DIAPHRAGM VALVE

Abstract: A valve housing of a diaphragm valve has a first valve chamber (14), into which open a central channel (16) and first (15) and second (16) side channels. Valve seats (18, 19) are arranged in the housing, and a first diaphragm (21) is adapted to seal against at least one of the first and second valve seats. The first diaphragm (21) is adapted to be pressed against and released from the valve seats, thereby shutting and opening, respectively, passage between the central channel and the side channels. A second valve chamber (45), into which opens a fourth channel (48), communicates with the central channel (16) through an opening (46) in the housing. A third valve seat (49) is provided and a second diaphragm (52) is adapted to be brought into and away from sealing engagement with the third valve seat (49). The second diaphragm (52) is adapted to be pressed against and released from the third valve seat (49), thereby shutting and opening, respectively, passage between the fourth channel (48) and the central channel (16).

Description: DIAPHRAGM VALVE The present invention concerns a development of the three-way diaphragm valve described in WO 95/00782. That diaphragm valve is intended for controlling a flow of gaseous or liquid fluid and includes a valve housing having a valve chamber. Into the valve chamber opens a central channel and on each side thereof a first side channel and a second side channel, respectively. Valve seat means is arranged in the housing and an elastic diaphragm is adapted to be brought into and away from sealing contact with at least one of the valve seat means by means of control means for actuating the diaphragm. At least one portion of eacn valve seat means is common to the central channel and one of the side channels. Two control means are arranged on one hand to press the diaphragm against one such portion each, thereby to shut passage of fluid between the central channel and the respective side channel, on the other to raise one portion each of the diaphragm off the respective portion of the valve seat means thereby to open passage of flow between the central channel and the respective side channel. This prior art diaphragm valve has proven to operate extremely well. There is, however, a desire to convert it to a four-way valve, i.e., a valve for mixing three flows, or, to direct one flow to one or more of three different outlets. In achieving this, the new diaphragm valve shall comply with the same extensive sanitary requirements as the prior one, it shall be simply and reliably operable and have relatively few movable parts. This object is achieved m a diaphragm valve having the characteristic features stated in the appended claims. The present invention will now be more closely described, reference being made to the accompanying drawings, wherein Fig. 1 is a first side-view of a valve according to the present invention; Fig. 2 is a top view in the direction II-II indicated in Fig. 1; - Fig. 3 is a second side-view of the valve according to Fig. 1 seen in the direction III-III indicated in Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is a vertical central section taken along line IV- IV in Fig. 3, but at a larger scale; Fig. 5 is a section through the valve housing and the lower operating unit taken along line V-V m Fig. 4, Fig. 6 is a top view of the valve housing; Fig. 7 is a section taken along line VII-VII in Fig. 6; Fig. 8 is a section taken along line VIII-VIII m Fig. 6; Fig. 9 is a section taken along line IX-IX m Fig. 6; and - Fig. 10 is a bottom view of the valve housing. The four-way diaphragm valve according to the present invention includes three main parts: a valve housing 11, an upper operating unit 12 and a lower operating unit 13. As initially stated, the valve according to the present invention constitutes a development of the three-way diaphragm valve described m WO 95/00782. That valve includes a valve housing and an operating unit capable of controlling movements of a diaphragm so as to bring the diaphragm into and away from sealing contact with valve seats provided in an upper surface of the valve housing around mouths of three channels provided in the valve housing and having each an outer port. The prior art valve corresponds in all essential to the upper part of the valve according to the present invention, i.e., the upper operating unit 12 and an upper portion of the valve housing 11 and will now be described more in detail. The valve housing 11 has an upwardly turned, substantially circular valve chamber 14 (Figs. 6 - 9), in which open a first side channel 15, a central channel 16 and a second side channel 17, having each an outer fluid connection or port A, B and C, respectively. The channels 15 and 17 are substantially symmetrically arranged with respect to the central channel 16. The mouths of the channels 15 and 16, and 16 and 17, respectively, are separated by valve housing walls Ila and lib, respectively, that are symmetrically located with respect to the central channel 16. Portions of the surface of the valve housing around the mouths of the channels form valve seats 18 and 19, respectively (Figs. 6, 8, 9). A resilient diaphragm 21 (Fig. 4) is arranged on the valve housing 11 and is adapted to be brought into and away from sealing contact with at least one of the valve seats. In order to control the movements of the diaphragm 21, the valve is provided with the upper operating unit 12, in turn comprising control means acting on the diaphragm and drive means for selectively moving the control means. The control means includes two pressure and lifting blocks 22 and 23, whicn are guided for upward and downward movement within the lower portion of a housing 24 forming a part of the upper operating unit. The blocks are adapted to press one portion each of the diaphragm 21 against the valve housing and its respective seatmgs and to lift corresponding portions off the valve housing. For the latter purpose, the diaphragm 21 is provided with two separated yokes 21a, 21b, having substantially T-shaped cross-sections and being located symmetrically about a vertical plane of symmetry including the center line of the diaphragm and the axis of the central channel 16. In a respective lower surface the blocks 22 and 23 have inverted T-shaped recesses accomodating a respective one of the yokes 21a, 21b. In the blocks are attached the lower ends of pull and push rods 25 and 26, respectively, that are sealingly guided in a wall 27 of the housing 24. The rods 25 and 26 are coupled to the clocks 22, 23 by means of threaded conical pins 28, 29, that are screwed into threaded holes in the blocks and have their tips engaging notches 30, 31 in the rods. Mounting of the pins takes place through openings in side walls 32, 33 of the housing 24 closed by covers 34, 35. The drive means for selectively moving the blocks 22, 23 includes a first cylinder 36 formed in the housing 24 and a second cylinder 37 formed in a housing 38 placed on top of the housing 24 and closing with its bottom wall 39 the cylinder 36. Pistons 40 and 41 are guided in the cylinders 36 and 37 and are fixedly connected to the upper ends of the rods 25 and 26, respectively. As more closely explained and described in WO 95/00782, the rod 25 sealingly extends through the cylinder 36 and its associated piston 40. A respective spring 41, 42 is placed between the piston 40 and the bottom wall 39 of the housing 38 as well as between the piston 41 and a cover 44 closing the cylinder 37 so as to urge the respective piston and its associated rod 25, 26 and block 22, 23 in a downward direction. The diaphragm 21 is sealingly clamped between an outer rim 11' of the valve housing 11 and corresponding bottom rims 32', 33' of the walls 32, 33. As is shown m the sectional view of Fig. 4, the blocks 22, 23 press a respective portion of the diaphragm 21 sealingly against the seats 18, 19. Selective introduction of a pressurized fluid (generally air) through an inlet 36', 37' (Fig. 1) into a respective cylinder 36, 37 under the associated piston 40, 41 will cause either or both blocks to raise, thereby lifting a respective portion of the diaphragm off the seats 18, 19 against the action of the springs. Raising of block 22 only will cause fluid communication between channels 15 and 16 (ports A and B) , raising of block 23 only will cause fluid communication between channels 16 and 17 (channels B and C) , and raising of both blocks 22 and 23 will cause fluid communication between all three channels 15, 16 and 17 (ports A, B and C) . Air on the upper side of the pistons is relieved through openings 36", 36", respectively (Fig. 1) . As far as the valve has been now described it corresponds in all essential to a valve according to the second embodiment of the three-way valve described m WO 95/00782. In such a valve, the central channel 16 is the channel through which a medium is introduced into the valve to be selectively distributed to either or both of the side channels 15, 17, or, oppositely, the central channel 16 is the channel that selectively can receive a medium from either or both of the channels 15, 16. According to the present invention, the prior art valve has been completed with a fourth port D that may be selectively put into communication with the port B. This has been accomplished by forming a second valve chamber 45 in the lower surface of the valve housing 11. This valve chamber, in the embodiment shown also substantially circular, communicates through an opening 46 in the valve body with the channel 16. The port D communicates through a channel 48 with the valve chamber 45. The channel 48 is substantially aligned with the central channel 16, i.e., it is also a central channel in relation to the side channels 15 and 17. A valve housing wall 47 divides the valve chamber in two parts, one communicating with the channel 48 and one with the opening 46. A surface of the valve housing wall forms a valve seat 49, substantially corresponding to one of the valve seats 18, 19. The valve seat 49 extends in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of the valve seats 18, 19 and, for a reason that will be explained hereinbelow, preferably excentrically over the valve chamber 45. This excentricity preferably corresponds to the excentricity of any one of the valve seats 18, 19. A second diaphragm 50 is clamped between a lower rim 11'' of the valve housing 11 and corresponding top rims 51', 52' of side walls 51, 52 of a housing 53 forming a part of the lower operating unit 13. Like the upper operating unit 12, the lower operating unit comprises control means acting on the second diaphragm 50 and drive means for moving the control means. This control means includes a pressure and lifting block 54 guided for upward and downward movement within the walls 51, 52 of the housing 53. This block is adapted to press, with a nose portion 54', a portion of the diaphragm 50 against the valve seat 49 (see Fig. 7) and to lift that portion off the valve seat. For the latter purpose, the diaphragm 50 is provided with a yoke 55 having substantially T-shaped cross-section and being excentrically located in correspondence to the excentric location of the valve seat 49. In an upper surface the block 54 has an inverted T-shaped recess 56 for receiving the yoke 55. In the block 54 is attached the upper end of a pull and push rod 57, that is sealingly guided in a wall 58 of the housing 53. The rod 57 is coupled to the block 54 by means of a threaded conical pin 59, that is screwed into a threaded hole in the block and has its tip engaging a notch 60 in the rod. Mounting of the pin takes place through an opening in a side wall of the housing 53 closed by a cover 61. The drive means for moving the block 54 includes a cylinder 62 formed m the housing 53. A piston 63 is guided in the cylinder 62 and is fixedly connected to the lower end of the rod 57. A spring 64 is placed between the piston 63 and a cover 65 closing the cylinder 62 so as to urge the piston and its associated rod 57 and block 54 in an upward direction. Introduction of a pressurized fluid (generally air) through an inlet 66 (Figs. 3 and 4) into the cylinder 62 will cause the piston 63 to move downwards against the force of the spring 64, thereby lowering the portion of the diaphragm 50 sealing against the valve seat 49 from that seat and allowing flow from the channel 48 (port D) through the opening 46 to the channel 16 (port B) or vice versa. Consequently, port B may be connected to either of ports A, C and D, simultaneously to ports A + C, A + D, or C + D, or, simultaneously to ports A + C + D. Air on the lower side of the piston 63 is relieved through an opening 67 (Fig. 3) . In order to provide a uniform lowering of the diaphragm 50, it may be provided with a second yoke 55' engaged in a second recess 56' in the block 54, as shown in Fig. 5. This diaphragm having two yokes is preferably identical to the diaphragm 21, and this is the reason why it is preferred to have the valve seat 49 excentrically located in the valve chamber 45. It is further preferred to make the blocks 22, 23 and 54 from one and the same blank in the shaped of a cylindrical bar. The bar is cut and every cut piece is shaped to either one block 54 or two blocκs 22 and 23. It is obvious to the person skilled in the art that the springs 42, 43, 64 may be replaced by other means forcing the pistons in a direction pressing the diaphragms against the respective valve seats. Particularly when it comes to larger valves, such means advantageously comprise utilization of pressurized air. From Figs. 1 and 2 as well as Figs. 6 and 10 it appears that the valve housing 11 has upper and lower flanges 68, 69, respectively. This flanges are used to clamp the upper and lower operating unit, respectively, to the valve housing 11 by means of bolts and nuts 70. In Figs. 1, 2 and 3 are also shown bolt heads 71, 72 for securing the covers 44, 65 to the housings 38 and 53, respectively.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. A diaphragm valve for controlling a flow of gaseous or liquid fluid and including a valve housing (11) having a first valve chamber (14), into which open a central channel (16) and on each side thereof a first side channel (15) and a second side channel (17), respectively, having each an external connection (A, B, C) for fluid, first and second valve seat means (18, 19) arranged in the housing, a first elastic diaphragm (21) adapted to be brought into and away from sealing engagement with at least one of the first and second valve seat means, at least one portion of each valve seat means being common to the central channel (16) and one of the side channels (15, 17), first and second control means (22, 23) being arranged on one hand to press the first diaphragm (21) against one valve seat means each, thereby to shut passage of fluid between the central channel and the respective side channel, on the other to raise one portion each of the first diaphragm off the respective valve seat means, thereby to open passage of fluid between the central channel and the respective side channel, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that the valve housing (11) is provided with a second valve chamber (45), into which opens a fourth channel (48) having an external connection (D) for fluid and which communicates with the central channel (16) through an opening (46) in the valve housing, that a second elastic diaphragm (52) is provided and is adapted to be brought into and away from sealing engagement with the third valve seat means (49), and that a third control means (54) is arranged on one hand to press the second diaphragm (52) against the third valve seat means (49) , thereby to shut passage of fluid between the fourth channel (48) and the central channel (16), on the other to release the diaphragm from its engagement with the third valve seat means (49), thereby to open passage of fluid between the fourth channel (48) and the central channel (16) . 2. A diaphragm valve according to claim 1, c h a r a c t e ¬ r i z e d i n that the first valve chamber (14) is located on one side of the valve housing (11) and the second valve chamber (45) is located on an opposite side of the valve housing. 3. A diaphragm valve according to claim 1, c h a r a c t e - r i z e d i n that the fourth channel (48) is substantially aligned with the central channel (16) . 4. A diaphragm valve according to claim 1, 2 or 3, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that the third valve seat means (49) extends substantially perpendicular to the direction of the first and second valve seat means (18, 19) . 5. A diaphragm valve according to any one of the preceding claims, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that the first and second valve seat means (18, 19) are symmetrically arranged in respect of a vertical plane of symmetry through the valve, said plane including the central channel (16), that the first and second control means (22, 23) are symmetrically arranged about a central portion of the first diaphragm (21) in order to act against it over a respective one of the first and second valve seat means (18, 19), that the third valve seat means (49) is excentrically located in the second valve chamber (45) and that the third control means (54) is adapted to act on the second diaphragm (52) over the third valve seat means (49. AMENDED CLAIMS [received by the International Bureau on 6 March 1997 (06.03.97) original claim 1 amended; remaining claims unchanged (2 pages)] 1. A diaphragm valve for controlling a flow of gaseous or liquid fluid and including a valve housing (11) having a first 5 valve chamber (14), into which open a central channel (16) and on each side thereof a first side channel (15) and a second side channel (17), respectively, having each an external connection (A, B, C) for fluid, first and second valve seat means (18, 19) arranged in the housing, a first elastic 0 diaphragm (21) adapted to be brought into and away from sealing engagement with at leaεt one of the first and second valve seat means, at leaεt one portion of each valve seat means being common to the central channel (16) and one of the side channels (15, 17), first and second control means (22, 23) being 5 arranged on one hand to press the first diaphragm (21) against one valve seat means each, thereby to shut passage of fluid between the central channel and the respective side channel, on the other to raise one portion each of the first diaphragm off the respective valve seat means, thereby to open passage of 0 fluid between the central channel and the respective side channel, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that the valve housing (11) is provided with a second valve chamber (45), into which opens a fourth channel (48) having an external connection (D) for fluid and which communicates with the central channel 5 (16) through an opening (46) in the valve housing, that a third valve seat meanε (49) is provided in the second valve chamber (45), that a second elastic diaphragm (52) is provided and is adapted to be brought into and away from sealing engagement with the third valve seat means (49), and that a third control 0 means (54) is arranged on one hand to press the second diaphragm (52) against the third valve seat means (49), thereby to shut passage of fluid between the fourth channel (48) and the central channel (16), on the other to release the diaphragm from its engagement with the third valve seat means (49), 5 thereby to open passage of fluid between the fourth channel (48) and the central channel (16) . TENDED SHEET (ARTICLE 19) 2. A diaphragm valve according to claim 1, c h a r a c t e ¬ r i z e i n that the first valve chamber (14) is located on one side of the valve housing (11) and the second valve chamber (45) is located on an opposite side of the valve housing. 3. A diaphragm valve according to claim 1, c h a r a c t e ¬ r i z e d i n that the fourth channel (48) is substantially aligned with the central channel (16) . 4. A diaphragm valve according to claim 1, 2 or 3 , c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that the third valve seat means (49) extends substantially perpendicular to the direction of the first and second valve seat means (18, 19) . 5. A diaphragm valve according to any one of the preceding claims, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that the first and second valve seat means (18, 19) are symmetrically arranged in respect of a vertical plane of symmetry through the valve, said plane including the central channel (16) , that the first and second control means (22, 23) are symmetrically arranged about a central portion of the first diaphragm (21) in order to act against it over a respective one of the first and second valve seat means (18, 19), that the third valve seat means (49) is excentrically located in the second valve chamber (45) and that the third control means (54) is adapted to act on the second diaphragm (52) over the third valve seat means (49.

Inventors: BAECKLUND INGVAR, BAECKLUND, INGVAR
Applicants: BAECKLUND INGVAR, ROBOVALVE AKTIEBOLAG, BAECKLUND, INGVAR
Application year: 1996
Main classification: F16K7
IPC codes: F16K7, F16K11, F16K31