Abstract:
A self-aligning poppet valve assembly is disclosed. The self-aligning poppet valve assembly is disposed within the inner wall of a conduit and comprises a movable sealing member having a poppet guide, a seat portion comprising an inner receptacle adapted to receive the moveable sealing member, a sealing flange adapted to contact the moveable sealing member, thereby selectively inhibiting fluid flow past the moveable sealing member, and a guide receiving portion coupled the poppet guide, and a sealing device surrounding the seat portion and adapted to maintain a seal between the seat portion and the inner wall of the conduit.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S) 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/049,701, filed May 1, 2008. 
       TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    Embodiments of the subject matter described herein relate generally to valves and valve assemblies. More particularly, embodiments of the subject matter relate to poppet valves. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Poppet valves are used to control fluid flow, such as in a pressure regulating device. Alignment of the poppet assembly with the seat assembly with which it is coupled to control flow through one or more flow passages can require precise interaction between components. Accordingly, specific dimensioning and tight tolerances is required during manufacture and assembly of the poppet valve to ensure sufficient sealing and movement during operation. Such tolerances can be expensive and time-intensive to produce correctly. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY 
       [0004]    An apparatus is provided for a self-aligning poppet valve assembly. The self-aligning poppet valve assembly is disposed within the inner wall of a conduit and comprises a movable sealing member having a poppet guide, a seat portion comprising an inner receptacle adapted to receive the moveable sealing member, a sealing flange adapted to contact the moveable sealing member, thereby selectively inhibiting fluid flow past the moveable sealing member, and a guide receiving portion coupled the poppet guide, and a sealing device surrounding the seat portion and adapted to maintain a seal between the seat portion and the inner wall of the conduit. 
         [0005]    Another apparatus is provided for a poppet control valve. The poppet control valve is disposed in a conduit having a channel and comprises a movable sealing member having a poppet guide, a seat portion comprising an inner receptacle adapted to receive the moveable sealing member and a guide receiving portion coupled to the poppet guide, and a retention ring disposed in the channel, the retention ring adapted to inhibit movement of the seat portion along the conduit. 
         [0006]    Another apparatus is provided for a poppet control valve assembly. The poppet control valve assembly is disposed in a conduit having a channel and comprises a sealing member having a guide protrusion and a seat assembly comprising a protrusion receiving portion at least partially surrounding the guide protrusion and a retention ring disposed in the channel and coupled to the sealing member, the retention ring adapted to inhibit movement of the seat assembly along the conduit, wherein the seat assembly is adapted to center itself along a central axis of the sealing member. 
         [0007]    This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the detailed description. This summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]    A more complete understanding of the subject matter may be derived by referring to the detailed description and claims when considered in conjunction with the following figures, wherein like reference numbers refer to similar elements throughout the figures. 
           [0009]      FIG. 1  is a view of an embodiment of a self-aligning poppet control valve 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  is a cutaway perspective view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 ; and 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  is another cutaway perspective view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0012]    The following detailed description is merely illustrative in nature and is not intended to limit the embodiments of the subject matter or the application and uses of such embodiments. As used herein, the word “exemplary” means “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any implementation described herein as exemplary is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other implementations. Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any expressed or implied theory presented in the preceding technical field, background, brief summary or the following detailed description. 
         [0013]      FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  3  illustrate an embodiment of a self-aligning poppet valve assembly  1 . Unless otherwise specified, the elements and components depicted are symmetrical, and the view shown is a cross-sectional view along a vertical plane, near, or along the central axis of the valve assembly  1 .  FIG. 1  illustrates a view of the poppet valve assembly  1  from outside the intake and outlet conduits  82 ,  80  in which it is disposed. Fluid flows through the intake conduit  82  toward the poppet valve assembly  1  and controllably through the assembly  1  into the outlet conduit  80 . 
         [0014]    With reference to  FIG. 2 , the poppet valve assembly  1  comprises a poppet assembly  10  having a disc-shaped flange or sealing member or portion  12 , a poppet stem  14 , and a poppet guide  16 . The poppet assembly  10  can be coupled with a seat assembly  30  having an inner receptacle portion  32 , an outer receptacle portion  34 , a guide receiving portion  36 , and one or more ports  38  through which fluid can flow. The poppet valve assembly  1  can be part of a flow control system. It can be disposed with the poppet valve portion directed toward an outlet conduit  80  and can adjust the flow of fluids from the intake conduit  82  to an outlet conduit  80 . In certain embodiments, the direction of flow can be reversed. 
         [0015]    The poppet assembly  10  can be composed of a variety of materials, preferably non-corroding metals, such as stainless steel, titanium, aluminum, and the like. The seat assembly  30  can similarly be composed of such metals, or, alternatively, other metals, such as brass. 
         [0016]    The seat assembly  30  can be disposed in a valve region  84  between the outlet and intake conduits  80 ,  82 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , the seat assembly  30  can be larger than one of the conduits&#39; inner diameters; here, the outlet conduit  80 . Although the inlet conduit  82  can have an inner diameter larger than the seat assembly  30 , preferably, the seat assembly  30  is sized and constructed to nearly contact the inner wall(s) of the valve region  84 . The seat assembly  30  can be held in place by a retention or interference ring  86 . Although the seat assembly  30  is held in place by the interference ring  86 , it can still move relative to the surrounding conduit for purposes of aligning the seat assembly  30  to center around the poppet guide  16 , as described below. Thus, some small movement to adjust the position of the seat assembly  30  is contemplated. Nonetheless, the interference ring  86  preferably inhibits axial movement of the seat assembly  30  relative to the conduit, thereby maintaining the effectiveness of its seal. The seat assembly  30  is thus constrained from traveling through the conduit in response to fluid flow and any fluid pressure against it. 
         [0017]    The interference ring  86  is preferably positioned to reside in an interference ring channel  88  extending around the circumference of the seat assembly  30 , as shown. Thus, the seat assembly  30  can be held in place, or retained, by contact with the smaller-diameter inlet conduit  80  and the interference ring  86 . Accordingly, some variation in positioning is possible. 
         [0018]    To inhibit fluid from flowing around the seat assembly  30 , the seat assembly  30  can have an  0 -ring channel  48  around its outer circumference, the O-ring channel  48  appropriately sized to receive an O-ring  42 . The O-ring is preferably composed of a material suitable to both inhibit fluid flow around the seat assembly  30  as well as withstand exposure to the fluid. Some such materials can include elastomers such as rubber or silicone and the like. In some embodiments, other sealing members or sealing devices can be used as well, including skirts, flaps, and the like. Thus, although an O-ring is depicted in the illustrated embodiment, other elements are contemplated. 
         [0019]    Thus, once the seat assembly  30  is positioned in the valve region  84  and secured by the interference ring  86 , fluid is preferably inhibited from flowing from the inlet conduit  82  to the outlet conduit  80 . In a closed position, the sealing portion  12  can be contact a portion of the seat assembly  30 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , the contacted area of the seat assembly  30  can be a ledge or flange  44  surrounding the inner receptacle portion  32 . Preferably, at least part of the sealing portion  12  can extend into the inner receptacle portion  32 . Also preferably, the sealing portion  12  can have an angled head, wherein part of it extends outward in the outer receptacle portion  34  as well. 
         [0020]    Fluid flow can be controllably permitted, however, by moving or positioning the sealing portion  12  away from the inner receptacle portion  32 . The position of the sealing portion  12  can be adjusted by movement of the poppet stem  14  through coupling with a pneumatic actuator, electromagnetic motor, or other device or component. When the sealing portion  12  is withdrawn from contact with the seat assembly  30 , fluid is permitted to flow through the ports  38 , past the now-opened sealing portion  12 , and into the outlet conduit  82 . Although five ports are depicted in the illustrated embodiment, more or fewer about the seat guide portion are possible, from as few as one port to as many as can be practicably disposed in the inner receptacle portion  32 . 
         [0021]    In some embodiments, the poppet assembly  10  can also include a bellows portion  18  which can cover and insulate some components of the poppet assembly  10  from the surrounding fluid or other conduit environment. Preferably the bellows portion  18  is air- or water-tight and inhibits fluid transfer across its surface, particularly the fluid or fluids present in the inlet or outlet conduits  80 ,  82 . Some components can include a spring, sleeve, or other suitable element. Because the sealing portion  12  is positioned by the poppet stem  14 , small deviations in desired placement can occur. As one non-limiting example, the central axis of the sealing portion  12  and poppet stem  14  can be offset from the center or central axis of the inlet conduit  80 . Preferably the central axis along which the poppet assembly  10 , including the sealing portion  12  and poppet guide  16 , extends is a longitudinal axis, as shown. The poppet stem  14  or shaft can extend along the same longitudinal axis. 
         [0022]    Precise positioning of the sealing portion  12  relative to the inlet conduit  80  can be expensive and difficult to achieve. Accordingly, an offset between the central axis of the inlet conduit  80  and/or valve region  84  and the central axis of the poppet assembly  10  due to manufacturing or installation tolerances can be sufficient to cause the sealing portion  12  to misalign and improperly seal the valve assembly  1 . Such a failure to seal can be caused by poor positioning of the sealing portion  12  against the flange  44 . As a result, fluid can uncontrollably flow past the sealing portion  12  when the valve assembly  1  is in the closed position. 
         [0023]    Additionally, because the seat assembly  30  is held in place by an interference fit, and because the O-ring  42  can inhibit fluid flow around the seat assembly  30 , the dimensions of the inner diameter of the valve region  84  and the outer diameter of the seat assembly  30  can vary slightly. Preferably, the seat assembly  30  is loosely fit, and the interference ring  86  inhibits translation toward the outlet conduit  80 , while the O-ring  42  inhibits fluid flow around the seat assembly  30 . Because of the lack of fastening features, such as threads, screws, pins, and the like, the placement of the central axis of the seat assembly  30  is preferably variable. The elastomeric features of the O-ring  42  can allow the seat assembly to be positioned offset from the central axis of the outlet portion of the valve region  84  while still inhibiting fluid flow around the seat assembly  30 . 
         [0024]    Preferably, the position of the seat assembly  30  is directed by the position of the poppet guide  16  of the poppet assembly  10 , as coupled to the guide receiving portion  36 . Such coupling between the poppet guide  16  and the guide receiving portion  36  causes each component to exert mutual influence or force on the other. The guide receiving portion  36  is preferably rigidly connected or coupled to the other portions of the seat assembly  30 , thereby causing relocation of the guide receiving portion  36  to alter or adjust the position of the entire seat assembly  30 . Thus, the poppet assembly  10  and, consequently, poppet guide  16  can be offset from the center of the outlet portion of the valve region  84 , as described above. However, because the seat assembly  30  can adjust its position, the seal created by the valve assembly  1  in the closed position can be maintained. The seat assembly  30  can therefore adjust itself to permit useful operation of the valve assembly  1  despite variations between the central axes of one component of the assembly  1  to other components. The inherent nature of the valve assembly  1  to properly position the seat assembly  30  in response to such variations can be considered self-aligning. Although the poppet guide  16  is depicted as an elongated circular cross-sectional protrusion in the illustrated embodiment, other guides are also possible, including different geometrical cross sections, and those extending farther or shorter distances past the guide receiving portion  36  and into the outlet conduit  80 . 
         [0025]    Through natural interaction, the guide receiving portion  36  can exert a reactive force to the poppet guide  16 . Preferably, the reactive force is insufficient to undesirably deflect or damage the poppet guide  16  or assembly  10  in any way. 
         [0026]      FIG. 3  illustrates the poppet valve assembly  1  from a viewpoint in the direction of the outlet conduit  80 . As can be seen, a plurality of ports  38  are present in the inner receptacle  32 , permitting fluid to exit the valve assembly  1 . 
         [0027]    While at least one exemplary embodiment has been presented in the foregoing detailed description, it should be appreciated that a vast number of variations exist. It should also be appreciated that the exemplary embodiment or embodiments described herein are not intended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration of the claimed subject matter in any way. Rather, the foregoing detailed description will provide those skilled in the art with a convenient road map for implementing the described embodiment or embodiments. It should be understood that various changes can be made in the function and arrangement of elements without departing from the scope defined by the claims, which includes known equivalents and foreseeable equivalents at the time of filing this patent application.