Fluid handling – Line condition change responsive valves – With separate connected fluid reactor surface
Utility Patent
1999-06-25
2001-01-02
Lee, Kevin (Department: 3753)
Fluid handling
Line condition change responsive valves
With separate connected fluid reactor surface
Utility Patent
active
06167906
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to valves and, more particularly, to a bi-directional flow control valve which provides improved flow control characteristics.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Flow control valves are frequently used to regulate flow through piping systems and the like. In one type of flow control valve, an electromagnetic actuator in the form of a solenoid is utilized to regulate flow through a cooperating valve assembly. Such actuators ordinarily comprise a hollow guide tube with a passageway formed therein, an electrically energizable solenoid coil wrapped around the guide tube, and a magnetic armature or a plunger slidably disposed within the passageway of the guide tube and interacting with the valve assembly. When an electric current is passed through the solenoid coil, a magnetic field (or flux) is produced within the guide tube which moves the armature along the passageway and causes flow through the valve assembly which is proportional to the current applied to the coil. Such flow control valves provide controllable flow in one flow direction, from an inlet port to an outlet port, but not in the opposite direction. In fact, when the flow direction reverses, such flow control valves usually provide a restricted or free flow in the opposite direction.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, a general object of the present invention is to provide a bi-directional flow control valve with controllable flow control characteristics in opposite flow directions.
A more specific object of the present invention is to provide a bi-directional flow control valve with substantially identical flow control characteristics in opposite flow directions.
A related object of the present invention is to provide a bi-directional flow control valve which achieves a substantially constant “flow versus current” relationship in either flow direction.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a bi-directional flow control valve which achieves precise flow control.
An additional object of the present invention is to provide a flow control valve as characterized above which is reliable, durable, and convenient to use.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with these and other objects, a bi-directional flow control valve is disclosed herein. The inventive flow control valve comprises a valve assembly which is supported by a housing at one end and confines an electro-magnetic actuator at the other end. The valve assembly includes a hollow cage that cooperates with a cavity formed in the housing to define a plurality of internal chambers, a hollow compensating spool slidably arranged within the cage between rows of cross-sectional holes formed in the cage, a hollow guide member slidably arranged within the compensating spool and having cross-holes formed therein, and regulating and dampening spools slidably arranged within the guide member at opposite ends thereof. The internal chambers of the housing communicate with respective ports formed in the housing to provide a two-port flow configuration. The actuator includes a solenoid coil wound around a hollow guide tube, a movable plunger or armature slidably arranged within the guide tube, a pole piece anchored within the guide tube, and a push pin attached to and extending from the armature and engaging the regulating spool of the valve assembly.
When the solenoid coil of the actuator is electrically energized with current, the armature of the actuator moves toward the pole piece which causes the regulating spool of the valve assembly to move between first and second operating positions. In the first operating position, cross-holes formed in the regulating spool are out of alignment with cross-holes formed in the guide member which blocks flow between the ports of the housing. In the second operating position, the cross-holes of the regulating spool are at least partially aligned with the cross-holes of the guide member which permits flow between the ports of the housing.
The pressure differential across the flow control valve and the direction of flow between the ports induces movement in the compensating spool in a direction either towards or away from the actuator. In either event, the compensating spool reduces the opening of one of the rows and increases the opening of the opposite row of cross-sectional holes of the cage in a manner proportional to the pressure differential between the ports, while the pressure differential between opposite sides of the spool remains substantially the same. On account of this construction, the inventive flow control valve provides precise flow control and consistent flow control characteristics in each flow direction including, for example, a substantially constant “flow versus current” relationship.
These and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent upon reading the following detailed description of the preferred exemplified embodiment and upon reference to the accompanying drawing wherein:
REFERENCES:
patent: 4630640 (1986-12-01), DiBartolo
patent: 5086877 (1992-02-01), Synatschke et al.
patent: 5878766 (1999-03-01), Dekhtyar
HydraForce Inc.
Lee Kevin
Leydig , Voit & Mayer, Ltd.
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