Abstract:
Disclosed is a valve disk for a pressure regulating valve having a retaining device to keep a sealing gasket from becoming displaced. The retaining device of the valve disk increases the friction between the sealing gasket and a sealing gasket groove of the valve disk or secures the sealing gasket in place using an annular sleeve around a valve stem, thereby preventing the sealing gasket on the valve disk from tearing out and falling off when the pressure regulating valve is experiencing a high differential pressure or a high current velocity. Accordingly, the retaining device maintains the sealing of the pressure regulating valve, thereby increasing the work life of the pressure regulating valve.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    The present disclosure relates to a pressure regulating valve in a fluid control system, and in particular relates to the securement of a sealing gasket on a valve disk in a pressure regulating valve by a retaining device. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Pressure regulating valves are used in fluid control systems to maintain a specific pressure of fluid within a fluid control system. To achieve this end, pressure regulating valves control the flow rate of a fluid through the valve. The ability of a pressure regulating valve to control fluid flow rate is often dependent upon the ability of the valve to seal properly. Thus, valves with high sealing performance are preferred. 
         [0003]    In a typical pressure regulating valve, a valve disk is moved relative to a valve port by a valve stem (i.e., valve rod) in order to adjust fluid flow rate through the valve port in a very stable fashion. In some cases, a small spring in the valve disk assists with movement of the valve disk. A sealing gasket is provided on the valve disk and a complementary valve seat (i.e., valve port edge) is provided on the valve port. The sealing gasket and the complementary valve seat together form a tight seal when the valve disk closes the valve port. 
         [0004]    Because the pressure difference across the valve port can be great, the sealing gasket on the valve disk is prone to be torn or blown off Although the pressure regulating valve can still work without a sealing gasket, the closing performance of the valve is diminished. Further, when the sealing gasket is torn off, it travels downstream with the flow of fluid, where it can have a harmful effect on the flow of fluid through the fluid control system. Additional solutions to the problem of a sealing gasket being torn off are desired. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0005]    In order to solve the problem mentioned above, the current disclosure provides a variety of embodiments of a valve disk for a pressure regulating valve. In the embodiments discussed below, a sealing gasket groove is arranged on the valve disk, and a sealing gasket is arranged in the sealing gasket groove. A retaining device is arranged on or in the valve disk in contact with the sealing gasket, and the displacement of the sealing gasket is restricted by the retaining device. 
         [0006]    The retaining device may include one or a plurality of concave and/or convex portions of the sealing gasket groove of the valve disk, which may extend circumferentially or in a spiral, threaded configuration around the sealing gasket groove of the valve disk. The retaining device may include a portion of the sealing gasket groove of the valve disk having a rectangular, triangular, trapezoidal, or arc-shaped cross section. The retaining device may include an annular sleeve extending above the upper surface of the valve disk and over the sealing gasket groove. The valve disk may be connected to the valve stem. The retaining device may be pressed on to the valve disk by a step in the valve stem, wherein the step is formed by a decrease of the diameter of the valve stem. The retaining device may be connected to the valve stem through a first connecting hole disposed in the retaining device and may be connected to the valve disk by a second connecting hole disposed in the valve disk. The retaining device may have a concave or convex shape complementary to that of the sealing gasket. The valve disk and the retaining device may have a threaded connection or may be connected by one or more rivets. 
         [0007]    The retaining device may increase the friction between the valve disk and the sealing gasket, thereby preventing the sealing gasket from falling off during times that the valve is experiencing a high pressure difference and high flow rate. Thus, the retaining device maintains the closing performance and increases the work life of the pressure regulating valve. The inclusion of a retaining device in a pressure regulating valve requires only a simple change of the structure of a valve disk and is economical because other parts do not have to be changed. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS 
         [0008]    Drawings, provided for further understanding of the present utility model and forming a part of the specification, are used to explain the present utility model together with embodiments of the present utility model rather than to limit the present utility model. 
           [0009]      FIG. 1  illustrates an exemplary pressure regulating valve and a partial enlarged cross-sectional view of the pressure regulating valve in the prior art; 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  illustrates a cross-sectional view of a valve disk and a sealing gasket thereof in the prior art; 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  illustrates a partial cross-sectional view and an enlarged cross-sectional view of a valve disk and retaining device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure wherein the retaining device is a retaining groove with a rectangular cross-section in the inner side of the sealing gasket groove; 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  illustrates a partial cross-sectional view of a valve disk and retaining device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure wherein the retaining device is a plurality of retaining grooves with rectangular cross-sections in the inner side of the sealing gasket groove; 
           [0013]      FIG. 5  is a partial cross-sectional view of valve disk and retaining device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure wherein the retaining device is a retaining groove with a triangular cross-sections arranged in a spiral pattern in the inner side of the sealing gasket groove; 
           [0014]      FIG. 6  is a partial cross-sectional view of valve disk and retaining device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure wherein the retaining device is a convex retaining strip with a trapezoidal cross-section in the inner side of the sealing gasket groove; 
           [0015]      FIG. 7  is a partial cross-sectional view of valve disk and retaining device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure wherein the retaining device is a plurality of convex retaining strips with trapezoidal cross-sections in the inner side of the sealing gasket groove; 
           [0016]      FIG. 8  is a partial cross-sectional view of a valve disk, retaining device, and valve stem according to an embodiment of the present disclosure wherein the retaining device includes an annular sleeve surrounding the valve stem; and 
           [0017]      FIG. 9  is a partial cross-sectional view of a valve disk, retaining device, and valve stem according to an embodiment of the present disclosure wherein the retaining device includes an annular sleeve surrounding the valve stem and a U-shaped body. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
       [0018]    The preferred embodiments are described in conjunction with the drawings as follows. It shall be understood that the preferred embodiments described herein are only used to describe and explain the present disclosure and shall not be construed as improper limitations on the same. The embodiments of the present disclosure and the features of the embodiments can be combined with each other if there is no conflict. 
         [0019]      FIG. 1  illustrates a pressure regulating valve  10  of the prior art. The enlarged view of  FIG. 1  shows a valve disk  12  connected to a valve stem  13 . The disk valve  12  is moved by the valve stem  13  relative to a valve port  11  of the pressure regulating valve  10  to restrict or block the flow of a fluid through the valve port  11 . A sealing gasket  14  is arranged on the valve disk  12  to seal the valve port  11  by being pressed against a valve seat  16 . A small spring  15  may assist with the closing of the valve port  11 . As discussed above, the valve port sealing gasket  14  in embodiments in the prior art are prone to be blown off or partially torn off as a result of extreme pressure differences across the valve port  11  and high fluid flow rates through the valve port  11 .  FIG. 2  illustrates the disk valve  12  and sealing gasket  14  of  FIG. 1  after a portion of the sealing gasket  14  has been torn away. 
         [0020]      FIG. 3  illustrates an embodiment of the present disclosure. In  FIG. 3 , the valve disk  21  has a sealing gasket groove  23 , and the sealing gasket groove  23  accommodates a sealing gasket  22  that cooperates with a valve port (not pictured) to seal a valve. An annular retaining groove  24  is arranged in the sealing gasket groove  23 . If the sealing gasket  22  is fit into the sealing gasket groove  23  by vulcanization, the sealing gasket  22  fills the retaining groove  24  automatically and fits closely with the retaining groove  24  after solidifying. The sealing gasket  22  may alternately be fit into the sealing gasket groove  23  by riveting. The retaining groove  24  increases the friction between the valve disk  21  and the sealing gasket  22  to keep the sealing gasket  22  from being torn out of the sealing gasket groove  23 . 
         [0021]    In  FIG. 3 , the cross-section of the retaining groove  24  is rectangular. In other embodiments within the scope of the present disclosure, the retaining groove  24  may be arc-shaped, trapezoidal, triangular, or have another shape. In  FIG. 3 , only one retaining groove  24  is provided. In other embodiments within the scope of the present disclosure, a plurality of retaining grooves may be provided. In  FIG. 3 , the retaining groove  24  is depicted on an inner side  26  of the sealing gasket groove  23 . In other embodiments within the scope of the present disclosure, the retaining groove  24  may be placed on the outer side  25  of the sealing gasket groove  23  or one or more retaining grooves  24  may be placed on both the inner side  26  and outer side  25  of the sealing gasket groove  23 . 
         [0022]    In  FIG. 4 , a sealing gasket groove  33  is arranged on a valve disk  31 , and the sealing gasket groove  33  is used for accommodating a sealing gasket  32 . In  FIG. 4 , the retaining device is a plurality of annular retaining grooves  34  placed on the inner side  36  of the sealing gasket groove  33 . Although three retaining grooves  34  are depicted in  FIG. 4 , the retaining device may include a different number of retaining grooves  34 , such as two retaining grooves  34  or four retaining grooves  34 . 
         [0023]    In  FIG. 5 , a sealing gasket groove  43  is arranged on a valve disk  41 , and the sealing gasket groove  41  is used for accommodating a sealing gasket  42 . In  FIG. 5 , the retaining device is a retaining groove  44  having a triangular cross-section placed on the inner side  46  of the sealing gasket groove  43 . The number and shape of the retaining grooves  44  may differ in various embodiments within the scope of the present disclosure. In the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 5 , the sealing gasket  42  may be inserted into the sealing gasket groove  43  by spinning it because the retaining groove  44  is arranged in a spiral, threaded pattern. 
         [0024]    In  FIGS. 3-5 , the retaining device includes concave retaining grooves  24 ,  34 , and  44 . In contrast,  FIGS. 6 and 7  depict embodiments within the scope of the present disclosure having retaining devices that include convex retaining strips.  FIG. 6  illustrates a partial cross-sectional side view of a convex retaining strip  54  in sealing gasket groove  53  of valve disk  51 , which accommodates sealing gasket  52 . The retaining strip  54  is arranged on the inner side  56  of the sealing gasket groove  53 . In other embodiments within the scope of the present disclosure, the retaining strip  54  may be arranged on the outer side (not pictured) of the groove  53  or both walls of the groove  53  may have retaining strips  54 . 
         [0025]      FIG. 7  depicts an alternate embodiment within the scope of the present disclosure in a plurality of retaining strips  64  are arranged on the sealing gasket groove  63  of the valve disk  61 .  FIG. 7  shows an embodiment having three retaining strips  64 , but other embodiments within the scope of the present disclosure may have more or less. In the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 7 , the cross-section of the retaining strips  64  arranged on the sealing groove  63  of the valve disk  61  is trapezoidal. In other embodiments within the scope of the present disclosure, the cross-section of the retaining strips  64  arranged on the sealing gasket groove  63  of the valve disk  61  may be rectangular, triangle, arc-shaped, etc. The retaining strips  64  in the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 7  can be arranged on the inner side  66  of the sealing gasket groove  63  on the valve disk  61 . It should be understood that the retaining strips  64  also can be arranged on the outer side (not pictured) of the sealing gasket groove  63  on the valve disk  61 , or can be arranged on both the inner side  66  and outer side. 
         [0026]    In some embodiments within the scope of the present disclosure, the retaining device may include both a retaining groove and a retaining strip arranged on the groove of the valve disk in this embodiment. The groove of the valve disk is annular so the groove has an inner side wall and an outer side wall. One or more retaining groove and one or more retaining strip can be arranged on the inner side wall and the outer side wall to further increase the friction between the sealing gasket and the groove and prevent the sealing gasket from falling off. 
         [0027]      FIG. 8  depicts a retaining device that is an annular sleeve  74  that is placed on the valve disk  71  and surrounds the valve stem  76 . The valve disk  71  is connected with the valve stem  76  and includes a sealing gasket groove  73  to accommodate sealing gasket  72 . In an assembled state, the annular sleeve  74  tightly presses against the valve disc  71 , and an outer edge  75  of the valve disk  71  covers the sealing gasket  72 , which is arranged in the sealing gasket groove  73  of the valve disk  71 , to prevent the sealing gasket  72  from falling out of the sealing gasket groove  73  of the valve disk  71 . The valve stem  76  connects to the valve disk  71  at an end portion  77  that has a reduced diameter that is inserted into a connecting hole  78  of the valve disk  71  and fixed to the valve disk  71 . In some embodiments within the scope of the present disclosure, the end portion  77  may be connected to the connecting hole  78  by a threaded connection. In other embodiments within the scope of the present disclosure, the end portion  77  may be connected to the connecting hole  78  by rivets, a muff-connection, or another connecting means. Because the diameter of the end  77  of the valve stem  76  decreases, an annular step  109  is formed at the position of the decrease. An outer edge portion  75  of the annular sleeve  74  is tightly pressed against the sealing gasket  72  by the annular step  109  of the valve stem  76  and thus secures the sealing gasket  72  in place. 
         [0028]    In other embodiments within the scope of the present disclosure, a retaining device may include not only the annular sleeve  74  discussed with respect to  FIG. 8  but may also include a retaining groove or retaining strip in the outer side  105  or inner side  106  of the sealing gasket groove  73 . In such embodiments, the annular sleeve  74  secures the sealing gasket  72  in place, and the retaining groove or/and the retaining strip further increases the friction between the sealing gasket  72  and the outer side  105  or inner side  106  of the sealing gasket groove  73 , preventing the sealing gasket  72  from falling off. 
         [0029]      FIG. 9  shows a valve disk  81  comprising a retaining device  80 . The retaining device  80  in this embodiment comprises an annular sleeve  84  and a body  88  which is integrally formed with the annular sleeve  84 . The body  88  has a cross section that is U-shaped. The U-shaped body  88  is arranged below the annular sleeve  84 , and has a first connecting hole  90 . An end portion  87  of the valve stem  86  connects to the first connecting hole  90 . The valve disk  81  has a sealing gasket groove  83 , and the valve disk  81  is provided with a second connecting hole  91  which is used for connecting to the retaining device  80 . The end portion  87  of the valve stem  86  connects to the retaining device  80  through the first linking hole  90 . The retaining device  80  is fixed to the second connecting hole  91  of the valve disk  81 . By this kind of connection, the valve stem  86  and the valve disk  81  can be fixed connected via the retaining device  80 . If the valve port needs to be opened, the valve disk  81  moves downward with the valve stem  86 . As in  FIG. 8 , when the sealing gasket  83  and the valve disk  81  are in the assembled status, an annular step  119  presses down on the annular sleeve  84 , and the outer edge part  85  of the annular sleeve  84  of the retaining device  80  tightly presses onto the sealing gasket  82 , which prevents the sealing gasket  82  from falling off. 
         [0030]    In  FIG. 9 , the retaining device  80  and the second connecting hole  91  are threadably connected. In other embodiments within the scope of the present disclosure, the retaining device  80  and the valve disc  81  can be connected in other connecting ways, such as muff-connection or rivet connection, etc. The annular sleeve  84  and the U-shaped body  88  of the retaining device  80  are formed integrally in  FIG. 9 , but the retaining device  80  and the U-shaped body  88  may not be integrally formed in other embodiments within the scope of the present disclosure. 
         [0031]    Optionally, the outer surface  116  of the U-shaped body  88  of the retaining device  80  or the outer surface  115  of the sealing gasket groove  83  can be provided with a retaining groove or a retaining strip, or both a retaining groove or a retaining strip to further assist in keeping the sealing gasket  82  from falling off.