WO2012024780A1

WO2012024780A1 - Internal proportional valve

Info

Publication number: WO2012024780A1
Application number: PCT/CA2011/000963
Authority: WO
Inventors: François DELANEY
Original assignee: Delaney Technologies Inc.
Priority date: 2010-08-25
Filing date: 2011-08-25
Publication date: 2012-03-01
Also published as: CA2846085A1; CA2846085C

Abstract

A proportional valve (10) for controlling an amount of pressurized fluid flowing into a pressurizable first chamber (12) from a pressurized fluid reservoir second chamber (18) and out from the first chamber (12) into an exhaust third chamber (20) includes an expandable closed chamber (22) formed with first (24) and second (26) disc plates connected to one another at a respective perimeter thereof. The two disc plates (24, 26) are axially slidably mounted on a support structure (30). The expandable chamber (22) is adapted to operate opening or closing of a fluid first passageway (34) between the first chamber (12) and the third chamber (20), and operate opening or closing of a fluid second passageway (36) between the first chamber (12) and the second chamber (18). A fluid flow passageway (31) extends through the first disc plate (24) in fluid communication with the closed chamber (22) for selective passage of a valve operating pressure fluid.

Description

INTERNAL PROPORTIONAL VALVE FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to valves and is more particularly concerned with a multistage proportional valve. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is known in the art to have a proportional valve is relatively simple to use with the control of a single button; the same control button being used to control by increasing, lowering or maintaining constant the fluid pressure inside a container, or the volume of an expandable container or the like. Such a valve is disclosed in US Patent No. 6,988,513 granted to Delaney on January 24, 2006. Although it is applicable in specific case, it is getting quite complex to manufacture such a valve with a relatively large size diaphragm, such as a few feet diameters or more, which further requires a large quantity of pieces to assemble together. Accordingly, there is a need for an improved proportional valve. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore a general object of the present invention to provide an improved proportional valve that solves the above-mentioned disadvantages and drawbacks. An advantage of the proportional valve of the present invention is that it does not include any parts sliding in rubbing contact along one another.

Another advantage of the proportional valve of the present invention is that it operates while being either outside or inside the pressurizable chamber of which the pressure is controlled thereby. A further advantage of the proportional valve of the present invention is that, when located inside the pressurizable chamber, it is self-protected against any over pressure inside the pressurizable chamber with that over pressure acting on the valve by closing the axial spacing between the two discs, from the open configuration towards the flushing configuration of the valve.

Yet another advantage of the proportional valve of the present invention is that, when located inside the pressurizable chamber, it is further self-protected since the loss of the pressure inside the expandable closed chamber between the two discs causes the valve to reach the flushing configuration thereof. Still another advantage of the proportional valve of the present invention is that, when located inside the pressurizable chamber, it contains less parts than when located outside thereof.

Further advantages of the proportional valve of the present invention are that it is accurate, of relatively simple of construction, with a small quantity of parts and essentially maintenance free.

According to an aspect of the present invention there is provided a proportional valve for controlling an amount of pressurized fluid flowing into a pressurizable first chamber from a pressurized fluid reservoir second chamber and out from the first chamber into an exhaust third chamber, said valve comprising:

- an expandable closed chamber formed with first and second disc plates connected to one another at a respective perimeter thereof, the two disc plates being axially slidably mounted on a support structure; said expandable chamber being adapted to operate opening or closing of a fluid first passageway between the first chamber and one of said second and third chambers, and operate opening or closing of a fluid second passageway between the first chamber and the other one of said second and third chambers;

- a fluid flow passageway extending through the first disc plate in fluid communication with the closed chamber for selective passage of a valve operating pressure fluid. In one embodiment, the first disc plate is adapted to operate opening or closing of the fluid first passageway between the first chamber and one of said second and third chambers, the second disc plate is adapted to operate opening or closing of the fluid second passageway between the first chamber and the other one of said second and third chambers.

In one embodiment, the valve is located inside said first pressurizable chamber.

Conveniently, the closing of at least one of the fluid first and second passageways is a seal abutment contact between the corresponding one of said first and second disc plates and the corresponding one of said second and third chambers.

Typically, the opening of at least one of the fluid first and second passageways is a seal abutment contact between the corresponding one of said first and second disc plates and a pilot of the corresponding one of said second and third chambers. In one embodiment, the first and second disc plates are connected to one another at the respective perimeter thereof by a plurality of arcuate C-clamps, each said C-clamp extending along a portion of said perimeters.

Conveniently, the plurality of C-clamps extend along the whole of said perimeters. Conveniently, the support structure includes a plurality of support posts positioned essentially perpendicularly to said first and second disc plates, at least three of said plurality of C-clamps being axially slidably mounted on a respective one of said posts each said posts.

In one embodiment, the expandable chamber is adapted to operate closing of the fluid first passageway between the first chamber and the third chamber with a pressure therein being at a valve first pressure range, and operate opening of the fluid second passageway between the first chamber and the second chamber with a pressure therein being at a valve second pressure range being above said valve first pressure range. Conveniently, the expandable chamber is adapted of being in a neutral configuration when the pressure level therein is intermediate said valve first and second pressure ranges.

Typically, the closing of any fluid passageway is simply done by seal abutment contact between two pieces.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from a careful reading of the detailed description provided herein, with appropriate reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Further aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the description in association with the following Figures, in which similar references used in different Figures denote similar components, wherein:

Figure 1 is a top perspective section view of a proportional valve in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention located inside a pressurizable chamber formed at the bottom of a housing under a piston/weight slidably displaceable within the housing;

Figure 2 is an enlarged broken top perspective section view of the valve and the piston of Figure 1 ;

Figure 3 is an enlarged broken top perspective section view of the valve of Figure 1 , showing the expandable closed chamber formed by the two discs there between;

Figure 4 is an enlarged broken top perspective section view of the valve of Figure 1 , showing the air passageway in communication with the expandable closed chamber;

Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 3, showing a first axial spacing between the two discs in a flushing first configuration allowing flushing or depressurization of the pressurizable chamber (first chamber) with the pressurized gas flowing into an opened exhaust opening between the lower disc and an exhaust duct (second chamber);

Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure 3, showing a second axial spacing between the two discs in a neutral intermediate second configuration preventing any gas inside the pressurizable chamber from flowing out therefrom and any pressurized gas outside of the pressurizable chamber from flowing therein; and

Figure 7 is a view similar to Figure 3, showing a third axial spacing between the two discs in an open third configuration allowing pressurization of the pressurizable chamber (first chamber) with the pressurized gas flowing from a pressurized reservoir chamber (third chamber) into an opened intake opening between a pilot entering into abutment contact with the upper disc and the pressurizable chamber wall.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

With reference to the annexed drawings, in most of which many parts have voluntarily been omitted for clarity purposes, the preferred embodiments of the present invention will be herein described for indicative purpose and by no means as of limitation.

Referring to Figures 1 through 3, there is schematically shown an embodiment 10 of a proportional valve in accordance with the present invention, especially suited for large sizes (as its relative size to a human body H of an adult shown in Figure 1). In the present arrangement, the proportional valve 10 is located inside the pressurizable chamber 12 for control of the internal pressure thereof, with the pressure inside the chamber 12 being used to control the position of a piston/weight 14 slidably displaceable within the housing 16. The valve 10 controls the amount of pressurized fluid flowing into the pressurizable first chamber 12 from a pressurized fluid reservoir second chamber 18 (including a large side reservoir with pipe) and out from the first chamber 12 into an exhaust third chamber 20.

The valve 10 includes an expandable closed chamber 22 formed with first and second disc plates 24, 26 sealably connected to one another, in contact abutment, at a respective perimeter thereof using a plurality of, typically four arcuate C-clamps 28 that each extends along a respective portion of the perimeter. The two disc plates 24, 26 are axially slidably mounted on a support structure 30, represented by a plurality, typically four support posts. The posts 30 are generally perpendicular to the discs 24, 26 and are terminated at their lower ends by an enlargement, or stopper 50 that support the weight of the two- disc assembly under gravity. A fluid flow passageway 31 extends through the first disc plate 24 in fluid communication with the closed chamber 22 to allow intake and exhaust of high pressure fluid (represented by coupling 32), or second pressure fluid, therefrom to control the axial spacing between the two discs 24, 26 and allow the different configurations, or states, of the valve 10, as seen in Figures 3 and 4. Typically the pressure of the second pressure fluid operating the valve 10 (inside chamber 22) is at least two or three order of magnitudes larger than the pressure of the first pressure fluid, the flow of which between chambers 2, 18 and 20 is controlled by the valve 10.

Referring more specifically to Figure 5, there is shown a first axial spacing between the two discs 24, 26 in a valve flushing first configuration 40 that allows flushing or depressurization of the pressurizable chamber 12 with the pressurized gas flowing therefrom into an exhaust duct 20 through an opened exhaust opening 34 between the lower disc 26 and the exhaust duct 20. Under gravity, the weight of the two discs 24, 26, and the C-clamps 28, is supported by the four posts 30 with the two-disc assembly abutting the stoppers 50. In that first configuration, or first spacing range, the first upper disc 24 is typically spaced from pilot 38 that closes an intake opening 36 between the pressurizable chamber 12 and the pressurized chamber 18, as shown by gap 35. The pressure of the second pressure fluid inside the chamber 22 required to maintain that valve first configuration is within an exhaust first pressure range varying between zero relative pressure and a first low predetermined valve pressure. The actual pressure within that first pressure range determines the rate of pressure flushing of the pressurizable chamber 12 by actual bowing of the lower disc 26 towards the closing of the exhaust opening 34.

Referring more specifically to Figure 6, there is shown a second axial spacing between the two discs 24, 26 in a valve neutral intermediate second configuration 42 preventing any gas inside the pressurizable chamber 12 from flowing out therefrom and any pressurized gas outside of the pressurizable chamber 12 from flowing therein. In that second valve configuration, or second spacing range, the pressure inside the chamber 22 forces the bowing of the lower disc 26 to close off the exhaust opening 34 by abutting the exhaust duct 20, along with the bowing of the upper disc 24 to get into contact abutment with the pilot 38 (the pilot 38 closes the intake opening 36 because of the pressure inside the pressurized chamber 18 acting thereon). The pressure inside the chamber 22 required to maintain that valve second configuration is within a generally small second pressure range, varying between the first predetermined valve pressure and a second high predetermined valve pressure, to maintain the valve in a neutral configuration to maintain a required pressure inside the pressurizable chamber 12.

Referring more specifically to Figure 7, there is shown a third axial spacing between the two discs 24, 26 in a valve open third configuration 44 allowing pressurization of the pressurizable chamber 12 with the pressurized gas flowing from a pressurized reservoir chamber 18 into an opened intake opening 36 between a pilot 38 entering into abutment contact with the upper disc 24 and the pressurizable chamber wall 13. In that third valve configuration, or third spacing range, the pressure inside the chamber 22 forces the further bowing of the lower disc 26 to push the two-disc assembly away from the exhaust duct 20 by sliding of the two discs 24, 26 along the posts 30 (as noted by the space 52 between the lower disc 26 and the stoppers 50), which in turn, increased by the further bowing of the upper disc 24, pushes upward on the pilot 38 to open the intake opening 36. The pressure inside the chamber 22 required to maintain that valve third configuration is within a third pressure range, starting at the second high predetermined valve pressure and above. The actual pressure within that third pressure range determines the rate of pressure inflation of the pressurizable chamber 12 by actual bowing of the two discs 24, 26 to control the size of the intake opening 36. Although not specifically described herein, seal members are typically used at all interfaces to prevent fluid leakage. Although the present invention has been described with a certain degree of particularity, it is to be understood that the disclosure has been made by way of example only and that the present invention is not limited to the features of the embodiments described and illustrated herein, but includes all variations and modifications within the scope and spirit of the invention as hereinafter claimed.

Claims

1 . A proportional valve for controlling an amount of pressurized fluid flowing into a pressurizable first chamber from a pressurized fluid reservoir second chamber and out from the first chamber into an exhaust third chamber, said valve comprising:

an expandable closed chamber formed with first and second disc plates connected to one another at a respective perimeter thereof, the two disc plates being axially slidably mounted on a support structure; said expandable chamber being adapted to operate opening or closing of a fluid first passageway between the first chamber and one of said second and third chambers, and operate opening or closing of a fluid second passageway between the first chamber and the other one of said second and third chambers;

- a fluid flow passageway extending through the first disc plate in fluid communication with the closed chamber for selective passage of a valve operating pressure fluid.

2. A valve according to claim 1 , wherein said first disc plate being adapted to operate opening or closing of the fluid first passageway between the first chamber and one of said second and third chambers, said second disc plate being adapted to operate opening or closing of the fluid second passageway between the first chamber and the other one of said second and third chambers.

3. A valve according to claim 2, wherein said valve being located inside said first pressurizable chamber.

4. A valve according to claim 3, wherein the closing of at least one of said fluid first and second passageways is a seal abutment contact between the corresponding one of said first and second disc plates and the corresponding one of said second and third chambers.

5. A valve according to claim 3, wherein the opening of at least one of said fluid first and second passageways is a seal abutment contact between the corresponding one of said first and second disc plates and a pilot of the corresponding one of said second and third chambers.

6. A valve according to claim 1 , wherein said first and second disc plates being connected to one another at the respective perimeter thereof by a plurality of arcuate C-clamps, each said C-clamp extending along a portion of said perimeters.

7. A valve according to claim 6, wherein said plurality of C-clamps extending along the whole of said perimeters.

8. A valve according to claim 6, wherein said support structure including a plurality of support posts positioned essentially perpendicularly to said first and second disc plates, at least three of said plurality of C-clamps being axially slidably mounted on a respective one of said posts each said posts.

9. A valve according to claim 3, wherein said expandable chamber being adapted to operate closing of the fluid first passageway between the first chamber and the third chamber with a pressure therein being at a valve first pressure range, and operate opening of the fluid second passageway between the first chamber and the second chamber with a pressure therein being at a valve second pressure range being above said valve first pressure range.

10. A valve according to claim 9, wherein said expandable chamber being adapted of being in a neutral configuration when the pressure level therein is intermediate said valve first and second pressure ranges.