VALVE DEVICE

Abstract

A valve device having a valve housing (4), in which a hollow valve part (6) is guided in a longitudinally movable manner, which valve part, controlled by an actuating device (8,14), in at least one open position opens the fluid path through the valve between a fluid inlet (E) and a fluid outlet (A) along a predeterminable flow path for a fluid and in a closed position, in which the valve part (6) is in contact with a valve closing part (10) from which it lifts off in the respective open position, blocks this fluid path, is characterized in that there is at least one flow guide device causing an at least partial reversal of direction in the flow path of the fluid emerging from the valve part (6) as soon as the latter assumes an open position.

Claims

1. A valve device having a valve housing (4), in which a hollow valve part (6) is guided in a longitudinally movable manner, which valve part, controlled by an actuating device (8,14), in at least one open position opens the fluid path through the valve between a fluid inlet (E) and a fluid outlet (A) along a predeterminable flow path for a fluid and in a closed position, in which the valve part (6) is in contact with a valve closing part (10) from which it lifts off in the respective open position, blocks this fluid path, characterized in that there is at least one flow guide device (34) causing an at least partial reversal of direction in the flow path of the fluid emerging from the valve part (6) as soon as the latter assumes an open position.

2. The valve device according to claim 1, characterized in that in the direction of the flow path of the fluid, at least one further flow guide device (36) adjoins the one flow guide device (34) in sequence, which complements the reversal of direction effected by the one flow guide device (34) by an at least partial reversal of direction in the flow path of the fluid such that, preferably after the fluid has passed through the two reversals of direction of the fluid, the rectilinear fluid flow direction predominantly present in the valve part (6) is restored after passing through both flow guide devices (34, 36).

3. The valve device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the one flow guide device (34) is formed from parts of the valve part (6) and of the valve closing part (10) which, in the course of the reversal of direction, to this extent delimit the flow path of the fluid emerging from the valve part (6) in its open position.

4. The valve device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the further flow guide device (36) is formed from parts of the one flow guide device (34) and from a guiding device (38), which is preferably formed from wall parts of the valve housing (4).

5. The valve device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the two flow guide devices (34, 36) forming an overall flow guide device are co-planar, which at least one plane extends through the longitudinal axis (L) of the valve part (6) and in which the flow path of the fluid is wave-shaped.

6. The valve device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the two flow guide devices (34, 36) are at least partially formed from wall parts of the valve part (6), the valve closing part (10) and the guiding device (38), which in a concentric arrangement to each other delimit annular flow chambers (40) between the valve part (6) and the valve closing part (10) and between this closing part (10) and the guiding device (38).

7. The valve device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the valve closing part (10) is arranged stationarily in the valve housing (4) and has a closing plate (32) of preferably elastomeric material, against which the valve part (6) is brought into sealing contact in its closed position upon the action of an energy storage device (8) as one part of the actuating device (8, 14) for a not energized actuating magnet (16) as a further part of the actuating device (8,14).

8. The valve device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in the fully open position of the valve part (6), a magnet armature (18) of the actuating magnet (16) has moved until it is in full contact against a pole core (22) of the actuating device (8, 14), leaving open a separating gap (20) and in that in doing so the valve part (6) in its axial direction of travel is disengaged from the valve closing part (10) and the end faces of the valve part (42) and the valve closing part (10) facing each other are axially spaced apart.

9. The valve device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in the closed position of the valve part (6) its free end face (42) in the manner of a control edge (43) is enclosed by an annular control edge (45) of a different type of valve closing part (10), forming one flow chamber (44).

10. The valve device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, when the valve part (6) is increasingly opened, its free end face (42) moves away from the closing plate (32) of the valve closing part (10) in the axial direction, enlarging the one flow chamber (44).

11. The valve device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in the fully open position of the valve part (10), its one free end face (42) is flush with the guiding device (38), which co-delimits the further flow chamber (48).

12. The valve device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the respective annular control edges (43, 45) are co-delimited by a conically inclined annular surface (62, 64) on the valve part (6) and/or on the valve closing part (10) at their respective free ends, and in that the annular surface (64) of the valve closing part (10) is inclined in the direction of the fluid outlet (A) and that the other annular surface (62) of the valve part (6) is inclined in the direction of the fluid inlet (E).

13. The valve device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the valve closing part (6) is accommodated in the valve housing (4) between housing parts (24) thereof, preferably in a clamping manner, which co-delimit a kind of torus (26), which is co-formed by the further flow chamber (48), which preferably adjoins the other torus chamber (66) in a continuously widening manner.

14. The valve device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the valve closing part (10) passes through the torus (26) and has passages (30) arranged on an annular flange (28), both ends of which open into the torus (26), which opens in the direction of the fluid outlet (A) at the outlet end.

Description

[0022] The invention is explained in detail with reference to the drawings below.

[0023] FIG. 1 shows a schematically simplified longitudinal section of the valve device having a valve part arranged in its closed position;

[0024] FIG. 2 shows a schematically simplified longitudinal section of a free end area of the valve device as shown in FIG. 1, enlarged and broken off compared to FIG. 1;

[0025] FIG. 3 shows a schematically simplified longitudinal section of a valve closing part of the valve device as shown in Figs.1 and 2; and

[0026] FIG. 4 shows a perspective oblique view of a valve closing part of the valve device shown in FIG. 3.

[0027] FIG. 1 shows a schematically simplified longitudinal section of the valve device, which has a valve housing 4, in which a hollow, cylindrical valve part 6 is guided in a longitudinally movable manner. FIG. 1 shows the valve part 6 under the action of an energy storage device 8 in the form of a compression spring as part of an actuator 8,14 in a closed position in contact with a closing part 10, in which closed position it blocks the fluid path through the valve device between a fluid inlet E and a fluid outlet A along a predeterminable flow path for a fluid, such as a hydraulic fluid (oil).

[0028] In at least one open position not shown in more detail in the figures, in which the valve part 6, controlled by a magnetic force actuatorl4 as a further part of the actuator 8,14, disengages from the valve closing part 6 in its axial direction of travel against the action of the compression spring 8 and lifts off from the latter, the fluid path through the valve device between the fluid inlet E and the fluid outlet A along the predeterminable flow path is opened for the fluid. In this open position of valve part 6, the end faces 42, 46 of the valve part 6 and the valve closing part 10 facing each other are axially spaced apart.

[0029] The magnetic force actuatorl4 shown in FIG. 1 comprises an energizable actuating magnet 16, which has a coil winding 47 in the usual manner and is therefore not further described in detail, which coil winding can be energized externally via a connector part. Furthermore, a longitudinally movable magnet armature 18 is provided, which acts directly on the valve part 6 in direct contact and is firmly connected thereto. When the coil winding 47 is energized, the magnet armature 18 travelsviewed towards FIG. 1to the left from its de-energized state of the coil winding 47 shown in FIG. 1 and moves the valve part 6 to the left in the same way, against the action of the energy storage device 8 in the form of a compression spring. In the fully open position of the valve part 6, the magnet armature18 of the actuating magnet 16 has been moved until it is in full contact against a pole core 22 of the actuating device14, 8, leaving a separating gap 20 open, which is used as a graduated magnetic separation for the actuating magnet 16.

[0030] As shown in FIG. 2, the valve closing part 10 is accommodated in the valve housing 4 between housing parts 24 of the latter, preferably in a clamping manner, and is arranged there in a stationary manner. The housing parts 24 delimit a kind of torus 26 within the valve housing 4, through which the valve closing part 10 extends and which is routed in the direction of the fluid outlet A on the outlet end. As shown in FIG. 4, the valve closing part 10 has passages 30 arranged on an annular flange 28, both ends of which open into the torus 26 and preferably follow a circular path, and has a closing plate 32 shown in FIG. 3, preferably made of elastomeric material, against which the valve part 6 is brought into sealing contact in its closed position upon the action of the energy storage device 8 when the actuating magnet 16 is not energized.

[0031] As further illustrated in FIG. 2, the valve device comprises a flow guide device 34 which causes a 180 reversal of direction in the flow path of the fluid exiting from the valve part 6 when the latter assumes an open position, which is not further illustrated in the figures. One flow guide device 34 is essentially formed by parts of the valve part 6 and the valve closing part 10, which delimit the flow path of the fluid exiting from the valve part 6 in its open position, in the context of the reversal of direction.

[0032] In the direction of the flow path of the fluid, at least one further flow guide device 36 shown in FIG. 2 adjoins the one flow guide device 34, which adds to the reversal of direction in the flow path effected by the one flow guide device 34 by at least partially a further reversal of direction by again 180 in such a way that the rectilinear fluid flow direction predominantly present in the valve part 6 is maintained again in the direction of the fluid outlet A after passing through the two flow guide devices 34, 36 after the fluid has passed through the two reversals of direction. The further flow guide device 36 is formed by parts of the one flow guide device 34 and by a guiding device 38 made of wall parts of the valve housing 4, which also co-delimit the torus 26.

[0033] The one flow guide device 34 and the further flow guide device 36, forming an overall flow guide device, are co-planar in least one common fictitious plane lying in the figure plane, which in each case runs through the longitudinal axis L of the valve part 6 and in which the flow path of the fluid is wave-shaped. The two flow guide devices 34, 36 are at least partially formed from wall parts of the valve part 6, the valve closing part 10 and the guiding device 38, which in a concentric arrangement to each other delimit annular flow chambers 40 between the valve part 6 and the valve closing part 10 and between this valve closing part 10 and the guiding device 38. To this extent, the fictitious planes and the waveform also form closed, annular three-dimensional chambers.

[0034] As FIG. 2 shows, in the closed position of the valve part 6, its free end face 42 in the manner of an annular control edge 43 is enclosed by an annular control edge 45 of a different type of valve closing part 10, which annular control edge is formed on its free end face 46, forming a flow chamber 44. As FIG. 3 shows, the annular control edge 45 on the valve closing part 10 is co-delimited by a conical annular surface 64 inclined in the direction of the fluid outlet A at the free end thereof. As FIG. 2 shows, the annular control edge 43 of the valve part 6 is co-delimited by the free end of another conical annular surface 62 on the valve part 6, which conical annular surface is inclined towards the fluid inlet E. As not shown in more detail in the figures, when the valve part 6 is increasingly opened, its free end face 42 moves away from the closing plate 32 of the valve closing part 10 in the axial direction, enlarging the one flow chamber 44. In the fully open position of the valve part 6, its one free end face 42 is flush with the guiding device 38, which also co-delimits a further flow chamber 48. The torus 26 also forms the further flow chamber 48, which preferably adjoins the other torus chamber 66 in a continuously expanding manner.

[0035] As FIG. 3 shows, the valve closing part 10 also has a cylindrical sealing insert 50, designed as a rotating part, having a bottom 60 at the end, through which a lead-through extends, and a seal mount 52. The closing plate 32 is received in the sealing insert 50. At its smallest point, the inner diameter of the sealing insert 50 is larger than the outer diameter of the valve part 6. The seal mount 52 has a blind hole 54 provided with a female thread for bolting a set screw 56, by means of which the locking plate 32 and the seal insert 50 can be immobilized on the seal mount 52, in particular by the bolt head acting on the locking plate 32 and extending through passages in the locking plate 32 and the seal insert 50. The edge area of the sealing insert 50 facing the fluid inlet E, which protrudes beyond the closing plate 32 towards the valve part 6, forms the annular control edge 45 of the valve closing part 10.

[0036] The inner wall facing the inside of the sealing insert 50 and also co-delimiting the control edge 45 of the valve closing part 10, extends, viewed in a longitudinal section as shown in FIG. 3, from one end 58 of the sealing insert 50 in the direction of the other end 60 at the bottom end, initially inclined towards the longitudinal axis L of the valve closing part 10, in particular tapers off conically at an angle of 8 to 18 degrees, preferably 13 degrees. A course without inclination parallel to the longitudinal axis L of the valve closing part 10, at which the sealing insert 50 has its smallest internal diameter adjoins the inclined course towards the other end 60. The ratio between the inclined course and the inclination-free course ranges from 10:1 to 10:5, preferably 10:3. After the course of the control edge 45 without any inclination, the inner diameter of the inner wall of the sealing insert 50 expands abruptly. In the area of this inner diameter expansion, the closing plate 32 is arranged such that the end of the control edge 45 of the sealing insert 50 facing the closing plate 32 protrudes beyond the closing plate 32 in the direction of the longitudinal axis L of the valve closing part 10 in the manner of a projection.

[0037] The inner wall facing the inner end of the valve part 6 and also co-delimiting the control edge 43 of the valve part 6 extends, in a longitudinal section as shown in FIG. 2, from the end face 42 of the valve part 6 in the direction of its other end face inclined towards the longitudinal axis L of the valve part 6, in particular tapers, at an angle in a range from 30 to 40 degrees, preferably of 35 degrees.

[0038] To guide the fluid flow, the seal mount 52 is partially tapered on its end facing away from the seal insert 50 and on its end facing the fluid outlet A.

[0039] The flow path of a fluid flowing through the valve from the fluid inlet E to the fluid outlet A is described below:

[0040] When the valve closing part 10 is in one of its open positions, which is not shown in more detail in the figures, in a first step the fluid flows starting from the fluid inlet E through the hollow valve part 6 in a substantially straight line. In a second step, the fluid flows through one of the flow guide devices 34, which causes a 180 reversal of direction of the flow path, and directly thereafter in a third step, the fluid flows through the other flow guide device 36, which causes a further 180 reversal of direction of the flow path. In this process, the fluid passes through the one flow chamber 44 and therethrough reaches the further flow chamber 48 in the torus 26, in which the valve closing part 10 is arranged in a stationary manner. In a fourth step, the fluid flows through the passages 30 in the annular flange 28 of the valve closing part 10 and enters the remaining torus chamber 66. In a final step, the fluid flows through the fluid outlet A in an essentially straight line.

[0041] If the valve device is opened, i.e. if the free end of the hollow cylindrical valve part 6 moves away from the end face of the valve closing part 10 arranged stationary in the housing 4, the fluid exits from the valve part 6 and is routed radially deflected 90 outwards along the closing plate 32 of the valve closing part 10 in a throttled manner. It then hits the inside of the sealing insert 50 at a reduced speed and the deflection or reversal of direction of the fluid by 180 described above occurs, owing to the one flow guide device 34 having the outwardly oriented control edge 45 of the valve closing part 10. For the valve in the slightly open position, the corresponding fluid flow is strongly throttled, which increases the stability of the fluid routing. In addition to the first reversal of direction by the control edge 43 of the valve part 6, there is a further reversal of direction in the opposite direction via the further flow guide device 36 having the control edge 45 of the valve closing part in the direction of the fluid outlet A of the valve device. Here, too, there is a further throttling at the beginning of the opening process, reducing the dynamics while opening the valve device. When the valve part 6 is opened further, the throttling via the two flow guide devices 34, 36 as the overall flow guide device of the valve device decreases and the fluid velocity increases. The fluid flows at the fluid inlet E and at the fluid outlet A of the valve device are then oriented in parallel, preventing any flow losses from resulting in turbulent flow patterns within the filter device, which otherwise might result in cavitation, which occurs otherwise in particular at the valve closing part 10. The throttling of the fluid flow during the opening process described above is also present in the opposite direction when the valve device is closed, such that the valve part 6 only comes into contact with the valve closing part 10 in a damped manner, which helps to avoid the dreaded closing impacts. The two flow guide devices 34, 36 also contribute to the valve part 6 remaining in the closed position (see FIG. 1) independent of any pressure fluctuations at the fluid inlet E or at the fluid outlet A, because in particular the further flow guide device 36 having the control edge 45 helps to prevent such pressure fluctuations from affecting the front end of the valve part 6 without a shield. The control edge 43 of the valve part 6 being sunk in the elastomeric material of the closing plate 32 in a sealing manner thereby forming an annular contact also contributes to the stabilization of the closing position of the valve part. Because the control surfaces of the valve part 6 are protected against an unwanted fluid attack, it is no longer necessary to design one energy storage device in the form of the compression spring 8 to be particularly strong or rigid, which might have a negative effect on the overall energy balance of the valve device, because a stronger actuating magnet 16 is then required for the valve part 6 to move the magnet armature 18 against the action of the compression spring 8. This is without parallel in the prior art.