VALVE FOR VENTILATION OF A TANK

Abstract

A ventilation valve (100) for ventilation of a tank (not shown) containing a liquid where the liquid surface fluctuates over time at the same time as the ventilation valve (100) obstructs external liquid to enter into the tank through the ventilation valve, is described. The ventilation valve (100) comprises a structural main housing (1, 2) containing a valve unit (3, 4, 5) and respective ventilation channels (6, 7, 9, 10, 13, 14, 16) providing open communication between the tank and the atmosphere, and the valve unit includes a movable float body (4) obstructing liquid ingress into the tank through said ventilation valve (100). The valve unit is in the form of a replaceable valve module which includes the float body (4) which is received in a valve housing (3). The structural main housing (1, 2) includes a socket part (2) and one from the socket part (2) releasable cover part (1) in order to provide access to the replaceable valve module (3, 4, 5).

Claims

1. A ventilation valve for ventilation of a tank containing a liquid where the liquid surface fluctuates over time at the same time as the ventilation valve obstructs external liquid to enter into the tank through the ventilation valve, which ventilation valve comprises a structural main housing containing a valve unit and respective ventilation channels providing open communication between the tank and the atmosphere, the valve unit comprising a movable float body obstructing liquid ingress into the tank through the ventilation valve, the ventilation valve comprising: wherein the valve unit is in the form of a replaceable valve module comprising the float body, which is received in a valve housing; wherein the structural main housing comprises a socket part and one from the socket part releasable cover part in order to provide access to the replaceable valve module; wherein the respective ventilation channels to the atmosphere are established between the valve module and the cover part when the cover part is arranged on the socket part in its operating state; and wherein the ventilation channel towards the atmosphere extends through the bottom of the valve module; and wherein where external water that might enter through the same ventilation channel elevates the float body to sealing against the valve housing and prevents inflow to the tank.

2. The ventilation valve according to claim 1, wherein the cover part is releasable via hinging means pivotally arranged to the socket part.

3. The ventilation valve according to claim 1, wherein the cover part is via a locking device that is lockably arranged to the socket part.

4. The ventilation valve according to claim 1, wherein the valve body is in the form of a float valve and performs controlled motion within the valve housing via an axle shaft.

5. The ventilation valve according to claim 1, that wherein the cover part and the socket part comprise surfaces designed to be lying complimentary adjacent to each other when the parts are locked to each other and the surfaces include a gasket being sandwiched between the surfaces.

6. The ventilation valve according to claim 1, wherein the valve module is manufactured of a plastic material.

7. The ventilation valve according to claim 1, wherein the cover part and the socket part are manufactured of a metallic material.

8. The ventilation valve according to claim 1, wherein the ventilation channels towards the atmosphere extend substantially 90 degrees vertically relative to a ship deck.

9. The ventilation valve according to claim 3, wherein the locking means is manually operated by easy finger grip.

10. The ventilation valve according to claim 1, wherein the valve housing has an annular opening in its top surface and the float valve has an onion configuration with a circumferential surface designed for internal sealing against the annular opening in the top surface.

11. The ventilation valve according to claim 6, wherein the plastic material is selected from the group consisting of polyethylene, impact resistant polystyrene, and polyurethane.

12. The ventilation valve according to claim 7, wherein the metallic material is selected from the group consisting of acid proof steel, Inconel, aluminum, and cast iron.

Description

[0024] Other and further objects, features and advantages will appear from the following description of preferred embodiments of the invention, which is given for the purpose of description, and given in context with the appended drawings where:

[0025] FIG. 1 shows a cross sectional view through the ventilation valve according to the invention,

[0026] FIG. 2 shows a longitudinal cross sectional view through the ventilation valve according to the invention 90 degrees on the section shown in FIG. 1,

[0027] FIG. 3A shows a cross sectional view through the ventilation valve along line B-B in FIG. 3B in a second position,

[0028] FIG. 3B shows where the section B-B extends through the valve,

[0029] FIG. 4 shows a longitudinal cross sectional view through the ventilation valve along line A-A in FIG. 4B and 90 degrees on the section shown in FIG. 3A, and FIG. 4B shows where the section A-A extends through the valve.

[0030] With reference to FIG. 1, the ventilation valve 100 will now be described in closer detail. As mentioned, such ventilation valves are primarily used for ventilation of a tank (not shown) containing a liquid and are used because the liquid surface in the tank fluctuates over time. At the same time the ventilation valve 100 needs to be able to prevent that external liquid, typically sea water, enters into the tank through the ventilation valve 100. The ventilation paths in/out are indicated with various arrows P.

[0031] The ventilation valve 100 is assembled by a structural main housing 1, 2 which forms an enclosure around a valve unit made up by a valve housing 3, a moveable buoyant body 4, also called a float, and a sealing element 5 in top as the float 4 can be lifted up against and create a seal. The seal thus impedes ingress of liquid to the tank through the ventilation valve 100.

[0032] Further, the ventilation valve includes respective ventilation channels 6, 7, 9, 10, 13, 14, 16 creating open communication between the tank and the atmosphere.

[0033] The ventilation valve 100 is deliberately designed such that the valve unit is in the form of a replaceable valve module. As mentioned, this includes the float body 4 and the valve housing 3 in which the float is received.

[0034] The structural main housing 1, 2 includes a socket part 2 and one from the socket part 2 releasable cover part 1. The cover part 1 is releasable in order to gain access to the replaceable valve module 3, 4, 5. In particular, it is to be noted that the respective ventilating channels 6, 7, 9, 10, 13, 14, 16 towards the atmosphere are established between the valve module 3, 4, 5 and the cover part 1 when the cover part 1 is arranged on the socket part 2 in its operational state.

[0035] It is further to be noted that the ventilation channel 13 towards the atmosphere extends through the bottom of the valve module 3, 4, 5. Thus external water (sea water in heavy sea) that might enter in through the same ventilating channel 13, will lift the float body 4 to sealing contact against the valve housing 3 and impede further inflow to the storage tank itself. This situation is illustrated in FIGS. 3A and 4A. The peripheral top surface of the float body 4 seals against the sealing element 5.

[0036] The cover part 1 is shown on the figure releasable arranged via a hinge means 11 which is pivotally arranged on the socket part 2. The cover part 1 is via a locking means 12 lockable provided to the socket part 2. The locking means 12 may preferably be manually operated by simple finger grip, though other alternatives are fully possible.

[0037] The valve body 4 is here shown in the form of a float valve that can perform controlled motion in the valve housing 3 via a centrally located axle shaft 8, or guide pin. This could also have been guided externally.

[0038] The cover part 1 and the socket part 2 has particular designed surfaces which are intended to lay complementary adjacent to each other when the parts 1, 2 are locked to each other. The surfaces then have a gasket 15 which is sandwiched between them in order to create said ventilation channels without leakages in any direction.

[0039] The valve module 3, 4, 5 is conveniently manufactured of a suitable plastic material, such as polyethylene, impact resistant polystyrene or polyurethane.

[0040] The cover part 1 and socket part 2 can in turn be manufactured of a suitable metallic material, such as acid resistant steel, Inconel, aluminum or cast iron.

[0041] Pure practically, it will be convenient that the ventilating channels 13, 14 against the atmosphere extend substantially 90 degrees vertically to a ship deck.

[0042] Typically the valve housing 3 has an annular opening 7 in its top surface and the float valve 4 has a typical onion configuration having a circumferential surface intended for internal sealing against the annular opening 7 in the top surface. It is to be understood by the person skilled in the art that other designs of the float valve and the sealing is fully possible.