SHUT OFF VALVES AND COMPONENTS THEREOF FOR ECOLOGY FUEL RETURN SYSTEMS

Abstract

In at least one aspect of this disclosure, a shut off valve for an ecology fuel return system can include an inlet for receiving a fluid, an outlet for effusing the fluid, and a valve member configured to move between an open position such that the valve member allows fluid to effuse from the outlet and a closed position such that the valve member prevents fluid from effusing from the outlet. The valve member can include a pressure deflector configured to prevent fluid flow from biasing the valve member toward the closed position.

Claims

1. A shut off valve for an ecology fuel return system, comprising: an inlet for receiving a fluid; a plurality of outlets for effusing the fluid including at least a first outlet and a second outlet; and a double valve member having a first disk body and a second disk body connected by a shaft, wherein the double valve member is configured to move between an open position such that the double valve member allows fluid to effuse from the plurality of outlets, wherein the first disk body is disposed adjacent to the first outlet and is configured to prevent fluid flow from effusing from the first outlet in a closed position, and wherein the second disk body is disposed within a valve chamber and is configured to be in a sealed relationship with the valve chamber when in the closed position to prevent fluid from entering the valve chamber, thereby preventing fluid from passing through and/or around the second disk body to the second outlet.

2. The valve of claim 1, wherein the first disk body includes a first seal to prevent fluid from effusing from the first outlet in the closed position.

3. The valve of claim 2, wherein the second disk body includes a second seal to create the sealed relationship with the valve chamber.

4. The valve of claim 3, wherein the second disk body can include one or more flow conduits positioned downstream of the second seal.

5. The valve of claim 1, wherein the double valve member prevents premature closure of the valve by creating opposing forces on the first disk body and the second disk body when passing flow through two outlets.

6. The valve of claim 1, wherein the valve member further includes a guide structure for linearly guiding the valve member between the open and closed positions.

7. An ecology fuel return system for a turbomachine, comprising: a reservoir; a float disposed within the reservoir; an armature operatively attached at one end to the float, wherein the armature is hinged about a fulcrum; and a shutoff valve disposed in fluid communication with the reservoir, wherein the shutoff valve includes: an inlet for receiving a fluid; a plurality of outlets for effusing the fluid including at least a first outlet and a second outlet; and a double valve member having a first disk body and a second disk body connected by a shaft, wherein the double valve member is configured to move between an open position such that the double valve member allows fluid to effuse from the plurality of outlets, wherein the first disk body is disposed adjacent to the first outlet and is configured to prevent fluid flow from effusing from the first outlet in a closed position, and wherein the second disk body is disposed within a valve chamber and is configured to be in a sealed relationship with the valve chamber when in the closed position to prevent fluid from entering the valve chamber, thereby preventing fluid from passing through and/or around the second disk body to the second outlet.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the first disk body includes a first seal to prevent fluid from effusing from the first outlet in the closed position.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the second disk body includes a second seal to create the sealed relationship with the valve chamber.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the second disk body can include one or more flow conduits positioned downstream of the second seal.

11. The system of claim 7, wherein the double valve member prevents premature closure of the valve by creating opposing forces on the first disk body and the second disk body when passing flow through two outlets.

12. The system of claim 7, wherein the valve member further includes a guide structure for linearly guiding the valve member between the open and closed positions.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] So that those skilled in the art to which the subject disclosure appertains will readily understand how to make and use the devices and methods of the subject disclosure without undue experimentation, embodiments thereof will be described in detail herein below with reference to certain figures, wherein:

[0015] FIG. 1A is a schematic view of an embodiment of a shutoff valve in accordance with this disclosure, shown in an open position;

[0016] FIG. 1B is a schematic view of the shutoff valve of FIG. 1A, shown in a closed position;

[0017] FIG. 2A is a schematic view of another embodiment of a shutoff valve in accordance with this disclosure;

[0018] FIG. 2B is a schematic view of the shutoff valve of FIG. 2A, shown in a closed position;

[0019] FIG. 3A is a schematic view of another embodiment of a shutoff valve in accordance with this disclosure;

[0020] FIG. 3B is a schematic view of the shutoff valve of FIG. 3A, shown in a closed position; and

[0021] FIG. 4 is a schematic view of an ecology fuel return system in accordance with this disclosure, showing the valve of FIG. 1 disposed therein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] 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 shutoff valve in accordance with the disclosure is shown in FIGS. 1A and is designated generally by reference character 100. Other embodiments and/or aspects of this disclosure are shown in FIGS. 1B-4. The systems and methods described herein can be used to prevent premature valve closure in certain systems (e.g., ecology fuel return systems).

[0023] In at least one aspect of this disclosure, referring to FIGS. 1A and 1B, a shut off valve 100 for an ecology fuel return system (e.g., system 400 as shown in FIG. 4) can include an inlet 101 for receiving a fluid, an outlet 103 for effusing the fluid, and a valve member 105 configured to move between an open position (as shown in FIG. 1A) such that the valve member 105 allows fluid to effuse from the outlet 103 and a closed position (as shown in FIG. 1B) such that the valve member 105 prevents fluid from effusing from the outlet 103.

[0024] The valve member 105 can include a pressure deflector 107 configured to prevent fluid flow from biasing the valve member 105 toward the closed position. The pressure deflector 107 can be an integral member of the valve member 105 or any suitable attached piece. It is contemplated that the pressure deflector 107 can include one or more relief holes defined from the topside to the underside of the pressure deflector 107 to allow fluid behind the pressure deflector 107 to escape therethrough when the valve member 105 is moved from the close position to the open position. However, it is also contemplated that no relief hole is necessary if the pressure deflector 107 is not in a sealed relationship with the valve chamber 111 as described below.

[0025] As shown, the valve member 105 can include a poppet. For example, the valve member can include a disk body 105a. In certain embodiments, the pressure deflector 107 can extend from the disk body 105a at a suitable angle relative to a plane defined by the disk body 105a. The disk body 105a can include a seal 109 disposed on an outlet face thereof. The pressure deflector 107 can be annular with the disk body 105a or take any other suitable shape.

[0026] The valve member 105 can be disposed in a valve chamber 111 configured to retain the valve member 105 and allow the valve member 105 to move between the open position (FIG. 1A) and the closed positon (FIG. 1B). The valve member 105 can include a guide structure 111a for linearly guiding the valve member 105 between the open and closed positions. The valve member 105 can include a guide post 105b configured to be received by the guide structure 111a. The valve chamber 111 can also include at least one chamber wall 111b that defines a chamber inlet 111c.

[0027] As described, the valve member 105 of FIGS. 1A and 1B can allow flow therethrough in the open position without being biased to close with increasing flow rate. The increased surface area on the underside of the valve member 105 due to the pressure deflector 107 causes the forces due to fluid flow on the underside of the valve member 105 to be greater than that on the topside for a given flow rate.

[0028] Referring to FIGS. 2A and 2B, another embodiment of a shutoff valve 200 is shown. The valve 200 can include an inlet 201, an outlet 203, and a poppet valve member 205 that has a disk body 205a. The poppet valve member 205 is disposed within a valve chamber 211 and is configured to be in a sealed relationship with chamber walls 211b.

[0029] For example, a side seal 210 can be disposed on the poppet valve member 205 to prevent fluid from entering behind the poppet valve member 205. As shown, the disk body 205a can include relief holes 205c therethrough to allow air on top of the disk body 205a to escape and/or enter therethrough. The valve member 205 can include any other suitable feature or features as described herein with respect to any other embodiment described herein.

[0030] As described, the poppet valve member 205 is not biased to the closed position (FIG. 2B) by a fluid flow because the pressurized fluid cannot create a force on the top surface of the poppet valve member 205.

[0031] Referring to FIGS. 3A and 3B, another embodiment of a shutoff valve 300 is shown. The valve 300 can include an inlet 301, a plurality of outlets 303a, 303b, and a double valve member 305 that has a first disk body 305a and a second disk body 305b connected by a shaft 305c. The first disk body 305a is disposed adjacent to the outlet 303a and is configured to prevent fluid flow (e.g., with seal 309a) from effusing from outlet 303a in the closed position.

[0032] The second disk body 305b is disposed within a valve chamber 311 and is configured to be in a sealed relationship with the valve chamber 311 (e.g., via seal 309b) when in the closed position to prevent fluid from entering the valve chamber 311, thereby preventing fluid from passing through and/or around the second disk body 305b to outlet 303b. As shown, the second disk body 305b can include one or more flow conduits (i.e. holes, slots, openings, etc.) 305d positioned downstream of the seal 309b. The double valve member 305 can include any other suitable feature or features as described herein with respect to any other embodiment.

[0033] As described, the valve member 305 prevents premature closure of the valve 300 by creating opposing forces on the first disk body 305a and the second disk body 305b when passing flow through two outlets 303a, 303b.

[0034] Referring to FIG. 4, in accordance with at least one aspect of this disclosure, an ecology fuel return system 400 for a turbomachine can include a reservoir 401, a float 403 disposed within the reservoir 401, and an armature 405 that is operatively attached at one end to the float 403. The armature can be hinged about a fulcrum 407.

[0035] A shutoff valve 100, 200, 300 as described above (in FIGS. 1A-3B, respectively) can be disposed in fluid communication with the reservoir 400. The valve member 105, 205, 305 as described above (in FIGS. 1A-3B, respectively) can be configured to connect to the armature 405 to be actuated by a float 403. For example, when the fluid level drops below a certain level, the float 403 sinks and raises the valve member 105, 205, 305 to the open position. When the fuel fills to a full level, the float 403 rises and pulls the valve members 105, 205, 305 to the closed position. Any other suitable configuration to actuate the valve member 105, 205, 305 between the open and closed positions is contemplated herein.

[0036] The methods and systems of the present disclosure, as described above and shown in the drawings, provide for shutoff valves with superior properties including premature shutoff prevention. While the apparatus and methods of the subject disclosure have been shown and described with reference to embodiments, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that changes and/or modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the subject disclosure.