Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
~2~66
The present invention relates generally to
valve assemblies and more particularly to multi-position,
multi-way valve assemblies utilizing a plurality of
poppet type valve members mounted on a single actuating
shaft.
This invention relates to the subject matter of
copending Canadian Patent Application Serial NoO 473,921,
filed February ~, 1985.
Heretofore it has been extremely difficult and
costly to utilize poppet type valve members in multi-
position, multi-way valve assemblies. One of the primary
reasons for ~his difficulty resides in the fact that such
valves typically provide a plurality of valve members or
elements operated by a single actuating shaft. Because in
poppet valves the valve member moves generally
perpendicularly to the valve seat, it is necessary to
position the respective valve seat5 within the valve
assembly so as to assure a substantially simultaneous
secure fluid-tight sealing engagement of all of the valve
members therewith. This has required that exceedingly
tight tolerances be adhered to which is not only very
difficult in volume production but also is very costly.
It is also very desirable with such multi-position,
multi-way valves to design the valve so that it is stable
or self~sustaining in the various positions thus
eliminating the need to apply a continuous acttlating
force to maintain it in position.
26~
STATEMENT OF INV~`~TION
According to the present invention there i3
provided an inline poppet valve assembly which has a
housing with a first valve seating surface and a second
seating surface provided therein. A poppet valve member
is secured to an actuator within the housing, the poppet
valve member having first and second sealing surfaces,
the first sealing surface being formed to close the first
valve seating surface in response to the articulation of
the actuater in one direction, and the second seating
surface being formed to close the second valve seating
æurface in response to the articulation of the actuator
in the opposite direction. The first and second seating
surfaces each define a predetermined surface area against
which a pressurized fluid in the housing will apply an
axially directed force, the predetermined surface area
defined by one of the sealing surfaces being greater than
the other of the sealing surfaces.
The present invention therefore provides a net
pressure created force which is operable to maintain the
valve assembly in either of its two positions. This is
accomplished by selectively controlling the relative
surface areas against which the pressurized fluid being
controlled by the valve acts so as to thereby create a
net pressure imbalance acting in a direction to hold the
valve in the desired position. Thus in the present
invention, the only actuating force required is that
necessary to shift the valve assembly from one po~ition
to the other and no external sustaining force is required
to maintain it in that position.
In accordance with one feature of the disclosed
embodiment of the invention, the relative surface areas
against which the pressurized fluid acts i5 controlled at
least in part by a non-symmetrical poppet valve member
construction. Specifically, the poppet valve member is
provided with first and second sealing surfaces which
each define different predetermined surface areas against
which the pressurized fluid in the bore of the housing
will apply an axially directed force. In one embodiment
according to the present invention, these sealing
surfaces each comprise a continuous annular rib of
elastomeric material. These annular ribs are disposed on
opposite sides of the poppet valve member, and the
diameter of one of the annular ribs is greater than the
diameter of the other annular rib.
Additional advantages and features of the
present invention will become apparent from the
subsequent description and the appended claims taken in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 is a section view of an embodiment of
a two position, four way valve assembly in accordance
with the present invention.
Figure 2 is an enlarged section view of one of
~264266
the poppet ~alve members shown in Figure 1 as viewed from
line 2--2 of Figure 3.
Figure 3 is a plan view of the poppet valve
member shown in Figure 4.
Figures 4 and 5 are planard side views of the
washer-shaped core of the poppe~ valve member shown in
Figure 4.
Figure 6 is an enlarged section view of one of
the fixed valve seats shown in Figure 1.
Figure 7 is an enlarged section view of one of
the movable valve seats shown in Figure 1.
- Figure 8 is a plan view of the movable valve
seat shown in Figure 7.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring now to Figure 1, a valve assembly 200
in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention
is ~hown. The valve assembly 200 is a two position four
way valve. However, it will be appreciated from the
description below that the principles of the present
invention may also be used with other types of valves~
such as a two position two way valve. The valve assembly
200 generally comprises a housing 202, a first fixed
valve seat member 204, a second fixed valve seat member
206, a first movable valve seat member 208, a second
movable
i2~ 2~i6
valve f~at ~er 210, n fir~t ~?o~et v~lve me~er 212, n ~e~orx~ E~t
valve m~er 214, nnd ~n nctuator 216.
qbe ~ing 202 i~ pfclvided w~th n bore 218, ~ic~ enerally
~i~Fna~ ~y the re~erenc~ nu~ral 218. A~ ~n in P~gure 1, the
di~æter of the b~re 218 ~6 sui~hly contalred to co~or~ to tl~e ~h~ o~
~he val~ s~at m~er~, ~8 ~U ~s to p~oYide ~propriate p~t~s for 1uid
flow. ~e ~using 202 ~ al~o for~d with a ~nlet openir~ o~ port 220, a
fi~it outlet ~ort æ2, a ~eaond outlet port 224, ~ first ~h~ t port 2~6,
and a ~e4~1 exha~st port 228.
- ~ree *~er~i nre al~o provi~ed wit~in the ~3ir~g 202. ~e
t c~er 230 is ye~erally di~ een the p~ lve ~er~
2:L2 z~nd 214.. lSe ~ nd c~er 232 asi generally disposed be~ ~e
pQ}~t v21~21~ ~ ~ pi~ton general_y dei6ignat~ e r~erenc~
~ral 23~. ~e third c~ er 236 i~ gener~illy di~ ~xtwe~ t~e
poE~ Y~ 4 aIId a pi~iton gen~ally ~e~ignatff~ e re~e~rence
m2meral 238..
~ e ~!IC~UatOl: 216 inclu~i6i a oentr21 iE;h~t or roa 24~ u~?on ~c~
the E~t valve ~beri6 212 and 214 are ~ted. . ~Ihe ~ uator 216 al~
11&8 a E;pool 242 ~ic~ ~?aratefii the pc~et valYe ~nOEbe~i 2~ 2sn~3 214.
A~raingly~ t~e poppe~ vi~lve ~er ~ ~ e~ t}~ie ~ool
nd t~e ~ 234~ z~nd the pC~et ~ e ~er 214 ~; ~E~
- - ~ei~ ~e ~pool 242 ~nd the p~on 238. q51e c~ination ~nd ~a~ o~
t~e spoo:L 242 and t~e ~ii6itCQ5 234 ~d 238 ~180 asEii~'c in ke~ tl~e
po~t valYe mel~er5 ;1';> 1~X3 214 in a pO5itiOII generally perp~diQllar to
the ~ft 24~
~ e ~ uat4r 21S ~l~o includes a ~ir clf s~oer~; 244 ~nd 246
~ ~ort ~e cup sha~ eal m~beri~i 248 ~d 250. I~cknt~ 252 2snd
254 are isecured ~ener~l~ at the ends of ~e ~ 240 to re~ai~ t~e aboYe
d~icr~}ed ca~?onen~ in pois~tion on the fi~ft 240. As wil~ iated
e i~Xilled i31 the art, one or b~t ~ the erx3~ of the ~ 240 ~y
. ~
~6a~616
L~e conn~c-t~d to ~ solenc~d valve 'co control the ~ on of t~e
actuator 21.6 in ~n ~c~Dl. directlDn~ Al~ematively" one or ~re of the
~u~ing er~ 25~ ~1258 n~f be for~:d to prwide ~ corY3uit th~h ~ic~
id p~e~;sure m~y be ~pli~d to c~e an Dxial articul~on o~ t~e
~ uator 216. A~ o ~bo~n in Figure 1, it ~ be desir~ble ln ce ~ ain
circ ~ t2ncefi to provide a piLton con~tructlon in which one o~ the pistons
i6 smaller than tbe other. In thi~ aituation, a ~ylindrical ~leeve 26~ i6
~nte~po~ea ~et~een the ~mzller ~etuLn) piston 23~ and the fixed yalye
~eat Dx~d~er 206.
I~rning no~ to a de~cript-on c~ ~ke EopQet ~zlYe ~bers 212 auul
~14, it ~uld fir~t be note~ that ~he~e popEet Yalve ~R~beLs ~re o
i~n~ical cc~nst~ucti~n. ~o~rdingly, ~y one ~ ~ po~e v~l~
pc~æt va~ve ~er 21~ i8 sbown ~n Eigure 2, A plan ~ies~ of the ~et
valve ~ er 212 ia al~o s ~dn in Figure ~ e Eo ~ et valve ~ er 2:L2
generally ~ i~es. a ~Q~hex-~hqped letal core 262 an~ an ela~tomeric
sh2ath 264 ~tich generally suLround~ the c~re 2~2. Figures 4 and ~ . ~bow
t~o plan views of the ~tal core 262. ~ ~heath 264 is for2ed ~ith a
fir~t ~eal~ng ~ur~a oe 266 a~d a ~ec~nd se~ g ~uIface 268. Each o~ ~ese
E2alin~ sur~oes 266-268 compri~e ~ ccn~,Lnuous ~ rib ~av~ng 21
senerally semi-circular cross ~ec*iRn. As ~est Eeen in Figur~ 2, the
~2aling ~lrfaces 266-26~ are ~ Rn oE~o~ite EideS o tbe Eoppet
valve ~x~d}er 212. ~dditicn~lly, it is ~p~rtant to note that ~be dia~eter
~R~ of the sealing surfa oe 266 L5 greater tb~n ~b2 di~metex ~L~ of the
sealing ~urfaoe 268. As will be seen fram the ce~cxlp~ion belo~ th~-s
~ metrical constructlon of the ~eal:ing ~urfac~s 266-268 p~ovides a
~irable pressu~e i~alance ~thin the va!ve a~ly 200. I~ s~uld be
~preciated that the E~rtiallar po~t ~ e oonstrud:ion ~ in ~igure
2 ~; ~ot int~rlded to l;mit ~he F~e~t ~nvelltiQn, ~nd ~hat oth~
no~r:metric~l ~;e~ling ~3urfaoe constructio.~3 prwidi.~g the afor~ntione~
i26~66
p~ 3Ure i~31~ plcyed in the ~o~iate tlpplic~tion.
Referring both to ~?igures 1 ~nd 6, lt will be f~een tbat the f~;ced
y ~ ea'c ~er~; 2D4 and 206 ~ave a generally ~ylindrical f~ e~
the ca~e of the poppet valve m~er~ e fixed valve ~e~t ~er~ 204 and
2û6 are iderltic~l, nnd therefore only ~he fi~ed valve ~eat ~ 206 ~
be de~cribe~, ~he s~n~l fix~d valve seat ~er ~06 i8 for~d ~> pcovide
a ger~erally r~3ially ~ct~ling valve ~eat ~urfaoe 270. ~e val~e ~eat
J3Urface 270 will be closed ~y the firfit rea~g ~urface 266 ' of the po~e
~alYe ~r 214. ~e fi~ed ~lve seat ~er 206 is ~180 pr~ded ~ith a
piurali~y of 0~8 272 to ~e~nLt fluid c~nitation between the ~nd
ort 224 2$3d t~e ~o~ e~l~3t port 228 ~ the ~e ~seat 27û ~;
open. ~e fi~ed valve ~eat m~er 206 i~ o ~o~d with ~n ~ially
e~tendiDq ~ oe 274 ~ic~ engage~ e coaxially ~s~d f;leeve ~60. It
~21d be ~ ~t t~ sur~ac~e will be ~ e a~pE~æd ~eal
~r 2~8 ~n connection with t}~e fir~;t fix~ ~al~ seat ~er 204.
~ui~le z~nu~ el2~to~ric ~eal rings 276 and 278 are ~lso iri~:lu~d to
,ride a ~luid-'dght ~eal be~ t}le b~ 204 and the fixe~ valve
~at ~ber :!û6. Ad~itic~nally, ~t ~uld be noted $hat t~e :Eised valYe
~eat 3~er ;~O{i i~; ~orned W:~t31 a pluralit~y o circ~ferentially ~Eaoea
y ~r~ es ~E~ at o~e end t~hereof.
R~erring to Figur~ 1, i ~nd 8, the ~vable valve seat
~eB 208 ~1 ~10 ~11 be de~cr~ E~e ~ Linoe the ~le
~eat ~r~; ~re ide~ti~l in cc~nstn~ction, only the ~ Ye se~t
~ex 21~ ed. ~e ~rable val~ eat ~er 210 includes
~ ~lir~ri~. portion 282 l~;hic~ i; fon~d with an ol*~ly fa~:ing ~lar
grooy~ 284. An a~nular Eealir~g ring 2~ ~o~ed in th2 qroo~e 2B4 to
pr~i~e a flui~ti~ht ~3eal beb~ the D~able ~alve ~eat ~er 210 2~nd
the ~ ;~ng 202. :I:t ~ould be noted t~at the etterior 13urfaoe 2B~ the
~vable val~e Beat ~er 210 ~3 sized r~atiYe to tbe b~re 218 o the
~ir~ 204 to p~rmit the valve ~eat ma~er t~ Bl~de axially ith respect
~264266
to the l~ous~ng The IT.ovable valve ~eat ~ er 210 ~1E;O. inClU(~5 ~
annular flange portion 2~8 ~ch extends out~lrdly in ~ r~i~l~ direction
frcqn olle end of the ~ylindrical portion 282. ~e fl~nge portion 288
pr~.~i~es a val~e ~eat surface 289 w~ich can be closed ~y ~e s~lla
s~ling surfaoe 2~8' of the poppet valve m~er 214. q~e flan~e portion
288 is f~or~ea w~t}l a plurality of circu~erentially spaced out~iardly
opening cavities 290. The flange portion 288 of the ~vahle valve seat
~er 210 ac~ as a stop to limit the axial ~v~nent of the valve seat:
~er. In on~ direction the flange portion 288 ~nll abut ~he housing
202~ ~ile in ~he other direction the flange portion will a~ut the fixed
val~ ~;eat ~er 206. It should be notcd 'chat w~ e flange por~ion
288 of the n~ablf~ at D~er 210 engages ffie fi~c~ v~lve seat m~r~er
20~, ~e c~rlities 2~0 of the fixed valve sea~ ~rber and the ca lties 2gO
o~ ~e ~able v lve - ~at m~ber c~ine fo Ee~mit ~luid ~cation
he ~a3~er 236 and the ~ce l~ets~e~ the housir~g 202 and the
flange por'cion 288, and permit fluid c~catiorl be'cween l:he c~a~r~er 236
and the secon~. ou~let port 224.
~ e ~eration c~ the valve as~ly ~0~ ~11 nc~7 be descr~ed,
In ~e l?osition of t~e actuator 216 ~ iII Eigl~re 3, ~e first ~;ealing
surface 266 ~ the po~et valve ~er 212 ~2ill close the ~.~ ~;eat
sur~ace o~ 1~e i~st ~Lxed valve seat m~rber 204, ~hile S~e seao~ seal~ng
sur~aoe 268' o~ the po~et valve ~r~er 214 ~ill ~os~ the ~lve seat
f;urface 289 of~ ~e ~eoond ~wvable Yalve seat m~er 21~. As will ~e
~ . .. . . . . . .
evi~nt from the di~cussions of ~he previous ~bodilænts, the ~al~e sea~
~u~face o the n~va~le valve ~at m~rber 210 will c~ose at or before the
closin~ oi~ the valve seat surface of the fix~d valve ~eat n~;~er 204,
~li5 feature i~i due in part to the di~sions of ~he fixed va~ e ~eat:
n~ers 20g ana 206 ~ic~ cause a imaller distance "~ ~:>etwe~ ~e pop~
valve mffr~ers 212-214 and the n~ le valve saat m~ers 20~210 ~n the
di5tance ~ n between the poppet valve ~ers and the fix~a v21v~ seat
26i6
~r~.
~ en the ~ at ~urfaoe of the first ff~ced valve seat ~er
204 i~ closed, fluid ~tion i~ pennitted between the ~nlet port 220
~nd the fl~;t outlet port 222 through the ~svities 2~0 ~nd 290. E'luid
c~ni~tion will i~o be E~e~nted bet~en the first outlet port 222 and
t~e first ~cha~t port ~26. ~e closure of the valve seat nu~f~:e 283 of
t~e se~nd m~vable valve seat me*er 210 will permit ~luid cc~nicat~on
betwe~ t~e s~on~l outlet port 224 and the second e~ st port 228. Fluid
cc~uni~tion will ol~o be Erev~te~ betwe~ the lnlet port 220 and the
secon~ outlet p~rt 224.
~ hen t~e a~Ltor 216 is artia~lat~ to the rlght, it sbould
~irst be ~oted t~at ~e se~nd mrltable ~alve E~eat ~10 w~ll be dr~m ~lon~
w~th t~e ~et valve ~er 214 un~l t~e flange p~on 288 engage~ the
second ~i~ed valve ~eat ~er 206. q~e sec~nd poppet valv~ ~er 214
~ill a)nt~n~ to ~ve to t~e right'until it~ urface 266' clo~;
the val~e seating ~urface Z~0 of the ~ea)nd fixed val~ eat ~er 206~
~gain, at or prior to the closing of thi6 val~e ~eat ~urfaoe, the ~ec~nd
~ealing ~urfaoe 268 o the p~ppet valve ~;ber 212 will c1~2 the valve
ng surfaoe ~ t~e first ~vable ~alve ~t n~e~ 208. ~ clo~3ure
of tlle Yalve seatinq ~urfaoe of ~e fir~t ~vable vrilve ~eat ~er 208
~Lll peD~it fluid cc~ni~tion be~ the fir~3t outlet port: 222 ~nd tl~e
~rst ~t port 226. Fluid oa~ni~tio~l ~ill ~so ~e pc~ted
~et~ 2e ~nlet port 220 ~ 2e fir~t outlet port 222. ~e clo~ure a~
~e valve ~eating ~uJ face 270 will pe~Dit ~luid cr~nica~ia~ bet~een t~e
~nlet port 220 and the second outlet p0rt 224. Pluid oc~ni~tion ~ill
also be E~evented between the ~e~nd outlet port 224 ~ e 13eaDnd
e~hau~t port 228.
It w~ll be a~eciat~ fr~ the ~rego~ descrlE~on that the
first and se~nd sealing ~urfaoes ~66-268 a~ the poppet v~Lve m~ers
212-~14 each de~ine a Er~letermirled surfaoe nrea ~ t whic~ a
.
.' 9
~i6~
pressurized fluid in the first chamber 230 of the housing
202 will apply an axially directed force. Since the
diameter "K" of the first sealing surface 266 is greater
than the diameter "L" of the second sealing surface 268,
the predetermined surface area defined by the first
sealing surface will be greater than that defined by the
second sealing surface. Thus, with the valve assembly
200 in the position shown in Figure 1, the fluid pressure
within the first chamber 230 will exert a greater force
on the poppet valve member 212 than on the poppet valve
member 214. Hence, there will be a net force acting in a
left axial direction to maintain the poppet valve member
212 in the position shown. Similarly, when the actuat~r
216 is shifted to the right as shown by t~e phantom
lines, the pressure exerted on the poppet valve member
214 will be greater than that exerted on the poppet valve
member 212. Thus, the resulting pressure imbalance will
maintain the valve assembly 200 stable in either of the
two positions without the need for the application of an
ongoing external force.
It should also be noted that the principles of
the present invention embodied ln the valve assembly 200
may be employed in other types of valve assemblies having
more than two poppet valve members or even one poppet
valve member. Thus, a poppet valve assembly according to
the present invention may include only a single poppet
valve member, a single fixed valve seat member and a
single movable valve seat member. It should also be
~2~ 6
appreciated that some of the principles of construction
employed in the previous two embodiments may be employed
in a valve assembly of the type shown in Figure 1.
Thus, there is provided by the present
invention a valve assembly which employ a plurality of
poppet valves mounted on a single actuating shaft and
designed to a seat on a combination of fixed and movable
valve seats whereby manufacturing tolerances may be
easily accommodated.
While it will be apparent that th~ preferred
embodiments of the invention disclosed are well
calculated to provide the advantages and features above
stated, it will be appreciated that the invention is
susceptible to modification, variation and change without
departing from the proper scope or fair meaning of the
subjoined claims.
