Fluid handling – Systems – Multi-way valve unit
Reexamination Certificate
1999-02-04
2001-02-13
Michalsky, Gerald A. (Department: 3753)
Fluid handling
Systems
Multi-way valve unit
C137S625440
Reexamination Certificate
active
06186175
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a rocker valve with pneumatic pre-control, including a housing with the pressure means connections, in which housing at least one rocker is arranged which is movable between two final positions about an axis and works together with at least one sealing surface for at least one valve seat of a pressure connection, where one handle of the rocker can be impacted with a pre-control pressure via a pre-control connection and the rocker in one final position locks the valve seat tightly and in the other final position opens to at a maximal diameter.
2. The Prior Art
A rocker valve of this type is, for example, known through a structural design by Samsomatic Automationssysteme GmbH. In so doing, the basic position, in which the supply connection and the working connection are isolated from one another, is maintained through elasticity and the switching, or in other words, the opening of the connection of supply and working connection or the closing, occur pneumatically pre-controlled. The pivotal axis of this arrangement is given by the simple thickening of an elastomer shape sealing, with which the security of the sealing and because of the additional mechanical load of the sealing element also the longevity of the valve can be negatively influenced. Besides this, the valve is kept closed merely through the elasticity and thus has pressure-dependent characteristics; it is only usable up to a predetermined maximum pressure.
Beyond this, rocker valves have been built in various other arrangements, such as the lifting anchor model of Buckert. In this model, a rocker is kept through elasticity in a closing position (supply connection and working connection isolated from one another) and the switching occurs via a lifting magnet which tilts the rocker against the effect of the spring about the pivotal point in the open position. Again, the valve is held closed by merely the elasticity and thus has pressure-dependent characteristics; it is only usable up to a predetermined maximum pressure. Besides this, the valve requires a lot of space because of the electromagnet necessary for switching.
For this reason, it was the object of the present invention to create a rocker valve that is operable purely via pressure means, which can be implemented in a versatile way with as much simplicity of construction and space-savings as possible, is adjustable to a variety of uses, and offers the highest possible operational security through the best possible sealing of the connections and precision as well as short switching times.
This object is solved according to the invention in that, at least on the side of the rocker with a working connection, a sealing is provided between the edge of the rocker and the inner wall of the housing, through which on the side of the rocker with respect to the axis as well as the plane of the rocker a chamber with at least two connections is formed, which chamber is preferably separated from at least one other connection on the opposite side with respect to the rocker plane. In this way the further connections remain secure and tightly separated from both of the other connections on the other side of the rocker, and a precise switching of the valve can be guaranteed, despite rapid switching times and, at the same time, flat construction in regard to the diameter of the opening. Due to the sufficiently small pivotal movements of the rocker, the valve according to the invention can be built to be very small and flat, and can exhibit a layered construction which, in both assembly and repair, allows for the very simple operation of work to be done.
According to the advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is provided that, on both sides of the rocker, a sealing element is provided between the edge of the rocker and the inner wall of the housing; in this way, on each side of the rocker one chamber with at least two connections is formed which connections are preferably separated by at least one further connection on the side that lies on the opposite side with respect to the rocker plane. In this way, the versatility of the valve according to the invention is further expanded, since with this structural design, while maintaining the speed and precision of switching, many different occupancies of the connections and thus many uses are made possible.
According to one embodiment of the invention, two working connections are present from which, in each of both of the final positions of the rocker, one working connection each is covered by the rocker and the sealing surface, whereby one working connection is separable by the rocker from one supply connection and the second working connection is separable by the rocker from one ventilation connection. Thus, a valve construction with the smallest impairment spaces is made possible which guarantees in all embodiments, also upon activation of the pressure means and even for large outlet cross-sections, rapid switching times and precise sealing function.
According to a further embodiment of the invention, an NO-valve (normal condition, that is, without pre-control, open) can be realized in a simple manner in that the effective area, surface of application for the supply pressure against the movable parts of the valve is larger than the area of the outlet of the second working connection connected to the ventilation connection.
To realize a 2/2-way valve in a simple manner and with the above-mentioned advantages, provided according to another embodiment of the invention, is that, on merely one side of the rocker, two connections are provided in one chamber, which chamber is limited by the elastic sealing element extending from the edge of the rocker to the inner wall of the housing.
If at least two rockers are provided in on housing as connected parallel to one another, a very rapid and precise 4/2 or 5/2 way valve of a small structural height and all of the other already-mentioned advantages can be manufactured.
Advantageously, it is provided that the rocker is positioned substantially symmetrical about the axis of rotation. This facilitates the assembly of the valve and its reconstruction in different embodiments and the arrangement with respect to the switching pressures and times. Slight deviations in the total symmetry with respect to the area ratios of the pressure means outlets and effective areas for the application of the pressures are possible for the arrangement of a precise switching behavior, for example, for achieving a switching hysteresis.
To advantageously guarantee the easy mobility of the rocker and rapid switching times along with simple construction and assembly, the outer edge of the rocker is, at least over a part of its length, distanced from inner wall of the housing, and at least one sealing element extending between the edge of the rocker and the inner wall of the housing, preferably an elastomer sealing element, is provided.
If, according to a further embodiment, the sealing element is arranged as one piece with at least one sealing surface for the connection is preferably as one piece with both sealing surfaces, and extends to both sides of the rocker, an especially simple construction with minimal number of parts is thus provided which furthermore, is very functionally secure and has a long life.
To obtain a very flatly built structural design which can also be simply placed onto existing connection plates, and on which again pre-control or magnet control valves can be placed, it is provided that the supply connection, the working connections and the ventilation connection are arranged in the same half space with respect to the plane of the rocker, where the supply connection and the ventilation connection lie opposite one another with respect to the axis of rotation of the rocker, and that the pre-control connection is located in the half space that lies opposite the rest of the connections with respect to the plane of the rocker.
According to an advantageous embodiment of the rocker valve according to the invention, it is
Frisch Herbert
Vollmer Josef
Dykema Gossett PLLC
Hygrama AG
Michalsky Gerald A.
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