VALVE SEAT AND CAGE ASSEMBLY

Abstract

The invention relates to a valve seat and cage assembly (18) comprising a valve cage (20) and a valve seat (22), the valve seat (22) being adapted to be screwed into the valve cage (20), which valve cage (20), in a connection portion (34) thereof, has a valve cage connection inner diameter (D.sub.K) in which the connection portion (32) of a valve seat (22) engages with its valve seat connection outer diameter (D.sub.V) and thus provides radial centering, a screw connection portion (37) and a shoulder (38), with the shoulder (38) serving as an axial stop between the valve cage and the valve seat, and with the valve seat (22) and the valve cage (20) being pressed against one another with an axial contact pressure component. The invention is characterized in that the screw-connection portion is located between the connection portion (32) and a shoulder (38), with the valve cage connection inner diameter (D.sub.K) and the valve seat connection outer diameter (D.sub.V) forming a fit with one another that will act to center the valve seat and the valve cage.

Claims

1-14. (canceled)

15. Valve seat and cage assembly (18), comprising: a valve cage (20) and a valve seat (22); said valve seat (22) is screwed 36 into said valve cage (20); said valve cage (20) includes a connection portion (34); said connection portion (34) includes a threaded valve cage connection; said valve cage connection has an inner diameter (D.sub.K); said valve seat (22) includes a threaded connection portion (32); said valve seat (22) connection portion includes an outer diameter (D.sub.V); said inner diameter (D.sub.K) of said valve cage connection (D.sub.V) is threaded 36 to said outer diameter (D.sub.V) of said connection portion of said valve seat (22) forming a screw connection portion 37 which thus provides radial centering; said valve seat includes a shoulder (38) serving as an axial stop between the valve cage and the valve seat; said shoulder (38) serving as an axial stop between the valve cage and the valve seat; said valve seat (22) and said valve cage (20) being pressed against one another with an axial contact pressure force component; said screw connection portion 37 is located between said connection portion (32) and said shoulder (38); and, said valve cage connection inner diameter (D.sub.K) and said valve seat connection outer diameter (D.sub.V) forming a fit with one another that acts to center said valve seat and said valve cage.

16. Valve seat and cage assembly according to claim 15, characterized in that said fit between said valve cage connection inner diameter (D.sub.K) and said valve seat connection outer diameter (D.sub.V) is a clearance fit and has a maximum clearance of 0.05 mm.

17. Valve seat and cage assembly according to claim 15, characterized in that the connection portion (32) of said valve seat is arranged on the side of the screw connection portion (37) that faces said valve cage.

18. Valve seat and cage assembly according to claim 15, characterized in that the wall thickness (DW1) of said valve seat (22) in the connection portion is smaller than the wall thickness (DW2) in said screw connection portion 37.

19. Valve seat and cage assembly according to claim 15, characterized in that said valve cage (20) is designed to have a reduced wall thickness in its sealing portion where it is radially recessed inwardly from its outer wall, so that a sealing element (24) engages around said valve cage (20).

20. Valve seat and cage assembly according to claim 15, characterized in that said valve seat (22) has a sealing shoulder (44) adjoining said shoulder (38), said sealing shoulder (44) and said shoulder (38) are adapted to accommodate a sealing element (24) between them.

21. Valve seat and cage assembly according to claim 19, characterized in that said sealing element is axially held in place by said shoulder (38) of said valve seat (22).

22. Valve seat and cage assembly according to one of claim 20 above, characterized in that said sealing element (24) has a first inner diameter which is matched to the diameter of said valve cage in the recessed portion, and said sealing element (24) has a further portion which extends into a region formed by said recessed shoulder (38) disposed in said valve seat (22), said shoulder has a smaller diameter than the diameter of said recessed portion of said valve cage.

23. Valve seat and cage assembly according to claim 15, characterized in that the sealing element is U- or V-shaped in cross-section, and has an opening thereof facing in the direction of the valve cage (20).

24. Valve seat and cage assembly according to claim 15, characterized in that the sealing element is U- or V-shaped and has an opening thereof facing away from said valve cage (20).

25. Valve seat and cage assembly according to claim 15, characterized in that said connection portion (32) of said valve seat (22) in the transition to said valve cage (20) has an inner diameter (DS) which corresponds approximately to the inner diameter (DVK) of said valve cage (20), at least in the portion adjoining said connection portion (32).

26. Valve (10), comprising a valve cover (14), a valve housing (12), which valve housing (12) has an inlet connection and an outlet connection, and a transition portion (26) with a central recess between the inlet connection and the outlet connection, with a valve seat and cage assembly (18), comprising: a valve cage (20) and a valve seat (22); said valve seat (22) is screwed 36 into said valve cage (20); said valve cage (20) includes a connection portion (34); said connection portion (34) includes a threaded valve cage connection; said valve cage connection has an inner diameter (DK); said valve seat (22) includes a threaded connection portion (32); said valve seat (22) connection portion includes an outer diameter (DV); said inner diameter (DK) of said valve cage connection (DV) is threaded 36 to said outer diameter (DV) of said connection portion of said valve seat (22) forming a screw connection portion 37 which thus provides radial centering; said valve seat includes a shoulder (38) serving as an axial stop between the valve cage and the valve seat; said shoulder (38) serving as an axial stop between the valve cage and the valve seat; said valve seat (22) and said valve cage (20) being pressed against one another with an axial contact pressure force component; said screw connection portion 37 is located between said connection portion (32) and said shoulder (38); and, said valve cage connection inner diameter (DK) and said valve seat connection outer diameter (DV) forming a fit with one another that acts to center said valve seat and said valve cage, being fitted in the valve housing (12) in such a way that the transition portion (26) of said valve housing overlaps said sealing portion (B), with a piston being guided within said valve cage (20), said piston being adapted to assume a sealing position together with said valve seat (22).

27. Valve according to claim 26, characterized in that the valve housing (12) has a housing shoulder (28) in the region of the transition portion (26), on which the valve seat (22) can be supported in the axial direction, so as to clamp the valve seat and cage assembly (18) in place between the housing shoulder (28) and a valve housing cover (14), or to prevent the valve seat from slipping through the transition area.

28. Valve according to claim 26, characterized in that in the sealing area (B), a discrete sealing element (24) is fitted between the valve seat and cage assembly (18) and the transition portion (26).

Description

[0037] Throughout the description, claims and drawings, those terms and associated reference signs are used as are indicated in the list of reference signs below. In the drawings,

[0038] FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a valve according to the invention,

[0039] FIG. 2 is an enlarged detail view of a valve seat and cage assembly in a valve, according to a first embodiment;

[0040] FIG. 3 is an enlarged detail view of a valve seat and cage assembly in a valve, according to a second embodiment;

[0041] FIG. 4 is an enlarged detail view of a valve seat and cage assembly in a valve, according to a third embodiment;

[0042] FIG. 5 is an enlarged detail view of a valve seat and cage assembly in a valve, according to a fourth embodiment;

[0043] FIG. 6a is an enlarged detail view of a valve seat and cage assembly in a valve, according to a fifth embodiment; and

[0044] FIG. 6b is an enlarged detail view of a valve seat and cage assembly in a valve, according to a sixth embodiment similar to the one of FIG. 6a.

[0045] The view of FIG. 1 is a valve 10 according to the invention, which comprises a valve housing 12, a valve cover 14 and an actuator 16. A valve seat and cage assembly 18 according to the invention is fitted in the valve 10.

[0046] The valve seat and cage assembly 18 comprises a valve cage 20, a valve seat 22 and a discrete sealing ring 24. The valve housing 12 has a transition portion 26 in the transition from its outlet to its inlet side. The transition portion 26 circumferentially extends around both the valve cage 20 and the valve seat 22. The valve seat and cage assembly 18 is supported on a housing shoulder 28, which is formed in the transition portion of the valve housing 12, and is held in position by a clamping screw 30. FIG. 1 shows a valve 10 that is used for extreme temperature process fluid applications. In the direction of the actuator 16, the valve body 12 therefore extends over a large area, so that the distance between the actuator 16 and the transition portion is in particular at least four times the diameter of the transition portion.

[0047] The valve seat and cage assembly will be described in more detail with reference to the figures which follow. The same reference signs are used to designate identical components even if the latter relate to different embodiments.

[0048] FIG. 2, for example, is an enlarged view of the transition portion 26 and the embodiment of the valve housing 12 used there, as well as of sections of the valve cage 20, the valve seat 22 and the sealing ring 24. The detailed embodiment is explained in more detail below.

[0049] The valve cage 20 and the valve seat 22 each have a connection portion, which portions mate with one another in the assembled state. In its connection portion 32, the valve cage 20 for example has a valve cage connection inner diameter D.sub.K. Matched to this, the connection portion 34 of the valve seat has a valve seat connection outer diameter D.sub.V. D.sub.K and D.sub.V are matched to each other in such a way that there will be a clearance fit between the valve cage 20 and the valve seat 22 in the connection portion 32, 34. In addition, the valve cage 20 and the valve seat 22 have a corresponding thread 36 in the screw connection portion 37, so as to enable the valve seat 22 to be screw-connected to the valve cage 20. The thread 36 is between the connection portion 32, 34 and a shoulder 38 with which the valve seat 22 bears against the valve cage 20 and forms an axial stop. This arrangement connects the valve seat 22 with the valve cage 20, once screw-fitted together, in such a way that firstly a radial seal is created with a gap of 0 mm to 0.05 mm in the connection portion 32, 34 and secondly an axial seal is created between the shoulder 38 and the valve cage 20. As a result, the thread 36 is sealed on either side against process fluid. This reduces contamination of, or damage to, the thread 36.

[0050] The valve cage 20 and the valve seat 22 essentially have the same outer diameter, and their insertion portion is inserted into the transition portion of the housing. There is a recess in the valve seat 22 relative to its maximum outside diameter, which recess creates a circumferential free space in the area of the valve seat 22. A sealing ring 24 is disposed in this free space. The sealing ring 24 is U-shaped in cross section and, in the example shown here, its opening faces in the direction of the valve cage 20. This effectively seals the transitional passage between the transition portion 26 of the valve housing and the valve seat and cage assembly 18 in order to prevent leakage between the inlet and outlet areas.

[0051] FIG. 3 illustrates another embodiment of a valve seat and cage assembly 18 according to the invention. In contrast to FIG. 2, the valve cage 20 of this embodiment has a recess 40 so that the seal 24 can be accommodated between the valve cage and the valve housing 12. In this special embodiment, the seal 24 has a flange-like collar 42 that extends radially towards the inside. The valve seat 22 has a shoulder 38 bearing against the valve cage 20, as well as another shoulder, i.e. a sealing shoulder 44, axially spaced therefrom, which shoulder 44 holds the flange-like collar 42 of the sealing ring 24 between the valve seat 22 and the valve cage 20. This, for one thing, fixes the sealing ring 24 not only in a radial direction but also in an axial direction, and, for another, provides improved sealing of the transition between the valve cage 20 and the valve seat 22. The opening of the sealing ring 24 faces in the direction of the valve seat.

[0052] FIG. 4 is a view of essentially the same embodiment as the one of FIG. 3, but with the opening of the sealing ring 24 facing in the direction of the valve cage 20. FIG. 4, as well as the other FIGS. 2 to 5, shows the chamfer 46 at the end of the connection portion 34 of valve seat 22. This facilitates the process of mating the connection portions 32, 34.

[0053] The view of FIG. 5 is an embodiment similar to the one of FIG. 2. Contrary to FIG. 2, however, the connection portion 32 of the valve seat 22 of FIG. 5 has a smaller wall thickness D.sub.W1 than the wall thickness D.sub.W2 of the threaded portion in the region of the thread 36. As a result of this embodiment, the pressure of the process fluid inside the valve seat 22 will urge the connection portion 32 radially outwards, which thus further improves the sealing effect in the connection portion 32, 34.

[0054] The views of FIG. 6a and FIG. 6b illustrate a similar embodiment of a valve seat and cage assembly 18 according to the invention, in which the connection portion 32 of the valve seat 22 in the transition to the valve cage has an inner diameter D.sub.S that is approximately equal to the valve cage inner diameter D.sub.VK in the region adjacent to the connection portion. Owing to the stop, a gap 48 is formed between the valve seat and the valve cage. Because the inner diameters D.sub.S and D.sub.VK are matched to one another, this results in the Venturi effect, which means that, in the open state of the valve, process fluid can only penetrate the gap with difficulty, since the size of the gap is very small compared to the diameter D.sub.VK.

[0055] The embodiment illustrated in FIG. 6b has a conical transition 50 from a first inner diameter D.sub.S1 of the valve seat 22 to the inner diameter D.sub.S provided in the connection portion 32. This has an advantageous effect on the flow behavior of the process fluid in the transition region.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

[0056] 10 Valve [0057] 12 Valve housing [0058] 14 Valve cover [0059] 16 Actuator [0060] 18 Valve seat and cage assembly [0061] 20 Valve cage [0062] 22 Valve seat [0063] 24 Sealing element [0064] 26 Transition portion [0065] 28 Housing shoulder [0066] 30 Clamping screw [0067] 32 Valve seat connection portion [0068] 34 Valve cage connection portion [0069] 36 Thread [0070] 37 Screw-connected portion [0071] 38 Shoulder [0072] 40 Recess [0073] 42 Collar [0074] 44 Sealing shoulder [0075] 46 Chamfer [0076] D.sub.K Inner diameter of valve cage connection [0077] D.sub.V Outer diameter of valve cage connection [0078] D.sub.W1 Wall thickness of connection portion [0079] D.sub.W2 Wall thickness of threaded portion [0080] E Mating portion