Flow control valve

Abstract

A flow control valve includes a membrane which has at least one opening for the flow of a fluid and an annular body which has a flow contact surface and at least one flow opening. The flow opening is in flow connection with the at least one opening in the membrane. The membrane is constructed to be bendable in a direction towards the flow contact surface.

Claims

1. A flow regulator including: a membrane, which has at least one opening for the flow of a fluid, wherein the at least one opening has a length and a width and extends radially inwardly along its length from a first end located near a periphery of the membrane to a second end located further from the periphery of the membrane, and wherein the length of the at least one opening is larger than its width, an annular body, which has a flow contact surface and at least one flow opening, wherein the at least one flow opening is in flow connection with the at least one opening in the membrane, wherein the membrane is constructed to be bendable in a direction towards the flow contact surface, and wherein the membrane in an unloaded state has planar top and bottom surfaces across the entire extent of the membrane.

2. A flow regulator as claimed in claim 1, wherein the membrane and the flow contact surface define a gap.

3. A flow regulator as claimed in claim 2, wherein the gap broadens towards the centre of the flow regulator.

4. A flow regulator as claimed in claim 1, wherein the membrane has a height of between 0.1 and 0.5 mm.

5. A flow regulator as claimed in claim 4, wherein the membrane has a height of between 0.1 and 0.3 mm.

6. A flow regulator as claimed in claim 1, wherein the membrane is made of a metal.

7. A flow regulator as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one opening in the membrane is of elongate construction.

8. A flow regulator as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one opening in the membrane is curved.

9. A flow regulator as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one opening in the membrane is situated at least partially above the flow contact surface.

10. A flow regulator as claimed in claim 9, wherein the at least one opening in the membrane is situated completely above the flow contact surface.

11. A flow regulator as claimed in claim 1, wherein an edge region of the membrane is continuous in a peripheral direction.

12. A flow regulator as claimed in claim 1, wherein a centre of the membrane is continuous in a direction radially inwardly from the at least one opening in the membrane.

13. A flow regulator as claimed in claim 1, further comprising at least 3 openings in the membrane, which are distributed generally uniformly in the membrane.

14. A flow regulator as claimed in claim 1, wherein the annular body defines a receptacle for the membrane.

15. A flow regulator as claimed in claim 14, wherein the receptacle comprises a groove, into which the membrane is fixed.

16. A flow regulator as claimed in claim 1, wherein the annular body defines a support for the membrane.

17. A flow regulator as claimed in claim 16, wherein the membrane is mounted in a torque-free manner on the annular body and rests freely on the support.

18. A flow regulator as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one flow opening is arranged centrally in the annular body.

19. A flow regulator as claimed in claim 1, wherein the flow contact surface is inclined downwardly towards the centre of the annular body.

20. A flow regulator as claimed in claim 1, wherein the annular body includes a connecting device for a deflecting device for the fluid in a lower section of the annular body.

21. A flow regulator as claimed in claim 20, wherein the connecting device includes a plurality of feet, which are directed radially outwards.

22. A flow regulator as claimed in claim 20, wherein the connecting device defines at least one opening for the flow of the fluid.

23. A flow regulator as claimed in claim 22, wherein the connecting device includes a central connecting peg.

24. A flow regulator as claimed in claim 1, wherein the annular body has an underside, opposite to the flow contact surface, wherein the underside induces an outward flow of the fluid.

25. A flow regulator as claimed in claim 24, wherein the underside of the annular body comprises a circular cavity.

26. A flow regulator as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a deflecting device for the fluid, wherein the deflecting device is connected to the annular body.

27. A flow regulator as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one flow opening is arranged radially inwardly from an outer peripheral region of the annular body.

28. A flow regulator as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one opening in the membrane is crescent-shaped.

29. A flow regulator as claimed in claim 1 wherein the membrane outside the at least one opening in the membrane has a thickness which is constant across its width.

30. A flow regulator including; a membrane, which has at least one opening for the flow of a fluid, an annular body, which has a flow contact surface and at least one flow opening, wherein the at least one flow opening is in flow connection with the at least one opening in the membrane, and wherein the membrane is planar and is constructed to be bendable in a direction towards the flow contact surface; wherein the flow contact surface rises asymptotically towards a plane in which the membrane lies; and wherein the membrane and the flow contact surface define a gap which becomes increasingly narrower as a pressure of the fluid rises.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The invention will be explained in more detail by way of preferred exemplary embodiments in conjunction with the attached drawings, in which:

(2) FIG. 1 is a schematic, exploded view of a first exemplary embodiment of the flow regulator in accordance with the invention;

(3) FIG. 2 is a schematic sectional view of the first exemplary embodiment;

(4) FIG. 3 is a schematic, exploded view of a second exemplary embodiment of the flow regulator in accordance with the invention;

(5) FIG. 4 is a schematic view sectional view of the second exemplary embodiment;

(6) FIG. 5 is a schematic, exploded view of a third exemplary embodiment of the flow regulator in accordance with the invention;

(7) FIG. 6 is schematic sectional view of the third exemplary embodiment;

(8) FIG. 7 is a schematic side view of a membrane in accordance with the invention, as is used in the three exemplary embodiments;

(9) FIG. 8 is a schematic plan view of the membrane of FIG. 7;

(10) FIG. 9 is a schematic sectional view of an annular body in accordance with the invention, as is used in the first exemplary embodiment;

(11) FIG. 10 is a schematic view plan view of the annular body of FIG. 9;

(12) FIG. 11 is a schematic sectional view of an annular body in accordance with the invention, as is used in the second exemplary embodiment;

(13) FIG. 12 is a schematic plan view of the annular body of FIG. 11;

(14) FIG. 13 is a schematic sectional view of an annular body in accordance with the invention, as is used in the third exemplary embodiment;

(15) FIG. 14 is a schematic plan view of the annular body of FIG. 13;

(16) FIG. 15 is a schematic sectional view of a deflecting device in accordance with the invention, as is used in the first and second exemplary embodiments;

(17) FIG. 16 is a schematic sectional view of a deflecting device in accordance with the invention, as is used in the third exemplary embodiment;

(18) FIG. 17 is a schematic sectional view of a fourth exemplary embodiment of the flow regulator in accordance with the invention;

(19) FIG. 18 is a detailed view of the fourth exemplary embodiment of FIG. 17;

(20) FIG. 19 is a schematic sectional view of a fifth exemplary embodiment of the flow regulator in accordance with the invention; and

(21) FIG. 20 is a detailed view of the fifth exemplary embodiment of FIG. 19.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(22) FIG. 1 shows an exploded view of a first exemplary embodiment of the flow regulator in accordance with the invention. Going from top to bottom, the flow regulator includes the following components:

(23) A first screen 1, a membrane 2, an annular body 3, a deflecting device 4, a second screen 5, and a housing wall 6. The membrane 2 and the annular body 3 are obligatory in the context of the invention. They constitute the flow regulator. The two screens 1 and 5, the deflecting device 4 and the housing wall 6 are considered to be advantageous embodiments of the invention. The last mentioned components add to the flow regulator in accordance with the invention the further function of a jet regulator.

(24) At this point, the basic function of the flow regulator in accordance with the invention should be at least foreshadowed in conjunction with FIG. 1. The first screen 1 is a dirt screen. It serves to retain dirt particles within the fluid.

(25) The membrane 2 includes a plurality of openings 7, through which the fluid flows. The membrane is of flexible construction.

(26) The annular body 3 has a flow contact surface 8, which preferably runs around within the annular body 3 and advantageously defines a passage (see FIGS. 9, 11 and 13). In the installed state (see FIG. 2), the membrane 2 is bendable in the direction towards the flow contact surface 8. The annular body 3 further includes a circumferential groove 9, into which the membrane 2 (and optionally the screen 1), is or are insertable.

(27) The annular body 3 further includes a plurality of flow openings 10, through which the fluid can flow. Formed on the underside of the annular body 3 is a plurality of feet 11, which serve to fasten the deflecting device 4, as will be explained in more detail below in conjunction with FIG. 2.

(28) The deflecting device 4 is of mushroom-like construction and, at its lower end, includes a peg 12, which, on the one hand, has a flow guiding function for the fluid and, on the other hand, holds the screen 5 at a distance.

(29) The screen 5 preferably has a relatively coarse mesh size and acts as a flow straightener. The fluid flowing through the screen 5 is homogenised by the screen 5. The screen 5 preferably has larger mesh size than the screen 1.

(30) The housing wall 6 holds the screen 5 in position and defines together with the deflecting device 4 a flow path, as will be described in more detail below.

(31) Reference is made to FIG. 2, which is a sectional view of the first exemplary embodiment in the assembled state. Screen 1 and the membrane 2 are clipped into the annular body 3, whereby the screen is located in the annular body 3 in a prestressed state. The membrane 2 is preferably aligned flat in its unloaded state. The membrane 2 and the annular body 3 define between them a gap 13, which is advantageously produced by the fact that the flow contact surface 8 is inclined downwardly towards the interior of the flow regulator.

(32) The fluid flows into the flow regulator from above, in the drawing, through the screen 1 and through the openings 7. When the pressure of the fluid is low, the openings 7 are preferably fully open. If the fluid pressure increases, the membrane 2 bends downwardly in the direction towards the flow contact surface 8. The open cross-sectional area of the opening 7 is thus reduced. The consequence is a substantially constant volumetric flow of the fluid in spite of the increased fluid pressure. It will be understood that in the event of pressure fluctuations of the fluid small volumetric flow fluctuations can occur.

(33) The fluid thus flows through the openings 7 and the subsequent flow openings 10 in the annular body 3. Formed between the feet 11 of the annular body is a respective gap 14, through which the fluid can flow outwardly out of the annular body. The annular body 3 and the deflecting device 4 connected to the annular body advantageously define between them a first annular space 15. The fluid flows from there into a cavity 16 formed on the underside of the annular body. The cavity 16 is advantageously circular.

(34) The deflecting device 4 has a mushroom head-shaped outer surface 17. This defines together with the housing wall 6 a second annular space 18. The fluid flows downwardly from the latter out of the flow regulator.

(35) It should be mentioned at this point that in the context of the invention terms such as upwardly and downwardly are used. Even though the flow regulator in accordance with the invention can be installed in any desired orientation, these indications relate to an upright flow regulator, as is illustrated, for instance, in FIG. 2. Furthermore, the terms inwardly, outwardly and centre are used in the context of the invention. These indications relate to the component in question. Thus the middle or the centre of the annular body 3, for instance, is to be understood as that region which is defined by the axis extending centrally downwardly from above in FIG. 2 through the flow regulator. In the deflecting device there is, for instance, one axis of symmetry. The centre is not fixed on the axis or a point on the axis. The region extending around it is instead also included.

(36) FIGS. 3 and 4 show a flow regulator which, in distinction to the first exemplary embodiment, instead of a plurality of flow openings 10 (see e.g. FIGS. 1 and 2), has merely one central flow opening 19. This can have advantages from the fluid mechanics point of view. The illustrated second exemplary embodiment is otherwise of the same construction as the first. This applies also to the fastening of the housing wall 6 on the annular body 3, which is preferably produced by a press fit. Screen 5 is, as also in the first exemplary embodiment, clipped into the housing wall 6 and is held at a distance by the peg 12.

(37) FIGS. 5 and 6 show a third exemplary embodiment of the flow regulator in accordance with the invention, which differs from the first two exemplary embodiments, amongst other things, in the fastening of the deflecting device on the annular body.

(38) The annular body 20 has a central connecting peg 21. Formed around the connecting peg 21 is advantageously a plurality of flow openings 10. The deflecting device 22 has a central peg receptacle 23. In order to connect the deflecting device 22 to the annular body 20, the connecting peg 21 is inserted into the peg receptacle 23, preferably as a press fit. Such a connection has the advantage of a simple manufacture of the annular body 20, even if the annular body consists of metal, particularly stainless steel, as is considered to be preferable.

(39) FIG. 7 is a side view of the membrane 2 on its own. It is flat and (in the unloaded state) of planar construction. The membrane can, in particular, be of one-piece construction.

(40) FIG. 8 is a plan view of the membrane 2. An advantageous arrangement of the opening 7 will be clear from this view. The openings 7 preferably have a elongate shape. As the membrane 2 is deflected, the flow area of the openings is progressively closed. It is considered to be preferred if the opening 7 are of crescent shape. The openings 7 can, in particular, extend inwardly from the exterior. The membrane 2 is advantageously circular. As may well be seen, the edge region R is advantageously of continuous construction. The same applies to the centre M of the membrane 2.

(41) FIG. 9 shows the annular body 3 of the first exemplary embodiment in a sectional view. It is clear from this that the flow contact surface 8 is inclined downwardly towards the centre which is indicated by the axis A. The flow contact surface 8 is preferably circular and defines within it a central opening 24. Also readily visible is the cavity 16 on the side of the annular body remote from the flow contact surface, which is preferably circular. The membrane 2 (not shown here) is incidentally insertable into the groove 9.

(42) FIG. 10 is a plan view of the annular body 3. It has seven flow openings 10. More or fewer flow openings are possible.

(43) FIG. 11 shows the annular body 3 of the second exemplary embodiment in a sectional view, which differs from the first exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 in that instead of a plurality of flow openings, merely a single central flow opening 19 is provided. In other respects, reference is made to the preceding description.

(44) FIG. 12 shows the annular body 3 of the second exemplary embodiment in plan view. The flow contact surface 8 advantageously surrounds the passage 24. The flow opening 19 is arranged centrally. It is within the scope of the inventive concept to combine the passage 24 and the flow opening 19 into one flow opening, which then has no step but passes through cylindrically.

(45) FIGS. 13 and 14 show the annular body 20 of the third exemplary embodiment, which includes a connecting peg 21 on its underside. The openings 10 are arranged around the connecting peg.

(46) FIG. 15 shows the deflecting device 4 of the first two exemplary embodiments. The deflecting device advantageously includes a receptacle 25, constructing the form of a groove, for connection to the annular body 3. The outer surface 17 of the deflecting device is of mushroom-shaped construction.

(47) FIG. 16 is a sectional view of the deflecting device 22. The peg receptacle 23 is suitable for receiving the peg 21 (FIG. 13).

(48) Reference is made to FIGS. 17 and 18, which show a fourth exemplary embodiment in accordance with the invention. The annular body is marked with the reference numeral 26. The annular body has a central flow opening 27.

(49) The annular body 26 constitutes a support for the membrane 2. For this purpose, it includes a step 28, on which the membrane 2 rests. The membrane 2 is firmly clamped against the annular body 26 by a screen body 29. For this purpose, a clamping body 30 engages above the screen body 29 and at the same time engages below the annular body 26 and thus holds the two components together. As will be clear, in particular, from FIG. 18, a spacing 31 can be formed between the membrane 2 and the flow contact surface 18. As may be seen particularly well in FIG. 17, the flow contact surface 8 approaches the membrane 2 asymptotically. The latter is planar in its unloaded state.

(50) Reference is made to FIGS. 19 and 20, which show a fifth exemplary embodiment. For reasons of clarity, the same reference numerals are used for the same (functional) components, even if the components differ slightly structurally.

(51) The difference between the fourth and fifth exemplary embodiments resides in the construction of the support of the annular body 26 and thus in the mounting of the membrane 2. Whilst the membrane is firmly clamped in the fourth exemplary embodiment, the membrane rests in the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 19 and 20 on a bead-like projection 32. In contrast to the fourth exemplary embodiment, the screen body 29 furthermore does not press the membrane against the annular body 26 so that the membrane is mounted in a torque-free manner. On deflection of the membrane, the edges of the membrane are thus in the position to adapt their inclination to the deflection. The clamping body 30 presses the screen body 29 against the annular body 26.

(52) In the preceding description of the Figures reference numerals are used in part for components which differ slightly. This is intended to be conducive to better clarity. Furthermore, the views of the individual components and assemblies are not always true to scale. This is also intended to improve clarity.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

(53) 1. Screen 2. Membrane 3. Annular body 4. Deflection device 5. Screen 6. Housing wall 7. Openings 8. Flow contact surface 9. Groove 10. Flow openings 11. Feet 12. Peg 13. Gap 14. Gap 15. Annular space 16. Cavity 17. Outer surface 18. Annular space 19. Flow opening 20. Annular body 21. Peg 22. Deflection device 23. Peg receptacle 24. Opening 25. Receptacle 26. Annular body 27. Flow opening 28. Step 29. Screen body 30. Clamping body 31. Spacing 32. Projection R Edge M Centre