. Valve assembly 14 remains in this normally closed position until another air pressure signal at line 28 causes movement of valve needle 18 in the direction of arrow 23.
There are no recirculating fittings which thread directly into the valve housing 16. This feature permits rapid interchangeability of the valve assemblies 14. The present invention enables the valve assembly 14 to be removed from the manifold 12 without the need to remove any fluid lines or fluid fittings from valve housing 16. This permits faster replacement or maintenance of valve assemblies 14 which reduces down time for the color changer system 10, and therefore increases productivity.
A visual indication of the open or closed status of valve assembly 14 is provided through ~3~
apertures 32 provided in housing 16. Piston 20 is typically a bright color so that the color can be seen through apertures 32 when the valve is open. Valve housing 16 preferably has a hexagonal cross sectional shape to facilitate installation and removal of the valve assembly 14.
As fluid recirculates from inlet port 34 to outlet port 36, the fluid tends to move from longitudinal aperture 46 along needle 18 in the direction of arrow 21. Without proper sealing of valve needle 18, fluid can pass beyond seal assembly 60 into the main body of housing 16 to leak or clog the valve assembly 14.
A conventional prior art assembly for sealing the valve needle is shown in Fig. 1. The prior art device uses a compressed Chevron-type packing 56 which is compressed by an adjustable packing nut 55. To prevent leakage of paint beyond the packing 56, the packing nut 55 must be continuously tightened throughout the life of the packing 56. During operation of the prior art valve assembly, if the valve needle 18 becomes misaligned in housing 16, the packing 56 can permit paint to leak past packing 56 and into the body of housing 16. Therefore, valve assembly 14 must be replaced or cleaned. The valve assembly 14 of the present invention includes a seal assembly 60 designed to overcome the disadvantages of prior art packings 56.
The seal assembly 60 of the prevent invention is best illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4. Seal assembly 60 includes a generally cylindrical body portion 6Z having 2~3~124 an outer side wall 64 and an inner side wall 66. Valve needle 18 has a generally circular cross section. The perimeter of inner side wall 66 is larger than the cross section of the needle 18 to define a space between the needle 18 and inner side wall 66 of body portion 62.
Body portion 62 includes a web or partition 68 extending radially inwardly from inner side wall 66 of body portion 62. Partition 68 is formed to include a central passageway 70 extending longitudinally of the needle 18. Cylindrical body 62 and partition 68 define a seal positioner having a somewhat H-shaped cross section.
The position of needle 18 is shown in phantom in Fig.
4. Partition 68 divides the space between inner side wall 66 and needle 18 into a first sealing region 72 and a second sealing region 74.
The seal assembly 60 includes a U-shaped cup seal 76 which contacts a first portion of needle 18 to provide a first seal which extends perimetrally around the needle 18. Seal assembly 60 also includes an O-ring seal 78 which contacts a second portion of the needle 18 spaced longitudinally along the needle 18 from the U-shaped cup seal 76 to provide a second seal which extends perimetrally around the needle 18. The U-shaped cup 76 is situated in the first sealing region 72 and the O-ring 78 is situated in the second sealing region 74.
Inner side wall 66 of body portion 62 engages the U-shaped cup 76 and the O-ring 78 and holds these two seals 76 and 78 in engagement with needle 18 as needle 18 moves as the valve operates. The seal 2~3~24 assembly 60 moves or floats with the needle 18 in the event of misalignment of the needle 18 with valve assembly 14. This maintains a concentric alignment of the cylindrical body portion 62 with the valve needle 18 to ensure that U-shaped cup seal 76 and the O-ring 78 maintain continuous contact with valve needle 18.
Passageway 70 formed in the seal assembly 60 slidably receives needle 18 to permit the needle 18 to move along its longitudinal axis through the seal assembly 60 to open and close the valve. Cylindrical body portion 62 correctly positions and spaces seals 76 and 78 alony the needle 18 as the valve operates.
As best shown in Fig. 3, seal assembly 60 includes a first end 63 and a second end 65. Valve housing 16 includes a seal retaining wall 80. Seal retainer 59 is threaded into housing 16 at 84. An O-ring 85 is provided between the threaded portion 84 and the body of seal retainer 54. Seal retainer 54 includes an end wall 82. O-ring seal 78 of seal assembly 60 extends beyond the second end 65 of body portion 62. End wall 82 of seal retainer 54 compresses the O-ring 78 to hold the first end 63 of seal assembly 60 against retaining wall 80 of housing 16.
A small amount of clearance (about .002-.006 inch) is provided between needle 18 and inner wall 86 of housing 16. This small amount of clearance is also provided between needle 18 and inner wall 88 of seal retainer 54. This clearance permits needle 18 to move along its longitudinal axis during operation of the valve.
2~3~
Seal assembly 60 seals and permits movement of valve needle 18 while maintaining spacing between the two seals 76 and 78. O-ring 78 and end wall 82 of seal retainer 54 provide a further seal to prevent fluid which might enter the space 90 between outer sidewall 64 of body portion 62 and housing 16 to pass between end wall 82 and 0-ring 78.
The seal assembly 60 is designed to move or float with needle 18 in the event of misalignment between needle 18 and valve assembly 14. This provides adequate sealing of needle 18 to prevent leakage of paint beyond seal assembly 60. Misalignment can occur, for example, due to manufacturing tolerances or during operation of the valve.
Although the invention has been described in detail with reference to a preferred embodiment, variations and modifications exist within the scope and spirit of the invention as described and defined in the ollowing claims.
COLOR CHANGE VALVE ASSEMBLY
Backaround and Summary of the Invention The present invention relates to a valve needle seal assembly. It finds particular utility inside a paint valve assembly to provide a seal for a valve needle which controls flow of paint from a supply line to an outlet passage.
Conventional valve assemblies use packing seals to seal a valve needle to prevent the passage of fluid from a fluid supply line along the valve needle beyond the packing seal. Conventional packing seals must be compressed inside the valve assembly to hold the packing seal in engagement with the valve needle. The packing seal is typically compressed inside the valve assembly by an adjustable packing nut. To prevent leakage of the fluid along the needle beyond the packing seal, the packing nut must be continually tightened or adjusted throughout the life of the valve assembly. One problem associated with conventional packing seals is that concentricity of the valve needle and the packing seal must be accurately controlled in order to prevent the packing seal from leaking. Any misalignment of the longitudinal axis of the valve needle and the longitudinal axis of the valve assemb]y can cause the packing seal to leak.
One object of the present invention is to provide a seal assembly which moves or "floats" with the valve needle so that the seal assembly remains concentrically aligned with the valve needle regardless 2~3312~
of the alignment of the valve needle with the valve assembly.
Another object of the present invention is to eliminate the need for direct compression of the seal assembly in order to seal the valve needle.
Yet another object of the present invention is to eliminate the need to continually adjust the valve assembly throughout the life of the valve assembly in order to maintain the valve needle seal.
According to the present invention, a seal assembly is provided for sealing a valve needle situated inside a valve assembly along a longitudinal axis of the valve assembly. The valve needle controls flow of a fluid from a fluid supply line to a fluid outlet lS passage. The seal assembly includes first means for contacting a first portion of the needle to provide a first seal which extends perimetrally around the needle. The seal assembly also includes second means for contacting a second portion of the needle spaced longitudinally on thé needle from the first portion to provide a second seal which extends perimetrally around the needle. The seal assembly further includes means for positioning the first and second sealing means against the needle. The positioning means includes means for maintaining the first and second sealing means in sealing contact with the perimeter of the needle in their respective longitudinally spaced orientations.
The positioning means permits movement of the needle therethrough as the needle moves relative to the valve assembly during operation of the valve.
2~3~124 The positioning means includes a seal positioner having a somewhat H-shaped cross section to define the first and second sealing regions for receiving the first and second sealing means, respectively. The seal positioner includes a body portion having an inner side wall surrounding the needle and a partition extending radially inwardly toward the needle from the inner side wall. A passageway defined in the partition slidably receives the needle. The partition divides a space between the inner side wall and the valve needle into first and second sealing regions spaced axially along the needle. The first sealing means is positioned in the first sealing region, and the second sealing means is positioned in the second sealing region. The inner side wall of the body portion holds the first and second sealing means in sealing engagement with the needle as the needle moves along its axis as the valve operates. The seal positioner and the valve needle remain in alignment without regard to the alignment of the needle with a longitudinal axis of the valve assembly to maintain contact between the valve needle and the first and second sealing means.
Brief DescriDtion of the Drawinas The invention may best be understood by referring to the following description of the accompanying drawings which illustrate the invention.
In the drawings:
Fig. l is a fragmentary sectional view of a conventional packing seal used in prior art devices to seal a valve needle;
~03~12~
Fig. 2 is a sectional view illustrating the seal assembly of the present invention located inside a valve assembly which is coupled to a manifold of a color changer system;
Fig. 3 illustrates an enlarged sectional view of a portion of Fig. 2 illustrating the seal assembly of the present invention in detail; and Fig. 4 illustrates an exploded sectional view of the seal assembly illustrated in Fig. 3.
_etailed Description of the Drawinqs A modular color changer system 10 illustrated in Fig. 2 includes a segment of a manifold 12 and a plurality of valve assemblies 14 coupled to the manifold 12, each by a threaded section 38. For puposes of simplicity, only one such valve assembly is illustrated. However, the arrangement of such assemblies along a manifold is well known in the art.
Each valve assembly 14 includes a housing 16 and a valve needle 18 situated inside the housing 16 for movement longitudinally along an axis 17. A separate valve assembly 14 is provided, for example, for each different color of paint or type of fluid. Manifold 12 and valve housing 16 are preferably made from solvent-resistant resins. A seal between the housing 16 and the manifold 12 is achieved by compression of housing 16 against the manifold 12 and by first and second O-ring seals 49 and 51.
A reciprocating piston 20 located inside housing 16 provides movement of valve needle lB along 2~3~12~
axis 17 to operate the valve. A spring 22 captured in a spring cup provided by a seal retaininer 54 biases the piston 20 in the direction of arrow 21 to maintain the valve in a normally closed position. Valve needle 18 is coupled to piston 20 by a suitable fastener 24. An end cap 26 is threaded into the en~ of 27 of housing 16. A
compressed air supply line 28 is connected to end cap 26 to supply compressed air to move piston 20 in the direction of arrow 23 when valve 14 is to be opened to supply the fluid controlled thereby to manifold 12. A
seal ring 30 is provided between piston 20 and the cylinder wall 31 of housing 16.
The various supplies of paint in color changer system 10 must typically be continuously recirculated to prevent, for example, the settlement of pigments out of them. Manifold 12 includes an inlet port 34, an outlet port 36, and a fluid circulation line 40 extending between inlet port 34 and outlet port 36. When color valve assembly 14 is threaded into manifold 12, an inlet opening 45, a fluid passage 44, and an outlet opening 47 of housing 16 communicate with fluid circulation line 40. Fluid enters inlet port 34 from a remote paint supply. As long as needle 18 is in its position illustrated in Fig. 2, the fluid passes into fluid circulation line 40, through fluid passage 44, through outlet opening 47, and fluid circulation line 40 to outlet port 36.
Manifold 12 includes a central passageway 42 extending through manifold 12. Central passageway 42 conducts paint from manifold 12 through a paint line 2~3~2~
coupled thereto (not shown) to a suitable spraying apparatus (not shown) at a remote location. Valve needle 18 includes a sealing head 48 having a tapered, somewhat frustoconical side wall 50. Valve housing 16 includes a valve seat 52. When piston 20 is moved in the direction of arrow 23, the tapered side wall 50 moves away from valve seat 52. This permits some of the paint passing through the housing 16 to enter the central passageway 42 of manifold 12 to supply paint to the paint spraying apparatus (not shown) at the remote location.
Upon removal of the compressed air signal at line 28, spring 22 moves piston 20 in the direction of arrow 21 to close the valve. This prevents fluid from entering passageway 42, and all of the paint supplied at port 34 recirculates as discussed above. Valve assembly 14 remains in this normally closed position until another air pressure signal at line 28 causes movement of valve needle 18 in the direction of arrow 23.
There are no recirculating fittings which thread directly into the valve housing 16. This feature permits rapid interchangeability of the valve assemblies 14. The present invention enables the valve assembly 14 to be removed from the manifold 12 without the need to remove any fluid lines or fluid fittings from valve housing 16. This permits faster replacement or maintenance of valve assemblies 14 which reduces down time for the color changer system 10, and therefore increases productivity.
A visual indication of the open or closed status of valve assembly 14 is provided through ~3~
apertures 32 provided in housing 16. Piston 20 is typically a bright color so that the color can be seen through apertures 32 when the valve is open. Valve housing 16 preferably has a hexagonal cross sectional shape to facilitate installation and removal of the valve assembly 14.
As fluid recirculates from inlet port 34 to outlet port 36, the fluid tends to move from longitudinal aperture 46 along needle 18 in the direction of arrow 21. Without proper sealing of valve needle 18, fluid can pass beyond seal assembly 60 into the main body of housing 16 to leak or clog the valve assembly 14.
A conventional prior art assembly for sealing the valve needle is shown in Fig. 1. The prior art device uses a compressed Chevron-type packing 56 which is compressed by an adjustable packing nut 55. To prevent leakage of paint beyond the packing 56, the packing nut 55 must be continuously tightened throughout the life of the packing 56. During operation of the prior art valve assembly, if the valve needle 18 becomes misaligned in housing 16, the packing 56 can permit paint to leak past packing 56 and into the body of housing 16. Therefore, valve assembly 14 must be replaced or cleaned. The valve assembly 14 of the present invention includes a seal assembly 60 designed to overcome the disadvantages of prior art packings 56.
The seal assembly 60 of the prevent invention is best illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4. Seal assembly 60 includes a generally cylindrical body portion 6Z having 2~3~124 an outer side wall 64 and an inner side wall 66. Valve needle 18 has a generally circular cross section. The perimeter of inner side wall 66 is larger than the cross section of the needle 18 to define a space between the needle 18 and inner side wall 66 of body portion 62.
Body portion 62 includes a web or partition 68 extending radially inwardly from inner side wall 66 of body portion 62. Partition 68 is formed to include a central passageway 70 extending longitudinally of the needle 18. Cylindrical body 62 and partition 68 define a seal positioner having a somewhat H-shaped cross section.
The position of needle 18 is shown in phantom in Fig.
4. Partition 68 divides the space between inner side wall 66 and needle 18 into a first sealing region 72 and a second sealing region 74.
The seal assembly 60 includes a U-shaped cup seal 76 which contacts a first portion of needle 18 to provide a first seal which extends perimetrally around the needle 18. Seal assembly 60 also includes an O-ring seal 78 which contacts a second portion of the needle 18 spaced longitudinally along the needle 18 from the U-shaped cup seal 76 to provide a second seal which extends perimetrally around the needle 18. The U-shaped cup 76 is situated in the first sealing region 72 and the O-ring 78 is situated in the second sealing region 74.
Inner side wall 66 of body portion 62 engages the U-shaped cup 76 and the O-ring 78 and holds these two seals 76 and 78 in engagement with needle 18 as needle 18 moves as the valve operates. The seal 2~3~24 assembly 60 moves or floats with the needle 18 in the event of misalignment of the needle 18 with valve assembly 14. This maintains a concentric alignment of the cylindrical body portion 62 with the valve needle 18 to ensure that U-shaped cup seal 76 and the O-ring 78 maintain continuous contact with valve needle 18.
Passageway 70 formed in the seal assembly 60 slidably receives needle 18 to permit the needle 18 to move along its longitudinal axis through the seal assembly 60 to open and close the valve. Cylindrical body portion 62 correctly positions and spaces seals 76 and 78 alony the needle 18 as the valve operates.
As best shown in Fig. 3, seal assembly 60 includes a first end 63 and a second end 65. Valve housing 16 includes a seal retaining wall 80. Seal retainer 59 is threaded into housing 16 at 84. An O-ring 85 is provided between the threaded portion 84 and the body of seal retainer 54. Seal retainer 54 includes an end wall 82. O-ring seal 78 of seal assembly 60 extends beyond the second end 65 of body portion 62. End wall 82 of seal retainer 54 compresses the O-ring 78 to hold the first end 63 of seal assembly 60 against retaining wall 80 of housing 16.
A small amount of clearance (about .002-.006 inch) is provided between needle 18 and inner wall 86 of housing 16. This small amount of clearance is also provided between needle 18 and inner wall 88 of seal retainer 54. This clearance permits needle 18 to move along its longitudinal axis during operation of the valve.
2~3~
Seal assembly 60 seals and permits movement of valve needle 18 while maintaining spacing between the two seals 76 and 78. O-ring 78 and end wall 82 of seal retainer 54 provide a further seal to prevent fluid which might enter the space 90 between outer sidewall 64 of body portion 62 and housing 16 to pass between end wall 82 and 0-ring 78.
The seal assembly 60 is designed to move or float with needle 18 in the event of misalignment between needle 18 and valve assembly 14. This provides adequate sealing of needle 18 to prevent leakage of paint beyond seal assembly 60. Misalignment can occur, for example, due to manufacturing tolerances or during operation of the valve.
Although the invention has been described in detail with reference to a preferred embodiment, variations and modifications exist within the scope and spirit of the invention as described and defined in the ollowing claims.
Claims (17)
1. A seal assembly for sealing a valve needle situated inside a valve assembly along a longitudinal axis of the valve assembly, the valve needle controlling flow of a fluid from a fluid supply line to a fluid outlet passage, the seal assembly comprising first means for contacting a first portion of the needle to provide a first seal which extends perimetrally around the needle, second means for contacting a second portion of the needle spaced longitudinally on the needle from the first portion to provide a second seal which extends perimetrally around the needle, and means for positioning the first and second means against the needle, the positioning means including means for maintaining the first and second means in sealing contact with the perimeter of the needle in their respective longitudinally spaced orientations, the positioning means permitting movement of the needle therethrough as the needle moves relative to the valve assembly.
2. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the needle has a generally circular cross section transverse to its longitudinal extent, the positioning means includes a cylindrical body portion surrounding the needle, the body portion has an inner perimeter larger than the cross section of the needle to define a space between the body portion and the needle, and the body portion further includes a partition extending radially inwardly from the inner perimeter of the body portion for slidably receiving the needle, the partition providing first and second sealing regions spaced longitudinally along the needle for receiving the first and second means, respectively.
3. The assembly of claim 2 wherein the first means includes a somewhat U-shaped cup situated in the first sealing region and opening axially of the needle.
4. The assembly of claim 2 wherein the second means includes an O-ring situated in the second sealing region.
5. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the positioning means includes a seal positioner having a somewhat H-shaped cross section to define first and second sealing regions for receiving the first and second means, respectively.
6. Assembly of claim 5 wherein the seal positioner includes a body portion having an inner side wall surrounding the needle, means defining a partition extending radially inwardly toward the needle from the inner side wall, and a passageway defined in the partition for slidably receiving the needle, the partition dividing the space within the inner side wall of the seal positioner into first and second sealing regions spaced axially along the needle, the first means being positioned in the first sealing region and the second means being positioned in the second sealing region.
7. The assembly of claim 6 wherein the inner side wall of the body portion holds the first and second means in sealing engagement with the needle as the needle moves along its axis as the valve operates.
8. The assembly of claim 7 wherein the first means includes a somewhat U-shaped cup situated in the first sealing region and the second means includes an O-ring situated in the second sealing region.
9. An assembly for sealing a valve needle having a generally circular cross section transverse to its longitudinal axis, the valve needle being situated inside a valve body, the valve needle controlling flow of a fluid from a fluid supply passage in the valve body to a fluid outlet passage in the valve body, the seal assembly comprising a cylindrical body portion including an outer side wall and an inner side wall, a web extending radially inwardly from the inner side wall, the web including a central passageway extending longitudinally of the needle through which the needle moves longitudinally, the needle being slidably received in the central passageway formed in the web to align the cylindrical body portion concentrically with the needle, the inner side wall defining a space radially inwardly therefrom adjacent the web, and means situated inside the space and extending perimetrally around the needle for sealing the needle to prevent passage of fluid from the fluid supply passage beyond the sealing means.
10. The assembly of claim 9 wherein the sealing means includes first means for contacting a first portion of the needle to provide a first seal which extends perimetrally around the needle and second means for contacting a second portion of the needle spaced longitudinally on the needle from the first portion to provide a second seal which extends perimetrally around the needle.
11. The assembly of claim 10 wherein the web defines first and second sealing regions in the space between inner side wall and the needle, the first and second sealing regions being spaced longitudinally along the needle for receiving the first and second means, respectively.
12. The assembly of claim 11 wherein the first means includes a somewhat U-shaped cup situated inside the first sealing region, the inner side wall of the body portion holding the U-shaped cup in sealing engagement with the needle as the needle moves along its longitudinal axis as the valve operates and upon misalignment of the needle and the valve assembly.
13. The assembly of claim 11 wherein the second means includes an O-ring situated inside the second sealing region, the inner side wall of the body portion holding the O-ring in sealing engagement with the needle as the needle moves along its longitudinal axis as the valve operates and upon misalignment of the needle and the valve assembly.
14. A seal assembly for sealing a valve needle having a generally circular cross section transverse to its longitudinal axis, the needle being situated inside a valve assembly including a housing having longitudinal axis therethrough, the needle controlling flow of a fluid from a fluid supply line to a fluid outlet passage, the seal assembly comprising a seal positioner including a cylindrical body portion surrounding the needle, the cylindrical body portion having a first end, a second end, and an inner side wall having a cross section larger than the cross section of the needle to define a space between the inner side wall and the needle, the seal positioner also including means for coupling the body portion to the needle to align the body portion concentrically with the needle and to maintain the concentric alignment upon misalignment of the longitudinal axis of the needle and the longitudinal axis of the valve assembly, the coupling means providing first and second sealing regions spaced longitudinally along the needle, and first means situated in the first sealing region for contacting a first portion of the needle to provide a first seal which extends perimetrally around the needle, and second means situated in the second sealing region for contacting a second portion of the needle spaced longitudinally from the first portion to provide a second seal which extends perimetrally around the needle.
15. The seal assembly of claim 14 wherein the coupling means includes a partition extending radially inwardly toward the needle from the inner side wall, and a passageway defined in the partition for slidably receiving the needle, the partition dividing the space between the inner side wall of the seal positioner and the needle into the first and second sealing regions spaced longitudinally along the needle.
16. The seal assembly of claim 15 wherein the inner side wall of the body portion holds the first and second means in sealing engagement with the needle as the needle moves along the axis of the valve assembly as the valve operates and upon misalignment of the needle and the valve assembly.
17. The seal assembly of claim 16 wherein the first means includes a somewhat U-shaped cup situated in the first sealing region and the second means includes an O-ring situated in the second sealing region.
5506p
5506p
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US49801890A | 1990-03-23 | 1990-03-23 | |
| US07/498,018 | 1990-03-23 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2038124A1 true CA2038124A1 (en) | 1991-09-24 |
Family
ID=23979287
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2038124 Abandoned CA2038124A1 (en) | 1990-03-23 | 1991-03-12 | Color change valve assembly |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2038124A1 (en) |
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO2018149580A1 (en) * | 2017-02-20 | 2018-08-23 | Eisenmann Se | Module for a modular changing device for coating materials and changing device for coating materials |
| WO2019089234A1 (en) * | 2017-11-01 | 2019-05-09 | Fisher Controls International Llc | Packing apparatus and related methods for use with fluid valves |
-
1991
- 1991-03-12 CA CA 2038124 patent/CA2038124A1/en not_active Abandoned
Cited By (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO2018149580A1 (en) * | 2017-02-20 | 2018-08-23 | Eisenmann Se | Module for a modular changing device for coating materials and changing device for coating materials |
| CN110325288A (en) * | 2017-02-20 | 2019-10-11 | 艾森曼欧洲公司 | The module of modularization more changing device for coating material and more changing device for coating material |
| WO2019089234A1 (en) * | 2017-11-01 | 2019-05-09 | Fisher Controls International Llc | Packing apparatus and related methods for use with fluid valves |
| US10443742B2 (en) | 2017-11-01 | 2019-10-15 | Fisher Control International Llc | Packing apparatus and related methods to identify proper loading for valve packing |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| FZDE | Dead |