Ringless zero clearance closure

A closure assembly including a retaining cover, a first catch plate sitting partially within the retaining cover, a second catch plate sitting partially within the retaining cover opposite the first catch plate and spaced apart from the first catch plate, and a closure pressing against the first catch plate and pressing against the second catch plate.

BACKGROUND

Technological Field

The present disclosure relates generally to a closure retention method and specifically to an improved retention feature for a wedge style retention closure typically referred to as C-Ring and zero clearance closures.

Description of Related Art

Pressurized cavities, such as valves, typically employ C-Rings and other zero clearance closures for their high load capability, small packaging, and no requirement for secondary retention methods. However, the C-rings and peripheral hardware require machining to tight tolerances and are thus expensive and timely to produce. While these conventional retention methods have generally been considered satisfactory for their intended purpose, there is a clear need for improved methods that are both more efficient and less expensive to produce. The present disclosure provides a solution for this need.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A new closure assembly is disclosed. The closure assembly includes a retaining cover, a first catch plate sitting partially within the retaining cover, a second catch plate sitting partially within the retaining cover opposite the first catch plate, and a closure pressing against the first catch plate and pressing against the second catch plate. The first and second catch plates will be in contact with the valve bore when the hydraulic valve is loaded outward. The closure can be seated within a hydraulic valve. The first catch plate does not contact the second catch plate. The retention plate can include a through hole to receive a shaft of the closure. A locking feature, such as locknut can be employed to retain the closure assembly.

Each catch plate can include a first axial facing side to face an outer portion of the valve and press against an axially inward facing side of the closure, an outward radially facing side to connect the first axial facing side to a second axial facing side wherein the second axial facing side is configured to face an in portion of the valve and press against an outwardly facing side of a closure, and an inward facing side connected to the first axial facing side and to the second axial facing side pressed against a radially pointed face of the retention plate. The outward radially facing side can be curved from the first axial facing side to the second axial facing side. The outward radially facing side can be convex from a first edge to a second edge. The outward radially facing side can further define an arch, wherein the arch can extends from a first side chamfer to a second side chamfer.

The outward radially facing side can be connected to the inward facing side by a first side chamfer and a second side chamfer. The first axial facing side can form a 90 degree angle with the inward facing side. A distance between the first axial facing side and the second axial facing side can be larger than a length of the inward facing side along a longitudinal axis. The outward radially facing side can arched spanning between 160 and 170 degrees between a first side chamfer and a second side chamfer.

It is also considered that with a valve assembly each catch plate is in contact with the inner surface of the bore and an outward radially facing side of each catch plate is in contact with a surface of a widening section of the bore. A radial gap can be defined by the retention plate the catch plate. The radial gap can define a triangular cross-section. The valve assembly can include a locking means coupled to the closure for locking the closure assembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made to the drawings wherein like reference numerals identify similar structural features or aspects of the subject disclosure. For purposes of explanation and illustration, and not limitation, a partial view of an exemplary embodiment of a valve in accordance with the disclosure is shown inFIGS.1a-1cand is designated generally by reference character100. Other embodiments of the valve and shaft retention methods, are provided inFIGS.2-3b, as will be described. The methods and systems of the present disclosure, as described above and shown in the drawings, provide for a ring-less closure with zero clearance.

Referring now toFIGS.1a-1c, a valve assembly100is shown. The present valve is a hydraulic valve, but one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that embodiments of the disclosure can be used and applied to other types of valves. The valve100includes a housing102with an inner bore104. The bore104has an inner surface106that includes a plurality of undulations and ridges122. The valve100includes a valve shaft108that actuates back and forth along a longitudinal axis A. A closure assembly110is used to keep internal components within the bore104.

Referring now toFIG.2, an exploded view of the closure assembly110shows a retention plate112, a first catch plate114that sits partially within the retaining cover112, and a second catch plate116that sits partially within the retaining cover112opposite the first catch plate114. A closure118presses against the first and second catch plates114,116opposite the retaining cover112. A locknut136is used to retain the assembly110. The locknut136is threaded onto a shaft140of the closure118that protrudes though an aperture138of the retention plate112.

Referring again theFIGS.1a-1c, each catch plate114/116is in contact with the inner surface106of the bore104. Specifically, an outward radially facing side120of each catch plate is in contact with a surface of a widening section or undulation122of the bore. The V-groove or undulation122within the inner surface106of the valve100is a sharp-V groove. V-grooves and sharp angles are typically easier to machine versus configurations that require rounded edges. The V-groove also allows for tolerances within the valve100to be more relaxed. The meeting of the undulation122and the outward radially facing side120of the catch plates114/116helps retain the closure assembly and all other internal components. The free-form meeting of undulation122and each outward radially facing side120of each catch plate114/116allows the catch plates114/116to center the load within the shaft108and to self-adjust and center within the undulation122without a need for precision installation. Further, a triangular gap132is defined by an radially extending surface126(relative to the longitudinal axis A) of the retention plate112and a longitudinal surface128, extending along the longitudinal axis A of the retention plate112, and a front chamfer130of the catch plate114/116. The gaps132, extending in radial directions have cross-sections that is triangular. This provides enough clearance with the retention plate112to facilitate insertion and placement of the retention the catch plates114/116behind retention plate112.

Referring toFIGS.3aand3b, a detailed view of one of the catch plates114/116is shown. The catch plate114/116is defined by a first axial facing302to face the outside of the valve100and retained within the inner side of the retention plate112ofFIG.1, an first outer side120connecting the first axial facing side302to a second axial facing side306. The second axial facing side306is meant to face the inside of the valve100and press against an axially outside facing side of the closure118. An inward facing side308is narrower than the outward radially facing side120, and is connected to the first axial facing side302and to the second axial facing side306by the front chamfer130and a rear chamfer131. In other words, the inner side308extends relative to the longitudinal axis along a length (L1), wherein L1 is shorter than the distance between the first axial facing side302and the second axial facing side306(L2).

Referring further toFIGS.3aand3b, the outward radially facing side120of each of the catch plates114/116is curved in an axial direction defining a convex arch from the first axial facing side302to the second axial facing side306. The outward radially facing side120is also round along the axial facing sides302/306between, the curve angle (A1) spanning between approximately 160 and 170 degrees. The outward radially facing side120joins a first side chamfer314and a second side chamfer316. Each of the chamfers can be between 30 and 60 degrees with respect to the axial direction, but are preferred to be 45 degrees.

The methods and systems of the present disclosure, as described above and shown in the drawings, provide for a ring less closure with zero clearance which has similar benefits as that of a C-ring style closures but is additionally simpler to manufacture. Additionally, the closure also provides improved centering equal distribution of load. While the apparatus and methods of the subject disclosure have been shown and described with reference to preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that changes and/or modifications may be made thereto without departing from the scope of the subject disclosure.