CONTROL VALVE

Abstract

A control valve (1) with a valve housing (13) through which a flow channel (14) runs with a flow cross section changeable by a closure unit consisting of a valve seat and a valve cone which is adjustable relative to the valve seat. An adjusting device has a sliding unit (2) with a sliding rod (21) adjusting the valve cone over an adjustment path and a drive device acting on the sliding rod and controlled by a controller. The controller has a measuring unit (4) which detects the adjustment path via a transmission unit. The transmission unit is provided with an adapter unit (3) comprising a replaceable structural unit, between the sliding unit (2) and the measuring unit (4), said adapter unit converting the adjustment stroke into a measurement stroke specified by the measuring unit (4) in a manner corresponding to a transmission ratio specified by the adapter unit.

Claims

1. A control valve (1) with a valve housing (13) through which a flow channel (14) runs with a flow cross section that can be changed via a specified adjustment stroke by means of a closure unit consisting of a valve seat and a valve cone which can be adjusted relative to the valve seat, and with an adjusting device which has a sliding unit (2) with a sliding rod (21) that adjusts the valve cone over an adjustment path and a drive device that acts on the sliding rod and is controlled by a controller, wherein the controller has a measuring unit (4) which detects the adjustment path via a transmission unit; wherein the transmission unit is provided with an adapter unit (3) comprising a replaceable structural unit, between the sliding unit (2) and the measuring unit (4), said adapter unit converting the adjustment stroke into a measurement stroke specified by the measuring unit (4) in a manner corresponding to a transmission ratio specified by the adapter unit.

2. The control valve (1) according to claim 1, wherein the measuring unit (4) has a displaceably mounted lifting element and that the structural unit comprises a transmission unit which is coupled to the lifting element.

3. The control valve (1) according to claim 2, wherein the structural unit comprises a lifting member, by means of which the transmission unit is coupled to the lifting element.

4. The control valve (1) according to claim 3, wherein the transmission unit is an axially non-displaceable rotatably mounted adapter shaft (33) which is coupled to the lifting element via a lifting member that is axially moved on said adapter shaft during the turning, and that the lifting member is a lifting nut (34).

5. The control valve (1) according to claim 3, wherein the lifting member is fixed with friction lock to the lifting element.

6. The control valve (1) according to claim 2, wherein the lifting element is designed as a displaceably mounted measuring carriage (41).

7. The control valve (1) according to claim 1, wherein the adapter unit (3), for the coupling to the sliding unit (2), has a coupling element (31), and, for the connection to a housing (10) of the control valve (1), has a bearing unit (32), and that the sliding unit (2) is provided with a coupling connection complementary to the coupling element (31).

8. The control valve (1) according to claim 7, wherein the coupling element (31) is part of the exchangeable structural unit, and that the bearing unit (32) with the structural unit is connected exchangeably or permanently to the valve housing (13).

9. The control valve (1) according to claim 2, wherein the lifting element travels a measurement path proportional to the adjustment path in a manner corresponding to a transmission ratio, that the lifting element converts the measurement path of at least one transmission bar (42) arranged on the lifting element to a transmission unit (43) which is in operative connection with a signal generator (44) delivering position signals, and that the measuring unit (4) is designed for determining the adjustment stroke from position signals of the signal generator (44).

10. The control valve (1) according to claim 1, wherein the adjustment stroke is between 1 and 100 mm, and that the measurement stroke is between 1 and 80 mm, wherein the measurement stroke is smaller than or equal to the adjustment stroke.

11. The control valve (1) according to any one of claim 7, wherein the transmission unit (33) with the end thereof facing the valve seat protrudes into the bearing unit (32) connected fixed in place to the housing (10) and is fixed in the bearing unit (32) in a manner so that it cannot be moved in the measurement stroke direction.

12. The control valve (1) according to claim 11, wherein the transmission unit (33) is rotatably mounted about the measurement stroke axis in the bearing unit (32).

13. The control valve (1) according to claim 1, wherein the sliding unit (2) comprises a spindle nut (23) which extends longitudinally concentrically with respect to the adjustment stroke axis and which can be set in rotation about the adjustment stroke axis depending on the drive direction, and that the sliding rod (21) is a threaded rod guided in the spindle nut (23), wherein it is mounted in such a manner that it is adjusted in the adjustment stroke direction when the spindle nut (23) is rotated.

14. The control valve (1) according to claim 13, wherein the spindle nut (23) with the end thereof facing away from the valve seat protrudes on the opposite side of the transmission unit (33) into the bearing unit (32), that the coupling element (31) is arranged between the spindle nut (23) and transmission unit in the bearing unit (32), and that the coupling is designed in such a manner that the rotation of the spindle nut (23) is transferred via the coupling element (31) to the transmission unit.

15. The control valve (1) according to claim 14, wherein the rotation of the transmission unit adjusts the lifting element in the measurement stroke direction by means of the lifting member which is fixed with friction lock to the lifting element.

16. The control valve (1) according to claim 12, wherein the spindle nut (23) on the side thereof facing the valve seat is resiliently braced by a spring mount (22) relative to the valve seat, and/or that the spindle nut (23) is resiliently braced in the bearing unit (32).

17. The control valve (1) according to claim 16, wherein in the completely extended state of the sliding rod (21), the spindle nut (23) can be moved into the spring path of the spring mount (22).

18. The control valve (1) according to claim 13, wherein in the completely retracted state of the sliding rod (21), the spindle nut (23) can be moved into the spring path of the spindle nut (23) or into the bearing unit (32).

19. The control valve (1) according to claim 16, wherein the spring mount (22) comprises disc springs for the resilient bracing of the spindle nut (23).

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] The presently disclosed subject matter will be better understood from reading the following description of non-limiting embodiments, with reference to the attached drawings, wherein below:

[0027] FIG. 1 shows a control valve according to the invention with valve housing and housing with accommodated measuring device.

[0028] FIG. 2 shows an exploded perspective representation of the sliding unit, adapter unit and measuring unit of the control valve according to FIG. 1.

[0029] FIG. 3 shows a perspective representation of the assembled units according to FIG. 2,

[0030] FIG. 4 shows a perspective representation of the sliding unit, adapter unit and a measuring carriage.

[0031] FIG. 5 shows an exploded perspective representation of sliding unit, adapter unit and measuring carriage with lifting nut visible.

[0032] FIG. 6(a)(b) shows an adapter shaft and a bearing unit of an adapter unit according to the invention in a view from behind (a) and in a lateral cross section (b).

[0033] FIG. 7(a)(b) shows a sliding unit in a view from the side (a) and in cross section (b).

[0034] Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to represent the same parts.

[0035] FIG. 1 shows a control valve 1 with a valve housing 13 which comprises a flow channel 14. The valve housing 13 supports, in its interior, a valve seat with which a valve cone can be brought in contact by means of a sliding unit 2 in order to close the flow channel 14. On the upper side, the valve housing 13 has a connection flange, on which an attachment part with its flange plate is placed and fastened by means of fastening screws. The attachment part supports a bridge 15 which is provided with two perforations. Into the perforations, longitudinal guides 12 oriented parallel to one another, extending vertically upward, are inserted. On the side of the longitudinal guides 12 facing away from the attachment part, a housing 10 with a subshell 10.2 and a cover 10.1 is arranged, accommodating a measuring unit 4, among others (see FIG. 2). Under the housing 10, between the two longitudinal guides 12, an adjusting device 11 is located, which extends in the direction of the valve housing 13. As part of the adjusting device 11, on the lower side of the subshell 10.2, parts of a drive device 11.1 can be seen. Furthermore, the adjusting device 11 comprises the sliding unit 2 with a sliding rod 21, which can be seen under the drive device 11.1. The sliding rod 21 is arranged between a spindle nut 23 of the sliding unit 2 (see FIG. 2) and the valve housing 13, extending coaxially with respect to the spindle nut 23. Between the sliding rod 21 and the spindle nut 23, a spring mount 22 is located (see FIG. 2).

[0036] FIG. 2 shows several components of the control valve 1 according to FIG. 1 in an exploded view. The represented components comprise the measuring unit 4, which is located, in the complete control valve 1, within the housing 10, an adapter unit 3 arranged under the measuring unit 4, and the sliding unit 2 represented again under the adapter unit 3.

[0037] On its side oriented in the direction of the valve housing 13 (not represented in FIG. 2), the sliding unit 2 comprises the sliding rod 21. The sliding rod 21 is designed at least in part as a threaded rod and, at the end thereof oriented in the direction of the valve housing 13, it narrows for the connection to the valve cone (not represented). With the upper end on the opposite side from the narrowing, the sliding rod 21 protrudes through the spring mount 22 with the outer thread thereof into an inner thread of the spindle nut 23 which is rotatably connected to the spring mount 22 via two ball bearings 22.2. It would be possible to use another radial bearing instead of the ball bearing 22.2. The spring mount 22 comprises a disc spring assembly 22.1 between the ball bearings 22.2, in order to cushion the spindle nut 23 when the sliding rod 21 moves against an abutment, in particular with the valve cone into the valve seat.

[0038] Instead of the disc spring assembly 22.1, another spring device, for example a coil spring, can also be used. However, the disc spring assembly has the advantage that it can absorb large forces in a compact space.

[0039] The spindle nut 23 facing away from the spring mount 22 in the direction of the measuring unit 4 can be set in rotation via a drive end and a transmission (drive and transmission are not represented). It has different outer diameters. Via a ledge 23.1, the spindle nut transitions into an insert section 23.2 which is arranged on its upper end facing the adapter unit 3 and which has a smaller outer diameter in comparison to the section arranged under the ledge 23.1. By means of the insert section 23.2, the spindle nut 23 is coupled to the adapter unit 3. For this purpose, the spindle nut 23, on its upper end, on the front side, comprises two recesses 23.3.

[0040] According to the invention, an adapter unit 3 is arranged above the sliding unit 2. Said adapter unit is used as transmission unit in order to transfer the adjustment path of the sliding rod 21, and thus of the valve cone, to the measuring unit 3. In the embodiment example shown, the entire transmission unit is associated with the adapter unit 3. However, in another design, elements of the transmission unit that are not associated with the adapter unit 3 can also be present.

[0041] The adapter unit 3 comprises a coupling element 31 designed as a thickened disk which is arranged between the spindle nut 23 and an adapter shaft 33 of the adapter unit 3, and which transfers the rotation movement of the spindle nut 23 to the adapter shaft 33. For this purpose, the coupling element 31, on the outer periphery thereof, has two projections 31.1 and, in the center, a four-sided perforation 31.2. The projections 31.1 are designed so that they engage with positive-lock and friction-lock connection in the recesses 23.3 of the spindle nut 23. Into the perforation 31.2, the lower end of the adapter shaft 33 protrudes with a coupling end 33.1 of four-sided design (visible in FIG. 6(a)) with positive-lock connection. Other polygonal designs of the perforation 31.2 and of the coupling end 33.1 which correspond to one another are also possible. A rotationally fixed coupling between the spindle nut 23 and the adapter shaft 33 via the coupling element 31 is implemented in a bearing unit 32 of the adapter unit 3. The bearing unit 32 can be secured in a non-displaceable manner via two downward directed braces 32.2 and fastening sites arranged thereon via fastening means, in this case Allen screws 32.1, to the housing 10 of the control valve 1. Due to its design, the bearing unit 32 can be produced simply by means of a molding tool. The adapter shaft 33 is moved into the bearing unit 32 from above through a recess 32.3 and fixed vertically, but rotatably mounted, in the bearing unit 32. The vertical fixing enables a precise transmission of the adjustment path via the measurement path to the measuring unit 4. Furthermore, the adapter unit 3 comprises a lifting nut 34 (not represented in FIG. 2, see FIG. 5) which fits the thread of the adapter shaft 33 and which is attached to a measuring carriage 41 of the measuring unit 4 with positive-lock and/or friction-lock connection, for the purpose of transferring the measurement stroke to the measuring unit 4. The coupling represented between adapter unit 3 and sliding unit 2 contributes to a simple assembly and disassembly.

[0042] The measuring carriage 41 extends over the width of a fastening housing 46 of the measuring unit 4. It is vertically displaceably mounted on the side walls 46.1 thereof on guides 46.2 that are beveled outward. Transmission bars 42 that enclose the guides 46.2 are attached on the two sides on the lateral margins of the measuring carriage 41. The transmission bars 42 are designed in the form of toothed rod, but they can also can have another design that is suitable for transferring a movement to another element. In each case a transmission unit 43 designed as a gear wheel engages in the transmission bar 42 and is attached in each case laterally outside to the fastening housing 46. The transmission unit 43 is coupled in a rotationally fixed manner in each case via a shaft to a signal generator 44. The signal generator 44 is designed as a rotary potentiometer, which is electrically connected to a single processing unit 45 on the back side of the fastening housing 46 and (mechanically) attached on the fastening housing 43.

[0043] FIG. 3 shows the components from FIG. 2 in the mounted state. Here, the bearing unit 32 of the adapter unit 3 is slid into the lower area of the fastening housing 46. Both the fastening housing 46 and also the bearing unit 32 can be fixed via a fastening means, here Allen screws 47 or 32.1, in the housing 10 of the control valve 1.

[0044] In order to adjust the sliding rod 21 with the valve cone (not represented) by a predetermined adjustment path along the adjustment path direction, the spindle nut 23 is set in rotation via drive and transmission elements (not represented). Due to the rotation of the spindle nut 23, the sliding rod 21 is adjusted vertically in the adjustment stroke direction via the inner thread of the spindle nut 23 in collaboration with the thread of the sliding rod 21. The rotation of the spindle nut 23 is transferred via the coupling element 31 to the adapter shaft 33. The adapter shaft 33 accordingly has the same number of rotations per unit of time as the spindle nut 23. Due to the rotation of the adapter shaft 33, which is mounted so that it cannot move axially, the lifting nut 34 fixed on the measuring carriage 34 is adjusted longitudinally along the adapter shaft 33 in the measurement stroke direction by a measurement path and in the process entrains the measuring carriage 41. The adjustment height, by which the lifting nut 34 is adjusted for each turn, is fixed here via the thread pitch of the adapter shaft 33. Accordingly, the adjustment path of the threaded rod 21 is converted, depending on the thread pitch of the adapter shaft 33, into a certain measurement path. The ratio of adjustment path to measurement path is here established by the ratio “spindle nut 23 or sliding rod 21 thread pitch to the adapter shaft thread pitch.”

[0045] In this way, different adjustment strokes (of the total possible adjustment path) of control valves can always be converted into a standard measurement stroke (of the total possible measurement path) merely by adapting an exchangeable structural unit, comprising at least one adapter shaft 33 with a corresponding thread pitch and a correspondingly adapted lifting nut 34. It would be conceivable that the exchangeable structural unit contains additional components, for example, the coupling element 31 and the bearing unit 32. However, in the remaining subassemblies, in particular the measuring unit 4 and the cover 10.1, it is advantageous to always use the same elements, which are designed and can be selected precisely for the transfer of a certain measurement stroke and thus a respective measurement path to the signal processing unit 45. In this way, the measuring unit 4 predetermines the desired measurement stroke. This leads to a simple production and installation of control valves 1 and to a simple storage, since relatively few different parts have to be stored even for control valves with different adjustment strokes. The costs are considerably reduced in comparison to conventional designs. Knowing the “adjustment stroke to measurement stroke” ratio or corresponding characteristic parameters, the signal processing unit 45 determines, from the transferred measurement path, the actual adjustment path of the sliding rod 21 and of the valve cone. In a control valve 1 known from the prior art, in the case of different valve strokes, in addition to the lifting member, a large number of other components need to be exchanged as a rule, for example, the cover 10.1, the measuring carriage 41, the transmission unit 43, and the fastening housing 46, wherein, in each case, different adjustments have to be carried out.

[0046] In FIG. 4, the sliding unit 2 with the adapter unit 3 and with the measuring carriage 41 of the measuring unit 4 is represented. At the upper end of the spindle nut 23, adjusting rings 32.5 are arranged. When the sliding rod is in a state in which it is moved into a (completely retracted or extended) end position, the spindle nut 23 can move, for example, into the disc spring assembly 22.1 of the spring mount 22, as a result of which the arrival in the respective end position is cushioned. In the process, the spindle nut 23 moves relative to the bearing unit 32, wherein the movement direction of the adjusting rings 32.5 can be detected for the detection of the respective end position.

[0047] FIG. 5 shows an exploded view of the components in FIG. 4, wherein the lifting nut 34 can be seen. It is designed in the form of a four-sided cuboid block. Other forms of the lifting nut are also conceivable, in particular other polygonal forms (three-sided, six-sided, etc.).

[0048] FIGS. 6(a) and 6(b) show the adapter shaft 33 in the bearing unit 32 in a view from behind (FIG. 6(a)) and in a lateral view in cross section (6(b)). Here, a projection 31.1 at the lower end of the adapter unit 3 can be seen, protruding with positive-lock connection into the coupling element 31 or through said coupling element (not represented). Here, the connection between the projection 31.1 and the coupling element 31 preferably has play in the axial direction, in order to be able to compensate for possible axial movements of the spindle nut 23 (particularly when moving into the spring path of the spring assembly). FIG. 6(b) shows the arrangement of a bearing 32.7, by means of which the adapter unit 33 is rotatably secured in such a manner that it cannot be displaced vertically or axially. The bearing 32.7 is preferably designed in the form of a ball bearing, but it can also be formed in another design. In addition, in FIG. 6(b), a bevel 32.4 on the back side of the bearing unit 32 can be seen, which allows an optimized arrangement of the bearing unit 32 in the fastening housing 46.

[0049] Details of the sliding unit 2 can be seen in FIG. 7(a) in a view from the side and in FIG. 7(b) in a cross section. On the spindle nut 23, a first and a second support 23.4 and 23.5 can be seen, by means of which the spring mount 22 acts on the spindle nut 23. For example, in the case of complete closure of the control valve, the valve cone moves onto the valve seat, rotates the spindle nut 23 further as a rule briefly, and in the process is pushed upward by the sliding rod 21. In the process, the spindle nut 23 entrains the spring mount 22 via the second support 23.5. On the upper side of the spring mount 22, a counter-bearing 23.6 which is attached in a vertically or axially fixed manner is located, which, for example, is attached to the housing or attached relative to the housing 10. The spring mount 22 is shifted against it and supported on it, so that the disc spring assembly 22.1 located therein is compressed between the second support 23.5 and the counter-bearing 23.6, and the movement is cushioned or damped. Such a damping mechanism can advantageously also be provided for the movement into the completely open state, wherein, for example, the first support 23.4 and a second counter-bearing (not represented) collaborate with the spring mount. In the spring mount 22, the two ball bearings 22.2 for the rotatable mounting of the spindle nut 23 can be seen. FIG. 7(b) shows the thread of the sliding rod 21. In addition, a recess 21.1 can be seen on the upper end face of the sliding rod 21, which can accommodate the coupling end 33.1 of the adapter shaft 33.

[0050] In the embodiment examples described, the adapter unit 3 is provided with a transmission unit designed as an adapter shaft 33. The conversion of the adjustment stroke into the measurement stroke occurs at constant transferred rotation speed via the thread pitch of the adapter shaft. Other design variants are also conceivable in which, for example, a transmission-type arrangement is used with one or more gear wheels and/or toothed rods and/or toothed belts in the adapter unit. These can also achieve, for example, a different measurement stroke by variation of the rotation speed. The assignment of the elements, as they occur, to the adapter unit 3 or the measuring unit 4 can vary depending on the function thereof.

[0051] By the use according to the invention of an adapter unit 3 between the sliding unit 2 and the measuring unit 4, it is thus possible, in particular in valve construction series with different adjustment strokes, by conversion to a standard measurement stroke, to considerably reduce the expense for parts and production in a simple manner, which is connected with a considerable cost reduction.

[0052] While the invention has been described with reference to one or more embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims. In addition, all numerical values identified in the detailed description shall be interpreted as though the precise and approximate values are both expressly identified.