Fluid handling – Systems – Multi-way valve unit
Reexamination Certificate
2000-07-07
2002-04-30
Rivell, John (Department: 3753)
Fluid handling
Systems
Multi-way valve unit
C137S625000, C137S597000, C251S065000, C251S129010
Reexamination Certificate
active
06378556
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates-to a multiway valve, comprising a chamber being delimited by at least two substantially plane-parallel surfaces, into which at least three feed or discharge ducts open out, the state of being open or closed of the ducts being affected by the positioning of a member, which member is accommodated inside the chamber in such a manner that it is moveable in two dimensions in a plane which runs parallel to the plane-parallel surfaces, the member being flattened on two sides, the said flat sides of the member interacting in a sealing manner with the plane-parallel surfaces by means of surface contact, and which member can be made to interact in a sealing manner with one or more duct openings, and control means for moving the member inside the housing.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A multiway valve of this kind is suitable for controlling, metering and mixing fluid flows through multiple feed or discharge ducts, and is known from DE-A-2 140 484. However, a plurality of pull and push rods are arranged around the chamber, penetrating the chamber in order to move the member.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention intends to improve the valve of the prior art, and is characterized in that the member comprises a permanent magnet and the control means comprise a plurality of magnet-actuating assemblies which are disposed stationarily around the chamber and comprise electromagnets with a soft iron core, which assemblies are designed to generate a magnetic field which attracts or repels the member.
As a result, there is no need for any mechanical connection between the control means and the member, providing a multiway valve which is virtually maintenance-free and is scarcely susceptible to wear.
Preferably, the control means of the multiway valve according to the present invention comprise a plurality of units which are disposed radially around the chamber and at substantially equal angles with respect to the centre of the chamber. An arrangement of this nature allows the member to be moved via uniform transmission of force and accurate control.
Preferably, the member is controlled in such a manner that its position is changed via a substantially rectilinear movement.
The magnetic field lines of the permanent magnet are advantageously directed substantially in the same direction as those which can be generated by the magnet-actuating assemblies.
By energizing an electromagnet with a resultant magnetic polarity which is oppositely directed to that of the permanent magnet of the member, the member will be attracted by the electromagnet. Due to the fact that the member comprises a permanent magnet, this magnet will attract the two pole shoes of the electromagnet; depending on the magnetic strength selected for the permanent magnet and the position of the pole shoes, the member can be held in the position obtained by the attraction by the energized electromagnet. Thus, the electromagnet in question can be switched off after a short energizing pulse, and then the member maintains its adopted position due to its own magnetism. As soon as the member is to adopt a different position inside the chamber, a different electromagnet can also be energized with a short pulse, so that the member will be attracted by this electromagnet and its position will be changed accordingly. The member will again continue to hold its newly adopted position. In order to facilitate the displacement of the member, the polarity of the first electromagnet can be reversed. In this way, as a resultant, a force is generated on the member which is directed away from the centre axis of the poles of the electromagnet, resulting in the member being repelled by the said electromagnet. An arrangement of this nature makes it possible to provide a multiway valve which is readily accessible, is extremely energy-efficient, reacts rapidly and reliably and is simple to operate automatically. There are no limits to the possible applications; a multiway valve of any desired dimensions can be used depending on the desired application. The only limitation on the multiway valve when using magnets lies in the limited applications in the case of magnetizable fluids.
In GB-A-2 274 898, a pipeline pig of magnetisable material is described, that can be moved through a pipeline with the aid of electric coils, each wound around a region of the pipeline. At a Y-junction of the pipeline, the pig can be directed into the intended pipe by energizing the particular coil at the said pipe.
DE-A-1 282 402 discloses a two-way magnetic valve, wherein the valve member is magnetic and movable between two poles of a single electromagnet. By reversing the polarity of the magnet, the valve member is moved from the one pole to the other pole of the electromagnet.
In the valve according to the present invention, one or more ducts will be closed off as a function of the position of the member. By changing the position of the member, it is possible to close off different or additional ducts; in addition to complete closure, the member may also be positioned so as to partially close off one or more ducts, resulting in an additional metering function.
By allowing the ducts to open out into the chamber at suitable positions, it is possible to achieve a large number of possibilities for the controlled closure and opening of specific combinations of ducts in order to control, mix and meter various feed streams.
Preferably, the magnet-actuating assembly is positioned in such a manner that the centre axis of the two pole shoes runs inside the chamber, the distance therefrom to the closest transverse wall of the chamber being less than or equal to the shortest distance from the magnetic centre of the member to the said transverse wall. By such a positioning of the magnet-actuating assembly, given a magnetic field generated by the said assembly, a magnetic force is exerted on the member which is directed towards the closest transverse wall. If the multiway valve is designed in such a manner that the member closes off or opens a duct opening in the said position, it is advantageous for the said distance from the centre axis to the closest transverse wall of the chamber to be shorter than the shortest distance from the magnetic centre of the member to the said transverse wall; a constant radial force in the direction of the closest wall is exerted on the member for as long as the member is to remain in the said position, thus ensuring the correct position of the member and the correct function of the multiway valve. If the said distances are equal, the assembly will not exert a radial force on the member and the member will only be held passively in this position.
In the case in which the member closes off a duct opening by direct interaction with a transverse wall of the chamber, in the above-mentioned case the shortest distance from the magnetic centre of the member to the transverse wall will be determined by the diameter and the shape of the member and the position of the magnetic centre therein; however, if the member interacts with a closure body or opening body as described above, the distance is partly determined by the shape and the configuration of this body. Magnetic centre is intended to mean the centre point of the magnetizable material of the member.
If one or more duct openings are incorporated in the transverse walls, it is highly advantageous, in order to achieve optimum immediate closure, if the centre axis through the pole shoes of the magnet-actuating assembly intersects a radial axis of the chamber through the duct opening. In this way, the magnetic force resultant will be directed directly onto the duct opening in question, ensuring successful closure, which is especially advantageous if the multiway valve comprises a plurality of magnet-actuating assemblies which comprise electromagnets with a soft-iron core.
In an attractive embodiment of the multiway valve according to the invention, the field lines of the permanent magnet of the member run radially with respect to the member and the magnet-actuating assemblies
Fondse Valves B.V.
Rivell John
Schoenfeld Meredith H.
Strook & Strook & Lavan LLP
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