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
  • F16K31/00—Actuating devices; Operating means; Releasing devices
  • F16K31/12—Actuating devices; Operating means; Releasing devices actuated by fluid
  • F16K31/18—Actuating devices; Operating means; Releasing devices actuated by fluid actuated by a float
  • F16K31/20—Actuating devices; Operating means; Releasing devices actuated by fluid actuated by a float actuating a lift valve
  • F16K31/28—Actuating devices; Operating means; Releasing devices actuated by fluid actuated by a float actuating a lift valve with two ore more floats actuating one valve

Definitions

• the present invention finds application in the field of direct-operated check valves. More precisely, the present invention relates to check valves the plug of which is moved by a first-class lever.
• the check valves operated by a first-class lever are widely used in various fields of the art.
• a liquid for example, water
• the inlet opening of the valve is connected to the outlet opening of the duct so that the pressure of the liquid in the duct tends to remove the plug from the seat thereof, opening the valve.
• the lever moving the plug is connected to a floater, the position of which in the tank depends on the filling level of the latter. The Archimedes' thrust undergone by the floater due to the liquid possibly present in the tank tends to close the valve, opposing the liquid pressure in the delivery duct.
• the inlet opening of the valve can be connected to the outlet opening of a delivery duct so that the plug is pressed against the seat thereof by the pressure of the liquid in the duct, i.e., so that the pressure of the liquid in the duct tends to close the valve.
• the lever and the floater have, overall, a weight such that the weight force acting thereon, in the absence of the
• a valve should be considered according to one of the two types shown above, connected to a delivery duct which introduces a liquid inside a tank.
• the valve opens due to the pressure of the liquid contained in the delivery duct or due to the weight of the floater. This can be an issue if the tank is to be emptied for a certain volume of liquid before the filling process thereof starts.
• filling level of the tank means the level of the free surface of the liquid inside the tank.
• a direct-operated check valve which can be connected to a delivery duct to adjust the introduction of a liquid, under pres sure in said duct, into a tank,
• said valve comprising a body including:
• said inlet opening being connectable to said duct so that, when said plug is in said closing position, an overpressure at said inlet opening with respect to said outlet opening applies a force to said plug tending to keep said plug in said closing position;
• lever preferably of the first-class type, having a fulcrum at said body, said lever being in contact with said plug;
• first element suitable for floating at least partially, at the free surface of said liquid (due to the Archimedes' thrust) when said first element is at least partially immersed in said liquid.
• Said first element suitable for float ing will be identified in the following of the present description with the term "first floater”.
• Said first floater being integrally connected to said lever so that, when said first floater is at least partially immersed in said liquid so as to undergo an Archimedes’ thrust, said Archimedes’ thrust generates a first torque on said lever by means of said first floater, tending to rotate said lever so as to move, or allow the movement of, said plug from said opening position to said closing position,
• said moving means further comprise:
• second element suitable for floating at least partially, at the free surface of said liquid (due to the Archimedes' thrust) when said second element is at least partially immersed in said liquid.
• Said second element suitable for floating will be identified in the following of the present description with the term "second floater";
• cord means any flexible element extended in length of the afore said type.
• Said cord being connected to said lever and to said second floater so that, when said cord is tensioned due to the weight force acting on said second floater, possibly reduced by the Archimedes’ thrust undergone by said second floater when the latter is at least partially immersed in said liquid, said tension generates a second torque on said lever, tending to rotate said lever so as to move said plug from said closing position to said open ing position, said first floater and said lever having, as a whole, a weight such that:
• said inlet opening is connected to said duct with an overpressure at said inlet opening with respect to said outlet opening
• said inlet opening is connected to said duct with an overpressure at said inlet opening with respect to said outlet opening
• said second floater being ballasted so that, when:
• said inlet opening is connected to said duct with an overpressure at said inlet opening with respect to said outlet opening, • said cord is tensioned, and
• the first floater is shaped so that, when it is at least partially im mersed in said liquid so as to undergo an Archimedes' thrust, said Archimedes' thrust is greater than the weight force acting on said lever and on said first floater.
• the second floater is shaped so that, when it is at least partially immersed in said liquid so as to undergo an Archimedes' thrust, said Archime des' thrust is greater than the weight force acting on said second floater.
• the first and the second floater would not qualify as "floaters”.
• valve of the invention When the valve of the invention is connected to a delivery duct which introduc es a liquid inside a tank, the valve is adapted to open only when the filling level of the tank, during an emptying thereof, has reached a determined lower limit.
• valve is closed and the tank is full, i.e., the filling level of the tank is such that both float ers are at least partially immersed in the liquid, floating therein at the free sur face.
• the tank begins to fill up. Due to this, the level of the second floater rises, together with the raising of the free surface of the liquid in the tank. Even if the cord ceases to be tensioned as a result of the raising of the second floater, the valve remains open since, as specified above, when the plug is in the opening position and the cord of the second floater is not tensioned, the weight force acting on the lever and on the first floater generates on the lever a torque sufficiently strong to keep the valve open. When the liquid in the tank reaches the first floater, the latter rises making the lever rotate and closing the valve (i.e., ceasing to oppose the overpressure at the inlet opening of the valve with respect to the outlet opening).
• valve of the invention is adapted to open only when the filling level of the tank, during an emptying thereof, has reached a determined lower limit, reduces the number of times the valve must be opened and reclosed and ensures a more effective exchange of the liquid.
• said lever is a first-class lever, said first and second floaters being connected to said lever at a first arm there of;
• said plug being shaped so that, when said inlet opening is connected to said duct with an overpressure at said inlet opening with respect to said outlet open ing, said overpressure applies a force to said plug tending to press said plug against a second arm of said lever opposite to said first arm,
• valve comprising means for centering said plug, with respect to said sec ond connection path, upon a movement thereof from the opening position to the closing position.
• the centering means ensure that the plug is correctly posi tioned with respect to the second connection path, upon a movement thereof from the opening position to the closing position.
• the centering means ensure that the plug is positioned so as to sealingly obstruct the second connection path upon a movement thereof from the opening position to the clos ing position.
• said centering means comprise:
• said substantially discoidal element being at least partially housable in said seat so as to correspond to said substantially cylindrical wall
• said seat being positioned so that an at least partial housing of said substantial ly discoidal element in said seat, so as to correspond to said substantially cylin drical wall, defines the arrangement of said plug in said closing position (so as to sealingly obstruct said second connection path).
• said centering means comprise:
• said substantially frustoconical element being at least partially housable in said seat so as to correspond to said substantially cylindrical wall at least at the long base thereof,
• said seat being positioned so that an at least partial housing of said substantial ly frustoconical element in said seat, so as to correspond to said substantially cylindrical wall at least at the long base thereof, defines an arrangement of said plug in said closing position (so as to sealingly obstruct said second connection path).
• FIG. 1 shows, in a diagrammatic and partial cross section, a check valve according to the present invention, connected to a delivery duct to adjust the introduction of a liquid, under pressure in said duct, into a tank.
• the tank is full and said valve is shown in a configuration in which it is closed;
• FIG. 2 shows, in a diagrammatic and partial cross section, the valve of Figure 1 closed during the emptying of the aforesaid tank;
• FIG. 3 shows, in a diagrammatic and partial cross section, the valve of Figure 1 closed during the emptying of the aforesaid tank, in an instant, fol lowing that of Figure 2, in which the filling level of the tank is such as to make the opening of the valve of Figure 1 imminent;
• FIG. 4 shows, in a diagrammatic and partial cross section, the valve of Figure 1 in a configuration in which it is open;
• FIG. 5 shows, in a diagrammatic and partial cross section, a variant of the valve of Figure 1 in a configuration in which it is closed.
• Figure 1 shows a check valve 1 , object of the invention, connected to a delivery duct 2 which leads into a tank 3 at an outlet opening 4 thereof.
• the duct 2 is preferably cylindrical, at least in the section thereof inside the tank 3, with the longitudinal axis arranged vertically.
• the opening 4 is preferably placed near an upper wall 5 of the tank 3.
• a liquid 6, under pressure in the duct 2 can be intro- Jerusalemd into the tank 3 through the opening 4.
• the valve 1 is connected to the duct 2 at the opening 4 to adjust the introduction of liquid 6 into the tank 3.
• the valve 1 comprises a body 10 including an inlet opening 1 1 , an outlet open ing 12 and a chamber 13 interposed between the openings 1 1 and 12 to create a connection therebetween. More precisely, the chamber 13 communicates with the opening 11 at a first connection path 14, and communicates with the open ing 12 at a second connection path 15.
• the openings 1 1 and 12, as well as the chamber 13 and the connection paths 14 and 15 are preferably cylindrical and more preferably coaxial, with the longitudinal axis thereof arranged vertically. Even more preferably, the openings 1 1 and 12 have a cross section with an in- ner diameter smaller than that of the inner section of the chamber 13, but great er than that of the inner section of the openings 14 and 15.
• the valve 1 i.e., the body 10 thereof
• the duct 2 is, preferably, at least partially inserted in to the opening 1 1 at the opening 4 thereof. More preferably, the opening 4 (of the duct 2) is externally threaded and the opening 1 1 (of the valve 1 ) is internal ly threaded so that the two openings 4 and 1 1 can be screwed one into the oth er, so as to be vertically coaxial. Said screwing reversibly connects the valve 1 to the duct 2.
• the adverb "reversibly" means that the valve 1 can be connected to the duct 2 and can be disconnected from the latter an indefinite number of times.
• the cross section of the open ing 4 has an inner diameter preferably greater than that of the cross section of the connection path 14.
• the opening 12, as well as the opening 1 1 is prefera- bly, but not necessarily, internally threaded, so as to allow a reversible connec tion between the valve 1 and a possible second duct at the opening 12.
• the valve 1 comprises a plug 20 housed in the chamber 13 and movable be tween a first opening position, at which it does not obstruct any of the connec- tion paths 14 and 15 (as shown in Figure 4), and a second closing position, at which it sealingly obstructs the connection path 15 (as shown in Figures 1 to 3).
• the plug 20 is preferably shaped like a disk having a diameter greater than that of the connection path 15 but lower than the inner diameter of the cross section of the chamber 13.
• the connection path 15 is obtained at a base 21 which de- limits the bottom of the chamber 13.
• the plug 20 When the plug 20 is in the opening posi tion, it is at an intermediate level between the connection paths 14 and 15, so that the liquid 6 can flow from the opening 1 1 into the opening 12 through the chamber 13, to be led inside the tank 3.
• the plug 20 When the plug 20 is in the closing posi tion, the plug 20 sealingly abuts against the base 21 about the connection path 15, preferably coaxially with the latter, so that the liquid 6 is retained in the chamber 13.
• the seal between the plug 20 and the base 21 is preferably achieved by interposing therebetween an annular gasket 22, such as, for ex ample, an O-ring.
• the gasket 22 is housed in an annular seat obtained in the base 21 around the connection path 15 preferably coaxially with the latter. Since the gasket 22 must be interposed between the plug 20 and the base 21 when the plug 20 is in the closing position, the seat of the gasket 22 has a di ameter smaller than that of the plug 20.
• valve 1 is connected to the duct 2 so that the liquid 6 tends to send the plug 20 in abutment against the base 21.
• the valve 1 is connected to the duct 2 so that, when the plug 20 is in the closing position, an overpressure at the opening 1 1 with respect to the opening 12 (due to the pressure of the liquid 6 in the duct 2) applies a force on the plug 20 tending to keep the latter in the closing position, i.e., sealingly in abutment against the base 21.
• the valve 1 preferably comprises a pair of rods 23 and 24 which extend central ly and orthogonally from the plug 20, starting from mutually opposite faces thereof. More precisely, the rod 23 rises from the plug 20 towards the opening 11 and has a length such as to cross the connection path 14 regardless of the position of the plug 20 in the chamber 23, i.e., also when the plug 20 is in the closing position (as shown in Figure 1 ). By centrally raising from the plug 20, the rod 23 is preferably coaxial to the connection path 14. Similarly, the rod 24 ex- tends from the plug 20 towards the opening 12 and has a length such as to cross the connection path 15 regardless of the position of the plug 20 in the chamber 23, i.e., also when the plug 20 is in the opening position (as shown in Figure 4). By centrally extending from the plug 20, the rod 24 is preferably coax ial to the connection path 15. The rods 23 and 24 keep the plug 20 "centered" with respect to the chamber 13 and to the connection path 15.
• the valve 1 preferably further comprises a centering disk 25, in tegrally connected to the plug 20, coaxially to the latter, in an intermediate posi- tion between the plug 20 and the rod 24.
• the disk 25 has a diameter preferably smaller than that of the plug 20 and of the seat for housing the gasket 22, but greater than that of the connection path 15.
• the disk 25 can be housed in a seat 26 made in the base 21 at a section of the connection path 15 adjacent to the chamber 13. In other words, the seat 26 is crossed by the connection path 15 and is laterally delimited by a cylindrical wall preferably coaxial to said path.
• the disk 25 is shaped so as to correspond to the cylindrical wall delimiting the seat 26.
• the disk 25 can be housed in the seat 26 so as to corre spond to said cylindrical wall.
• the seat 26 is in a position such that a housing of the disk 25 in the seat 26 (so as to correspond to the cylindrical wall laterally de- limiting the latter) determines the positioning of the plug 20 in the closing posi tion.
• the disk 25 and the seat 26 act as centering means from the plug 20, with respect to the connection path 15, upon a move ment thereof from the opening position to the closing one.
• the valve 1 preferably, but not necessarily, comprises a spring 27 elastically compressed between the plug 20 and a base 28 which delimits the top of the chamber 13.
• the base 28 is opposite to the base 21 and is crossed by the con nection path 14.
• the spring 27, preferably helical, is longitudinally crossed by the rod 23 and is preferably coaxial to the latter. The spring 27 applies a force on the plug 20 tending to move the latter from the opening position to the clos ing one.
• the movement of the plug 20 between the opening and closing positions is op- erated by a lever 30, preferably of the first-class type, having a fulcrum 31 at the opening 12.
• the lever 30 is connected to a pair of floaters 32 and 33 at a first arm 34 thereof (on the right of the fulcrum 31 in Figure 1 ), and is in contact with the rod 24 at a second arm 35 thereof opposite to the arm 34 (on the left of the fulcrum 31 in Figure 1 ).
• the lever 30 is therefore in contact with the plug 20 by means of the rod 24 and the disk 25.
• said overpressure ap plies on the plug 20 a force tending to press the rod 24 against the arm 35, i.e., a force tending to press the plug 20, by means of the rod 24 and the disk 25, against the arm 35.
• the floater 32 is integrally con nected to the arm 34 so that, when the floater 32 is at least partially immersed in the liquid 6 so as to undergo an Archimedes' thrust (as shown in Figure 1 ), said Archimedes' thrust generates on the lever 30, by means of the floater 32, a torque tending to rotate the lever 30 (about the pin 31 ) so as to move the plug 20, or allow the movement thereof, from the opening position to the closing po sition.
• the floater 33 is connected to the arm 34 by means of a cord 36. More precisely, the latter is connected to the arm 34 at a first end 37, and to the floater 33 at a second end 38 opposite to the end 37.
• the cord 36 is connected to the arm 34 and to the floater 33 so that, when the cord 36 is tensioned due to the effect of the weight force acting on the floater 33, possibly reduced by the Archimedes' thrust undergone by said floater 33 when the latter is at least partially immersed in the liquid 6 (as shown in Fig ure 4), said tension generates on the lever 30 a torque tending to rotate the lat- ter (about the fulcrum 31 ) so as to move the plug 20 from the closing position to the opening position.
• the floater 33 is suitably ballasted. More precisely, the floater 33 is ballasted so that, when:
• the torque generated on the lever 30 by said tension and by the weight force acting on the floater 32 and on the lever 30 is sufficiently strong to open the valve 1 , i.e., to make the lever 30 rotate so as to move the plug 20 from the closing position to the opening position, overcoming the force applied on the plug 20 by said overpressure.
• the weight of the lever 30 (i.e., of the arm 34) and of the floater 32 is such that:
• the plug 20 is in the closing position (i.e., the valve 1 is closed),
• the plug 20 is in the opening position (i.e., the valve 1 is open), - an overpressure is present at the opening 1 1 with respect to the opening 12, and
• valve 1 is of the "direct-operated" type, in which the move ment of the plug 20 is operated by the lever 30.
• valve 1 The description of the valve 1 is now completed; the operation thereof, starting from a configuration (shown in Figure 1 ), is described below, in which:
• valve 1 at the opening 1 1 , is connected to the opening 4 of the duct 2;
• the tank 3 is "filled" with liquid 6, i.e., the filling level of the tank 3 is such that both floaters 32 and 33 float in the liquid 6 at the free surface thereof.
• FIG 2 shows the valve 1 following the starting of a process for emptying the tank 3. Due to said emptying, the level at which the free surface of the liquid 6 in the tank 3 is progressively decreases, making the floater 32 emerge from the liquid 6.
• the cord 36 is not yet tensioned and the floater 32 is kept suspended by the lever 30. This is a consequence of the fact that, as specified above, when the plug 20 is in the closing position and the cord 36 is not tensioned, the weight force acting on the lever 30 and on the floater 32 generates on the lever 30 a torque which is not sufficiently strong to open the valve 1.
• Figure 3 shows the valve 1 in an instant following that of Figure 2, in which the filling level of the tank 3 is such as to make the opening of the valve 1 imminent. More precisely, in the configuration of Figure 3 the valve 1 is still closed but the free surface of the liquid 6 is lowered to the point of tensioning the cord 36.
• the valve 1 comprises a stop (not shown in the Figures) against which the lever 30 abuts with a rotation thereof that determines the passage of the plug 20 from the closing position to the opening one.
• said stop consists of a groove made in the body 10 at the opening 12 starting from the opening of the latter.
• the arm 35 (of suitable length) can slide with a rotation of the lever 30.
• the arm 35 abuts against the bottom of said groove.
• valve 1 when the valve 1 is connected to a duct 2 which intro Jerusalem a liquid 6 inside a tank 3, the valve 1 is adapted to open only when the filling level of the tank 3, during an emptying thereof, has reached a determined lower limit which depends on the length of the cord 36.
• Figure 5 shows a valve 40 which differs from the valve 1 in that it comprises, instead of the disk 25, a centering element 41 , substantially frustoconical and integrally connected to the plug 20, coaxially with respect to the latter, at the long base thereof, in an intermediate position between the plug 20 and the rod 24. More precisely, the rod 24 is integrally connected to the element 41 at the short base of the latter.
• the long base of the element 41 has a diameter prefer ably smaller than that of the plug 20 and of the seat for housing the gasket 22, but greater than that of the connection path 15. More preferably, the long base of the element 41 has a diameter equal to that of the disk 25.
• the element 41 can be housed in the seat 26.
• the element 41 is further shaped so as to correspond to the cylindrical wall delimiting the seat 26 at least at the long base thereof. In particular, the element 41 can be housed in the seat
• the seat 26 is in a position such that a housing of the element 41 in said seat 26 (so as to correspond to the cylindrical wall laterally delimiting the latter) determines the positioning of the plug 20 in the closing position.
• the plug 20 or 41 and the seat for housing the gasket 22 are shaped so that, when the plug 20 or 41 is in the clos ing position, the gasket 22, instead of being compressed longitudinally, is com pressed radially.
• the gasket 22, when the plug 20 is in the closing position is preferably compressed between two concentric cylindrical walls.
• the gasket 22, when the plug 41 is in the closing position is preferably compressed be tween a cylindrical wall (of the seat for the housing thereof) and a frustoconical wall (of the plug 41 ).

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Mechanically-Actuated Valves (AREA)
• Float Valves (AREA)
• Devices For Conveying Motion By Means Of Endless Flexible Members (AREA)

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• 2019
  • 2019-01-15 IT IT102019000000627A patent/IT201900000627A1/it unknown
  • 2019-12-10 WO PCT/IT2019/050260 patent/WO2020148790A1/en unknown
  • 2019-12-10 EP EP19839164.1A patent/EP3864329A1/en not_active Withdrawn
  • 2019-12-10 CN CN201980085358.XA patent/CN113227625A/zh active Pending

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