Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
1 31 6305
The invention relates to apparatus for cleaning
pipelines, and more particularly to improvements in
apparatus for cleaning pipelines of finite length. Still
more particularly, the invention relates to improvements
in apparatus which can be used to clean pipelines with
liquid cleaning agents, especially with liquid cleaning
agents which contain discrete cleaning elements in the
form of sponges or the like.
Commonly owned V.S. Pat. No. 4,607,410
discloses a cleaning apparatus with a four-way flow
reversing valve which can change the direction of flow of
a liquid cleaning agent through a pipeline of finite
length. For example, the cleaning agent is an alkaline
solution, an acid, tap water or a disinfectant. The
apparatus employs two cylindrical housings which are
connected to two ports of the valve and each of which is
connected or connectable to one end of a discrete
pipeline. The other ends of the pipelines are directly
or indirectly connected to each other in order to
establish a path for the flow of cleaning agent from one
housing, through the pipelines and into the other
housing. The cleaning elements which float in the stream
of cleaning fluid effect a movement of the valving
element in the four-way valve to a different position
when they enter one of the housings, and the flow of
cleaning agent is then reversed until the cleaning
elements reach the other housing, and so forth. If the
cleaning agent is tap water, spent water is simply
discharged by way of the outlet of the cleaning
apparatus. If the cleaning agent is an alkaline
1 31 6305
solution, an acid or a disinfectant, it is normally
gathered in a vessel, regenerated and reintroduced into
the pipeline or pipelines to be cleaned. The valving
j element of the four-way valve has a first port which
receives cleaning agent from a suitable source (such as a
water tap or the aforementioned vessel), and a second
port which communicates with the outl~t in one po~ition
of the valving element. When the direction of flow of
cleaning ayent is reversed, the first port communicates
with the outlet and the second port receives fresh
cleaning agent.
i The patented apparatus operates quite
satisfactorilyO However, the cost of the four-way valve
is high because the body of such valve is a comple~
structure which cannot be readily mass-produced in a
single operation. The body must be assembled of several
precision-finished parts which must be sealingly secured
to each other in order to prevent uncontrolled leakage of
fresh or spent cleaning agent.
German Pat. No. 689,234 to Wagner discloses a
cleaning apparatus which is connectable to two ends of a
pipeline and to a source of pressurized liquid cleaning
agent. The housing or body of the apparatus has a
longitudinally extending passage with ends connected to
the ends of the pipeline to be cleaned, and six radially
extending ports. Pairs of ports are connected to each
other by channels. A reciprocable valving element in the
passage of the body can establish or interrupt paths for
the flow of liquid between selected ports, and its ends
carry sieves for cleaning agent. The diameter of each
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sieve matches the diameter of the passage in the body.
When the interstices of one of the sieves are sealed by
cleaning elements in ~he body of liquid agent which fills
the pipeline to be cleaned, the pressure of cleaning
agent at the respec~ive axial end of the valving element
rises and the latter is caused to move axially to a
different position to thus establish communication
between different sets of ports in the body of the
patented apparatus and to thereby reverse the direction
of flow of cleaning agent in the pipeline.
Commonly owned German Pat. No. 33 47 003
discloses a method of and an apparatus for manipulating
cleaning elements which swim in and with the liquid
cleaning agent. When the apparatus is not in use, the
cleaning elements are immersed in a body of s~erilizing
liquid which is admixed to the cleaning agent when the
apparatus is put to renewed use. A similar method is
disclosed in the aforementioned commonly owned UOS~ Pat.
~o. 4,607,410.
German Auslegeschrift ~o. 25 48 308 of Cooper
discloses a rather complex system of valves which are to
be used in a hydrostatic system including a hydraulic
pump and a hydraulic motor and serving to drive motor
vehicles or to actuate heavy-duty machinery or other
types of machines. Cooper employs a system of valves
with two coaxial valves each of which has a discrete
movable valving element and which are designed to reverse
the direction of flow of a hydraulic fluid along its
path.
German Offenlegungsschrift No. 2 262 036 of '~
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K~rschner discloses ~ system of valves wherein a
reciprocable displacing element can lift one of two
spherical valving elements off its seat so as to connect
i a control line with that one of two conduits wherein the
I pressure of fluid is higher.
! U-S- Pat- ~o- 3~734,132 to K~hnelt discloses a
shuttle valve which can be used as a pneumatic selector
switch to alternately direct incoming impulses from one
input to either of two different outputs.
French Pat. No. 973,215 to Fioretti discloses a
valve which is to be used in motor vehicles and wherein a
solid cylindrical plunger is reciprocable in a valve body
j between two end positions to establish or interrupt the
! flow of fluid between selected ports of the body. The
purpose of the patented valve is to reduce the likelihood
of leakage of fluid and, to this end, the plunger is
surrounded by one or more annular seals which are made of
leather or another deformable material.
One feature of the present invention resides in
the provision of an apparatus for cleaning pipelines of
the type having a finite length and serving, for example,
, to convey beverages. Such pipelines are normally cleaned
¦ with a liquid cleaning agent which contains one or more
! cleaning elements, e.g., in the form of substantially
i spherical sponges or the like. The improved apparatus
comprises a shuttle valve including a body having inlet
means for a stream of cleaning agent which can be
admitted at a certain pressure, and outlet means for
spent cleaning agent. The valve further comprises a
sleeve which is integral with the body and has a
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cylindrical internal surface of constant diameter, a
first end and a second end. The valve also comprises a
channeled shuttle which is installed in the sleeve and
includes two sealing members (e.g., in the form of
collars) which are spaced apart from each other in the
axial direction of and are in sealiny con~act with the
internal surface of the sleeve. A portion of the shuttle
between the sealing members defines with the internal
surface a chamber (e.g., an annular chamber), and the
apparatus further comprises first hollow coupling means
for conveying cleaning fluid between the first end of the
sleeve and one end of a pipeline to be cleaned, and
second hollow coupling means for conveying cleaning agent
between the second end of the sleeve and the other end of
the pipeline to be cleaned. The cleaning agent can move
the shuttle in the sleeve between a first position in
which the shuttle establishes communication between the
inlet means and the first coupling means as well as
between the second coupling means and the outlet means by
way of the chamber, and a second position in which the
shuttle establishes communication between the inlet means
and the second coupling means as well as between the
first coupling means and the outlet means by way of the
chamber.
The outlet means has an intake end which is or
; can be in permanent communication with the chamber, and
the inlet means has a dischar~e end which is or can be
maintained in sealing engagement with the aforementioned
portion of the shuttle. ~uch portion of the shuttle has
a first port in communication with the first coupling
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means and a second port in communication with the second
coupling means. The inlet means can include a nipple
which is provided with the aforementioned discharge end
and communicates only wi~h the first port in the first
position and only with the second port in the second
~ position of the shuttle. The first port communicates
i with the chamber in the second position of the shuttle,
and the second port communicates with the chamber in ~he
first position of the shu~tle. The inlet means can
further comprise a portion which is rigid (for example,
integral) with the body of the shu~tle valve. Such
portion of the inlet means and the nipple of the inlet
means can be provided with mating threads so that the
nipple can be moved axially with reference to the
aforementioned portion of the inlet means (i.e., with
reference to the body of the shuttle valve), and the
apparatus preferably further comprises means (e.g., one
or more nuts) for releasably locking the nipple in a
selected axial position with reference to the body and
with reference to the aforementioned portion of the inlet
means.
The aforementioned portion of the shuttle can
be provided with an elongated groove which extends in
substantial parallelism with the axis of the internal
surface, and the discharge end of the nipple preferably
extends into such groove. The with of the groove
preferably matches or closely approximates the diameter
of the discharge end of the nipple, and such discharge
end preferably abuts a bottom surface which forms part of
the aforementioned portion of the shuttle and i5 located
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at the innermost end of the groove. The ports are or can
be provided in the bottom surface. The aforementioned
portion of thP shuttle can be further provided with a
first concave surface which is disposed in the groove
adjacent the first port, and with a second concave
surface which is disposed in the groove adjacent the
second port. The preferably cylindrical external surface
of the discharge end of the nipple abuts and sealingly
engages ths first concave surface in the firs~ position
and the second concave surface in the second position of
the shuttle.
At least that part of the aforementioned
portion of the shuttle which defines the groove has a
maximum transverse dimension (e.g., a maximum diameter),
as seen at right angles to the axis of the cylindrical
internal surface, which is less than the constant
diameter of the internal surface. 'rhis results in the
establishment or formation of the aforementioned chamber
which is in communication with one of the ports in each
of the two positions of the shuttle and which is in
permanent communication with the outlet means of the
body.
Each of the coupling means can comprise an
annular member on the body of the shuttle valve and an
adapter which is separably connected with the annular
member and is connectable with the respective end of a
pipeline which requires cleaning. Each annular member
can form part of a bayonet mount or a like mount and can
include arcuate rigid sections and elastic or partly
elastic sections which alternatP with the rigid sections
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in the circumferential direction of the respective
annular member. The body of the shuttle valve and the
I elastic sections of each annular member can define
¦ clearances (e.g., in the foxm of 810~s) for reception of
cams on the respective adapter. Such clearances can be
disposed axially inwardly of the respective elastic
sections, and at least one elastic section of each
annular member can include portions of different
thicknesses as considered in the radial direction of the
respective annular member. Such portions of different
thickness can serve several purposes, for example, to
; more reliably hold the cams of the respective adapters as
j well as to ensure that each adapter can be fixed in a
-~ selected angular position with reference to the body of
the shuttle valve.
The valve can be further provided with a
support for its body, e.g., to separably or permanently
affix the valve to the floor in a cellar or elsewhere
where the pipelines to be cleaned are normally installed
or put to use. For example, the support can include two
legs having surfaces which slope in a direction
substantially toward the axis of the cylindrical internal
surface of the sleeve. Each of the legs can include two
mutually inclined portions one of which is rigid (for
example, integral) with the body of the shuttle valve.
The support can further include reinforcing means (e.g.,
one or ~ore ribs) extending between one portion of one of
the ~egs and one portion of the other leg. The other
portions of the legs can be provided with holes for the
shanks of nuts, bolts or like fasteners which can secure
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1 31 63~5
the body of the shuttle valve to a f]oor, to a beam, to a
table or to any other holder for the support.
Another feature of the invention resides in the
provision of an apparatus which can be used to clean
pipelines of finite length, particularly pipelines which
serve to convey bevera~es or the like and are normally
cleaned with a liquid cleaning agent which contains one
or more cleaning elements, such as the aforementioned
spherical sponge or sponges. The apparatus comprises a
shuttle valve including a body having inlet means for at
least one stream of fresh cleaning agent, outlet means
for spent cleaning agent, and a cylindrical internal
surface with a first end and a second end. The valve
further comprises a shuttle which is installed in the
body and includes first and second sealing members which
are spaced apaxt from each other in the axial direction
of and are in sealing contact with the internal surface
of the body. The shuttle fur~her includes a portion
which is disposed between the sealing members and deines
with the internal surface a preferably annular chamber,
and the shuttle also comprises first and second
extensions which have end faces facing away from the
aforementioned portion of the shuttle. The first sealing
member is disposed between the first extension and the
aforementioned portion of the shuttle, and the second
sealing member is disposed between the second extension
and the aforementioned portion of the shuttle. This
portion of the shuttle has first and second ports, and
the shuttle is further provided with first and second
channels which extend between the first and second ports
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;
and the end faces of the first and second extensions,
respectively. The maximum diameter of the shuttle
preferably equals or very closely approximates the
diameter of the internal surface of the body, and the
diameters of the extensions are preferably smaller (even
much smaller) than the maximum diameter of the shuttle.
The apparatus further comprises first hollow coupling
means disposed at the first end of the internal surface
of the body and defining an internal space serving to
convey cleaning agent between the first channel and one
end of a pipeline to be cleaned, and second hollow
coupling means defining a second internal space which is
disposed at the second end of the internal surface of the
body and serves to convey cl~aning agent between the
second channel and the other end of the pipeline to be
cleaned. The shuttle is movable with reference to the
body of the shuttle valve between a first position in
which the inlet means admits cleaning agent into the
first port and such cleaning agent flows toward and into
the outlet means by way of the first channel, first
internal space, the pipeline between the first and second
coupling means, second internal space, second channel,
second port and the chamber, and a second position in
which the inlet means admits one or more streams of
cleaning agent into the second pcrt and such cleaning
agent flows toward and into the outlet means by way of
the second channel, second internal space, the pipeline
between the first and second coupling means, first
internal space, first channel, first port and chamber.
The second extension is at least partially received in
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the second internal space in the first position of the
sh~lttle, and the first extension is at least partially
received in the first internal space in the second
position of the shuttle.
The internal spaces can be bounded by internal
` surfaces having diameters which equal or only slightly
j exceed the diameters of the respective extensions so that
a cleaning element cannot pass between either of the
extensions and the respective coupling means, i.e., each
cleaning element remains in the coupling means or in the
pipeline between the coupling means.
, one end of each channel is preferably disposed
j at least substantially centrally of the respective end
I face, such one end of at least one of the channels can
have a substantially cruciform shape, and at least one of
the end faces is preferably conical so that a cleaning
element which happens to impinge upon an end face is
steered toward and seals the end of the respective
channel. This raises the pressure of cleaning agent in
the respective internal space, and the pressurized
cleaning agent shifts the shuttle with reference to the
~ body of the ~huttle valve. In other words, that end of
¦ at least one of the channels which is disposed in the
¦ respective end face is preferably configurated and
dimensioned in such a way that it can be sealed by a
single cleaning element, e.g., by a single spherical
sponge, especially if the respective end face is conical
so that it ac~ually steers an oncoming cleaning element
toward the end of the respective channel.
Each extension can include a head or platform
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1 31 6305
and a shank between the head and the respective sealingmember.
As mentioned above, ~ach coupling means can
comprise an adapter and a bayonet mount or an analogous
mount. The adapter is separably connectable to one end
of a pipeline to be cleaned, and the bayonet mount serves
to separably connect the adapter to the body of the
shuttle valve.
The novel features which are considered as
characteristic of the invention are set forth in
particular in the appended claims. The improved cleaning
apparatus itself, however, both as to its construction
i and its mode of operation, together with additional
! features and advantages thereof, will be best understood
; upon perusal of the following detailed d scription of
certain presently preferred specific embodiments with
reference to the accompanying drawing.
FIG. 1 is a partly end elevational and partly
transverse vertical sectional view of an apparatus which
embodies one form of the invention, with the adapter of
~` one of the coupling means removed;
FIG. 2 is a partly side elevational and partly
longitudinal vertical sectional view of the apparatus of
FIG. l;
FIG. 3 shows the apparatus of FIGS. 1 and 2 in
a full longitudinal vertical sectional view, with the
shuttle in the first position;
FIG. 4 is an elevational view of the shuttle;
FIG. 5 is a transverse sectional view as seen
in the direceion of arrows from the line C-D of FIG. 4;
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FIG. 6 is a partly elevational and partly axial
sectional view of the shuttle in a different angular
position; and
FIG. 7 is an end elevational view of the
shuttle as seen from the left-hand side of FIG. 6.
FIGS. 1 to 3 show an apparatus which can be
used to clean pipelines for beverages or ~he like.
Pipelines which are to be cleaned with the improved
apparatus are of finite length (see the drawing of
commonly owned U.S. Pat. No. 4,607,410), i.e., each such
pipeline has two end~ one of which receives a stream of
liquid cleaning agent and the other of which discharges
cleaning agent or vice versa. The cleaning agent can be
an acid, an alkaline solution, water or a sterilizing
fluid, and such cleaning agent can carry one or more
cleaning elements (one shown at 36 in the left-hand part
of FIG. 3) in the form of spherical and/or otherwise
configurated spon~es or the IiXe.
The improved apparatus comprises a novel and
improved shuttle valve 1, a first coupling device which
serves to separably connect the body 2 of the valve 1
with one end of a pipeline to be cleaned, and a second
coupling device which serves to separably connect the
body 2 with the other end of the pipeline to be cleaned.
Ths valve 1 includes an inlet having a first portion 3
which is rigid (preferably integral) with the body 2, and
a second portion in the form of a nipple 14 which is
separably connected with the portion 3 by threads 13 and
is held in a selected axial position with referen~e to
the portion 3 and body 2 by a locking device 35 in the
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form of a nut. The body 2 is rigid (preferably integral)
with an outlet 4 for spent cleaning agent. When th~
apparatus is in use, a stream of fresh cleaning agent
enters the body 2 by way of the inlet 3, 14 and flows
into one end of a pipeline to be cleaned by way of one of
~ the two coupling devices to enter the other coupling
i device after having passed through the pipeline, and such
) spent cleaning agent then leaves the body 2 by way of the
outlet 4. The shuttle valve 1 can automatically reverse
the direction of flow of cleaning agent in cooperation
with one or more cleaning elements 36 and the cleaning
agent so that the cleaning agent then flows from the
inlet 3, 14 toward and into the other end of the pipeline
to be cleaned (by way of the other coupling device) to
leave the pipeline by way of the one end and to be
dischaxged via outlet 4 after having passed ~hrough the
one coupling d~vice.
The first coupling device comprises an annular
member 9 on the body 2 at one axial end of a one-piece
sleeve 26 of the body 2, and a hollow adapter 10 which
can be separably connected to the annular member 9 and
has a threaded end portion 20 connectable with one end of
a pipeline to be cleaned. The other coupling device
comprises an annular member 9 which is a mirror image of
the annular member of the first coupling device, and a
hollow adapter 10' which can be separably connected to
the body 2 by way of the respective annular me~ber 9 and
has a threaded end portion 20 for connection to the
respective end of a pipeline to be cleaned. Each annular
member 9 can be said to form part of a bayonet mount or
`` 1 31 6305
an analogous mount which can establish a quick-release
, connection between the body 2 of the shuttle valve 1 and
I the respective adapter 10 or 10'. Each such annular
I member is integral with the body 2 and includes rigid
! arcuate sections 11 which alternate with elastic
! (deformable) sections 12. Each of ~he two adapter~ 10,
; 10' comprises an annulus of cams 21 whi~h are inserted
into the respective annular member 9 in such positions
~' that they are at flrst inwardly adjacent the rigid
10 sections 11. The adapter 10 or 10' is then turned with
reference to the corresponding annular member 9 (arrow 23
in FIG. 1) so that the cams 21 are adjacent ~he inner
axial ends of adjacent elastic sections 12 (note
particularly FIG. 3) to thereby hold the adapter on the
body 2. The inner or rear ends of the elastic sections
12 are spaced apart from and define with adjacent
portions of the body slots 22 for the cams 21 of the
respective adapters. The elastic sections 12 are
deformed axially in response to penetration of cams 21
20 into the respective slots 22 so that the adapters 10, 10'
are reliably and substantially sealingly but separably
secured to the body 2 of the shuttle valve 1.
The thickness of elastic sect.ions 12 (as seen
in the radial direction o~ the respective annular members
9) is not constant. Thus, and as can be seen in FIG. 1,
the elastic sections 12 have notches 24 bounded by
substantially semicylindrical surfaces and serving to
receive portions of external projections in the form of
axially parallel wings 25 provided on the adapters 10,
10'. The wings 25 locate the respective adapters in
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1 31 6305
predeter~ined angular positions with r~ference to the
body 2. The wings 25 further serve the purpose of
facilitating turning of the adapters 10, 10' in order to
I connect the adapters with or to disconnect the adapters
! from the body 2 and/or to threadedly connect the end
portions 20 of the adapters to or to disconnect such end
portions 20 from the ends of a pipeline.
The body 2 of the valve 1 includes the
one-piece cylindrical sleeve 26 which has a continuous
cylindrical internal surface with a diameter which
matches or closely approximates the maximum diameter D
(FIG. 6) of a shuttle 5. The latter is reciproc ble in
the sleeve 26 between a first axial position which is
shown in FIG. 3 and a second axial position to the right
of the ~irst axial position. The shuttle 5 has two
axially spaced apart sealing members 5a, 5b in the form
of collars having circumferentially complete peripheral
grooves for annular sealing elements 42, 43 ~FIG. 6)
which are in sealing engagement with the cylindrical
internal surface of the sleeve ~6. The smaller-diameter
portion 39 of the shuttle 5 between the sealing members
5a, 5b constitutes a valving element and its peripheral
surface is formed with an elongated axially parallel
groove 17 bounded in part by a flat bottom surface and in
part by concave surfaces 46, one at each longitudinal end
of the groove 17. The sealing member Sb is inwardly
adjacent a first substantially mushroom-shaped extension
41 of the shuttle 5, and the sealing member 5a is
inwardly adjacent a second substantially mushroom-shaped
extension 40. ~ach exeension hau a substantially disc-
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shaped head with a concave end face (7, 7') facing away
from the valving elemen~ 39, and a shank 38, 37 which
connects the head with the respective sealing member (5b,
5a). The shuttle 5 is further formed with two radially
extending ports 18, 19 which extend inwardly from the
aforementioned flat bottom surface in the groove 17 and
respectively communicate with axially parallel channels
8, 8'. The channel 8 extends through the shank 38 and
' has a substantially cruciform end 6 in the center of the
; 10 concave end face 7 of the head of extension 41. The
channel 8' extends from the port 19 through the shank 37
and has a substantially cruciform end 6' (see
particularly FIG. 7) in the central portion of the
concave end face 7' of the head of the extension 40.
Each and every portion of each of the two channels 8, 8'
can have a cruciform cross-sectional outline.
The valving element 39 and the adjacent portion
of the cylindrical internal surface of the sleeve 26
define an annular chamber 27 which is in permanent
communication with the passage of the outlet 4 and
communicates with one of the ports 18, 19 in each of the
two end positions of the shuttle 5. When the shuttle 5
is held in the left-hand end position of FIG. 3, the port
18 is sealed from the chamber 27 by the adjacent
discharge end 15 of the nipple 14 and the port 19
communicates with the passage of the outlet 4 via chamber
27. When the shuttle 5 i5 caused to assume the other
(right-hand) end position, the discharge end 15 of the
nipple 14 communica~es with the port 19 and seals this
port from the chamber 27; at the same time, the port 18
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1 3 1 6305
communicates with the passage of the outlet 4 by way of
the chamber 27.
When the shuttle 5 assumes the end position of
FIG. 3, the extension 40 is received in the internal
space 44 of the adapter 10'. The diameter dl (FIG. 6) of
the head of the extension 40 is only slightly smaller
than ~he diameter d2 (FIG. 3~ of the cylindrical internal
surface bounding the internal space 44 of the adapter 10'
or the internal space 45 of the adapter 10. At any rate,
the gap between the head of the extension 41 or 40 and
the internal surface of the adapter 10 or 10' is too
small to permit penetration of a cleaning element 36 into
the annular space between the head of the extension 41 or
40 and the adjacent sealing member 5b or 5a. In other
words, the cleaning elements 36 can float back and forth
between the concave end faces 7, 7' by flowing in a
direction from the end face 7, through the internal space
45, through the pipeline to be cleaned, through the
internal spac~ 44 and against the end face 7' or in the
opposite directionO
FIG. 1 shows that the hollow cylindrical
discharge end 15 of the nipple 14 forming part of the
two-piece inlet 3, 14 of the valve 1 extends:radially
inwardly beyond he portion 3 of the inlet and has a
cylindrical peripheral surface which is snugly received
in the elongated groove 17 of the valving element 39 in
such a way that its end face abuts the bottom surface in
the groove. When the shuttle 5 is held in the end
position of FIG. 3, the cylindric~l peripheral surface of
; 30 the dischar~e end lS of the nipple sealing engages the
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1 31 6305
respective concave (preferably semicylindrical) surface
46 of the valving element 39. The peripheral surface of
the discharge end 15 sealingly engages the other concave
surface 46 in the groove 17 when the shuttle 5 is moved
to the other end position in which the inlet 3, 14 admits
fresh cleaning agent into the port 19 whence the cleaning
, a~ent flows through the channel 7' into the internal
i space 44 of the adapter 10' on its way into the pipeline
to be cleaned. By loosening the lock nut 35, an operator
can change the axial position of the nipple 14 with
reference to the other portion 3 of the inlet so as to
¦ prevent excessive frictional engagement between the
¦ nipple 14 and the valving element 39, ~o compensate for
wear upon the bottom surface in ~he groove 17 and/or upon
the end face of the discharge end 15 and/or to prevent
excessive leakage of fresh cleaning agent from the
passage of the nipple 14 into the annular chamber 27
(which is in permanent communication with the passage of
the outlet 4).
The body 2 of the shuttle valve 1 is integral
with a support 30 which has two legs serving to secure
the valve to the floor in a cellar or elsewhere in proper
position for attachment of the adapters 10, 10' to two
end portions of a pipeline to be cleaned and for
attachment of the adapters 10, 10' to the respective
annular members 9. Each leg has a first section or
portion 31 with external surfaces sloping toward the axis
of the sleeve 2, and a second portion 32 which is
inclined with reference to the portion 31 and has one or
more holes 34 for the shanks of screws or bolts (not
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1 31 6305
shown3 serving to secure the body 2 to a horizontal
floor, to the horizontal top of a table or platform or to
any other carrier of the support 30. The latter further
comprises a reinforcing rib 33 which extends between the
downwardly and outwardly sloping portions 31 of the two
legs. The illustrated support 30 is compact, sturdy and
practical because it affords convenient access to
fasteners in the holes 34 without unduly increasing the
space requirements of the apparatus.
The inlet 3, 14 and outlet 4 are disposed
opposite each other (FIG. 1), and the two annular members
9 and the respective adapters 10, 10' are disposed at the
two axial ends of the sleeve 26.
FIG. 3 shows the shuttle 5 in that end position
in which the inlet 3, 14 admits fresh liquid cleaning
agent into the port 18 of the valving element 39. At the
same time, the discharge end 15 of the nipple 14
cooperates with the valving element 39 to seal the port
18 from the chamber 27. The latter communicates with the
20 passage of the outlet 4 and with the port 19. A stream
of fresh cleaning agent flows from the port 18, through
the channel 8, through the internal space 45 of the
adapter 10, through the pipeline the ends of which are
sealingly connected to the end portions 20 of the
adapters 10, 10', through the internal space 44 of the Z
adapter 10', through the channel 8', through the port 19l
through the chamber 27 and into the passage of the outlet
4. one or more cleaning elements 36 which happen to be
in the in~ernal space 45 of the adapter 10 flow ~hrough
30 the p~peline to be cleaned and enter the internal space
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44 of the adapter 10'. At such time, the extension 40 of
the shuttle 5 projects into the internal spac~ 44 so that
the foremo~t floating cleaning element 36 impinges upon
the concave and face 7' and is steered toward the
adjacent cruciform outer end 6' of the channel 8. The
diameter of the illustrated cleaning element 36, the
deformability of this cleaning elemen~, the configuration
of the end 6' and the dimensions of the end 6' are
selected in such a way that a single cleaning element 36
can seal or substantially seal the channel 8' from ~he
internal space 44 whereby the pressure in the interior of
the adapter 10' rises because spent cleaning agent can no
longer flow into the channel 8' and thence into the
passage or the outlet 4. Thus, the rate of flow of
cleaning agent into the chamber 27 is reduced to such an
extent tha~ the body of liquid cleaning agent in the
internal space 44 acts upon the end face 7' and shifts
the shuttle S to the other end position (not shown) in
which the discharge end 15 of the nipple 14 admits fresh
cleaning agent into the port 19 and the port 18
communicates with the chamber 27. At the same time, the
extension 41 of the shuttle 5 moves into or deeper into
the internal space 45 of the adapter 10. The cleaning
agent then flows from the inlet 3, 14, through the port
19, channel 8', internal space 44, pipeline to be
cleaned, internal space 45, channel 8, port 18, chamber
27 and into the passage of the outlet 4. This induces
the advancement of one or more cleaning elements 36 from
the internal space 44, through the pipeline (which is
cleaned by the cleaning agent and by the cleaning element
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or elements 36) and into the internal space 45 where a
cleaning element 36 impingeæ upon and is centered by the
concave end face 7 to thereby seal the adjacent cruciform
outer end 6 of the channel 8. The pressure of cleaning
agent in the internal space 45 rises and the pressurized
cleaning agent shifts the shuttle 5 back to the position
of ~IG. 3. The same procedure is repeated again and
again as long as the inlet 3, 14 continues to supply
fresh cleaning agent, i.e., the shuttle 5 moves back and
forth between the two end positions which are determined
by the length of the groove 17 in the valving element 39.
It has been found that a single cleaning
element 36 suffices to effectively seal the outer end 6
or 6' of the channel 8 or 8' and to bring about immediate
shifting of the shuttle 5 from the one to the other end
position. The relatively small difference between the
diameter of a cleaning element 36 and the diameter dl
of the extension 40 or 41 also contributes to predictable
and rapid shifting of the shuttle 5 as soon as a cleaning
~0 element 36 reaches the end face 7 or 7'. As mentioned
above, the concave end faces 7, 7' actually steer (or at
least facilitate a movement of) the cleaning element 36
toward the outer end 6 or 6' of the channel 8 or 8'. The
placing of the outer ends 6, 6' of channels 8, 8' into
the central portions of the respective end faces 7, 7'
also contribute~ to guidance of a cleaning element 36
toward the outer end 6 or 6' because the stream of
cleaning agent flows toward and through the central
portion of the extension 40 or 41.
As mentioned above, the end portion 15 of the
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nipple 14 cooperates with the concave surfaces 46 in the
groove 17 of the valving element 39 to determine the
extent of axial movability of the shuttle 5 between its
¦ two end positions. In addition to such means for
! determining the two end positions of the shuttle 5, the
! sealing members 5a, 5b can cooperate with internal
shoulders 47 of the adjacent adapters 10', 10 to arrest
the shuttle in the respective end positions. FIG. 3
shows that the left-hand sealing member 5a abuts the
internal shoulder of the adapter 10' and that the right-
hand sealing member 5b is spaced apart from the internal
shoulder 47 of the adapter 10.
The configuration and positioning of each of
the two concave surfaces 46 in the groove 17 of the
valving element 39 are such that the passaye of the
nipple 14 is in exact register with the port 18 when the
cylindrical peripheral surface of the discharge end 15
abuts one of the concave surfaces 46, and that ~he
passage of the nipple 14 is in exact alignment with the
port 19 when the peripheral surface of the discharge end
15 abuts the other concave surface 46.
An advantage of the improved apparatus is its
simplicity. Thus, the entire body 2 (including the
sleeve 26) can constitute a one-piece part which is
normally made of a plastic material. Since the axial
hole of the sleeve 26 is preferably bounded by a
continuous cylindrical internal surface of constant
diameter, the finished body 2 can be readily removed from
a mold or form. This renders it possible to complete the
making of the entire body 2 in a single operation, e.g.,
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in an injection molding machine.
Another advantage of the improved cleaning
apparatus is that the sleeve 26 enhances the stability of
the body 2 and of the entire shuttle valve 1. This is
due to the fact that the sleeve 26 is or can be made of a
single piece of plastic or another suitable material and
need not exhibit any seams which would weaXen th~ body 2
and/or increase the likelihood of uncontrolled leakage of
conveyed cleaning agent. The making of a body 2 with a
simple one-piece sleeve 26 is possible because the
chamber 27 is located within the confines of the sleeve.
Moreover, and since the ports 18, 19 and channel~ 8, 8'
are provided in the shuttle 5 rather than in the body 2,
the valve 1 can be provided with a relatively small and
compact body.
A further advantage of the improved cleaning
; apparatus is that the movements of the shuttle 5 between
its two end positions take place with a high degree of
predictabili~y even though the apparatus is simpler, more
compact and less expensive than heretofore known
apparatus. The parts of the cleaning apparatus can be
mass produced in available machines.
An advantage of the two piece inlet 3, 14 is
that the body 2 can be readily removed from the cavity of
a mold or the like because the nipple 14 is a separately
produced part. Moreover, the composite inlet 3, 14
exhibits the advantage than an operator can readily
compensate for wear upon the di~charge end 15 of the
nipple 14 and/or upon the surfaces bounding the groove 17
in the valving element 39 after a certain period of use
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of the improved cleaning apparatus. The outer end 16 of
the nipple 14 can be connected to the end of a hose or a
like part which serves to supply fresh cleaning agent,
e.g., an alkaline solution, an acid, fresh tap water, hot
water or a disinfectant. The nipple 14 conveys fresh
cleaning agent all the way to the port 18 or 19 of the
valving element 39 so that the likelihood of excessive
leakage of fresh cleaning agent on its way into the
channel 8 or 8' is practically nil.
The lock nut 35 enables an operator to locate
and retain the nipple 14 in a selected axial position to
thus prevent leakage of fresh cleaning agent and/or
excessive wear upon the discharge end 15 and valving
element 39 as well as to compensate for wear. The
likelihood of lea~age of fresh cleaning agent and/or of
penetration of spent cleaning agent into the port which
registers with the passage of the nipple 15 is further
reduced due to the fact that ~he ports 18, 19 are
provided in the bottom surface of the valving element 39,
i.e., in the deepmost portion of the groove 17, and
because the discharge end 15 of the nipple 14 ~xtends all
the way into the groove 17 and is in or close to actual
sealing engagement with the bottom surface in addition to
being in sealing engagement with one of the concave
surfaces 46 in each of the two end positions of the
shuttle 5. As mentioned above, the concave surfaces 46
can constitute semicylindrical surfaces. The radius of
curvature of each semicylindrical surface 46 preferably
matches or closely approximates the radius of the
peripheral surface of the discharge end 15 of the nipple
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14 to thus ensure the establishment of large-area sealing
engage~ent between one of the surfaces 46 and the
discharge end 15 in each of the two end positions of the
shuttle 5.
The capacity of the chamber 27 need not be
substantial, i.e., it is not necessary to enlarge the
- inner diameter of the sleeve 26 and the maximum diameter
D of the shuttle 5 for the express purpose of providing a
relatively large chamber 27 which establishes a pa~h for
the flow of cleaning agent between the passage of
the outlet 4 and the port 18 or 19.
At least the arcuate rigid sections 11 of the
annular members 9 can constitute integral parts of the
body 2. This contributes to lower cost of the valve 1
and of the entire apparatus. The annular members 9
render it possible to ensure the attachment of adapters
10, 10' to and their detachment from the body 2 in a
simple and time-saving operation. All that is necessary
is to move an adapter axially and to thereupon turn the
adapter in or counter to the direction o arrow 23. The
matexial of the body 2 can be selected in such a way that
; the sections 12 of the annular members 9 exhibi* a
certain amoun~ of elasticity because they are separated
from the body 2 by clearances or slots 22. This ensures
that the sections 12 can undergo deformation which is
necessary or desirable in order to guarantee reliable
retention of the adapters 10, 10' in their operative
positions. At the same time, the adapters can be readily
detached from the body 2 for the purpose of cleaning
a~d/or inspection. The sections 12 yield to the cams 21
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of the adapters 10, 10' duxing angular movement of
adapters with reference to the body 2. When the angular
movement is terminated, the elastic sections 12 tend to
! reassume their undeformed condition and ~o thus obstruct
angular movement of adapters away from engagement with
the body 2. Turning of the adapters (in or counter to
the direction of arrow 23) ensures that the adjacent
portions of wings 25 snap into the respective notches .24
and retain the adapters in optimum angular positions with
, 10 reference to the body 2. The wings 25 of the adapters
and the notches 24 of the elastic sections 12 constitute
simple but effective male and female detent elements
which maintain the adapters in engagement with the body 2
at the respective axial ends of the sleeve 26.
The diameter of that portion of each annular
member ~ which is composed of elastic sections 12 is
smaller than the diameter of the portion which is formed
by the rigid sections 11. This ensures that the elastic
sections 12 are outwardly adjacent the cams 21 upon
completed axial movement of the adapters at which time
the cams 21 are aligned with and can enter the ~djacent
slots 22 behind the elastic sections 12. The length of
each arcuate rigid section 11 (in the circumferential
direction of the re~pective annular member 9) preferably
exceeds the length of a cam 21. On the other hand, the
length of each elastic section 12 can equal or
approximate the length of a cam 21. The dimensions of
the cams 21 and those of the slots 22 ~and the distance
of sections 12 from the body 2 in the axial direction of
the sleeve 26) are selected in such a way that the cams
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21 are receivable in and can be reliably retained in the
respective slots 22 until and unless the operator decides
to turn an adapter relative to the body 2 in order to
detach the adapter from the valve 1. At least some
deformation of elastic sections 12 in the axial direction
of the sleeve 26 preferably take~ place during movement
of cams 21 into the respective slots 22 in order to
ensure that the section~ 12 remain stressed and oppose
accidental separation of adapters 10, 10' from the body
2. Attachment of adapters 10, 10' to and their
detachment from the body 2 can be readily carried out by
hand. The provision of wings 25 facilitates the task of
the operator because such wings can be readily qrasped
while an adapter is being turned relative to the body 2
and/or vice versa as well as for convenience of insertion
of cams 21 in the axial direction of the sleeve 26.
The support 30 or an equivalent support
constitutes an optional but desirable feature of the
valve 1. This support renders it possible to fixedly
install the body 2 in a cellar for beer barrels or wine
casks. Reliable mounting of the body 2 on the floor or
elsewhere when the apparatus is in use is desirable in
order to reduce the likelihood of automatic migration of
the body in response to repeated movements of the shuttle
5 between its end positions. The aforediscussed
configuration of the legs (31 ~ 32) which form part of
the support 30 renders it possible to make these legs
integral with the body 2 during shaping of the body in an
injection molding or another suitable machine. The
mutual inclination of the two portions 31, 32 of each leg
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enhances the stability of the legs and the convenience of
attachment of leg portions 32 to a floor or the like.
The rib 33 enhances the stability of the entire support
30 as well as of the body 2.
As a rule, the cleaning apparatus will confine
in actual use a number of cleaning elements 36 because
such cleaning elements contribute to removal of
contaminants from the internal surface of the pipeline
which is connected with the end portions 20 of the
10 adapters 10 and 10l. While it is possible to connect
each of the ports 18, 19 and the respective end face
(7, 7'~ by way of two or more channels ~8 and 8'), a
relatively small number of channels (each of which has a
single outer end (6, 6') in the xespective end face
(7, 7') is preferred at this time because this enhances
the predictability of movement of shuttle 5 between its
two end positions in practically immediate response to
impingement of a cleaning element 36 upon the end face 7
or 7' in such position that the cleaning element 36 at
20 least substantially seals the internal space 44 or 45
from the respective channel 8 or 8'. At the very least,
a cleaning element 36 which impinges upon the central
portion of the concave end face 7 or 7' throttles the
flow of cleaning agent to such an extent that the
pressure of cleaning agent in the internal space 44 or 45
rises to a value which is nece sary to induce the shuttle
5 to move from the one to the other end position.
Friction between the sealing elements 42, 43 and the t
internal surface of the sleeve 2 normally suffices to
30 prevent accidental (premature) axial displacement of the
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shuttle 5 from the one to the other end position or vice
versa.
It is also within the purview of the invention
to design the head of each of the extensions 40, 41 in
the form of a sieve with a large number of interstices or
perforations for the flow of cleaning agent between the
channel 8 and the internal space 45 as well as between
the channel 8' and the internal space 44. ~Iowever, and
especially if the perforations or interstices are
distributed over the en~ire end faces 7 and 7', it takes
a relatively large number of spherical cleaning elements
36 (or otherwise configurated and/or dime~sioned cleaning
elements) to seal a requisite number of perforations or
interstices before the pressure in the internal space 44
or 45 rises sufficiently to ensure that the cleaning
agent can move the shuttl~ 5 from the one to the other
end position. Thus, i the heads of extensions 40, 41
are sieves and the number of cleaning elements in the
path between the end faces 7 and 7' (including the path
portion in the pipeline to be cleaned) is relatively
small, the shuttle 5 will be caused to reciprocate at a
lower frequency and the cleaning action will be less
uniform and is likely to last longer.
The~frequency of reciprocation of the shuttle 5
between its end position can be increased by the simple
expedient of placing the outer ends 6 and 6' of the
channels 8 and 8' at the centers of the respective
concave end faces 7, 7' and by designing the extensions
40, 41 and the adapters 10, 10' in such a way that the
maximum diameter ~ of the shuttle S appreciably exceeds
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the diameters dl of the h~ads of extensions 40, 41 and
the diameters d2 of surfaces bounding the internal spaces
44, 45 of the adapters 10' and 10. The making of the
shuttle 5 in such a way that the maximum diameter D is
, much greater than the diameters dl of the extensions 40,
¦ 41 is particularly desirable and advantageous if the
~ chamber 27 is confined within the sleeve 26, i.eO, when
! the diameter D of the shuttle 5 must be increased in
order to ensure the establishment of a chamber 27 having
a requisite capacity for reception of a certain quantity
, of cleaning agent which flows from the port 18 or 19
¦ toward and into the passage of the ou~let 4.
The adapters 10, 10' can be made of a
transparent or translucent plastic material so that
they permit observation of the axial position of the
shuttle 5.
The channels 8, 8' can bu~ need no~ have a
cruciform cross-sectional outline. However, such cross-
sectional outline i8 preferred at the present time-
because the form or cavity in which the shuttle S is madecan be provided with or can receive a stable core for the
making of channels 8 and 8'. In addit:ion, a single
spherical cleaning element 36 can be used to seal the end
6' of the channel 8' or the end 6 of the channel 8. The
shuttle 5 can be mass-produced in an injection molding or
other suitable machine.
An advantage of extensions 40, 41 which include
relatively thin flat heads and smaller-diameter shanks
37, 38 is that such design contributes to a reduction of
the weight of the shuttle 5 and renders it possible to
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achieve substantial savings in material without affecting
the stability of the shuttle. Moreover, such design of
the extensions 40, 41 is desirable and advantageous for
1, convenience of the injection molding operation.
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