Safety valve for fluids

Abstract: The safety valve for fluids subject of this Patent is a spherical valve for a straight or right-angle (90°) flow and a quarter-turn. Its structure comprises: a box (1) having a small central cylindrical recess (2) on its bottom, and two diametrically opposed notches (6) in its neck (5). A spherical body (4) provided with two throats (8) on its driving shaft (7) and a central cylindrical projection (3) on the bottom end of the axis of longitudinal symmetry. An intermediate tube-shaped part (10) between the shaft (7) of the body (4) and the neck (5) on the box (1), provided with two peripheral throats (11). A washer (13) provided with two diametrically opposed radial projections (14). A manual control (15) provided with two diametrically opposed dissymmetrical projections (16)-( 17). The sealing means are: two O-ring seals (9) on the driving shaft (7) and a further two (12) on the intermediate part. Two annular elastic seals (18) between the box (1) passages and the spherical body (4). A rim (19) provided by drawing in the top edge of the neck (5) after fitting the washer (13) in its housing, thereby to ensure that it is locked therein, that the valve is sealed and that it is altogether inviolable and even tamper-resistant, and therefore that the valve is safe against deflagration or explosion.

Description: The object of the invention that is to be protected by this Patent consists of a Safety valve for fluids. The notion of "safety" contained in the title of the object relates to the valve being sealed as a result of its technical structural and mounting characteristics, for its preferred application is in combustible gas fluid lines. BACKGROUND The use of combustible (natural, town, butane) gas flow, control or cut-off valves both in mains and in branches thereof for supplying certain appliances (kitchen, heaters, etc.) consuming the same is known and commonly applied. In any event, the operating means must primarily meet certain safety requirements, particularly making the mobility of flow control members compatible with the valve being altogether sealed in order to prevent potential gas leaks resulting in deflagration or explosion of gas building up therein. US 4,026,516 refers to a ball valve stem guide. It discloses a safety valve for fluids being of the so called spherical type. The valve comprises a straight or right angle flow and a quarter turn control. In particular, the valve comprises a box with a fluid flow duct and a neck. The neck is provided with two identical longitudinal notches, which lye on a diameter parallel to the axis of the fluid flow duct. Further, a straight or right angle flow spherical valve body is provided with a driving shaft. The bottom of its axis of longitudinal symmetry is provided with a cylindrical projection. Further, the valve comprises an intermediate cylindrical tube shaped adjusting part between the shaft driving the valve body and the neck on the box and a washer limiting the turn of a manual control for a valve body. The washer is provided with two diameterically opposed radial projections which are housed within the notches in the neck on the box. The manual control is provided with two diametrically opposed dissymmentrical projections. This document forms the preamble of claim 1. DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The purpose of the invention constituting the object of this Patent is to enhance the sealing of known valves for controlling the flow in combustible gas lines, ensuring that they are compatible with the required mobility of the control members. This object is solved by a safety valve for fluids comprising the features of claim 1. A preferred embodiment is defined by dependent claim 2. The valve is of the so-called spherical kind, with a straight or right-angle (90°) fluid flow and with a full to no flow control by means of a quarter-turn of the turning control. Its structure comprises the following elements: A box having a small central cylindrical recess in its bottom inner face for snugly housing a similarly shaped projection existing on the bottom of the valve body, and provided on its neck or top portion with two identical and diametrically opposed notches in the direction of the longitudinal axis, designed to snugly house two diametric projections from the washer limiting the turn of the control to a quarter turn, in order to lock the same. A straight or right-angle flow spherical valve body provided on its driving shaft with two O-ring seals and centrally at the bottom end of its axis of longitudinal symmetry, with a cylindrical projection which is snugly housed in the respective recess on the box bottom and serves as a mounting guide and a socket for a rotary connection. An intermediate cylindrical tube-shaped adjusting part between the shaft driving the valve body and the box neck, provided with two peripheral throats on the outside surface, each one for housing an O-ring seal. A washer limiting the turn of the control to a quarter turn, provided with two diametrically opposed radial projections housed within the notches in the valve neck, to lock the washer. A top control, conventionally connected to the valve body shaft, with two diametrically opposed dissymmetrical projections, one being wider and shorter for ease of turning drive pressure and the other one being narrower and longer for a better grip. The means designed to ensure sealing of the valve are the following: Two O-ring seals each inserted in a peripheral throat on the valve body shaft. Two O-ring seals each inserted in a peripheral throat on the outside surface of the intermediate adjusting part. Two annular elastic seals arranged between the flow passages in the valve box and the surface of the spherical body. A inwardly directed top rim on the neck of the box, provided after fitting the washer limiting rotation in its housing. The mechanical step to draw in the edge of the neck can be made because the depth of its notches is greater than the thickness of the washer, which is thus retained in its seat by the rim provided, without being able to come loose even if the internal valve pressure rises, thereby not only ensuring that the valve is sealed but moreover that it is altogether inviolable and even tamper-resistant, and therefore that the valve is safe against deflagration or explosion. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Drawings are attached for a fuller description of the invention and an easier understanding of its formal, structural and functional characteristics and its object, schematically showing various features of a preferred embodiment of the safety valve for fluids subject of this Patent. In said drawings, Figures 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 17, 18 and 19 show a straight flow valve; figure 17' shows a right-angled valve (90° flow); and the remaining figures show elements valid for both valves. The following is specifically shown: Figures 1 to 6 show several views of the valve box: Figure 1 is a longitudinal section thereof along line B-B of Figure 3; Figure 2 is a cross-section along line A-A of Figure 5; Figure 3 is a plan view; Figure 4 is an enlarged detail of the profile of the top edge of the neck, before it is drawn in to retain the washer; Figure 5 is a side elevation; and Figure 6 is a perspective. Figures 7 to 10 show several views of the spherical valve body: Figure 7 is a side elevation; Figure 8 is a front elevation; Figure 9 is a section along a diametrical plane, in the longitudinal direction of the straight flow opening; and Figure 10 is a perspective. Figures 11 to 14 show several views of the top manual control: Figure 11 is a perspective; Figure 12 is a lower plan; Figure 13 is a section along a longitudinal plane in the direction of two drive projections; and Figure 14 is a top plan view. Figures 15 and 16 show the washer limiting the turning of the control to a quarter turn: Figure 15 is a perspective and Figure 16 a plan. Figures 17 and 18 show a same longitudinal section of the mounted straight flow valve: Figure 17 is a front projection and Figure 18 a perspective. Figure 17' is a longitudinal section of the right-angle valve. Figure 19 is an exploded view of the structural valve components. DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The construction and mounting of the safety valve for fluids constituting the object of the invention is described hereinafter in order to clearly show the nature and scope of its advantageous application with reference to the drawings which show a preferred embodiment of said object for informative purposes. The safety valve for fluids protected in this Patent is of the so-called "spherical" kind, with a straight or right-angle (90°) fluid flow and a quarter-turn control. Its structure comprises: A box (1) having a small central cylindrical recess (2) in its bottom inner face, snugly housing a similarly shaped projection (3) existing on the bottom of the spherical body (4), whereas its neck (5) is provided with two identical longitudinal notches (6) lying at the ends of a diameter parallel to the axis of the fluid flow duct, their depth being greater than the thickness of the washer (13). A straight or right-angle (90°) flow spherical valve body (4) provided on its driving shaft (7) with two peripheral throats (8), each one to house an O-ring seal (9), whereas the bottom end of its axis of longitudinal symmetry is provided with a cylindrical projection (3). An intermediate cylindrical tube-shaped adjusting part (10) between the shaft (7) driving the body (4) and the neck (5) on the box (1), provided with two peripheral throats (11), each one to house an O-ring seal (12). A washer (13) limiting the turn of the control, provided with two diametrically opposed radial projections (14) housed within the notches (6) in the valve neck (5). A manual control (15) provided with two diametrically opposed dissymmetrical projections, one (16) being wider and shorter and the other one (17) being narrower and longer. The means designed to ensure sealing of the valve in addition to the O-ring seals (9) and (12) are the following: Two annular elastic seals (18) arranged between the flow passages in the box (1) and the surface of the spherical body (4). A rim (19) on the neck (5) of the box (1) provided by drawing in its top edge after fitting the washer (13) in its housing, thereby for it to be retained therein even if the internal valve pressure rises. This arrangement not only ensures that the valve is sealed but moreover that it is altogether inviolable and even tamper-resistant, and therefore that the valve is safe against deflagration or explosion.

Claims: A safety valve for fluids, being of the so-called "spherical" kind, with a straight or right-angle (90°) flow and a quarter-turn control, comprising: a box (1) with a fluid flow duct and a neck (5); the neck (5) being provided with two identical longitudinal notches (6) lying at the ends of a diameter parallel to the axis of the fluid flow duct; a straight or right-angle (90°) flow spherical valve body (4) provided with a driving shaft (7), whereas the bottom end of its axis of longitudinal symmetry is provided with a cylindrical projection (3); an intermediate cylindrical tube-shaped adjusting part (10) between the shaft (7) driving the valve body (4) and the neck (5) on the box (1); a washer (13) limiting the turn of a manual control (15) for the valve body (4), provided with two diametrically opposed radial projections (14) housed within the notches (6) in the neck (5) on the box (1); the manual control (15) provided with two diametrically opposed dissymmetrical projections; characterized in that the box (1) has a small central cylindrical recess (2) in its bottom inner face, snugly housing a similarly shaped projection (3) existing on the bottom of the spherical valve body (4); the depth of the two identical longitudinal notches (6) is greater than the thickness of the washer (13); the driving shaft (7) has two peripheral throats (8), each one to house an O-ring seal (9); the intermediate cylindrical tube-shaped adjusting part (10) is provided with two peripheral throats (11) on the outer diameter, each one to house an O-ring seal (12); and one (16) of the projections of the manual control is wider and shorter and the other one (17) is narrower and longer. A safety valve for fluids according to Claim 1, characterized in that the means designed to ensure sealing of the valve in addition to the O-ring seals (9) and (12) are the following: two annular elastic seals (18) arranged between the flow passages in the box (1) and the surface of the spherical body (4); a rim (19) on the neck (5) of the box (1) provided by drawing in its top edge after fitting the washer (13) in its housing, thereby for it to be retained therein even if the internal valve pressure rises, thereby not only ensuring that the valve is sealed but moreover that it is altogether inviolable and even tamper-resistant, and therefore that the valve is safe against deflagration or explosion.

Inventors: FERRER BELTRAN JOSE MA, FERRER BELTRAN, JOSE MA, Ferrer Beltran, José Ma
Applicants: VALVULAS ARCO S A, VALVULAS ARCO, S.A.
Application year: 1999
Main classification: F16K5
IPC codes: F16K5, F16K27