VALVE BODY AND PROCESS VALVE

Abstract

The invention relates to a valve body for a process valve, wherein an interior space of the valve body connects at least two ports to one another in a fluid-conducting manner, wherein at least one partition wall separates adjacent flow chambers of the interior space from one another, and wherein an outer shell and the at least one partition wall, at least in a blocking portion of the valve body extending essentially perpendicularly to a blocking axis, are made of a flexible material.

Claims

1. A valve body for a process valve, wherein an interior space of the valve body connects at least two ports to one another in a fluid-conducting manner, wherein at least one partition wall separates adjacent flow chambers of the interior space from one another, and wherein an outer shell and the at least one partition wall, at least in a blocking portion of the valve body extending essentially perpendicularly to a blocking axis, are made of a flexible material.

2. The valve body according to claim 1, wherein the valve body is made of the flexible material, in particular an elastomer, at least in a proximal region between the two ports.

3. The valve body according to claim 1, wherein an open cross section of the particular flow chamber is dimensioned larger perpendicular to the blocking axis than along the blocking axis.

4. The valve body according to claim 1, wherein the particular flow chamber is delimited by two opposing convexly curved contact surfaces.

5. The valve body according to claim 1, wherein the at least one partition wall follows a plane perpendicular to the blocking axis.

6. The valve body according to claim 1, wherein the valve body comprises an odd number of flow chambers.

7. The valve body according to claim 1, wherein the at least one partition wall tapers, at least in some parts, in a longitudinal section in which the blocking axis lies, starting from the blocking portion.

8. The valve body according to claim 1, wherein the particular flow chamber widens at least in some parts.

9. The valve body according to claim 1, wherein a course of a distal edge of the partition wall follows a convex curvature oriented toward the blocking portion.

10. A process valve comprising a valve body wherein an interior space of the valve body connects at least two ports to one another in a fluid-conducting manner, wherein at least one partition wall separates adjacent flow chambers of the interior space from one another, and wherein an outer shell and the at least one partition wall, at least in a blocking portion of the valve body extending essentially perpendicularly to a blocking axis, are made of a flexible material.

11. The process valve according to claim 10 comprising: a receiving body, which has an interior space that at least partially follows a substantially non-compressed outer contour of the valve body, wherein the valve body is accommodated in the interior space of the receiving body; and a valve drive which is arranged rigidly with respect to the receiving body, wherein a compressor driven by the valve drive and movable along the blocking axis presses on the blocking portion of the valve body.

12. The process valve according to claim 11 comprising: a further valve drive which is arranged rigidly with respect to the receiving body on the opposite side of the first drive, wherein a compressor which is driven by the further valve drive and movable along the blocking axis presses on the blocking portion of the valve body.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] In the drawing,

[0028] FIG. 1 shows a valve body in a perspective view;

[0029] FIG. 2 shows the valve body analogous to FIG. 1 in a partially open view;

[0030] FIG. 3 to 5 show the valve body in different sections;

[0031] FIG. 6 shows the valve body in a process valve; and

[0032] FIGS. 7 and 8 each show one compressor for the valve body.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0033] FIGS. 1 and 2 show a tubular valve body 100 for a process valve 600 in a relaxed state. The valve body 100 can also be designated as a hose portion. An interior space 102 of the valve body 100 connects at least two ports 104, 106 to one another in a fluid-conducting manner. In the relaxed state, process fluid can therefore flow from one port 104 to the other port 106. Partition walls 110, 114 separate adjacent flow chambers 108, 112 and 112, 116 of the interior space 102 from one another. An outer shell 120 and the at least one partition wall 110, 114, which can also be called a lamella, are made of a flexible material, at least in a blocking portion 122 of the valve body 100 that extends essentially perpendicularly to a blocking axis A.

[0034] The valve body 100 is therefore manufactured in one piece from the flexible material, in particular an elastomer, at least in the blocking portion 122 or in its entirety.

[0035] Alternatively, a second material can be provided to provide the valve body as a whole with the elastomer. For example, in the region of the ports 104, 106, inserts are provided which are made more rigid than the flexible material in the blocking portion 122, in order to make the ports 104, 106 more rigid and thus to improve the fastening of the valve body 100. Consequently, the valve body 100, at least in a proximal region which is arranged between the ports 104 and 106, is made of the flexible material.

[0036] The blocking portion 122 is arranged between two transition portions 124 and 126 which merge into the corresponding port 104, 106. The transition portions 124, 126 comprise a particular change in the geometry of the interior space 102 along a central longitudinal axis M of the valve body 100 and the partitions 110, 114 arranged therein.

[0037] FIG. 3 shows the blocking portion 122 of the valve body 100 in a yz section. The flow chambers 108, 112, 116 have a common opening cross section that is similar in size to the opening cross section of the corresponding port 104, 106. The valve body 100 comprises an odd number of flow chambers 108, 112, 116, in particular, as shown, a number of three chambers or, in a form that is not shown, five or seven flow chambers. Of course, the number of flow chambers can also be even.

[0038] An open cross section of the particular flow chamber 108, 112, 116 perpendicular to the central longitudinal axis M is dimensioned larger perpendicular to the blocking axis A than along the blocking axis A. The particular flow chamber 108, 112, 116 is delimited by two opposing contact surfaces 108a-b, 112a-b, 116a-b, which are convexly curved in cross section and in particular taper toward one another in a pointed manner. The opposing contact surfaces 108a-b, 112a-b, 116a-b within the corresponding flow chamber 108, 112, 116 meet in cross section at an angle of less than 50°, in particular less than 40° and greater than 10°.

[0039] The particular partition wall 110, 114 follows a particular plane that is perpendicular to the blocking axis A. The flow chambers 108 and 116 arranged toward the outside are delimited by the corresponding partition wall 110, 114 and by an outer wall 128, 130. The centrally arranged flow chamber 112 is delimited by the partition walls 110 and 114.

[0040] An outer contour 132 of the blocking portion 122 follows an ellipse in the section shown, wherein a main axis of the ellipse runs perpendicular to the blocking axis A.

[0041] FIG. 4 shows the valve body 100 in a longitudinal section along the central longitudinal axis M and along the blocking axis A. The at least one partition wall 110, 114 tapers, at least in some parts, in a longitudinal section in which the blocking axis A lies starting from the blocking portion 122. The flow chamber 108, 112, 116 increases in size along or parallel to the central longitudinal axis M starting from the blocking portion 122. The flow chamber 108, 112, 116 tapers outward in a cross section along or parallel to the blocking axis A.

[0042] FIG. 5 shows the valve body 100 in a longitudinal section perpendicular to the blocking axis A. The particular flow chamber 108, 112, 116 widens, in particular in a longitudinal section that is perpendicular to the blocking axis A, toward the blocking portion 122, at least in some parts, in particular continuously.

[0043] A course of a particular distal edge 134, 136 of the partition wall 110, 114 follows a convex curvature oriented toward the blocking portion 122 in each case.

[0044] FIG. 6 shows the process valve 600 in a section. A receiving body 602 has an interior space which, at least in some parts, follows a substantially non-compressed outer contour of the valve body 100, wherein the valve body 100 is accommodated in the interior space of the receiving body 602. A first valve drive 604, which is pneumatic in this case, is rigidly connected to the receiving body 602. Of course, another drive principle, such as an electric or magnetic drive, can also be used. A compressor 610 driven by the valve drive 604 and movable along the blocking axis A presses on the blocking portion 122 of the valve body 100 and thereby closes the valve body 100. To open the valve body 100, the compressor 610 pulls on the valve body 100 toward the associated drive.

[0045] A further valve drive, which is not shown here, is fixed rigidly to the receiving body 602 on the opposite side of the first drive 604. A compressor driven by the further valve drive and movable along the blocking axis A presses on the blocking portion 122 of the valve body 100 and together with the compressor 610 thereby closes the valve body 100. In order to close and open the blocking portion 122, the compressor 610 and the additional compressor are operated simultaneously.

[0046] FIG. 7 shows the compressor 610 from FIG. 6 in a plan view along or parallel to the central longitudinal axis of the valve body. A contact contour 702 for resting against a portion of the outer contour of the blocking portion of the valve body is convexly curved and suitable for operating the valve body by means of the drive from FIG. 6 arranged on one side. The contact contour 702 follows a parabola, for example. In the region of the blocking portion, the valve body has a port contour which is arranged in a recess 704 of the compressor 610. The port contour for a quick-change system, in deviation from the contour that is circular in cross section, can also have a bayonet closure portion, a thread, another positive locking contour, a button or a mushroom-shaped button top.

[0047] FIG. 8 shows, as an alternative to the compressor 610 from FIG. 6, a compressor 810 in a top view along or parallel to the central longitudinal axis of the valve body. A contact contour 802 follows a W-shape, wherein the contact contour 702 protrudes toward the valve body in the region of the recess 704. The compressor 810 is suitable for operating the valve body by means of two drives arranged opposite one another.