ES3014758A1 - FLUID DISCHARGE VALVE, PROVIDED WITH A PLURALITY OF PERIMETER HOLES THAT TRAVEST THE COVER (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding) - Google Patents

Abstract

Fluid discharge valve (10) provided with a fluid chamber (5) delimited by a longitudinal hollow cover (6) and transverse walls (7, 8); a fluid inlet port (1); a fluid circulation port (2); a fluid discharge port (3a, 3b, 4) and a sealing element (9) configured to move between a filling position, in which it closes the fluid discharge port (3a) and an emptying position, in which it closes the fluid inlet port (1). The valve (10) is characterized in that the fluid circulation port comprises a plurality of perimeter holes (2), which pass through the hollow cover (6).

Description

DESCRIPTION

FLUID DISCHARGE VALVE, PROVIDED WITH A PLURALITY OF

PERIMETER HOLES THAT CROSS THE ROOF

Technical field

The present invention belongs, among others, to the technical fields of pneumatics, hydraulics and fluid transport.

More specifically, the object of the invention is a fluid discharge valve, provided with a plurality of perimeter holes, which pass through the cover of said valve and allow a faster evacuation of said fluids, compared to other discharge valves already known.

Background

Fluid discharge valves are commonly used for the transport of fluids, as well as for actuating mechanisms by means of said fluids.

For the purposes of this description, a fluid is to be understood as any substance in a liquid state, any substance in a gaseous state, or any combination of substances in both states.

In most applications, such as emptying pistons and compressed air tanks, these valves are required to discharge fluid at the highest possible rate. These fluid discharge valves are also useful in overpressure relief systems and systems that utilize the thrust and/or propulsive impact of fluids, in applications such as the projection or throwing of objects and materials, the pushing of masses (e.g., pistons), fluid-assisted drilling, the dispersion of materials by fluid impact, or blowing.

These fluid discharge valves typically comprise a fluid chamber, delimited by a longitudinally extending hollow cover, a transverse cover and a transverse wall, arranged at opposite ends of the fluid chamber.

Furthermore, these fluid discharge valves are provided with three different ports: a fluid inlet port, a fluid circulation port, and a fluid discharge port. They also include a sealing element.

In these discharge valves, the fluid inlet port is connected to the fluid chamber through the transverse cover. Likewise, the fluid discharge port is perpendicular to the hollow cover and is connected to the fluid chamber through a single hole through the hollow cover.

The fluid discharge port is, in turn, a tube of smaller diameter than the cover and coaxial with it, which is housed in a through hole made in the transverse wall, such that an interior region of said tube is introduced into the fluid chamber and an exterior region of the same is in communication with the exterior of the valve, for example, with the atmosphere or with a fluid reuse pipe.

When the valve is in a first condition, also called filling condition, the sealing element is in a first position (or filling position) in which it seals the fluid discharge port, preventing fluid from exiting through it, so that the fluid that enters the valve through the inlet port exits through the fluid circulation port, for example, to a tank or fluid transport conduit.

When the valve enters a second condition, also called the emptying condition, fluid enters the valve through the fluid circulation port. In addition, the sealing element moves to a second position (or emptying position), in which it seals the fluid inlet port, preventing fluid from entering through that port. As a result of this movement, the first end of the discharge port remains open, so that the fluid entering the fluid chamber through the circulation port is expelled from the valve, following a sinuous path, through the discharge port.

Although the fluid discharge valves described above are used in numerous applications, some of which have already been explained in the preceding paragraphs, there is still a need in the art to modify their design to allow them to discharge fluid at a higher velocity. It is also necessary to develop new valves that save space in their installation.

Summary description of the invention

In order to address the limitations of the prior art indicated above, the present invention relates to a fluid discharge valve comprising:

- a fluid chamber, delimited by a hollow cover extending along a longitudinal direction, by a first wall and by a second wall, both transverse to the hollow cover;

- a fluid inlet port, comprising a first through hole made in the first wall and communicating with the fluid chamber;

- a fluid circulation port;

- a fluid discharge port, provided with an inner region communicating with the fluid chamber, and an outer region communicating with the exterior of the valve; and

- a sealing element configured to move between a first, filling position, in which it seals the internal region of the fluid discharge port, preventing fluid from exiting through said fluid discharge port, and a second, emptying position, in which it seals the through hole, preventing fluid from entering through the fluid inlet port;

characterized in that the fluid circulation port comprises a plurality of perimeter holes that pass through the hollow cover.

In the present invention, the fact that the fluid circulation port is provided with a plurality of holes (i.e., two or more holes) passing through the hollow cover and not just one of them, allows the fluid present in the fluid chamber to exit it more quickly, through the multiple exit paths, during the emptying condition (in which the fluid exits through the discharge port). In the valve of the present invention, the fluid exit rate is therefore increased. Furthermore, the average path followed by said fluid is shorter and less tortuous than in the valves of the prior art, which reduces the pressure loss of accumulated fluid during evacuation and makes the valve operate in a balanced manner, increasing its discharge speed and therefore its efficiency.

Likewise, this particular arrangement of the different elements in the valve of the invention makes possible an installation in which the valve of the invention is housed, in its entirety, within a first conduit (for example, a tube), or within a tank (for example, a boiler), which extend longitudinally. In said configuration, the holes of the fluid circulation port are directly in contact with the interior of the first conduit or tank, while the fluid inlet port is connected to a second conduit, also longitudinal, which runs inside said first conduit or boiler, preferably, coaxially with it.

This arrangement of the lines saves space compared to the most common installations of prior art fluid discharge valves, in which the second line to which the fluid inlet port of the valve is connected is arranged longitudinally, while at least a section of the first line to which the fluid circulation port is connected is arranged in a transverse direction and therefore perpendicular to the second line.

Preferably, in the fluid discharge valves according to the present invention, the sealing element is provided with a sealing membrane, a disc with sealing gasket or a piston.

In a preferred embodiment of the valve of the invention, the fluid discharge port comprises a tube of smaller diameter than the hollow cover, said tube being housed in a hole made in the second wall, being arranged coaxially to the hollow cover and being partially introduced into the fluid chamber.

Even more preferably, the first through hole of the fluid inlet port is arranged in the center of the first wall of the fluid chamber and, in addition, said first through hole is aligned with the longitudinal axis of the tube of the fluid discharge port.

Likewise, in the fluid discharge valve according to the present invention, the hollow cover preferably has a cylindrical shape, and the peripheral holes of the fluid circulation port that pass through the hollow cover are arranged radially to the axis of revolution of said hollow cover. This configuration is preferred because, in this way, the path that the fluid must follow in the filling stage, in order to exit through the fluid circulation port, is the same, regardless of which peripheral hole is involved, thereby generating a more uniform fluid flow with less turbulence.

In a preferred embodiment of the valve of the invention, the minimum distance between the perimeter holes of the fluid circulation port and the edge of the internal region of the fluid discharge port is equal to or less than 0.5 cm. This configuration is preferred because it reduces the path that the fluid must follow, during the emptying stage, in order to exit through the fluid discharge port.

Brief description of the figures

The above and other advantages and characteristics will be more fully understood from the following detailed description of some embodiments with reference to the attached drawings, which should be considered as illustrative and not limiting, in which:

Figures 1A and 1B are, respectively, a longitudinal sectional view and a perspective view, of a prior art fluid discharge valve, in a filled condition;

Figures 1C and 1D are, respectively, a longitudinal sectional view and a perspective view, of the prior art valve of Figures 1A and 1B, in a drained condition;

Figures 2A and 2B are, respectively, a longitudinal sectional view and a perspective view, of a possible embodiment of the fluid discharge valve according to the invention, in a filled condition;

Figures 2C and 2D are, respectively, a longitudinal sectional view and a perspective view of the fluid discharge valve according to the invention of Figures 2A and 2B, in a draining position.

Figure references

1 First through hole (from fluid inlet port);

2 Perimeter holes (from the fluid circulation port);

3rd Inner Region (of the fluid discharge port);

3b External region (of the fluid discharge port);

4 Tube (from fluid discharge port);

5 Fluid chamber;

6 Hollow cover;

7 First wall;

8 Second wall;

9 Sealing element;

10 Fluid discharge valve (according to the invention);

11 First through hole of fluid inlet port (prior art valve); 12 Perimeter hole of fluid circulation port (prior art valve); 13a Inner region of fluid discharge port (prior art valve);

13b Outer region (of the fluid discharge port (prior art valve)); 14 Fluid discharge port tube (prior art valve);

15 Fluid chamber (prior art valve);

16 Hollow cover (prior art valve);

17 First wall (prior art valve);

18 Second wall (prior art valve);

19 Sealing element (prior art valve);

20 Prior art fluid discharge valve;

C Fluid inlet pipe;

D Fluid reservoir; and

L Longitudinal direction.

Detailed description of an embodiment

Next, with the aid of the attached figures cited, a detailed description of a preferred embodiment of a fluid discharge valve, according to the present invention, is offered.

To help more easily understand the invention, a prior art fluid discharge valve 20 is illustrated in Figures 1A, 1B, 1C and 1D, both in a filled condition and in a drained condition.

Said fluid discharge valve 20 comprises a fluid chamber 15, delimited by a hollow cover 16 extending along a longitudinal direction L, as well as by a transverse cover 17 and a transverse wall 18 arranged at opposite ends of the fluid chamber 15.

The fluid discharge valve 20 is provided with three different ports: a fluid inlet port, a fluid circulation port, and a fluid discharge port.

The fluid inlet port comprises, in this case, a first through hole 11 made in the transverse cover 17 and communicating with the fluid chamber 15. In addition, the first through hole 11 is threaded to allow the coupling of a fluid passage line.

The fluid circulation port comprises, in turn, a single perimeter hole 12 made on the hollow cover 16. The perimeter hole 12 is provided with a thread that extends transversely to the hollow cover 16 that allows its connection to a fluid reservoir D.

Finally, the fluid discharge port comprises a tube 14 of smaller diameter than the hollow cover 16 and coaxial with it, which is housed in a second through hole made in the transverse wall 18, such that an interior region 13a of said tube is introduced into the fluid chamber 15 and an exterior region 13b thereof is in communication with the exterior of the valve 20.

Furthermore, the fluid discharge valve 20 comprises a sealing element 19 which, in this embodiment, is provided with a membrane.

When the valve 20 is in the first condition (filling), the membrane of the sealing element 19 comes into contact with the inner region 13a of the tube 14 of the fluid discharge port as shown in Figure 1A, preventing the exit of fluid through said tube 14, so that the fluid that enters the valve 20 through the inlet port, exits through the perimeter hole 12 of the fluid circulation port, for example, to the fluid reservoir D, as illustrated by the corresponding arrows in Figures 1A and 1B.

When the valve enters the second (empty) condition, fluid enters the fluid chamber 15 through the peripheral orifice 12 of the fluid circulation port as illustrated by the corresponding arrows in Figures 1C and 1D. Likewise, the membrane of the sealing element 19 moves until it seals the first through hole 11 of the fluid inlet port (as shown in Figure 1C), preventing fluid access through said port. Likewise, as a result of this movement, the first end of the discharge port is open, such that the fluid entering the fluid chamber through the peripheral orifice 12 of the circulation port to the fluid chamber is expelled from the valve, through the tube 14 of the fluid discharge port.

A possible embodiment of a fluid discharge valve 10 according to the present invention is illustrated in Figures 2A, 2B, 2C and 2D, both in a filled condition (Figures 2A and 2B) and in an empty condition (Figures 2C and 2C).

The fluid discharge valve 10 of the present invention comprises a fluid chamber 1, delimited by a cylindrical hollow cover 6, which extends along a longitudinal direction L, as well as by a first wall 7 and a second wall 8, both transverse to the hollow cover 8.

The fluid discharge valve 10 is provided with three different ports: a fluid inlet port, a fluid circulation port, and a fluid discharge port.

The fluid inlet port comprises, in this case, a first through hole 1 passing through the first wall 7 and communicating with the fluid chamber 5. In addition, the first through hole 1 is threaded to allow its coupling to a fluid passage conduit C.

The fluid circulation port comprises, in turn, a set of perimeter holes 2 that pass through the hollow cover 6 and are arranged radially to the axis of revolution of the hollow cover 6 (said axis of revolution coincides in this case with the longitudinal direction L). In the example shown here, the fluid discharge valve 10 is arranged inside a fluid tank D, so that during the filling stage the fluid exits through the perimeter holes 2, directly filling said tank, without the need for a conduit or an adapter element (as illustrated by the corresponding arrows in Figures 2A and 2B). Likewise, during the emptying stage, the fluid accesses the valve 1 through the perimeter holes 2, leaving said tank D, following the direction of the corresponding arrows, visible in Figures 2C and 2D.

Finally, the fluid discharge port comprises a tube 4 of smaller diameter than the hollow cover 6 and coaxial to it, which is housed in a second through hole made in the second wall 8, such that an interior region 3a of said tube is inside the fluid chamber 5 and an exterior region 3b thereof is in communication with the exterior of the valve 10.

Furthermore, the fluid discharge valve 10 comprises a sealing element 9, which in this embodiment is provided with a sealing membrane. However, in other possible embodiments of the present invention, the sealing element 9 may also be provided with a disc with a sealing ring or a piston.

When the valve 10 is in the first condition (filling), as illustrated in Figure 2A, the membrane of the sealing element 9 is in a first position in which it comes into contact with the inner region 3a of the tube 4 of the fluid discharge port, preventing the exit of fluid through said tube 4, such that the fluid that enters the valve 10 through the inlet port, exits through the perimeter holes 2 of the fluid circulation port, entering directly into the fluid reservoir D.

On the contrary, when the valve passes to the second condition (emptying), shown in Figure 2C, the fluid leaves the reservoir D accessing the fluid chamber 5 through the perimeter holes 2 of the fluid circulation port. Likewise, the membrane of the sealing element 9 moves to a second position, in which it seals the first through hole 1 of the fluid inlet port, preventing the access of fluid through said port. Likewise, as a result of this movement, the first end of the discharge port is open, such that the fluid that enters the fluid chamber through the perimeter holes 2 of the circulation port to the fluid chamber is expelled from the valve 10, through the tube 4 of the fluid discharge port.

Claims (6)

1. - Fluid discharge valve (10) comprising: - a fluid chamber (5), delimited by a hollow cover (6) extending along a longitudinal direction (L), by a first wall (7) and by a second wall (8), transverse to the hollow cover (6); - a fluid inlet port, comprising a first through hole (1) made in the first wall (7) and communicating with the fluid chamber (5); - a fluid circulation port; - a fluid discharge port, provided with an internal region (3a) communicating with the fluid chamber (5) and an external region (3b) in communication with the exterior of the valve (10); and - a sealing element (9) configured to move between a first position, filling, in which it seals the internal region (3a) of the fluid discharge port, preventing the exit of fluid through said fluid discharge port, and a second position, emptying, in which it seals the through hole (1), preventing the entry of fluid through the fluid inlet port; characterized in that the fluid circulation port comprises a plurality of perimeter holes (2) that pass through the hollow cover (6). 2. - Fluid discharge valve (10) according to the first claim, wherein the sealing element (9) is provided with a sealing membrane, a disc with sealing gasket or a piston. 3. - Fluid discharge valve (10), according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the fluid discharge port comprises a tube (4) of smaller diameter than the hollow cover (6), said tube (4) being housed in a hole made in the second wall (8), being arranged coaxially to the hollow cover (6) and being partially introduced into the fluid chamber (5). 4. - Fluid discharge valve (10) according to claim 3, wherein the first through hole (1) of the fluid inlet port is arranged in the center of the first wall (7) of the fluid chamber (5) and, in addition, said first through hole (1) is aligned with the longitudinal axis of the tube (4) of the fluid discharge port. 5. - Fluid discharge valve (10), according to any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the hollow cover (6) has a cylindrical shape and the peripheral holes (2) of the fluid circulation port that pass through the hollow cover (6), are arranged radially to the axis of revolution of said hollow cover (6). 6. - Fluid discharge valve (10), according to any of claims 1 to 5, wherein the minimum distance that exists between the perimeter holes (2) of the fluid circulation port and the edge of the internal region (3a) of the fluid discharge port is equal to or less than 0.5 cm.