Patent Description:
Typically, electronically controllable valves (e.g., solenoid valves) are used to control flow through a valve system, for example in an engine system. However, if the controllable valve fails or otherwise is inoperative, there is no way to maintain the valve system in a given position.

Therefore, there remains a need in the art, e.g., in the aerospace industry, for improvements to actively actuated valve systems actuated with an electronically commanded valve. This disclosure provides a solution for this need. <CIT> relates to a bi-directional overpressure shut-off valve.

In accordance with at least one aspect of this disclosure, a system is provided in claim <NUM> and includes, a first moveable member disposed in a first chamber configured to move between a first position and a second position of the first moveable member to allow or prevent fluid from passing from an inlet of the first chamber to an outlet of the first chamber. A second moveable member is disposed in a second chamber configured to move between a first position and a second position of the second moveable member to allow or prevent fluid from entering a biasing chamber, the second chamber being fluidly connected to the first chamber. In embodiments, the first chamber can be fluidly connected to the second chamber via a fluid tube.

A first biasing member is disposed on a first side of the second movable member configured to bias the second moveable member to the first position of the second moveable member to prevent fluid from entering the biasing chamber. A third moveable member is disposed in the biasing chamber and operatively connected to the first moveable member via a mechanical linkage, the third moveable member configured to move between a first position and a second position of the third moveable member. A second biasing member is disposed on a first side of the third moveable member configured to bias the third moveable member to the first position of the third moveable member and the first position of the first moveable member to allow to pass from an inlet of the first chamber to an outlet of the first chamber.

In embodiments, a stabilizer guide can be disposed at the outlet of the first chamber configured to guide the first moveable member between the first position and the second position of the first moveable member. In certain embodiments, the stabilizer guide can include a tri-foil guide, wherein the stabilizer guide does not impede flow through the outlet of the first chamber when the first moveable member is in the first position.

According to the claimed invention, the second moveable member is configured to move from the first position to the second position of the second moveable member when a pressure of fluid in the first chamber exceeds a predetermined biasing force of the first biasing member.

The system further includes a shuttle valve disposed in a shuttle chamber configured to move between a first position and a second position of the shuttle valve, the shuttle chamber fluidly connected to the biasing chamber. In the second position of the second moveable member, the shuttle valve is in a first position of the shuttle valve and such that fluid is allowed to enter the biasing chamber on a second side of the third moveable member to move the third moveable member to the second position of the third moveable member. In the second position of the third moveable member, the mechanical linkage can be configured to move the first moveable member to the second position of the first moveable member to prevent fluid from the first chamber from passing through the outlet of the first chamber.

In embodiments, the system can also include an electronically controllable valve having a first state and a second state, operatively connected to provide fluid to the shuttle chamber in the first state of the electronically controllable valve. In such embodiments, the first moveable member, the second moveable member, and the third moveable member can be configured to move between respective first and second positions to bias the first moveable member to the first position of the first moveable member regardless of a state of the electronically controllable valve.

In embodiments, the electronically controllable valve can include a solenoid valve, and the first state can be a de-energized state and the second state can be an energized state. In embodiments, when the solenoid valve is in the de-energized state, fluid is prevented from entering the shuttle chamber and the shuttle valve is in the first position of the shuttle valve. In embodiments, when the solenoid valve is in the energized state, fluid is allowed to enter the shuttle chamber to move the shuttle valve to the second position of the shuttle valve and fluid is allowed to enter the biasing chamber.

In certain embodiments, the system can further include a vent fluidly connected to the shuttle chamber to allow the shuttle chamber to vent to ambient when the solenoid is de-energized and the shuttle valve is in the first position of the shuttle valve.

In certain embodiments, the mechanical linkage can include a three member cantilevered mechanical linkage. In certain embodiments, the three member cantilevered mechanical linkage includes a first link, a second link, and a rocker. A first side of the three member mechanical linkage is mechanically connected to the first moveable member via the first link and a second side of the three member mechanical linkage is mechanically connected to the third moveable member via the second link. The rocker can be disposed between the first link and the second link configured to rock about a pivot.

In embodiments, the system can further include a first fluid line configured to provide compressor bleed air from a compressor to ambient via the first chamber. The valve system can be disposed in the first chamber of the first fluid line to selectively control a flow of the bleed air to ambient based on a position of the first, second, and third moveable members. A second fluid line can be selectively fluidly connected to the biasing chamber configured to provide a secondary fluid to the biasing chamber in the second position of the second moveable member.

In embodiments, the electronically controllable valve can be disposed in the second fluid line configured to selectively provided fluid to the shuttle chamber of the valve system to move the shuttle valve from a first position to a second position to allow fluid from the second line to enter the biasing chamber. In embodiments, the pressure of the compressor bleed air is dependent on a speed of the engine and the pressure of the secondary fluid is a constant pressure such that movement of the second moveable member is dependent on the pressure of the compressor bleed air against the first biasing member.

Reference will now be made to the drawings wherein like reference numerals identify similar structural features or aspects of the subject disclosure. For purposes of explanation and illustration, and not limitation, an illustrative view of an embodiment of a system in accordance with the disclosure is shown in <FIG> and is designated generally by reference character <NUM>. Other embodiments and/or aspects of this disclosure are shown in <FIG>.

In accordance with at least one aspect of this disclosure, a system <NUM> includes a redundant valve system <NUM> that will failsafe to a desired position during various stages of an engine flight profile. In embodiments, the system <NUM> can include a first fluid line <NUM> configured to provide compressor bleed air from a compressor <NUM> to ambient A via a first chamber <NUM>. The valve system <NUM> can be disposed in the first chamber <NUM> of the first fluid line <NUM> to selectively control a flow of the bleed air to ambient based on a position of one or more moveable members of the valve system <NUM>.

One of the moveable members of the valve system <NUM> includes a first moveable member <NUM> (e.g., a piston) having a first side 208a and a second side 208b. The first moveable member <NUM> is disposed in the first chamber <NUM> configured to move between a first position and a second position to allow or prevent fluid from passing from an inlet <NUM> of the first chamber <NUM> to an outlet <NUM> of the first chamber <NUM> (e.g., from the compressor to ambient). Another of the moveable members of the valve system <NUM> includes a second moveable member <NUM> (e.g., a piston) having a first side 214a and a second side 214b. The second moveable member <NUM> is disposed in a second chamber <NUM> configured to move between a first position and a second position to allow or prevent fluid from entering a biasing chamber <NUM>. The second chamber <NUM> is fluidly connected to the first chamber <NUM> for example via a tap, such as a fluid tube <NUM> as shown.

A first biasing member <NUM> is disposed on the first side 214a of the second movable member <NUM> to bias the second moveable member <NUM> to its first positon to prevent fluid from entering the biasing chamber <NUM>. Another moveable member of the valve system <NUM> includes a third moveable member <NUM> (e.g., a piston) having a first side 224a and a second side 224b. The third moveable member <NUM> is disposed in the biasing chamber <NUM> and operatively connected to the first moveable member <NUM> via a mechanical linkage <NUM>. The third moveable member <NUM> is configured to move between a first position and a second position.

A second biasing member <NUM> is disposed on the first side 224a of the third moveable member <NUM> configured to bias the third moveable member <NUM> to its first position and to hold the first moveable member <NUM> in its first position to allow to pass from an inlet of the first chamber to an outlet of the first chamber. In this state, when each moveable member is in its first position, the valve system is open so that the compressor bleed air can vent through the first chamber to ambient.

A second fluid line <NUM> can be fluidly connected to the biasing chamber <NUM> configured to provide a secondary fluid (e.g., air from an auxiliary power unit) to the biasing chamber <NUM> in the second position of the second moveable member <NUM>. According to the claimed invention, the second moveable member <NUM> can be configured to move from its first position to its second positon when a pressure of fluid in the first chamber <NUM> (e.g., the compressor bleed pressure) exceeds a predetermined biasing force of the first biasing member <NUM>. The first biasing member <NUM> can be tuned as needed to deliver a desired biasing force for a given application or engine.

When the pressure in the first chamber <NUM> exceeds the biasing force of the first biasing member <NUM>, the second moveable member <NUM> moves to its second position and the secondary fluid is allowed to enter the biasing chamber <NUM> to move the third moveable member <NUM> to its second position. In the second position of the third moveable member <NUM>, the mechanical linkage <NUM> is configured to move the first moveable member <NUM> to its second position to prevent fluid from the first chamber <NUM> from passing through the outlet <NUM> of the first chamber <NUM>. When each of the first, second, and third moveable members <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> are in respective second positions, the valve system <NUM> is closed.

In certain embodiments, e.g., as shown, the mechanical linkage <NUM> can include a three member cantilevered mechanical linkage. The linkage <NUM> can include a first link 226a, a second link 226b, and a rocker 226c operatively coupled to one another by one or more pins <NUM>. A first side <NUM> of the linkage <NUM> can be mechanically connected to the first side 208a of the first moveable member <NUM> via the first link 226a and a second side <NUM> of the linkage <NUM> can be mechanically connected to the first side 224a of the third moveable member <NUM> via the second link 226b. The first and second links 226a,b can be connected to the first and third moveable members <NUM>, <NUM> to rotate relative to the first and third moveable members <NUM>, <NUM> about a rotational axis R perpendicular to a direction of movement <NUM>, <NUM> of both the first and third moveable members <NUM>, <NUM>. The rocker 226c can be disposed between the first link 226a and the second link 226b configured to rock about a rocking point <NUM> as the first and third moveable members <NUM>, <NUM> move between their respective first and second positions.

Referring specifically to <FIG> and <FIG> as an example, when the pressure in the first chamber <NUM> is low such that it does not exceed the biasing force of the first biasing member <NUM> in the second chamber <NUM>, the second moveable member <NUM> remains in its first position (e.g., fully to the left in the second chamber <NUM>) and blocks secondary flow from entering the biasing chamber <NUM>. Without the secondary flow pressing on second side 224b of the third moveable member <NUM>, the third moveable member <NUM> stays in its first positon (e.g., fully up in the biasing chamber <NUM>), biasing the first moveable member <NUM> to its first positon (e.g., to the right) and holding the valve system <NUM> open so compressor bleed air can flow to ambient, as shown in <FIG>.

Still with reference to <FIG> and <FIG>, when the pressure in the first chamber <NUM> rises to the point of exceeding the biasing force of the first biasing member <NUM>, the higher pressure fluid on the second side 214b of the second moveable member <NUM> forces the second moveable member <NUM> to its second positon (e.g., to the right in the second chamber <NUM>). This allows the secondary fluid to enter and flood the biasing chamber <NUM> to act on the third moveable member <NUM>. Pressure acting on the second side 224b of the third moveable member <NUM> moves the third moveable member <NUM> downward against the second biasing member <NUM> to its second positon. The downward movement of the third moveable member <NUM> moves the first moveable member <NUM> to its second positon via the mechanical linkage <NUM>. Now, the valve system <NUM> is closed and no compressor bleed air is passes to ambient via the first chamber, as shown in <FIG>.

According to the claimed invention, the valve system <NUM> further includes a shuttle valve <NUM> disposed in a shuttle chamber <NUM> configured to move between a first position and a second position, the shuttle chamber fluidly connected to the biasing chamber <NUM>. When the second moveable member <NUM> is in its second positon and secondary flow is in the biasing chamber <NUM>, the secondary flow forces the shuttle valve <NUM> to its first position (e.g., to the left in <FIG> and <FIG>).

In embodiments, the system can also include an electronically controllable valve <NUM> having a first state and a second state, disposed in the second fluid line <NUM> operatively connected to provide fluid to the shuttle chamber <NUM> in the first state of the electronically controllable valve <NUM>. The valve system <NUM> can be configured to be operated actively, e.g., using the electronically controllable valve <NUM>, or, in the event of a failure of the electronically controllable valve <NUM>, the valve system <NUM> is configured to operate passively, such that the first moveable member <NUM>, the second moveable member <NUM>, and the third moveable member <NUM> can be configured to move between respective first and second positions to bias the first moveable member <NUM> to its first position regardless of a state of the electronically controllable valve <NUM>.

This can be seen in <FIG>. In <FIG>, the electronically controllable valve <NUM> is in a first state, e.g., an off state so that no secondary fluid is provided to the shuttle chamber <NUM> via the electronically controllable valve <NUM>. But as shown in <FIG>, the increases in pressure in the first chamber <NUM> will move the first moveable member <NUM> to its second position to close the valve <NUM> (e.g., as described above) even with the electronically controllable valve <NUM> in the off state. Turning to <FIG>, the electronically controllable valve <NUM> has been placed in its second state, its on state. Here, pressure in the first chamber <NUM> does not exceed the biasing force of the first biasing member <NUM>, but the flow of secondary fluid through the electronically controllable valve <NUM> forces the shuttle valve <NUM> to its second positon (e.g., to the right) and the secondary fluid can flood the biasing chamber <NUM> to move the third moveable member <NUM> to its second position and ultimately close the valve <NUM> by moving the first moveable member <NUM> to its second position via the linkage <NUM>. In <FIG>, when the electronically controllable valve <NUM> is still in its open position, even if the pressure in the first chamber <NUM> rises to the level of overcoming the biasing force of the biasing member <NUM>, the electronically controllable valve <NUM> is still in control of the position of the first moveable member <NUM>, and the valve system <NUM> remains closed. A vent <NUM> is fluidly connected to the shuttle chamber <NUM> to allow a back end <NUM> of the shuttle chamber <NUM> to vent to ambient A in this condition. Accordingly, regardless of whether the electronically controllable valve <NUM> is in its on state or off state, the moveable members <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> are able to operate passively in the event of an active control failure.

In embodiments, the electronically controllable valve <NUM> can include a solenoid valve, and the first state can be a de-energized state and the second state can be an energized state. In embodiments, when the solenoid valve <NUM> is in the de-energized state, fluid is prevented from entering the shuttle chamber <NUM> and the shuttle valve <NUM> is in its first positon (e.g., the solenoid valve <NUM> is closed and the valve system <NUM> operates passively to close the valve system under high pressure). In embodiments, when the solenoid valve <NUM> is in the energized state, fluid is allowed to enter the shuttle chamber <NUM> to move the shuttle valve <NUM> to its second positon and fluid is allowed to enter the biasing chamber <NUM> (e.g., the solenoid valve <NUM> is open and the valve system <NUM> is actively commanded to close the valve system <NUM> regardless of pressure in the first chamber <NUM>).

In embodiments, the pressure of the compressor bleed air (e.g., the pressure in the first chamber <NUM>) is dependent on a speed of the engine while the pressure of the secondary fluid in the secondary fluid line <NUM> is a constant pressure. Thus, movement of the second moveable member <NUM> is dependent on the pressure of the compressor bleed air against the first biasing member <NUM>, rather than the pressure of the secondary fluid. In embodiments, a stabilizer guide can <NUM> be disposed at the outlet <NUM> of the first chamber <NUM> configured to guide the first moveable member <NUM> between its first and second positons. In certain embodiments, as shown in <FIG>, the stabilizer guide <NUM> can include a tri-foil guide having openings <NUM> so as not impede flow through the outlet <NUM> of the first chamber <NUM> when the first moveable member <NUM> is in its first position (e.g., when the valve system <NUM> is open).

Embodiments include a system that can electrically failsafe to a first position (e.g., bias towards an open position) at low power during engine start. The valve system can failsafe to a second position (e.g., move to a closed position) at high power engine conditions to prevent economic damage to downstream components caused by high temperature/pressure airflow. Embodiments include a failsafe, redundant design that can help to reduce the probability of the valve being in an undesired position. Embodiments allow for sizing the actuators (e.g., moveable members) without modifying the size of the valve body. Embodiments include cantilever mechanical linkage to utilize mechanical advantage to increase gate stroke versus the actuator piston stroke.

Embodiments can include a spring loaded open sleeve valve that uses inlet pressure to passively actuate towards the closed position at a target pressure. In embodiments, the valve can also have the capability to be actively closed by an electrical solenoid that controls muscle pressure. Embodiments include a cantilever linkage and relay that uses mechanical advantage to increase gate stroke or increase force margin. In embodiments, the passive operation can be tuned such that inlet pressure at a predetermined psi would passively actuate the upper piston, overcoming the spring force and allowing the muscle fluid to flow into the lower cavity, actuating the piston to close. In the active operation, the solenoid will be energized to provide closing muscle pressure before the passive actuation point, closing and preventing flow.

Any suitable combination(s) of any disclosed embodiments and/or any suitable portion(s) thereof are contemplated herein as appreciated by those having ordinary skill in the art in view of this disclosure.

Claim 1:
A system, comprising:
a first moveable member (<NUM>) disposed in a first chamber (<NUM>) configured to move between a first position and a second position of the first moveable member to allow or prevent fluid from passing from an inlet (<NUM>) of the first chamber (<NUM>) to an outlet (<NUM>) of the first chamber (<NUM>);
a second moveable member (<NUM>) disposed in a second chamber (<NUM>) configured to move between a first position and a second position of the second moveable member to allow or prevent fluid from entering a biasing chamber (<NUM>), the second chamber (<NUM>) fluidly connected to the first chamber (<NUM>);
a first biasing member (<NUM>) disposed on a first side (214a) of the second movable member (<NUM>) configured to bias the second moveable member to the first position of the second moveable member to prevent fluid from entering the biasing chamber (<NUM>);
a third moveable member (<NUM>) disposed in the biasing chamber (<NUM>) and operatively connected to the first moveable member (<NUM>) via a mechanical linkage (<NUM>), the third moveable member (<NUM>) configured to move between a first position and a second position of the third moveable member; and
a shuttle valve (<NUM>) disposed in a shuttle chamber (<NUM>) configured to move between a first position and a second position of the shuttle valve (<NUM>), the shuttle chamber (<NUM>) fluidly connected to the biasing chamber (<NUM>), wherein in the second position of the second moveable member (<NUM>), the shuttle valve (<NUM>) is in a first position of the shuttle valve and fluid is allowed to enter the biasing chamber (<NUM>) on a second side (224b) of the third moveable member (<NUM>) to move the third moveable member (<NUM>) to the second position of the third moveable member,
characterized by
a second biasing member (<NUM>) disposed on a first side (224a) of the third moveable member (<NUM>) configured to bias the third moveable member (<NUM>) to the first position of the third moveable member and the first position of the first moveable member to allow fluid to pass from the inlet (<NUM>) of the first chamber to the outlet (<NUM>) of the first chamber;
wherein the second moveable member (<NUM>) is configured to move from the first position to the second position of the second moveable member when a pressure of fluid in the first chamber (<NUM>) exceeds a predetermined biasing force of the first biasing member (<NUM>).