Patent Description:
The present disclosure relates generally to rotary valves, and in particular to rotary valves for use in pressure relief applications.

Various valve types are known and used in gas handling applications. Such valves include flap gate valves, butterfly valves, guillotine valves, ball valves, and the like. For applications in which the valves are used to relieve gas from a gas-containing structure, such as during pressure relief operations, these valve types suffer from a variety of disadvantages.

For example, when such valve types are used in applications in which the valves need to relieve gas to an outdoor environment, outward facing flap valves can suffer from the disadvantage that the flap is subjected to the force of wind (which, for example, in high altitude applications can approach or exceed <NUM>/h). In such cases the high wind forces can twist and/or damage the flap. Using an inwardly oriented flap in such applications would solve the problem of flap damage but would undesirably require a fluid passage diameter of three or more times larger than an outward facing flap valve. In either case, a large structure would be required to take up the overhang of the valve (assuming a translation of <NUM> or more), and the associated motor would be in the fluid flow path, which is not acceptable. Alternatively, a motor located away from the valve would involve a large overhang, which is also not acceptable. Such geometries also require a structure to withstand the operating forces, which increases the overall mass of the valve.

<CIT> discloses a conventional rotary disc valve but fails to disclose a guide assembly and a valve disc assembly as defined in claim <NUM>.

It would be advantageous to provide an improved valve for use in gas relief applications. Such a valve should address the above-noted deficiencies in conventional designs.

A rotary valve is disclosed for use in gas pressure relief applications. In one example embodiment the rotary valve is used to relieve internal helium pressures in an airship in the case of an overpressure condition within the helium-containing structure of the airship. In some embodiments the rotary valve is a safety valve used to relieve the pressure differential between internal helium pressure and the external ambient pressure as the airship rises.

A rotary valve is disclosed in which frictional opening forces are eliminated during rotation of the valve. Such a rotary valve includes a rotary disc that is guided within the external valve support structure, and a docking ramp that causes an axial translation of the rotating disc to compress the rotary disc against a seal when the valve is in the closed position to ensure a gas-tight seal exists when the valve is in the closed position. In the opening phase, the kinematics of the ramp allow the rotary disc to be axially displaced away the seal so that the disc can be rotated to the open configuration (and then back to the closed configuration) without engaging the seal, thus eliminating friction between the two during cycling of the valve.

Rotation of the rotary disc is obtained by the action of a motor that, via a pinion and worm connection, engages teeth on an outside surface of the rotary disc assembly. Axial translation of the rotary disc occurs by means of a radial guide groove formed in the valve housing, and within which one or more projections provided in the rotary disc assembly are received. The radial guide grooves are inclined at discrete locations (e.g., near the end of the rotational cycle) to axially move the rotary disc into and out of engagement with the valve seal.

The groove/projection interaction thus induce a complex movement to the rotary disc. Thus, as the valve is being cycled from the closed configuration to the open configuration, the projections of the rotary disc assembly ride within an inclined portion of the groove, which thereby moves the rotary disc outward and decompresses the seal. The remainder of the valve movement to the fully open configuration is unimpeded by any frictional contact with the seal. by following the rotation and by contact with the profile of these grooves, the rotary disc is pushed outwards and decompresses the seal. A reverse movement transitions the rotary valve from the fully open configuration to the closed configuration.

The arrangement of the rotary valve avoids wind entrapment and reduces aerodynamic stresses. The reduction in such stresses allows the mass of the rotary valve and any associated equipment to be reduced. Further, by locating the valve motor on the periphery of the valve, access for repairs is simplified, and the suspended mass associated with the valve is reduced.

Additional advantages to the disclosed rotary valve include reduced size and weight, improved design and operation, more precise control, improved maintenance, and improved robustness, as compared to conventional designs.

A rotary disc valve includes a guide assembly having a ring-shaped member with a groove disposed in an inner surface thereof, and a valve disc assembly rotatably coupled to the guide assembly. The valve disc assembly includes a valve disc, a projection received within the groove of the guide assembly, and a chimney support coupled to the guide assembly. The chimney support includes a seal member for selectively sealing against the valve disc. The groove has a main portion oriented perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the rotary disc valve, and an angled portion oriented at an oblique angle with respect to the longitudinal axis.

When the rotary disc valve is moved from a closed position toward an open position the valve disc assembly is rotated in a first direction with respect to the guide assembly, which moves the projection along the angled portion of the groove, thereby moving the valve disc away from the seal to decompress the seal. When the valve disc assembly is moved from the open position to the closed position the valve disc assembly is rotated in a second direction with respect to the guide assembly, which moves the projection along the angled portion of the groove, thereby moving the valve disc toward the seal to compress the seal.

In some embodiments the angled portion of the groove is positioned adjacent to a first end of the groove. The main portion of the groove is positioned between the angled portion and a second end of the groove.

When the rotary disc valve is in the closed position the seal engages the valve disc, and wherein when the rotary disc valve is in the open position the seal is disposed a distance "D" away from the valve disc. In some embodiments the distance "D" is about <NUM> millimeters.

In some embodiments the rotary disc valve includes a skirt support coupled to the guide assembly, the skirt support configured to couple the rotary disc valve to surrounding structure.

In some embodiments the rotary disc valve includes a chimney support coupled to the guide assembly, the chimney support having an open portion and a solid portion. When the valve is in the open position the open portion of the chimney support aligns with an open portion of the valve disc, and when the valve is in the closed position the open portion of the chimney support aligns with a solid portion of the valve disc. The open portion of the chimney support is D-shaped, and the seal is a D-shaped member coupled to the chimney support around the perimeter of the D-shaped open portion.

In embodiments the rotary disc valve can include a motor coupled to the chimney support. The motor includes a rotatable pinion. The valve disc assembly includes a plurality of gear parts, each of the plurality of gear parts having external teeth for engaging the rotatable pinion so that when the motor turns in a first direction the pinion engages the teeth to move the valve disc assembly in a first direction to open the valve. When the motor turns in a second direction the pinion engages the teeth to move the valve disc assembly in a second direction to close the valve.

In some embodiments the external teeth of the gear parts have first and second lateral portions. When the rotary disc valve is in the closed position the pinion engages the first lateral portions of the external teeth. When the rotary disc valve is in the open position the pinion engages the second lateral portions of the external teeth.

In some embodiments the guide assembly includes a recess for receiving a portion of the pinion when the pinion is engaged with the first lateral portions of the external teeth. The rotary disc valve can include a sensor configured to sense a position of the valve disc assembly and for signaling the motor to stop rotating the pinion when the rotary disc valve is determined by the sensor to have moved from the closed position to the fully open position. The sensor can be configured to signal the motor to stop rotating the pinion when the rotary disc valve is determined by the sensor to have moved from the closed position to the fully open position.

By way of example, a specific embodiment of the disclosed device will now be described, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:.

The drawings are merely representations, not intended to portray specific parameters of the disclosure. The drawings are intended to depict example embodiments of the disclosure, and therefore are not to be considered as limiting in scope. In the drawings, like numbering represents like elements.

Numerous embodiments of an improved rotary valve in accordance with the present disclosure will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which preferred embodiments of the present disclosure are presented. The systems of the present disclosure may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will convey certain example aspects of rotary valves to those skilled in the art. In the drawings, like numbers refer to like elements throughout unless otherwise noted.

This disclosure relates to rotary disc valves comprising a housing defining at least one passage for fluid to be controlled by the valve and a rotatable valve disc having an opening that can be brought into and out of alignment with a fluid flow passage through rotation of the disc within its own plane. The disclosure includes an arrangement in which the disc is axially shifted away from the seal as the valve is moved from the closed position to the open position to as to reduce or eliminate frictional forces associated with rotating the disc.

Referring now to <FIG>, an example airship <NUM> is shown incorporating a plurality of rotary disc valves <NUM> according to the disclosure. As previously mentioned, the rotary disc valves <NUM> are used to relieve internal helium pressure in the airship <NUM> as the airship ascends and ambient pressures decrease. To adjust the pressure differential between the helium within the airship <NUM> and the ambient air as the airship ascends, a control system (not shown) opens one or more of the rotary disc valves <NUM> to allow helium to be discharged to the atmosphere. The control system then closes the rotary disc valves <NUM> when a desired reduced helium pressure within the airship is achieved.

<FIG> illustrates the rotary disc valve <NUM> and related supporting structure <NUM>, along with motor <NUM> which can be seen positioned at a periphery of the valve. The rotary disc valve <NUM> is shown in the open configuration such that an opening <NUM> in the disc is aligned to allow flow through the valve.

<FIG> show various details of the rotary disc valve <NUM> shown in <FIG>. Specifically, <FIG> shows the position of seal <NUM> which seals between the supporting structure <NUM> (which in one embodiment is chimney support <NUM> - see <FIG>) and the valve disc <NUM>. <FIG> shows the projection <NUM> associated with the valve disc <NUM> positioned within groove <NUM> associated with the valve body <NUM>. As will be described in greater detail later, as the valve disc <NUM> rotates, the projection <NUM> rides within the angled portion <NUM> of the groove <NUM>, and the projection <NUM> and valve disc <NUM> move axially with respect to the valve body <NUM> and the seal <NUM>. This axial movement serves to decompress the seal and allows the valve disc <NUM> to rotate unimpeded by frictional forces associated with engagement between the valve disc <NUM> and the seal <NUM>. <FIG> shows the interengagement between a pinion <NUM> of the motor <NUM> and external gear teeth <NUM> disposed on a periphery of the valve disc assembly.

<FIG> and <FIG> shows the rotary disc valve <NUM> including guide assembly <NUM> and skirt support <NUM>, valve disc assembly <NUM>, and chimney support <NUM>. Motor <NUM> is shown coupled to the chimney support <NUM> such that pinion <NUM> engages gear teeth <NUM> on the periphery of the valve disc assembly <NUM>. Switch assembly <NUM> (the function of which will be described in greater detail later) is also shown coupled to the chimney support <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrate aspects of the skirt support <NUM> and associated internal support ring <NUM>. The skirt support <NUM> has a solid ring-shaped projection portion <NUM> which engages a recess <NUM> formed in the inner support ring <NUM> to hold the two together. The inner support ring <NUM> is shown as formed from a series of arc-shaped segments coupled together to form the ring. The skirt support <NUM> also serves as a mechanical interface with support structure associated with the airship <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrate the skirt support <NUM> and internal support ring <NUM> coupled to an external support <NUM>. As can be seen, the external support <NUM> comprises a plurality of arc-shaped segments 38a-h which together form a ring shape. The arc-shaped segments 38a-h engage a first face 24a of the skirt support <NUM>, while the internal support ring <NUM> engages a second face 24b of the skirt support. Thus arranged, the skirt support <NUM> is fixed between the internal support ring <NUM> and the external support <NUM>.

<FIG> show the guide assembly <NUM> engaged with the internal support ring <NUM>, skirt support <NUM>, and external support <NUM>. The guide assembly <NUM> is a ring-shaped member having an outer surface 23a and an inner surface 23b. The outer surface 23a abuts an inner surface 32a of the internal support ring <NUM>, while the inner surface 23b includes a plurality of grooves14 that guide the rotational movement of the valve disc assembly <NUM> via their interaction with projections <NUM>. A plurality of rollers <NUM> are embedded in the inner surface 32a of the internal support ring <NUM>. These rollers <NUM> are configured to engage the valve disc assembly <NUM> to facilitate a smooth rotation of the valve disc assembly. A spacer <NUM> is coupled to the guide assembly <NUM>. The spacer <NUM> in the illustrated arrangement is a cylindrical member coupled at a first end 25a to the guide assembly <NUM>. The second end 25b extends away from the guide assembly and is coupleable to a chimney support (see <FIG>). <FIG> shows the grooves <NUM> disposed in the inner surface 23b of the guide assembly <NUM>. These grooves <NUM> interact with the associated projections <NUM> to hold the valve disc <NUM> in place and importantly to allow the valve disc assembly <NUM> to translate to release the engagement between the valve disc <NUM> and the seal <NUM> and to guide the valve disc assembly <NUM> as it rotates between the open and closed positions.

<FIG> show the valve disc assembly <NUM> engaged with the guide assembly <NUM> engaged with the internal support ring <NUM>, skirt support <NUM>, and external support <NUM>. As can be seen, the valve disc assembly <NUM> includes a plurality of gear parts <NUM> coupled together to form a ring-shaped element, and a valve disc <NUM> having an opening <NUM> in one half. Each of the plurality of gear parts <NUM> includes an outer surface <NUM> that includes, on at least a portion thereof, gear teeth <NUM>. As previously described, the pinion <NUM> of the motor <NUM> engages the gear teeth <NUM> of the valve disc assembly <NUM> such that rotation of the pinion rotates the valve disc assembly <NUM> in a desired direction.

As best seen in <FIG>, one of the projections <NUM> of the valve disc assembly <NUM> is positioned within groove <NUM> in the inner surface 23b of the guide assembly <NUM>. As can be seen in <FIG>, the valve disc assembly <NUM> is provided with four projections <NUM> positioned at <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> o'clock, respectively, on the valve disc assembly <NUM>. Providing multiple projections <NUM> and a plurality of rollers <NUM> (<FIG>) ensures smooth rotation and axial movement of the valve disc assembly <NUM> with respect to guide assembly <NUM>.

<FIG> show chimney support <NUM> engaged with the spacer <NUM> of the guide assembly <NUM>. The chimney support <NUM> is a circular member that holds the D-shaped flexible seal ring <NUM> which surrounds an opening <NUM> that is approximately the same shape and dimension of the opening <NUM> in the valve disc assembly <NUM>. To receive the flexible seal ring <NUM>, a D-shaped groove <NUM> is provided in the chimney support <NUM> surrounding the opening <NUM>. The groove <NUM> receives and retains a portion of the flexible seal ring <NUM>. In some embodiments the flexible seal ring <NUM> is glued to the groove <NUM>.

Referring now to <FIG> the rotary disc valve <NUM> is shown in the closed position. In the closed position the opening <NUM> in the disc <NUM> is positioned so that it does not align with the opening <NUM> in the chimney support <NUM>. As can be seen in <FIG>, the seal ring <NUM> engages the solid portion <NUM> of the disc <NUM> so that no flow is allowed through the valve <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the projection is positioned in the first end <NUM> of the groove <NUM> so the valve disc assembly <NUM> is held tight against the seal.

<FIG> show the valve <NUM> as it is starting to move toward the open position. The pinion <NUM> of the motor <NUM> engages and rotates the teeth <NUM> of the gear parts <NUM> which rotates the valve disc assembly <NUM>, including valve disc <NUM>, toward the open position. The projection <NUM> slides within the angled portion <NUM> of the groove. The angled portion <NUM> of the groove forms an oblique angle β with respect to the longitudinal axis A-A of the valve <NUM> so that as the disc assembly <NUM> rotates, the projection <NUM> slides within the angled portion <NUM> of the groove and the disc assembly <NUM> moves in the direction of arrow "B". As will be appreciated, as the disc assembly <NUM> rotates, a component of its motion is parallel to the longitudinal axis A-A of the valve <NUM>, which moves the disc assembly away from the chimney support <NUM> and the seal <NUM>, thus decompressing the seal.

<FIG> show the valve as the valve disc continues to rotate to the open position. As the motor <NUM> continues to rotate the pinion <NUM>, the teeth <NUM> of the gear parts <NUM> continue to rotate the valve disc assembly <NUM> toward the open position. As can be seen, the projection <NUM> exits the angled portion <NUM> of the groove <NUM> and enters the main portion of the groove, moving in the direction of arrow "C", which is oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A-A of the valve. In this position the valve disc <NUM> is offset from the seal <NUM> by a distance "D" (<FIG>). In one example embodiment this distance "D" is about <NUM> millimeters (mm).

Rotation continues until the opening <NUM> in the disc <NUM> begin aligns with the opening <NUM> in the chimney support <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>. The valve disc <NUM> includes a pair of radially extending projections 17a, b disposed on opposite sides of the disc (see <FIG>) and are configured to interact with first and second sensors <NUM>, <NUM> (see <FIG>) of the switch assembly <NUM>. In the closed position a first one of the projections 17a is engaged with the first sensor <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, as the valve disc assembly <NUM> rotates from the closed position toward the open position, the first projection 17a disengages the first sensor <NUM>, and the valve disc assembly continues to rotate (via interaction with the pinion <NUM>) until the second one of the projections 17b engages the second sensor <NUM>. The switch assembly <NUM> signals the motor to stop rotating the pinion <NUM>. Thus, in the open position the second projection 17b is engaged with the second sensor <NUM>. To close the valve, the valve disc assembly <NUM> is rotated (again, via interaction with the pinion <NUM>) toward the closed position such that the second projection 17b disengages the second sensor <NUM>. The valve disc assembly continues to rotate until the first projection 17a engages the first sensor <NUM>, whereupon the switch assembly <NUM> signals the motor to stop rotating the pinion <NUM>.

In the illustrated closed position, the projection <NUM> is received within the second end <NUM> of the groove <NUM>. As will be appreciated, grooves <NUM> (two positioned at <NUM>° and two others at <NUM>° offset by, for example, <NUM>) are provided in the guide assembly <NUM>, one associated with each of the two projections <NUM> provided in the valve disc assembly <NUM>.

15A-15BC shows the relative positions of the motor and pinion and the external gearing when the valve is in the closed position (<FIG>) and the open position (<FIG>). In the closed position, the valve disc <NUM> is disposed directly adjacent to the chimney support <NUM> so the seal (not shown) engages the valve disc. The pinion <NUM> can be seen engaging a first lateral portion 22a of the teeth <NUM> of the gear parts. A recess <NUM> in the guide assembly <NUM> receives at least a portion of the pinion.

In the open position shown in <FIG>, the valve disc <NUM> is separated from the chimney support <NUM> by distance "D", which as previously mentioned can be about <NUM>. In this position the pinion engages a second lateral portion 22b of the teeth <NUM> of the gear parts.

Thus, with the disclosed arrangement, movement of the valve disc <NUM> toward and away from the chimney support <NUM> does not affect the interaction between the pinion <NUM> and the teeth <NUM> of the gear parts, and the motor <NUM> and pinion <NUM> are able to engage and rotate the valve disc assembly <NUM> through the full range of motion of the valve disc <NUM> (from closed to open, then from open to closed).

While the present disclosure refers to certain embodiments, numerous modifications, alterations, and changes to the described embodiments are possible without departing from the sphere and scope of the present disclosure, as defined in the appended claim(s). Accordingly, it is intended that the present disclosure not be limited to the described embodiments, but that it has the full scope defined by the language of the following claims, and equivalents thereof. The discussion of any embodiment is meant only to be explanatory and is not intended to suggest that the scope of the disclosure, including the claims, is limited to these embodiments. In other words, while illustrative embodiments of the disclosure have been described in detail herein, it is to be understood that the inventive concepts may be otherwise variously embodied and employed, and that the appended claims are intended to be construed to include such variations, except as limited by the prior art.

The foregoing discussion has been presented for purposes of illustration and description and is not intended to limit the disclosure to the form or forms disclosed herein. For example, various features of the disclosure are grouped together in one or more aspects, embodiments, or configurations for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. However, it should be understood that various features of the certain aspects, embodiments, or configurations of the disclosure may be combined in alternate aspects, embodiments, or configurations.

Claim 1:
A rotary disc valve (<NUM>), comprising:
a guide assembly (<NUM>) comprising a ring-shaped member having a groove (<NUM>) disposed in an inner surface (23b) thereof;
a valve disc assembly (<NUM>) rotatably coupled to the guide assembly, the valve disc assembly comprising:
a valve disc (<NUM>),
a projection (<NUM>) received within the groove of the guide assembly; and
a chimney support (<NUM>) coupled to the guide assembly, the chimney support including a seal member (<NUM>) for selectively sealing against the valve disc;
wherein the groove (<NUM>) has a main portion oriented perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the rotary disc valve, and an angled portion (<NUM>) oriented at an oblique angle with respect to the longitudinal axis; and
wherein when the rotary disc valve is moved from a closed position toward an open position the valve disc assembly is rotated in a first direction with respect to the guide assembly, which moves the projection along the angled portion of the groove, thereby moving the valve disc away from the seal to decompress the seal; and
wherein when the valve disc assembly is moved from the open position to the closed position the valve disc assembly is rotated in a second direction with respect to the guide assembly, which moves the projection along the angled portion of the groove, thereby moving the valve disc toward the seal to compress the seal.