Abstract:
Provided is a fluid flow valve including a housing including a fluid inlet port, and a fluid outlet port including an outlet aperture and a valve seating bounding the outlet aperture; a sealing-member configured to be biased, under fluid pressure within the housing, against the valve seating so as to seal the outlet aperture; a sealing-member displacing mechanism secured to the sealing-member so that displacement of the displacing mechanism in a first sense detaches the sealing-member from the valve seating so as to open the outlet aperture, while displacement of the displacing mechanism in an opposite sense allows for the sealing-member to become sealingly biased against the valve seating; and a sealing-member opening mechanism configured for displacing the sealing-member against the biasing effect of the displacing mechanism so as to discharge the fluid flow valve.

Description:
TECHNOLOGICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    The present disclosed subject matter is generally in the field of fluid flow valves, and more particularly it is concerned with a gas discharge valve configured with a pressure discharge, i.e. a pressure relief valve. The disclosed subject matter is further concerned with flow systems configured with flow valves of the presently disclosed subject matter. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    A wide variety of fluid discharge valves are known in the art, designed for fitting on different fluid systems and configured for different purposes e.g. pressure control, discharge of residual gas within a liquid in the system, etc. 
         [0003]    For example, a gas purge valve is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,617,838 directed to a gas purge valve comprising a housing formed with an inlet and an outlet formed with a valve seating, and a sealing assembly comprising a sealing member displaceable between an open position and a closed position. The sealing assembly is supported by an external support lever mechanism extending outside the housing, to thereby displace the sealing assembly into sealing engagement with the valve seating at the closed position. 
         [0004]    Another example is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,105,608 directed to a gas purge valve comprising a valve housing that has a valve inlet and major and minor valve outlets, a valve partition mounted in the housing divides the housing into a first chamber communicating with the valve inlet and a second chamber that communicates with the minor valve outlet. 
       GENERAL DESCRIPTION 
       [0005]    The presently disclosed subject matter is directed to a fluid flow valve comprising: a housing configured with a fluid inlet port and a fluid outlet port with an outlet aperture and a valve seating bounding said outlet aperture; a sealing-member configured to be biased, under fluid pressure within the housing, against the valve seating so as to seal the outlet aperture; a sealing-member displacing mechanism being secured to the sealing-member so that displacement of the displacing mechanism in a first sense detaches the sealing-member from the valve seating so as to open the outlet aperture, while displacement of the displacing mechanism in an opposite sense allows for the sealing-member to become sealingly biased against the valve seating; and a sealing-member opening mechanism configured for displacing said sealing-member against the biasing effect of the displacing mechanism, so as to discharge the fluid flow valve. 
         [0006]    According to another aspect of the presently disclosed subject matter there is provided a fluid flow system configured with a fluid flow valve of the aforementioned type, wherein the fluid flow system is further configured with an activating unit for selectively manipulating the sealing-member opening mechanism between an open position in which the sealing-member is detached from the valve seating and a closed position in which the sealing-member is sealingly biased against the valve seating. 
         [0007]    The activating unit can be configured as a pilot valve being in flow communication with an inlet side of the fluid flow valve, however at the fluid flow valve&#39;s vicinity or elsewhere along a flow line being in fluid flow communication therewith. The activating unit can be triggered by a pressure-responsive pilot valve or by a control signal generated by any flow-associated unit articulated directly with the valve and/or fluid flow system. 
         [0008]    According to a particular configuration, the fluid flow valve of the presently disclosed subject matter comprises: a housing configured with a fluid inlet port and a fluid outlet port with a fluid outlet aperture configured with a valve seating bounding said outlet aperture; a sealing-member in the form of a flexible sealing-membrane being secured at one end to the housing and is configured to be biased, under fluid pressure within the housing, against the valve seating so as to seal the outlet aperture; and a sealing-membrane displacing mechanism being secured to the sealing-membrane so that displacement of the displacing mechanism in a first sense progressively detaches successive transverse portions of the sealing-membrane from the valve seating so as to open the outlet aperture, while displacement of the displacing mechanism in an opposite sense allows for the sealing-membrane to become sealingly biased against the valve seating; and a sealing-membrane opening mechanism configured for displacing the sealing-membrane into an open position, against the biasing effect of the displacing mechanism, so as to discharge the fluid flow valve. 
         [0009]    The fluid flow valve can be composed of an automatic valve component comprising said sealing-member configured to be biased, under fluid pressure to seal the outlet aperture, or the fluid flow valve can be composed as a combined valve comprising the automatic valve component and a kinetic valve component configured with a float unit acting as a kinetic discharge valve. 
         [0010]    The term kinetic component (at times also referred to as a gas/vacuum component) as used herein in the specification and claims denotes a component of the valve designed to discharge or admit large volumes of gas during the filling or draining of a pipeline or piping system. This valve will open to relieve negative pressures whenever water column separation occurs. 
         [0011]    The term automatic component (at times also referred to as an automatic/gas release component) as used herein in the specification and claims denotes a component of the valve designed to automatically release to the atmosphere small pockets of gas as they accumulate at local high points along a pipeline when the pipeline or piping system is full and operating under pressure. 
         [0012]    A combined-type valve assembly operates such that while under pressure, only the automatic component operates, while the kinetic component remains sealed. 
         [0013]    The kinetic component comprises a float member axially displaceable within the float chamber and comprising a sealing member configured for sealing engagement with a sealing seat of the outlet port when the float member is urged into a sealing/closed position thereof. Said float member constitutes the sealing-member displacing mechanism of the combined-type valve assembly. 
         [0014]    Any one or more of the following features, designs and configurations can be implemented with a valve subject of the presently disclosed subject matter, in single form or in combinations thereof: 
         [0015]    The fluid flow valve can be configured with a pilot valve which is configured for generating an operating signal responsive to a predetermined pressure-threshold at the fluid inlet port; the operating signal is then transferred to the sealing-member opening mechanism for displacing said sealing-member. The pilot valve can be associated with the fluid flow valve or with a fluid system to which said fluid flow valve is coupled, in the vicinity of the fluid flow valve or remote therefrom; 
         [0016]    The sealing-member is manipulable by the sealing-member opening mechanism between an open position and a closed position (i.e. substantially with no intermediate positions, at an ON/OFF fashion); 
         [0017]    The sealing-member is manipulable into its open position for substantially short periods of time; 
         [0018]    The sealing-member opening mechanism can be configured for applying force over an external face of the sealing-member; 
         [0019]    The sealing-member opening mechanism can be configured as a plunger; 
         [0020]    The sealing-member opening mechanism can be hydraulically controlled; 
         [0021]    The sealing-member opening mechanism can be configured for applying force at a direction substantially normal to a plane of the sealing-member; 
         [0022]    The sealing-member opening mechanism can be configured for applying force near a non-pivoted end of the sealing-member; 
         [0023]    The sealing-member opening mechanism can be configured as an add-on unit applied to a fluid valve; 
         [0024]    Displacing the sealing-member into its open position substantially does not affect operation of the sealing-member displacing mechanism, which according to some configurations is a float member or a float extension member; 
         [0025]    The energy required for displacing the sealing-member into its open position can be fluid pressure residing at a fluid inlet port side of the valve; 
         [0026]    The energy required for displacing the sealing-member into its open position can be electric; 
         [0027]    A control signal to activate the sealing-member opening mechanism can be hydraulic or electric; 
         [0028]    The sealing-member opening mechanism can be configured with a solenoid; 
         [0029]    A plunger of the sealing-member opening mechanism can be configured with a section area greater than the section area of the sealing-member, to thereby overcome the resistant pressure applied on the sealing-member within the valve; 
         [0030]    The sealing-member opening mechanism can be configured with a slow-release mechanism, to thereby facilitate slow return/closing of the sealing-member, in order to eliminate or substantially reduce shockwaves in the fluid system the valve is articulated to; 
         [0031]    The slow-release mechanism can be electronically or hydraulically controlled. For example the slow-release mechanism can be a bleed aperture facilitating fluid discharge back to the line or to the ambience; 
         [0032]    The sealing-member can be pivotally articulated to the housing, e.g. in the vicinity of the valve seating, and whereby the sealing-member opening mechanism is configured for pivotal displacement of the sealing-member into its open position, however to an extent wherein the sealing-member does not reach a dead-point (‘dead center’), wherein it may fail to return to its closed, sealed position; 
         [0033]    The fluid flow valve can be configured for operating at liquid and/or gausses fluids; 
         [0034]    The sealing-member opening mechanism can be configured with a magnetic displacing mechanism, wherein the sealing-member is made of or articulated with a magnetically attracted element, and where the displacing mechanism is configured with a magnetic activator (e.g. a fixed magnet or electrically induced) for applying a magnetic manipulating force on the sealing-member; 
         [0035]    A pilot valve associated with the fluid flow valve or the system accommodating same, can be fitted at or near the inlet port end of the valve (at an upstream location of a flow system), or the pilot valve can be fitted at other locations, thereby acting as a shock-wave predictor, to thereby prevent or substantially eliminate a shock wave through the fluid system e.g. upon activating or shut down of a pump, etc.; accordingly, a control signal to the sealing-member opening mechanism can be transferred e.g. wireless; and 
         [0036]    The pilot valve articulated with the sealing-member opening mechanism can be operated by any fluid, i.e. fluid flowing through the fluid system or fluid from an associated reservoir. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0037]    In order to better understand the subject matter that is disclosed herein and to exemplify how it may be carried out in practice, embodiments will now be described, by way of non-limiting examples only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0038]      FIG. 1  is an isometric view of a fluid valve according to an example of the presently disclosed subject matter; 
           [0039]      FIG. 2  is a longitudinal section along line A-A in  FIG. 1 , illustrating the valve at its closed, sealed position; 
           [0040]      FIG. 3  is a longitudinal section along line A-A in  FIG. 1 , illustrating the valve with the sealing-membrane temporarily forced into an open position; 
           [0041]      FIG. 4  is an enlargement of the portion marked IV in  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0042]      FIG. 5  illustrates a retrofit fluid valve according to an example of the presently disclosed subject matter; 
           [0043]      FIGS. 6A and 6B  are schematic representations of fluid systems configured with a shock-wave eliminator system articulated with a fluid valve according to the present disclosure; and 
           [0044]      FIG. 7  is a schematic cross-section through an embodiment of valve system of the presently disclosed subject matter. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
       [0045]    Attention is first directed to  FIGS. 1 to 4  of the drawings, illustrating a fluid flow valve according to the presently disclosed subject matter, generally designated  10 , and configured for coupling to a fluid pipe system (not shown) as known per se. 
         [0046]    The fluid flow valve  10  comprises a housing  14  composed of a top portion  15 A and a bottom portion  15 B, screw coupled to one another, and configured with a fluid inlet port  16  (coupleable to a pipe system of a fluid flow system;  FIGS. 6A and 6B ) and a fluid outlet port  18 , optionally with an extender pipe and/or diverter spout articulated thereto (not shown). 
         [0047]    A float member  20 , constituting a part of a sealing-member displacing mechanism, is received within the housing  14  and is axially displaceable between an uppermost position ( FIG. 2 ) and a lowermost position ( FIG. 3 ), wherein displacement of the float member  20  is restricted to substantial axial displacement, e.g. by virtue of guide ribs or surfaces formed in the housing  10  and respective depressions or formations (e.g. chamfers) extending along the float member  20 . 
         [0048]    At the outlet end of valve  10  there is configured a major outlet aperture  22  (best seen in  FIGS. 3 and 4 ) and a valve seating  24  integral within the housing  14  and bounding said major outlet aperture  22 . A strap-like flexible sealing-member  28  is secured at one end  30  to the housing by a retention member  34  slidingly retained within the housing  10 . However, it is appreciated that the strap-like sealing-member  28  can be secured within the housing  10  by other arrangements. A peeling portion  35  of the strap-like sealing-member  28  extends adjacent an opposite end  36  of the sealing-member  28  and is articulated at a top portion of the float member  20 . A rigid sealing-member  40  is integral with or integrated with the flexible sealing-member  28  and is shaped and sized for sealing engagement with the major outlet aperture  22 . As can further be seen in the drawings, the outlet aperture  22  is configured with a minor, slit-like aperture  44  configured for sealing by the peeling portion  35  of the strap-like sealing-member  28 . 
         [0049]    The arrangement is such that when the float member  20  is urged upwards under buoyancy forces acting thereon at the event of a liquid filling the housing  14  ( FIG. 2 ), it displaces and deforms the sealing-member  28  such that the rigid sealing-member  40  is sealingly engaged with the boundaries of said major outlet aperture  22  and the peeling portion  35  of the sealing-member  28  sealingly bears against the slit-like aperture  44 , whereby an inclined surface  48  of the float member  20  bears below against the rigid sealing-member  40  (as shown in  FIG. 2 ), thereby increasing sealing engagement thereof against the boundaries of the major outlet aperture  22 . 
         [0050]    When, however, gas enters into the housing  14 , the float member  20  begins to descend and, in its descent, successive linear sections of the flexible membrane  28  (namely the peeling portion  35 ), are successively detached from the valve seating, thereby first opening the slit-like outlet aperture  44  for the venting of the gas from the housing  10 , and further opening the major outlet aperture  22 . 
         [0051]    In view of the fact that the force which has to be exerted to detach successive linear transverse portions of the flexible membrane  28  is substantially less than that which has to be exerted so as to open a conventional air discharge valve, the major outlet aperture  22  can be of significantly greater size and in this way the air discharge valve is capable of continuous venting of relatively significant quantities of air. This arrangement is known from U.S. Pat. No. 4,770,201 and reference is made thereto. 
         [0052]    As can further be seen in the drawings, the valve  10  is configured at a top portion thereof, with a sealing-member opening mechanism generally designated  55 . The sealing-member opening mechanism  55  (e.g. solenoid activated, hydraulic or pneumatic, etc.) is configured in turn with a plunger  58  extending from a solenoid  60 . It is however appreciated that the solenoid can be replaced by a hydraulic or pneumatic activator. Alternatively (not shown), the sealing-member opening mechanism  55  can be configured with a magnetic displacing mechanism, wherein the rigid sealing-member  40  is made of or articulated with a magnetically attracted element, and the displacing mechanism is configured with a magnetic activator (e.g. a fixed magnet or electrically induced) for applying a magnetic manipulating force on the sealing-member. Yet an alternative (also not shown) can be implementing a step motor for pivotal displacing the rigid sealing-member  40  between its respective open position and closed position. 
         [0053]    The sealing-member opening mechanism  55  is normally at its retracted position, whereby the plunger  58  is retracted ( FIG. 2 ), i.e. disposed so as not interfering with sealing of the outlet port  18 . However, upon initiating the sealing-member opening mechanism  55 , e.g. by an electric signal or a hydraulic/pneumatic pulse (depending on the nature of the sealing-member opening mechanism  55 , the plunger  58  momentarily projects so as to rapidly displace the flexible sealing-member  28  into its open position, to thereby discharge pressure from the valve  10  ( FIGS. 3 and 4 ). The plunger  58  can be integral with the sealing-member opening mechanism  55  or it can be an extension projecting from the rigid sealing-member  40 , either integral with or integrated with any of the above. 
         [0054]    It is appreciated that the extent to which the sealing-member  28  is displaced at the open position is so as not to reach a dead-point (‘dead center’), wherein it may fail to return to its closed, sealed position. Furthermore, whilst displacement of the sealing member  28  into its open position is facilitated by external force applied thereto by the sealing-member opening mechanism  55 , return of the sealing-member  28  to its closed position is facilitated by forces inside the valve, imparted by fluid acting on the float member  20  and urging it into its uppermost position (as soon as the sealing-member opening mechanism  55  has retracted back to its normally retracted position). 
         [0055]    It is further appreciated that the sealing-member opening mechanism can be integral with a portion of the housing, or it can be retroactively integrated with the housing. 
         [0056]    With further reference now being made to  FIG. 5  of the drawings, there is illustrated a fluid flow valve system generally designated  75 . 
         [0057]    The fluid flow valve system  75  comprises a fluid flow valve  78 , an activating unit in the form of a pilot valve  80  and a sealing-member opening mechanism  82 . In the particular illustrated example, the system is so-called retro-fit, i.e. a fluid flow valve is obtained and manipulated to be articulated with the other components. For that purpose, the bottom portion  15 B of the housing  14  is fitted with a pressure port  86  to which the pilot valve  80  is fitted, so as to be in fluid flow coupling with the inlet port end of the valve  78 . It is appreciated that the pilot valve  80  can in fact be articulated at other locations in the vicinity of the fluid valve (and being in flow communication with the inlet port thereof), or remote therefrom. 
         [0058]    The sealing-member opening mechanism  82  is a hydraulic actuator mounted externally at a top portion of the fluid flow valve  78  and comprising a hydraulic piston (not seen) for urging a plunger (not seen) against the sealing-member within the valve  78 , as explained hereinabove in connection with  FIGS. 1 to 4 . 
         [0059]    The pilot valve  80  is in flow communication with the sealing-member opening mechanism  82  through a hydraulic command line  90 , whereby upon pressure rise at the inlet port  16  of the housing  14 , beyond a predetermined pressure threshold, the pilot valve  80  generates an activating hydraulic signal to the sealing-member opening mechanism  82 , resulting in activating the sealing-member opening mechanism  82  to momentarily urge the plunger thereof, whereby the valve is vented as described hereinabove. After discharge of the pressure from the valve  78 , the sealing-member will spontaneously displace back to its closed position, under pressure applied from below by the float member, as explained hereinabove. 
         [0060]    It is noted that the fluid valve system illustrated in  FIG. 5 , comprises a fluid valve  78  of the type seen for example in  FIG. 1 , wherein the valve  78  is retro-fitted with the pilot valve  80  and the sealing-member opening mechanism  82 . This is facilitated by providing coupling locations (e.g.  92  in  FIG. 1 , and a replaceable bottom portion  15 B as in  FIG. 5 ) on the housing  14  of the fluid flow valve  10 . Alternatively, the valve housing is a-priori fitted with suitable coupling locations. 
         [0061]    Whilst in the particular example of  FIG. 5 , the pilot valve  80  is fitted at the vicinity of the housing of the valve  78 , according to other examples the activating unit can be remote from the fluid flow valve, whereby a signal/pulse to the sealing-member opening mechanism  82  is transferred hydraulically or pneumatically (the former may be at times preferred, as hydraulic pressure is readily available through the fluid system), or electrically (wireless or not). Accordingly however, suitable signal converters can be applied, e.g. for converting a pressure signal to an electric signal, etc. using electric signals is in particular useful since the activating unit can be located remote from the fluid flow valve, and serve for example as a shock predictor, as will be described hereinafter with reference to  FIGS. 6A and 6B . 
         [0062]    In  FIG. 6A  there is schematically illustrated a segment flow system comprising a flow line (pipe)  100  fitted in turn with a pump P and a fluid valve system generally designated  112 , e.g. of the type disclosed in connection with  FIGS. 1 to 4 , and reference is made thereto. 
         [0063]    The system further comprises a liquid reservoir R holding a liquid received through branching fill pipe  116 . An outlet control line  118  extends from the reservoir R and is fitted with a solenoid S or otherwise flow control faucet, and extending towards a sealing-member opening mechanism  120  which in turn is articulated to the valve  112  for opening the sealing-member by means of a plunger or the like, generally designated  124 . The pump P is fitted with a wireless transmission unit  126  (though wired transmission can be facilitated as well, or as already discussed hydraulic signals can be transmitted as well), said signal being picked up by a receiver unit  128  of the solenoid S. 
         [0064]    The arrangement is such that upon activating or shutdown of the pump P, a signal  130  is generated and transmitted by the wireless transmission unit  126 , said signal being received at the receiver unit  128  of the solenoid S, resulting in opening the solenoid such that an amount of liquid flows from the elevated (or pressurized) reservoir R through the outlet control line  118  to the sealing-member opening mechanism  120 , resulting in momentarily activating the plunger  124  so as to open the sealing member of the fluid flow valve, resulting in pressure venting of the line  100  and thus reducing or substantially eliminating a shock wave that may otherwise occur through the flow system, and thus reduce potential damage to equipment along the line. 
         [0065]    The fluid system schematically illustrated in  FIG. 6B  is simpler and comprises a flow line (pipe)  130  fitted in turn with a pump P and a fluid valve system generally designated  132 , e.g. of the type disclosed in connection with  FIGS. 1 to 4 , and reference is made thereto. 
         [0066]    The fluid valve system  132  is articulated with a solenoid  136  (or other sealing-member opening mechanism as discussed hereinabove) configured with a plunger  138 , which in turn is fitted with a wireless signal pickup unit  140 . In turn, the pump P is fitted with a wireless transmission unit  142  (though wired transmission can be facilitated as well, or as already discussed hydraulic signals can be transmitted too). 
         [0067]    The arrangement is such that upon activating or shutdown of the pump P a signal  144  is generated and transmitted by the wireless transmission unit  142 , said signal being received at the receiver unit  140  of the solenoid  136 , resulting in activating the plunger  138  of the sealing-member opening mechanism  136 , resulting in momentarily opening the sealing member of the fluid flow valve. This results in discharging gas from the line  130  and venting the line  130  and thus reducing or substantially eliminating a shock wave that may otherwise occur through the flow system, and thus reduce potential damage to equipment along the line. 
         [0068]    Whilst the examples of  FIGS. 6A and 6B  make reference to a flow system fitted with a pump P, it is appreciated that a shock wave in a fluid supply line can occur owing to different reasons, such as a sudden opening of a branch in the supply line, a pipe failure and the like, wherein provision of one or more pressure sensing arrangements along the supply line, articulated with a flow valve system according to the currently disclosed subject matter, can reduce potential damage to equipment along the line, by reducing or substantially eliminating a shock wave therethrough. 
         [0069]    Further attention is now directed to  FIG. 7  of the drawings, schematically illustrating a valve system according to the present disclosure and generally designated  150 . 
         [0070]    The valve system  150  exemplifies a modification of a valve system according to a different design of the disclosed subject matter, though it functions similar to the arrangements discussed hereinabove. 
         [0071]    The fluid flow valve  150  comprises a housing  152  configured with a fluid inlet port  154  coupleable to a pipe system of a fluid flow system through flange  160 , and a fluid outlet port  162 . A float member  166  is disposed within the housing  152  and is axially displaceable between an uppermost position and a lowermost position (illustrated). 
         [0072]    At an outlet end of valve  150  there is configured an outlet aperture  168  and a valve seating  170  with a sealing ring  172  bounding said outlet aperture  168 . A sealing-portion  176  at a top portion of the float  166  is configured for sealing engagement against the sealing ring  172 , when the float  166  is urged upwards under buoyancy forces acting thereon at the event (not shown) of liquid filling the housing  152 , thus closing outlet aperture  168 . When, however, gas enters the housing  152 , the float member  166  descends and opens the outlet aperture  168 . 
         [0073]    As can further be seen in the drawings, the valve  150  is configured at a top portion thereof, with a sealing-member opening mechanism generally designated  180 . The sealing-member opening mechanism  55  is configured in turn with a plunger  182  extending from the sealing-member opening mechanism  180 . It is however appreciated that the opening mechanism  180  can be any type of such mechanism, such as a solenoid, a hydraulic/pneumatic activator, a piston type activator, a magnetic displacing mechanism, a step motor and the like, mutatis mutandis, and however configured for manipulating the plunger  182  to apply force over the closed float member  166  and thus displace it from its closed, sealing position, to an open position disengaged from the sealing valve seating  170 . 
         [0074]    The sealing-member displacing mechanism  180  is normally at its retracted position, whereby the plunger  182  is retracted, i.e. disposed so as not interfering with sealing of the outlet port. However, upon initiating the sealing-member displacing mechanism  180 , e.g. by an electric signal or a hydraulic/pneumatic pulse (depending on the nature of the sealing-member displacing mechanism  180 , the plunger  182  momentarily projects so as to rapidly displace the float  166  into its open position, to thereby discharge pressure from the valve  150 .