Valve with uniplanar flow

A reversing fluid flow control valve with a valve base having an elongated longitudinal cavity open along the top side thereof. Said valve base having inlet, cylinder and exhaust ports connected to inlet cylinder and exhaust passages. A valve spool body removably mounted on the valve base and having a shape on the lower side thereof complimentary with the shape in the valve base so that fluid passing through the valve and between said ports flows in a uniplanar manner.

TECHNICAL FIELD 
This invention relates generally to the valve art, and more particularly, 
to an improved fluid flow control valve which has a valve body nested in a 
valve base, so as to provide a fluid flow control valve through which the 
fluid flows with a straight through or uniplanar flow. The valve of the 
present invention is adapted for use in air and hydraulic fluid flow 
control valves of the three-way or four-way reversing spool type, and the 
like, for directing fluid to control apparatus, such as cylinders for 
machine tool operation and other industrial applications. 
BACKGROUND ART 
It is well known in the valve art that the most efficient flow path through 
a flow control valve is one which is short as possible between an inlet 
port and an outlet port. Heretofore, four-way fluid flow control valves 
ordinarily require a base member on which is mounted a body member 
carrying a valve spool member, and with the inlet and outlet passages 
extending through both the base member and the body member, and then back 
into the base member for outlet purposes. Such a prior art valve structure 
permits the removal of the valve body from the base of the valve without 
disconnecting any conduits attached to the base entrance and exit ports 
for conveying fluid to and from the valve. However such prior art valve 
structures require many turns in the flow of the fluid through the valve. 
For example, in valves having the inlet and outlet ports on the side of 
the base member, there are required at least eight right angle turns to be 
made by the fluid between the inlet and outlet ports. U.S. Pat. No. 
3,680,596 discloses a spool type reversing valve, which has the valve 
spool slidably mounted in a valve body, which is in turn mounted on a 
valve base. When the fluid passes through a valve such as that shown in 
the last mentioned patent it must make many right angle turns, and at each 
turn there is a pressure drop. In an attempt to decrease the number of 
right angle turns in a flow circuit through a four-way reversing valve it 
has been heretofore proposed that a circular flow pattern through the 
valve body be employed to increase the flow efficiency. Such a flow 
pattern is illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 3,089,517. However the circular 
flow path employed in the last mentioned patent still employs about as 
many right angle turns, or substantially right angle turns, as are 
employed in the valve shown in the first mentioned patent, in the fluid 
flow circuit therethrough. Another prior art reversing valve employing a 
circular flow path, with many right angle turns, is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 
3,952,775. 
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION 
In accordance with the present invention, a fluid flow reversing valve is 
provided for use in air or hydraulic fluid flow control applications. The 
invention can be incorporated in a three-way or four-way reversing spool 
type valve, for directing fluid to control apparatus, such as cylinders 
for machine tool operations and other industrial applications. The valve 
of the present invention is constructed and arranged to provide for a 
uniplanar fluid flow path through the valve, so as to provide a straight 
through efficient fluid flow. 
The valve of the present invention includes a base member having a cavity 
formed therein, and in which can be quickly and easily mounted, a spool 
valve. The spool valve can be of any conventional type, as for example, a 
pilot air operated solenoid type or a direct operated solenoid type, both 
with a spring return, or a double solenoid pilot air operated type, or 
direct, double solenoid, operated type, or a spool valve type which is 
manually operated, or operated by foot, or a cam means, or any other 
suitable means. The valve of the present invention provides a reversing 
valve which is compact in construction and which has an overall low 
height, and yet has all the advantages of a base mounted reversing valve 
wherein the spool valve can be quickly and easily removed frm the base, 
without removing the conductors or pipes from the base which conduct the 
pressurized fluid to the valve and to the apparatus being controlled by 
the valve and, which conduct exhaust fluid from the valve. The valve of 
the present invention can be used in a stacking arrangement with a 
plurality of the valves, or with a combination of reversing valves of the 
present invention and other type reversing valves. 
An advantage of the reversing valve of the present invention is that it is 
a simpler structure than the corresponding prior art reversing valves, and 
such simple structure results in lower tooling and manufacturing costs.

BEST MODE OF CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION 
Referring now to the drawings, and in particular to FIGS. 1 through 4, the 
numeral 10 generally designates a four-way reversing valve base made in 
accordance with the principles of the present invention. Operatively on 
the valve base 10 is a valve body, generally indicated by the numeral 11, 
which carries a reversing valve spool, generally indicated by the numeral 
12 (FIGS. 2 and 3). As shown in FIG. 3, the ends of the valve spool 12 are 
enclosed by a pair of valve retainers, generally indicated by the numerals 
13 and 14. 
As best seen in FIG. 4, the valve base 10 is provided with a plurality of 
attachment feet or extensions 18, through which are formed holes 19 for 
the reception of suitable mounting bolts, or the like. As shown in FIGS. 
1, 2 and 3, the valve body 11 includes a top plate 17. As illustrated in 
FIG. 1, the valve body top plate 17 is releasably secured to the valve 
base 10 by a plurality of suitable socket head screws 20, which pass 
through suitable holes 21 in the plate 17, and into threaded engagement 
with suitable holes 22 in the valve base 10 (FIG. 4). 
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, the valve base 10 is provided on one side 
thereof with a central, inwardly extended, threaded inlet port 25, which 
is adpated to be connected in the usual manner to a source of pressurized 
fluid, such as a pressurized air source or pressurized hydraulic oil 
source. Formed on the opposite sides of the port 25, and in horizontal 
alignment therewith are a pair of threaded exhaust ports 24 and 26. Formed 
on the opposite side of the valve base 10 are a pair of horizontally 
aligned cylinder ports 27 and 28. 
As best seen in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, the valve base 10 has formed therethrough 
a horizontal, longitudinal U-shaped cavity or chamber 49 which is open at 
the longitudinal ends thereof, and open at the top side thereof. The 
aforementioned ports 24 through 28 communicate with the U-shaped chamber 
49 by the following described passage means. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, 
the inlet port 25 communicates at its inner end with a vertical passage 32 
which is open at the upper end thereof, and which is substantially 
rectangular in elevation and plan views as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4. 
The vertical passage 32 communicates at a central point along its inner 
side with an inwardly extended passage 33 which has a vertical portion and 
a horizontal portion that is formed in the peripheral walls of the 
longitudinal chamber 49. The passage 33 is substantially rectangular in 
plan and elevation views. The vertical shape of the passage 33 is shown in 
FIG. 2, and the plan view thereof is shown in FIG. 4. The plan view of the 
communicating passages 32 and 33 is T-shaped, as shown in FIG. 4. 
As shown in FIG. 4, the exhaust ports 24 and 26 commmunicate at their inner 
ends with a vertical passage 34 and 36, respectively. The passages 34 and 
36 are vertical and rectangular in plan and elevation views in the same 
manner as passage 33. The passages 34 and 36 are substantially rectangular 
in plan configuration, as shown in FIG. 4. The passages 34 and 36 
communicate, at the ends thereof which are adjacent the passage 32, with 
the transverse passages 35 and 37, respectively. The transverse passages 
35 and 37 are each formed in the same vertical and rectangular shape and 
disposition as the inlet passage 33. The inlet passage 33 is centrally 
disposed between the exhaust passages 35 and 37. The passages 33, 35 and 
37 are transversely disposed, as shown in FIG. 4. As shown in FIG. 4, the 
plan view of each of the combined passages 34 and 35, and the combined 
passages 36 and 37, is L-shaped. 
The first cylinder port 27 communicates at its inner end with a vertical 
and rectangular passage 38, which in turn communicates with a transverse 
passage 39, so as to form a combined passage which is L-shaped in plan 
configuration. The passage 39 is transversely disposed and it is shaped 
vertically and rectangularly in the same manner as the inlet transverse 
passage 33, and it is evenly disposed between the inlet transverse passage 
33 and the transverse exhaust passage 35. As shown in FIG. 4, the second 
cylinder port 28 communicates at its inner end with a vertical passage 40, 
which is substantially rectangular in plan and elevation view. The 
vertical passage 40 communicates with a transverse passage 41, formed the 
same as passage 38, to form a combined passage which is L-shaped in plan 
view. The transverse passage 41 is shaped vertically and rectangularly in 
the same manner as the inlet passage 33 in FIG. 2, and it is evenly spaced 
apart between the inlet passage 33 and the exhaust passage 37. The 
passages 38 and 40 are formed vertically and rectangularly in the same 
manner as the passages 32, 34 and 36. 
The valve base 10 is provided with an O-ring groove 44 on each side of the 
transverse passages 33, 35, 37, 39, and 41 for the reception of O-ring 
type seals 51, as explained hereinafter. The O-ring type seals 51 are not 
shown in the O-ring grooves 44 in FIG. 4, but they are shown in the O-ring 
grooves 44 in FIG. 3. 
As shown in FIG. 2, the valve body 11 includes a valve body member 48 which 
is integrally attached at its upper end to the lower side of the valve 
body attachment plate 17. The valve body member 48 is an elongated member, 
as shown in FIG. 3, and it is integral along the central portion of the 
plate 17, as shown in FIG. 2. The outer surface of the valve body member 
48 is substantially U-shaped, so as to be seated in the mating, 
longitudinal U-shaped chamber 49 in the valve base 10. A suitable gasket 
50 is disposed between the top end of the valve base 10 and the lower face 
of the cover plate 17, and it extends on opposite sides of the valve body 
member chamber 49. Integrally attached to the lower side of the gasket 50, 
are a plurality of O-ring type seals 51 which are U-shaped and adapted to 
be seated in the O-ring grooves 44 in the valve base 10 when the valve is 
fully assembled, as shown in FIG. 3. 
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the valve body member 48 is provided with a 
longitudinally extended valve spool bore 54, which extends completely 
through the valve body member 48, and it is open to each end thereof. 
Operatively seated in the valve spool bore 54, is the reversing valve 
spool 12, which includes a valve spool sleeve, generally indicated by the 
numeral 55, and a slidable, telescopically mounted valve spool element in 
the sleeve 55 which is generally indicated by the numeral 56. 
As shown in FIG. 3, the valve spool sleeve 55 is provided with a plurality 
of longitudinally spaced apart O-ring grooves 57 around the outer surface 
thereof, and in each of which is operatively mounted a suitable O-ring 47. 
The O-rings 47 sealingly engage the surface of the cylindrical valve bore 
54. As shown in FIG. 3, the valve spool sleeve 55 is provided with an 
upper and lower transverse passage or slot between each of the O-rings 57, 
as indicated by the numerals 58 through 62. As shown in FIG. 3, when the 
valve body 11 is mounted in the valve base 10, the valve spool sleeve 
transverse passages 58 through 62 communicate with the valve base 
transverse slots, or passages 35, 39, 33, 41 and 37, respectively, through 
interconnecting aligned passages 35a, 39a, 33a, 41a, and 37a, which are 
formed through the lower end of the valve body member 48. As shown in FIG. 
3, the valve spool element 56 is provided with a pair of spaced apart, 
reduced diameter portions, so as to form a pair of annular passages 63 
around the valve spool element 56. 
As shown in FIG. 3, the right end of the longitudinal valve spool bore 54 
is enclosed by the valve retainer 14 which is disposed in a larger 
diameter stepped bore 69. The valve retainer 14 is releasably secured in 
the stepped diameter bore 69 by means of a releasable snap retainer ring 
70, and with the inner end 66 thereof in abutment with the outer right end 
67 of the valve spool sleeve 55. The valve retainer 14 has an inwardly 
extended axial recess 65 on the inner side thereof into which is extended 
the right end of the valve spool element 56 when the valve spool element 
56 is in the initial operating position shown in FIG. 3. The right end 64 
of the valve spool element 56 is seated against a shoulder formed by the 
juncture of the recess 65 and the reduced diameter recess 74 in the valve 
retainer 14. The valve spool element 56 has an axial recess 73 formed in 
the right end thereof which communicates with the recess 74 in the valve 
retainer 14 to provide a pilot air chamber that is connected by a threaded 
port 75 to the exterior of the valve. A suitable O-ring seal 71 is 
operatively mounted in an O-ring seal groove 68 formed around the outer 
periphery of the valve retainer 14, and it sealingly engages the surface 
of the stepped diameter recess 69. 
As shown in FIG. 3, the valve spool element 56 is normally biased to the 
right, to the initial operating position, by a suitable return spring 84, 
into an abutting position against the valve retainer 14. The return spring 
84 is mounted in the valve retainer 13 which is releasably mounted in a 
stepped diameter bore 87 in the left end of the valve body member 48. The 
valve retainer 13 is mounted so that its inner end seats against the left 
end of the valve spool sleeve 55. The valve retainer 13 is releasably 
secured in position by a releasable snap retainer ring 70. A suitable 
O-ring 71 is also mounted in the outer periphery of the valve retainer 13 
in a suitable O-ring groove 68. The return spring 84 is operatively 
mounted with its inner end seated in an annular recess 86 that is formed 
in the left end of the valve spool element 56. The outer end of the return 
spring 84 is operatively mounted in a stepped diameter recess formed by 
the two diameter recesses 83 and 85 that extend into the valve retainer 13 
from the inner face thereof. A suitable vent passage 82 is formed through 
the outer end of the valve retainer 13 to relieve any air pressure inside 
of the valve retainer 13. 
In use, it will be seen that the valve spool element 56 may be moved from 
its initial operating position shown in FIG. 3, to the left against the 
pressure of the return spring 84 by conducting pressurized pilot air into 
the chamber 74 for reaction against the valve spool element 56 to move it 
to its second operating position. After the pilot air pressure is 
exhausted from the chamber 74, the return spring 84 returns the valve 
spool element 56 to the initial operating position shown in FIG. 3. The 
pilot air may be supplied to the chamber 74 from any suitable source. The 
pilot air source may be connected as by means of a conduit 78 to a flow 
control valve 77. The flow control valve 77 would have an exhaust line 79, 
and a line 76 connected to the chamber 74. When the flow control valve 77 
is in the position shown in FIG. 3, the pilot air would be exhausted from 
the chamber 74. When the valve 77 is moved to the left by any suitable 
means, as by manual means or solenoid operated means, the chamber 74 would 
be connected to the source of pilot air to conduct pressurized pilot air 
into the chamber 74 for moving the valve spool element 56 to the left, to 
its second operating position. 
In the initial operating position, the valve spool element 56 is positioned 
so that the right annular passage 63 of the valve element 56 is positioned 
to connect the cylinder #2 passage 41 to the exhaust passage 37 so as to 
connect the port 28 for cylinder #2 to the exhaust port 26. 
Simultaneously, the left annular passage 63 of the valve element 56 is 
positioned to connect the fluid inlet passage 33 with the cylinder #1 
passage 39 for conducting pressurized fluid to the port 27 for cylinder 
#1. When the valve spool element 56 is shifted to the left position, with 
the left end thereof into seating engagement against the shoulder formed 
by the juncture of the recesses 83 and 85, the aforedescribed fluid flow 
action is reversed; that is, cylinder #1 would be connected to the exhaust 
port 24, while cylinder #2 would be connected to the inlet port 25. 
It will be seen, that when the valve spool element 56 is in either the 
initial or first operating position shown in FIG. 3, or in the second 
operating position with the valve spool element 56 shifted to the left, 
that in both circumstances the flow of fluid through the valve is on the 
same plane, and the fluid does not have to make any vertical upward or 
downward movements, thereby eliminating vertical right hand turns in the 
flow of fluid. It will be seen that the valve of the present invention 
provides a compact valve which is low in height. 
It will also be seen that the valve of the present invention provides all 
of the advantages of the prior art base mounted valves, and that the valve 
body 11 which carries the reversing valve spool structure 12 can be 
quickly and easily removed from the valve base 10 without moving the valve 
base 10 from its operative location. That is, the valve spool 12 can be 
removed from the valve base 10 without removing the pipes, conduits and 
other conducting elements which are normally attached to the ports 24 
through 28 for conveying fluid to and from an apparatus to be controlled 
by the valve of the present invention. Another advantage of the valve of 
the present invention, is that it can be used in a stacking arrangement in 
the same manner as the prior art stacking valves. The straight through, 
uniplanar flow path of the valve of the present invention provides a valve 
with optimum flow efficiency. 
The reversing valve spool structure 12 illustrates one type of a reversing 
type valve spool which may be employed, namely, the illustrated type which 
includes the valve spool sleeve and the valve spool element 56. However, 
it will be understood that other types of conventional reversing valve 
spools may be employed wherein the valve spool sleeve 55 is eliminated and 
the valve spool 56 is slidably mounted directly in the valve spool bore 54 
in the valve spool body member 48. The valve spool element 56 is shown as 
being slidably mounted in the sleeve 55 without any seals, and this is a 
conventional type of valve which employs a floating sleeve with a lapped 
spool. It will be understood that if a conventional valve spool 12 is 
employed which does not include the sleeve 55, then the reversing valve 
spool element 56 may also be mounted directly in the bore 54 in the valve 
spool body member 48 without the need for any seals when a corresponding 
lapped spool arrangement is employed. On the other hand, any type of 
sealing means may be employed between the last mentioned type reversing 
valve spool element 56 and a mating bore in the valve body member 48, for 
example, O-ring seals, molded type seals, such as elastomeric seals, and 
plastic seals. Although the reversing valve spool element 56 is 
illustrated as being shifted in one direction by pilot air, and in a 
return direction by a return spring, it will be understood that other 
means for moving the reversing valve spool element 56 may be employed. For 
example, a direct connected solenoid for engagement with one end of the 
reversing valve spool element 56 so as to directly move the reversing 
valve spool element 56 in one direction with a return spring to move it in 
the other direction. The reversing valve spool element 56 may be moved in 
both directions by a directly operated solenoid. It will also be 
understood that pressurized pilot air may be employed to operate the 
reversing valve spool element 56 in both directions, with the pilot air 
being controlled by solenoid operated valves. The reversing valve spool 
element 56 may also be operated manually in one direction or the other, or 
in both directions. 
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY 
The valve of the present invention is adapted for use in industrial air and 
hydraulic fluid flow control valves of the three-way or four-way reversing 
spool type, and the like, for directing fluid to control apparatuses, such 
as cylinders for machine tool operations, and other industrial 
applications.