Abstract:
A fluid control servo-solenoid valve with self-contained actuating fluid includes a housing configured as a small, elongate body having a pair of lengthwise sides and a pair of widthwise sides each relatively shorter than either of the lengthwise sides, whereby the valve inlet and the valve outlet are each disposed on a respective one of the widthwise outer sides of the housing and the inlet/outlet flow direction extends parallel to the housing longitudinal axis. The fluid control servo-solenoid valve with self-contained actuating fluid also includes a differential piston disposed in the housing such that its movement is perpendicular to the housing longitudinal axis. The pilot valve of the fluid control servo-solenoid valve with self-contained actuating fluid is dismountably secured on the respective smaller outer side of the housing on which the valve outlet is located.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    The present invention relates to a fluid control servo-solenoid valve with self-contained actuating fluid, in particular, for sanitary installations, the fluid control servo-solenoid valve with self-contained actuating fluid comprising a valve housing having therein a valve inlet and a valve outlet which can be isolated from one another in a sealed manner via the seating of a valve flange in a valve closing position on a valve seat, whereby the valve inlet and the valve outlet are located on two opposed sides of the valve housing, and the fluid control servo-solenoid valve with self-contained actuating fluid further comprising a displaceable differential piston, disposed in the valve housing, that supports thereon the valve flange, wherein, on one side of the differential piston, there is a pressure volume communicated with the valve inlet and, additionally, selectively communicated via the valve seat with the valve outlet while, on the other side of the differential piston, there is a control volume that is selectively communicated with the valve outlet via a relief bore that is closable by means of a closure element associated with the plunger of an electromagnetic pilot valve, the control volume being communicated via a control channel with the pressure volume, and the pressure volume being sealed off relative to the control volume via a seal along the edge regions of the differential piston.  
           [0002]    Valves having the afore-described features are conventionally known such as are disclosed, for example, in EP 0 936 317 Al and DE 29819 769.3 U.  
           [0003]    In conventional valves of this type, pilot valves configured as electromagnetic valves are integrated into the valve housing, and the differential piston in a conventional arrangement of this type is disposed in the valve housing such that the movement of the differential piston is in a direction parallel to the inlet flow and outlet flow directions of the fluid medium.  
           [0004]    As a result of the configuration of the just-described conventional arrangement, the pilot valve is not exchangeable without undertaking further measures and, moreover, the valve in its entirety must be configured relatively wide in its dimension transverse to the inlet and outlet flow directions. Since these valves are often configured as cartridge valves with a tapped or threaded section on the end of the valve housing for threaded securement of the valve in a valve receipt location, this valve receipt location must also be configured relatively wide. This leads to installation difficulties and, in particular, installation difficulties with respect to sanitary installations whereat the spatial relationships are often narrow.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0005]    The present invention offers a solution to the challenge of configuring a fluid control servo-solenoid valve with self-contained actuating fluid having the above-noted features and being improved in that the valve in its entirety is of a small dimension, as a consequence of which its small width dimension takes up only relatively little space, and being further improved in that the pilot valve of the inventive valve is relatively easily exchanged into, or exchanged out of, the inventive fluid control servo-solenoid valve with self-contained actuating fluid.  
           [0006]    In accordance with the present invention, the inventive fluid control servo-solenoid valve with self-contained actuating fluid is characterized by the combination of the following features:  
           [0007]    a) the housing is configured as a small, elongate body having a pair of lengthwise sides and a pair of widthwise sides each relatively shorter than either of the lengthwise sides, whereby the valve inlet and the valve outlet are each disposed on a respective one of the widthwise outer sides of the housing and the inlet/outlet flow direction extends parallel to the housing longitudinal axis;  
           [0008]    b) the differential piston is disposed in the housing such that its movement is perpendicular to the housing longitudinal axis;  
           [0009]    c) the pilot valve is dismountably secured on the respective widthwise outer side of the housing on which the valve outlet is located; and  
           [0010]    d) the relief bore is configured as a pilot valve seat, closable by a closure element, and located between the valve chamber of the pilot valve and an outflow channel communicated with the valve outlet, whereby the valve chamber is communicated via a balance channel with the control volume.  
           [0011]    Advantageous configurations and modifications of the inventive valve are described in further detail hereinafter.  
           [0012]    In accordance with one core concept of the present invention, the differential piston, which has the valve flange associated therewith, is disposed in the housing such that its movement is not parallel but, instead, perpendicular, to the flow-through direction. A further core concept of the present invention is that the pilot valve is configured such that the movement of the closure element communicated with the plunger is not, as is the case with conventional valves, parallel to the movement of the differential piston but is, instead, perpendicular to the direction of movement of the differential piston. In this connection, the pilot valve is dismountably secured to the respective outer side of the housing on which the valve outlet is located. Since the housing is configured as a small, elongate body, whose length is greater than its width, and the valve inlet and valve outlet are disposed on the pair of the relatively smaller widthwise outer sides of the housing, whereby the inlet/outlet flow direction extends parallel to the housing longitudinal axis, the inventive valve is, in its entirety, configured of a very small dimension. The inventive valve can be dimensioned so small that it can be integrated directly into the conduit leading to a sanitary installation. As is illustrated hereinafter in connection with the description of several embodiments of the inventive valve, the valve can be provided, on its valve inlet and/or valve outlet, with pipe or hose connections and, as well, the respective one of the widthwise sides of the valve on which the valve inlet is located can be provided with a threaded support, through which the valve inlet extends, for threaded securement of the valve in a valve receipt location. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0013]    Embodiments of the inventive valve of the present invention are described in more detail hereinafter with reference to the figures of the drawings.  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 1 is an elevational sectional view of a fluid control servo-solenoid valve with self-contained actuating fluid showing a sectional view taken longitudinally along the longitudinal direction of the valve housing;  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 2 is an elevational view in partial section of the one embodiment of the inventive valve shown in FIG. 1;  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 3 is an elevational view of the one embodiment of the inventive valve of FIG. 1 and showing the valve at an orientation offset by 90 degrees with respect to the view of the valve shown in FIG. 2;  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the one embodiment of the inventive valve shown in FIG. 1 and showing an installed pipe piece communicated with the valve outlet;  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the one embodiment of the inventive valve shown in FIG. 1;  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 6 is an elevational sectional view of another embodiment of the inventive valve in the present invention; and  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 7 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the inventive valve shown in FIG. 6 and showing pipe pieces communicated respectively with the valve inlet and the valve outlet. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0021]    FIGS.  1 - 5  illustrate one embodiment of the inventive fluid control servo-solenoid valve with self-contained actuating fluid of the present invention. The inventive fluid control servo-solenoid valve with self-contained actuating fluid comprises a valve housing which is configured as a two-piece component and which includes a base body  1  having, on one side, an opening that provides access into the housing, the opening being covered by a housing cover  4  extending in the direction of the housing longitudinal axis L over a portion of the longitudinal extent of the housing. The entire housing is configured as a small, elongate, substantially cylindrical body having a sleeve surface  1 . 1  as well as two small end surfaces  1 . 2  and  1 . 3  disposed on its outer side. A valve inlet  2  is located in the region of one of the end surfaces  1 . 2  and the valve inlet extends through a tapped or threaded support  1 . 4  which serves for threaded securement of the valve in a valve receipt location.  
         [0022]    A valve outlet  3  is disposed on the end surface  1 . 3  at an offset from the housing longitudinal axis L. Moreover, a pilot valve  13  is secured on this end surface, the pilot valve being described in more detail hereinafter.  
         [0023]    A differential piston  5  is disposed in the interior space of the valve housing, the differential piston being displaceable in a direction perpendicular to the valve housing longitudinal axis L. A pressure volume  8  is located on one side of the differential piston, the pressure volume being communicated with the valve inlet  2  and being communicated via a valve seat  7  with the valve outlet  3  while a control volume  9  is located on the other side of the differential piston  5 .  
         [0024]    The pressure volume  8  is sealed off relative to the control volume  9  in the edge region of the differential piston  5  via a membrane  6  in which a valve flange  6 . 1  is integrated. The control volume  9  is communicated with the pressure volume  8  via a control channel which is configured as a control bore  10  extending through the differential piston  5  along a line eccentric or offset to the differential piston center. A cleaning spring  10 . 1  is provided to ensure continuous cleaning of this control bore  10 .  
         [0025]    The control volume  9  is, moreover, communicated with the valve outlet  3  via a relief bore which is selectively collapsible via a closure element. The relief bore is configured as a collapsible pilot valve seat  13 . 6  in the pilot valve  13  located between the valve chamber  13 . 7  of the pilot valve  13  and an outflow channel  14  communicated with the valve outlet  3 . The valve chamber  13 . 7  is connected or communicated with the control volume  9  via a discharge channel  12 .  
         [0026]    The pilot valve  13 , which is configured as an electromagnetic valve, comprises the conventional pilot valve components of a magnetic coil  13 . 1 , a magnetic yoke  13 . 2 , a head piece  13 . 3  connected to the magnetic yoke, and, as well, a moveable plunger  13 . 4 . The plunger  13 . 4  has an end projecting out of the magnetic coil on which a pilot valve flange  13 . 5  is mounted with the pilot valve flange being in an arrangement in which it is in opposition to the pilot valve seat  13 . 6 . The valve chamber  13 . 7  of the pilot valve  13  is located in a coupling piece  13 . 8 , the coupling piece  13 . 8  with the pilot valve  13  therein being deployable in a corresponding opening on the end surface  1 . 3  of the base body  1 . In the illustrated embodiment, a pipe piece  16  is shown in an installed position in which it communicates with the valve outlet  3 . Electrical signals are conducted to the pilot valve  13  via connection leads  15  communicated with a plug  15 . 1 .  
         [0027]    The pipe piece  16  is not shown in the respective views of the one embodiment of the inventive valve shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. FIG. 5 shows the one embodiment of the inventive valve in an exploded view thereof. The differential piston  5 , the membrane  6 , and a hood  11  which closes off the control volume  9  are configured as an integrally formed unitary component which can be inserted into the interior space of the base body  1  through the opening to be covered by the housing cover  4 . Following installation of the unitary component of the differential piston  5 , the membrane  6 , and the hood  11  within the base body  1 , the housing cover  4  is disposed onto the housing and is secured thereonto via threaded securement bolts  4 . 1 . The portion of the discharge channel  12  defined by the border between the cover  4  and the base body  1  is sealed by means of a seal  12 . 1 . The magnetic valve  13  is secured by means of threaded securement elements  17  onto the base body  1 .  
         [0028]    The operation of the one embodiment of the inventive valve shown in FIGS.  1 - 5  is as follows.  
         [0029]    During the closed condition of the pilot valve  13 , a pressurized condition obtains in the control volume  9 , which, due to the communication of the control volume  9  with the valve inlet  2  via the control bore  10 , maintains the membrane  6 , with the therewith integrated valve flange  6 . 1 , seated on the valve seat  7 . Upon the transmission of an electrical signal to the magnetic coil  13 . 1  of the pilot valve, the plunger  13 . 4  retracts and the closure element  13 . 5  lifts off the pilot valve seat  13 . 6 , which serves as the relief bore of the inventive fluid control servo-solenoid valve with self-contained actuating fluid. The pilot valve  13  is thus in an opened condition. This condition, in which the control volume  9  is now communicated with the valve outlet  3  via the discharge channel  12  and the outflow channel  14 , leads to a diminishment of the pressure in the control volume  9 . In connection therewith, the water pressure originating from the valve inlet  2  against the respective side of the membrane  6  turned toward the pressure volume  8  lifts the valve flange  6 . 1  off the valve seat  7 . In further connection therewith, the fluid medium flows into the valve in the overall direction indicated by the arrow E from the valve inlet  2  to the valve outlet  3  and, from there, flows further in the direction of the arrow A via the pipe piece  16  to a not-illustrated fixture outlet. If the pilot valve  13  is again closed, a corresponding counter pressure again builds in the control volume  9  and the valve flange  6 . 1  is again seated onto the valve seat  7 .  
         [0030]    [0030]FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate another embodiment of the inventive fluid control servo-solenoid valve with self-contained actuating fluid of the present invention which differs from the one embodiment of the inventive valve described with respect to FIGS.  1 - 5  only in the respect that the valve housing is, on the side thereof at which the valve inlet is located, not threadably secured in a valve receipt location but, instead, is connected via a pipe connection with an inlet or feed. Since the valve illustrated in FIG. 6 comprises the same features as the valve of the one embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, the same corresponding components are denominated by the same reference numerals as shown in FIG. 1 with each reference numeral having, in FIGS. 6 and 7, the addition of a prime (′) symbol. Accordingly, these same corresponding components of the two embodiments of the inventive valve are not further described herein.  
         [0031]    The side of the valve inlet  2 ′ of the embodiment of the valve shown in FIG. 6 is not provided with a threaded securement but comprises, instead, a pipe connection component to which a feed or inlet pipe  18  can be threadably secured. The housing cover  4 ′, which covers an opening permitting access into the interior volume of the housing, extends to the lower end surface  1 . 2 ′ of the housing.  
         [0032]    [0032]FIG. 7 is an illustration of the another embodiment of the inventive valve shown in FIG. 6 and showing the connection thereof to the feed pipe  18  and an outflow pipe  16 ′.  
         [0033]    The operation of the inventive valve illustrated in FIGS.  6  and  7  is the same as the operation of the inventive valve described with respect to FIGS.  1 - 5 .  
         [0034]    The specification incorporates by reference the disclosure of German priority document 202 19 358.6 filed Dec. 13, 2002.  
         [0035]    The present invention is, of course, in no way restricted to the specific disclosure of the specification and drawings, but also encompasses any modifications within the scope of the appended claims.