WO2012080569A1

WO2012080569A1 - Gate valve

Info

Publication number: WO2012080569A1
Application number: PCT/FI2011/051091
Authority: WO
Inventors: Göran Sundholm; Harry Metzger
Original assignee: Maricap Oy
Priority date: 2010-12-15
Filing date: 2011-12-09
Publication date: 2012-06-21
Also published as: FI20106324A0; FI20106324A

Abstract

Gate valve, which comprises a body (1 ), a shut-off means (2), which is movable in the body in the transverse direction with respect to the flowpath (3) between at least two positions, a first position, in which the flowpath (3) is open, and a second position, in which the flowpath is closed, and also drive means (4) for moving the shut-off means (2) between the at least two aforementioned positions, which shut-off means (2) comprises a shut-off part (5) and an actuator body (8), along with which the shut-off part (5) is arranged to move in the space between the walls (9, 10) of the body. The shut-off means comprises a flow aperture (21), which in the first position, the open position, of the shut-off means (2) is at the point of the flowpath, and that the shut-off means is arranged to turn around a rotation axis (R) with the drive means (4) between the aforementioned first and second position, that the drive means (4) comprise a drive device (41) and a drive shaft (45), which drive device (41) is fitted to rotate a transmission means (42) and countermeans, more particularly toothing (32, 33), formed on the rim (34) of the shut-off means (2), which countermeans are fitted to convert rotational movement of the drive shaft into turning movement of the shut-off means (2).

Description

GATE VALVE

Background of the invention The object of the invention is a gate valve as defined in the preamble of claim 1 .

Gate valves, which comprise more particularly a plate-like shut-off means, often have problems with sealing. The pressure of the medium possibly acting in the flowpath in the closed position of the valve causes bending of the shut-off means and deterioration of the sealing capability, which results, in the case of certain mediums to be conducted in the flowpath, in inter alia dirt accretion on the guide surfaces and/or sealing surfaces. This possibly hampers movement of the shut-off means between the open position and the closing position. In addition, the dirt can cause hygiene problems in some applications. Efforts have been made to solve these problems with various sealing structures and/or valve structures. These have generally been complex, however, and therefore resulted in expensive solutions in terms of costs. For example, publication EP 0260962 presents one gate valve provided with a turnable shut-off means, which valve has the aforementioned drawbacks. GB 168574 presents a gate valve, in which the rotating gate is driven with a worm shaft. JP 63254290 presents a flow control valve, in which the drive means of the valve is a worm shaft.

The purpose of this invention is to achieve an entirely new type of solution for a gate valve, by means of which solution the drawbacks of prior-art solutions can be avoided. Another aim of the invention is to achieve a valve structure having good manufacturability, and which is also easy with regard to assembly. Yet another aim of the invention is to achieve an adequately good solution in terms of sealing tightness. Another aim is to achieve a solution that has an operationally reliable arrangement for moving the shut-off means and is not prone to interruption. Yet another aim is to achieve a compact structure in terms of its space requirement.

Brief description of the invention

The gate valve according to the invention is mainly characterized by what is stated in the characterization part of claim 1 . The gate valve according to the invention is also characterized by what is stated in claims 2 - 1 1 .

The solution according to the invention has a number of important advantages. The gate valve according to the invention has excellent manufacturability. By arranging a separate part that moves in relation to the actuator body as the shut- off part, which separate part seals against the edges of the flowpath, an extremely advantageous and operationally reliable solution for a valve is achieved. By using a sleeve part in connection with the flow aperture, good sealing for the medium pathway can be achieved also in the open position. By forming toothing on the rim of the shut-off means, which the transmission means arranged on the shaft of the drive device rotate, an operationally reliable and effective transfer mechanism for the shut-off means is obtained. By using a helical means, preferably a helical spring means, as the transmission means, a flexible and self-retaining solution is achieved for the transmission. The helical spring means compensates for possible manufacturing inaccuracies of the toothing of the transfer mechanism of the shut- off means. The shut-off means can be manufactured from plate by cutting, more particularly by laser cutting, in which case at the same time toothing on the edge of the shut-off means is achieved. The helical spring means is elastic, in which case when the helical spring is rotated the coils of it find their way into the depressions between the teeth of the toothing of the shut-off means. Using a valve body and shut-off means that are of planar structure has enabled an easily modifiable structure for various usage needs to be achieved. By arranging cleaning means in connection with the valve, the accumulation of material to be transported in the flowpath in the space between the walls of the body can be prevented and at the same time malfunctions caused by dirt accretion can be prevented. The gate valve according to the invention is also structurally compact. The gate valve according to the invention has many applications. It is very well suited for used in waste conveying in connection with pneumatic pipe transport systems.

Brief description of the figures

In the following, the invention will be described in more detail by the aid of an example of its embodiment with reference to the attached drawing, wherein

Fig. 1 presents one valve according to the invention, Fig. 2 presents one valve according to the invention, from the direction A of Fig. 3,

Fig. 3 presents one valve according to the invention, from the direction B of Fig. 2, Fig. 4 presents one valve according to the invention, from the direction C of Fig. 2,

Fig. 5 presents one valve according to the invention from inside the valve body, in the closed position of the shut-off means, Fig. 6 presents one valve according to the invention, sectioned along the line VI-VI of Fig. 5,

Fig. 7 presents a cross-section of an edge part of the body according to one embodiment of the gate valve according to the invention.

Detailed description of the invention

Figs. 1 -6 present one embodiment of the valve according to the invention, more particularly a gate valve, which comprises a body 1 , a shut-off means 2, which is movable in the body in the transverse direction with respect to the flowpath 3 between at least two positions, a first position, in which the flowpath 3 is open, and a second position, in which the flowpath is closed. The valve typically also comprises drive means 4 for moving the shut-off means 2 between the at least two aforementioned positions. The shut-off means 2 comprises a shut-off part 5 and an actuator body 8, along with which the shut-off part is arranged to be movable. According to Fig. 5, the shut-off means contains an aperture 21 , which is at the point of the flowpath 3 when the shut-off means is in the open position. In the figures the flowpath 3 passes through the valve body 1 via the duct parts 15, 16 arranged on the body of the valve. The shut-off means 2 is arranged in the embodiment of the figure to move with drive means 4 between a first position, in which the flowpath 3 is open, and a second position, in which the flowpath is closed. The shut-off means 2 is arranged to move in the space 1 1 between the walls 9, 10 of the body and the edge part 12. The shut-off means 2 is arranged to be rotatable in relation to the body part 1 around a rotation axis R. The surfaces of the walls 9, 10 facing each other typically function as guide surfaces of the shut-off means 2. The body 1 comprises a support part 1 ', onto which drive means 4 for moving the shut-off means are arranged.

The body has a gap at the point of the flow channel 3, from where the shut-off means moves and closes/opens the flow channel. The shut-off part 5 of the shut- off means 2 extends in the closed position to outside the edges of the flow aperture of the flow channel 3. Typically the cross-section of the flowpath is, according to one typical embodiment, circular. The diameter of the shut-off part 5 is therefore typically larger than the diameter of the flow aperture of the flowpath 3 at the intersection of the shut-off means 2 and the flowpath 3.

The shut-off means 2 comprises an actuator body 8, along with which the shut-off part 5 is arranged to be movable. In the embodiment of Figs. 5 and 6 the actuator body 8 is a plate-like part, in which a space 18 is formed for the shut-off part 5. In the embodiment of the figures the space 18 is an aperture formed in the actuator body, in which aperture the shut-off part 5 can be fitted, in this case the edges of the aperture 18 of the actuator body function as support surfaces of the shut-off part 5 when the shut-off means moves. In the embodiment of Figs. 5 and 6 the actuator body 8 is a plate-like part, in which an aperture is formed e.g. by cutting, such as by laser cutting, or by die cutting, or in some other suitable manner, into which aperture the shut-off part 5 can be fitted. The shut-off part 5 is fitted to be such in its dimensions that it settles relatively tightly into the gap between the duct parts 15, 16 and/or between the side walls 9, 10 when the valve is in the closed position. In this case material is not able to easily penetrate from the medium pathway 3 into the space 1 1 bounded by the walls 9, 10 of the valve.

In the embodiment of the figures, the actuator body 8 is mainly circular in shape. The actuator body also comprises an aperture for the pathway of the medium. In the embodiment of the figure the aperture 19 is arranged in the actuator body, into which aperture a ring-like sleeve 20 is arranged, which sleeve is fitted into the aperture 19 such that the cylindrical outer surface of the sleeve is against the aperture 19. Inside the sleeve 20 is an aperture 21 , through which the pathway 3 of the medium passes when the shut-off means 2 is in the open position. The sleeve 20 is fitted to be such in its dimensions that it settles relatively tightly into the gap between the duct parts 15, 16 and/or between the side walls 9, 10 when the valve is in the open position. In this case material traveling the medium pathway 3 is not able to easily penetrate into the space 1 1 bounded by the walls 9, 10 of the valve. When using the valve in waste conveying, e.g. in pneumatic connection with waste material pipe transport systems, substantial clearances between the shut-off means 2 and the valve body 1 , more particularly between the duct parts 15, 16 and the shut-off means 2, in which waste material can accumulate or stick, and can thus finally cause a blockage in the piping, are avoided.

According to one embodiment the shut-off part 5 is manufactured from plate material. One applicable material type is e.g. plastic material. Also other suitable materials are possible.

According to one preferred embodiment the shut-off part 5 is a plate-like part. In the embodiments of the figures the shut-off part is a circular plate part. Of course, some other shape can be possible according to the target of application.

In the embodiment of the figures, the valve body 1 comprises a first wall part 9 and a second wall part 10. and a space 1 1 remaining between them for the shut-off means 2. The shut-off means is moved in the space 1 1 with the drive device 4 in the embodiment of the figure. In the embodiment of the figures the drive device is fixed to the body 1 to the support part V with fixing means. In the embodiment of the figure the shut-off means 2 is moved by rotating it around the rotational axis R. Toothing, comprising teeth 32 and the depressions 33 between them, is formed on the rim 34 of the shut-off means 2, on at least a part of said rim. In the embodiment of the figure the toothing is formed on a part of the rim 34 of the shut- off means 2. In the case according to Fig. 5, approx one-half of the outer surface of the rim 34 is provided with toothing.

The drive means 4 comprise a drive device 41 , which is fitted to rotate a drive shaft 45, to which are fitted transmission means 42, which are fitted to the countermeans, i.e. to the toothing 32, 33, of the shut-off means 2. In the embodiment of the figure the transmission means 42 of the drive device are helical means, which have a suitable pitch, in which case when the drive shaft 45 rotates around its axis the shut-off means 2 moves around the rotational axis R to the extent of the angular motion set by the pitch of the helical means of the transmission means 42 of the drive means. The drive axis 45 and the rotation axis R of the shut-off means are in transverse directions with respect to each other. In the embodiment of the figure, the shaft 45 of the drive means and the rotation axis R of the shut-off means 2 are essentially at an angle of 90° (degrees) with respect to each other. In practice the designation "screw transmission" or "worm transmission" is often used for the transmission of the shut-off means 2 of the gate valve according to the invention and the drive shaft of its drive device. According to one embodiment of the invention a helical spring means is the transmission means 42 of the drive means. The first end of the helical spring means is arranged on the drive shaft 45 of the drive device, or on a shaft leaving from it, and the second end at a distance from the first end in the direction of the drive shaft 45. In the embodiment of the figure the drive shaft is supported with a support means 43, such as a bearing bracket, in which case the second end of the helical spring means is fixed to the drive shaft in the proximity of the support means 43, such as a bearing bracket. In the embodiment of the figures a part of the rim 34 of the shut- off means 2 extends through the aperture formed in the support part 1 ' such that the toothing 32, 33 and the transmission means 42 of the drive shaft are in a contact with each other that transmits drive force when necessary.

The drive device 41 is hydraulically operated, pneumatically operated, or electric- motor operated. When the transmission means 42 is a helical spring means, the advantageous property is achieved that when the motor of the drive device 41 stops, the spring force of the helical spring means remains to keep the slot 30 of the shut-off means 2 against the detent 31 . A helical spring also forgives possible limit switch errors. In addition, a helical spring adapts itself also to possible manufacturing inaccuracies in the shut-off means, more particularly in the toothing. In this case the shut-off means, more particularly the actuator body, can be manufactured by laser cutting without the toothing of the edge needing to be specially machined to ensure adequate manufacturing precision. This is required of a worm drive. Therefore when using a helical spring means as a transmission means a solution is achieved that is very advantageous with respect to manufacturing.

Formed in the shut-off means 2 in the embodiment of Fig. 5 is a slot 30, which together with the aid of a detent 31 limits the extent of the turning movement of the shut-off means 2. In Fig. 5, when the shut-off means is in the closed position, the first end of the slot 30 is against the detent 31 . When turning the shut-off means to the open position, counterclockwise in Fig. 5, the shut-off means 2 turns around the rotational axis R until the second end of the slot 30 touches the detent 31 . The shut-off part 5 is arranged in the space 18 formed in the actuator part 8 to be freely movable along with the actuator part 8 between the guide surfaces of the body part. According to one embodiment, the thickness of the shut-off part 5 broadly corresponds to the thickness of the actuator part 8. It can also be to some extent thicker than it.

According to one embodiment, the actuator body 8 is a plate-like part, in which an aperture 18 is formed, in which aperture the shut-off part 5 is configured to fit. The aperture 18 is formed e.g. by die cutting or cutting, such as by laser cutting. In this case a solution meeting sufficiently precise dimensional tolerances is achieved. Correspondingly, the wall parts 9, 10 of the body can be of plate material and cut e.g. by laser cutting.

According to one preferred embodiment the valve can additionally comprise means 14, 26, 27, 28 for cleaning at least a part of the space 1 1 between the walls 9, 10 of the body-part. Typically the valve can comprise means 14, 26, 27, 28 for cleaning at least a part of the space 1 1 between the walls 9, 10 of the body-part by spraying with a medium. According to Fig. 5, medium, more particularly cleaning medium, from the medium source 26 can be conducted with a pump device 27 along a duct 28 into the channel 13 inside the edge 12 of the body part and from the channel 13 into the space 1 1 via the apertures 14 leading into the space 1 1 . The apertures 14 are typically arranged in the proximity of the flow channel 3, in the figure more particularly in that area of the space 1 1 into which the shut-off means 2 will extend in the closed position. The apertures can be arranged also elsewhere on the length of the edge 12 of the body part.

The body 1 thus comprises an edge part 12, in which a duct space 13 is arranged, which duct space comprises at least one aperture 14, preferably a number of apertures, which open(s) into a space 1 1 between the first wall part 9 and the second wall part 10 for conducting medium into the space in question.

In the embodiment according to the figures, the edge part 12 is formed from a profile, which comprises a duct part 12' and a support part 12". Fig. 7 presents a cross-section of an edge part according to one embodiment of the invention. The duct part 12' comprises a duct space 13. The support part 12" is preferably thinner in the transverse direction than the duct part 12'. The support part 12" of the edge part forms when bent a support surface for the walls 9, 10 of the body of the gate valve. The support part 12" of the edge part contains an indentation, in which case the edge part 12 can be bent to be curved from the area containing the indentation.

The walls 9, 10 are arranged with fixing means 51 , 52 onto the support part 12" of the edge part. In this case the support part 12" remains between the walls 9, 10. Apertures are formed in the support part 12" and in corresponding points of the walls 9, 10, through which apertures the screw part of the screw means 51 functioning as a fixing means extends, and by the aid of a countermeans, such as a nut means 52, from the opposite side the walls 9, 10 are tightened against the support part 12". The support part 12"is preferably to some extent larger in its thickness than the thickness of the shut-off means.

In the embodiment according to the figures, the duct part 12' is arranged on the outside of the outer edge of the walls 9, 10. Fig. 7 further presents a cross-section of the edge part 12. It presents a duct 13 comprising a duct part 12' and a support part 12" thinner than the former. An aperture 14 extending from the duct space 13 through the support part 12" is also marked in the figure. The aperture 14 extends from the duct space 13 through the support part 12" of the edge part 12. According to one embodiment the edge part 12 is formed to be a profile part, in which case the duct part 12' and the support part 12" are the same piece.

The object of the invention is thus a gate valve, which comprises a body 1 , a shut- off means 2, which is movable in the body in the transverse direction with respect to the flowpath 3 between at least two positions, a first position, in which the flowpath 3 is open, and a second position, in which the flowpath is closed, and also drive means 4 for moving the shut-off means 2 between the at least two aforementioned positions, which shut-off means 2 comprises a shut-off part 5 and an actuator body 8, along with which the shut-off part 5 is arranged to move in the space between the walls 9, 10 of the body. The shut-off means 2 comprises a flow aperture 21 , which in the first position, the open position, of the shut-off means 2 is at the point of the flowpath, and that the shut-off means is arranged to turn around a rotation axis R with the drive means 4 between the aforementioned first and second position.

According to one embodiment of the invention the drive means 4 comprise a drive device 41 and a drive shaft 45, which drive device 41 is fitted to rotate a transmission means 42 and countermeans, more particularly toothing 32, 33, formed on the rim 34 of the shut-off means 2, which countermeans are fitted to convert rotational movement of the drive shaft into turning movement of the shut- off means 2.

According to one embodiment of the invention means 30, 31 limiting the extent of the turning movement of the shut-off means 2 are arranged in the shut-off means 2 and in the body 1 . According to one embodiment of the invention, formed in the shut-off means 2 is a slot 30 and a detent 31 that is supported on the body 1 , which together limit the extent of the turning movement of the shut-off means 2.

According to one embodiment of the invention the rotation axis R of the shut-off means 2 and the drive shaft 45 are at an angle of 90 degrees with respect to each other.

According to one embodiment of the invention the transmission means 42 is a helical means, more particularly a helical spring means.

According to one embodiment of the invention the flow aperture 21 of the shut-off means is arranged in a sleeve part 20.

According to one embodiment of the invention the shut-off means comprises an actuator body 8, in which is arranged the aperture 18 for the shut-off part 5 and the second aperture 19 for the medium pathway or sleeve part 20, through which the medium pathway 21 is arranged.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the actuator body 8 is a plate-like part. According to one embodiment of the invention the valve comprises means 14, 26, 27, 28 for cleaning at least a part of the space 1 1 between the walls 9, 10 of the body part by spraying with a medium. According to one embodiment of the invention the body 1 comprises an edge part 12, which edge part is formed from a profile, comprising a duct part 12' and a support part 12", which support part 12" of the edge part forms when bent a support surface for the walls 9, 10 of the body of the gate valve, that a duct space 13 is arranged in the duct part 12' of the edge part, which duct space comprises at least one aperture 14, preferably a number of apertures, which open(s) into the space 1 1 between the first wall part 9 and the second wall part 10 for conducting medium into the space in question.

According to one embodiment of the invention the support part 12" of the edge part contains an indentation, in which case the edge part 12 is bent to be curved from the area containing the indentation.

According to one embodiment of the invention the walls 9, 10 are arranged with fixing means 51 , 52 onto the support part 12" of the edge part.

According to one embodiment of the invention the aperture 14 extends from the duct space 13 through the support part 12" of the edge part 12.

The embodiment of the gate valve according to the figures is a very advantageous alternative to a welded structure. In this case welding, inter alia, is avoided, in which case assembly is extremely easy.

The plate-like valve according to the invention is significantly advantageous and easy to manufacture, especially in rather small manufacturing series, e.g. compared to valve solutions of a molded structure.

It is obvious to the person skilled in the art that the invention is not limited to the embodiments presented above, but that it can be varied within the scope of the claims presented below. The characteristic features possibly presented in the description in conjunction with other characteristic features can, if necessary, be used separately to each other.

Claims

1. Gate valve, which comprises a body (1), a shut-off means (2), which is movable in the body in the transverse direction with respect to the flowpath (3) between at least two positions, a first position, in which the flowpath (3) is open, and a second position, in which the flowpath is closed, and also drive means (4) for moving the shut-off means (2) between the at least two aforementioned positions, which shut- off means (2) comprises a shut-off part (5) and an actuator body (8), along with which the shut-off part (5) is arranged to move in the space between the walls (9, 10) of the body, which shut-off means comprises a flow aperture (21 ), which in the first position, the open position, of the shut-off means (2) is at the point of the flowpath, and in that the shut-off means is arranged to turn around a rotation axis (R) with the drive means (4) between the aforementioned first and second position, and in that the drive means (4) comprise a drive device (41) and a drive shaft (45), which drive device (41 ) is fitted to rotate a transmission means (42) and countermeans, more particularly toothing (32, 33), formed on the rim (34) of the shut-off means (2), which countermeans are fitted to convert rotational movement of the drive shaft into turning movement of the shut-off means (2), character! z e d in that the transmission means (42) is a helical spring, the coils of which are fitted into the countermeans, i.e. the toothing (32, 33), of the shut-off means, and in that the actuator body (8) is a plate-like part.

2. Gate valve according to claim 1, ch a ra cte ri zed in that means (30, 31) that limit the extent of the turning movement of the shut-off means (2) are arranged in the shut-off means (2) and in the body (1 ).

3. Gate valve according to claim 2, characterized in that formed in the shut- off means (2) is a slot (30) and a detent (31) that is supported on the body (1), which together limit the extent of the turning movement of the shut-off means (2).

4. Gate valve according to any of claims 1 -3, ch a ra cterized in that the rotation axis (R) of the shut-off means (2) and the drive shaft (45) are at an angle of 90 degrees with respect to each other.

5. Gate valve according to any of claims 1 -4, ch a ra cterized in that the flow aperture (21 ) of the shut-off means is arranged in a sleeve part (20).

6. Gate valve according to any of claims 1 -5, ch a ra cterized in that the shut-off means comprises an actuator body (8), into which is arranged an aperture (18) for the shut-off part (5) and a second aperture (19) for the medium pathway or sleeve part (20), through which the medium pathway (21) is arranged.

7. Gate valve according to any of claims 1 -6, ch a ra cterized in that the valve comprises means (14, 26, 27, 28) for cleaning at least a part of the space (11) between the walls (9, 10) of the body part by spraying with a medium.

8. Gate valve according to any of claims 1 -7, ch a ra cterized in that the body (1) comprises an edge part (12), which edge part is formed from a profile, comprising a duct part (12') and a support part (12"), which support part (12") of the edge part forms when bent a support surface for the walls (9, 10) of the body of the gate valve, in that a duct space (13) is arranged in the duct part (12') of the edge part, which duct space comprises at least one aperture (14), preferably a number of apertures, which open(s) into the space (11) between the first wall part (9) and the second wall part (10) for conducting medium into the space in question.

9. Gate valve according to claim 8, ch a racte ri zed in that the support part (12") of the edge part contains an indentation, in which case the edge part (12) is bent to be curved from the area containing the indentation.

10. Gate valve according to any of claims 8-9, cha racterized in that the walls (9, 10) are arranged with fixing means (51 , 52) onto the support part (12") of the edge part.

11. Gate valve according to any of claims 8-10, characterized in that the aperture (14) extends from the duct space (13) through the support part (12") of the edge part (12).