DISTRIBUTION VALVE

Abstract

The invention concerns a distribution valve for the use in the feed or return of a medium circuit, with a housing (1) forming the feed line or the return line, respectively, a branch line (2) branching off from the housing (1) and an adjusting unit (3) for adjustment of a flow of medium through the branch line (2), which adjusting unit is formed separately from the housing (1) and opposite to the branch line (2) is arranged at the housing (1) and protrudes the housing wall. The adjusting unit (3) comprises an adjusting spindle (4), the axial position of which with respect to a component (5) of the adjusting unit (3) which is connected to the housing (1) can be changed by twisting it relative to said component (5), thereby changing the flow rate. The valve is designed in such a manner that an axial movement of the adjusting spindle (4) relative to the component (5) in direction towards the branch line (2) effectuates an increase of the flow rate through the branch line (2). Furthermore, adjustable stopper means are present, by means of which, through abutting of a first abutment face (7) which is connected with the adjusting spindle (4) against a second abutment face (8) which is connected with the housing (1), an axial movement of the adjusting spindle (4) with respect to the component (5) in direction towards the branch line (2) can be limited at a specific axial position, for limiting the maximum flow rate through the branch line (2) that can be adjusted.

The invention makes it possible to provide in a cost-efficient manner very compact and simple designed distribution valves at which a once adjusted limitation of the maximum flow rate is preserved in case of a temporarily closing or decrease of the flow rate.

Claims

1. Distribution valve for the use in the feed or the return of a medium circuit for heating or cooling, with a housing forming the feed line or the return line, respectively, a branch line branching off from the housing and an adjusting unit for adjustment of a flow of medium through the branch line, which adjusting unit is formed separately from the housing and opposite to the branch line is arranged at the housing and protrudes the housing wall, wherein the adjusting unit comprises an adjusting spindle, the axial position of which with respect to a component of the adjusting unit which in particular is fixedly connected to the housing can be changed by twisting it relative to said component, thereby changing the flow rate through the branch line, wherein the valve is designed in such a manner that an axial movement of the adjusting spindle relative to the component in direction towards the branch line effectuates an increase of the flow rate through the branch line, and wherein adjustable stopper means are present by means of which, through abutting of a first abutment face which is connected with the adjusting spindle against a second abutment face which is connected with the housing, an axial movement of the adjusting spindle with respect to the component in direction towards the branch line is limited at a specific axial position, for limiting the maximum flow rate through the branch line that can be adjusted.

2. Distribution valve according to claim 1, wherein the second abutment face is formed by or is connected with the component of the adjusting unit which is connected with the housing and with respect to which the axial position of the adjusting spindle can be changed by twisting.

3. Distribution valve according to claim 1, wherein the first abutment face is facing towards the branch line and wherein it, for limiting the maximum flow rate through the branch line that can be adjusted, in axial direction abuts against the second abutment face.

4. Distribution valve according to claim 1, further comprising a measuring unit for measuring and indicating at the outside of the distribution valve a flow rate of medium through the branch line.

5. Distribution valve according to claim 4, wherein the adjusting unit and the measuring unit are commonly formed as a combined adjusting and measuring unit.

6. Distribution valve according to claim 1, wherein the adjustable stopper means in the adjusted position can be locked.

7. Distribution valve according to claim 1, wherein the position, in particular the axial position of the first abutment face is adjustable with respect to the adjusting spindle.

8. Distribution valve according to claim 7, wherein the first abutment face is formed by an abutment component which is mounted on a thread of the adjusting spindle, such that its axial position with respect to the adjusting spindle can be adjusted by twisting it relative to the adjusting spindle.

9. Distribution valve according to claim 7, wherein the second abutment face is fixedly connected with the housing or with the component, respectively, relative to which the axial position of the adjusting spindle by twisting can be changed.

10. Distribution valve according to claim 1, wherein the position, in particular the axial position of the second abutment face with respect to the housing or the component, respectively, relative to which the axial position of the adjusting spindle by twisting can be changed, is adjustable.

11. Distribution valve according to claim 10, wherein the first abutment face is firmly connected with the adjusting spindle.

12. Distribution valve according to claim 6, wherein locking means are present, by means of which in the respective adjusted axial position of the abutment component with respect to the adjusting spindle its rotatory position on the adjusting spindle can be locked, in particular can be locked by positive locking.

13. Distribution valve according to claim 12, wherein the locking means comprise a ring or a hood, which in a rotatably positive locking manner engages contours formed at the circumference of the adjusting spindle and at the circumference of the abutment component or in a positive manner encompasses such contours.

14. Distribution valve according to claim 13, wherein the valve is designed in such a manner that for locking the rotatory position of the abutment component, the ring or the hood is pushed in axial direction towards the branch line onto the abutment component.

15. Distribution valve according to claim 14, wherein the ring or the hood in the position, in which it locks the rotatory position of the abutment component, axially latches with the abutment component and/or with the adjusting spindle.

16. Distribution valve according to claim 15, wherein this latching can be cancelled only by damaging or destroying the ring or the hood.

17. Distribution valve according to claim 13, wherein the valve is designed in such a manner, that the ring or the hood for releasing the locking of the rotatory position of the abutment component has to be removed from the abutment component in an axial direction pointing away from the branch line, and in particular, that the ring or the hood in doing so, in an axial position in which it completely releases the abutment component for adjustment of same, latches with the adjusting spindle.

18. Distribution valve according to claim 12, wherein the locking means by means of a lead-sealing are secured or are securable, which upon releasing the locking of the rotatory position of the abutment component on the adjusting spindle, which is effectuated by the locking means, is damaged or destroyed.

19. Distribution valve according claim 12, wherein the valve is designed in such a manner that through an axial movement of the adjusting spindle in a direction pointing away from the branch line the flow through the branch line can completely be stopped.

20. Distribution arrangement comprising at least two distribution valves according to claim 12.

21. Adjusting unit for the distribution valve according to claim 1.

22. Adjusting and measuring unit for the distribution valve according to claim 1.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0032] Further advantages and applications of the invention become apparent from the following description by means of the FIGS. 1 to 6, which show sectional views of a distribution valve with flowmeter according to the invention in different adjustments or situations, respectively.

MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0033] The FIGS. 1 to 6 show intersections with identical cutting lines through a distribution valve with flowmeter according to the invention in different adjustments and situations, namely with the valve completely closed (FIG. 1), with the valve completely opened (FIG. 2), with the valve adjusted to a specific flow rate, once without the abutment nut 6 being adjusted accordingly (FIG. 3), once with the abutment nut 6 being adjusted accordingly (FIG. 4) and once with the abutment nut 6 locked in the adjusted position (FIG. 5), as well as with the valve completely closed and the abutment nut 6 locked in the adjusted position (FIG. 6).

[0034] All representations show the valve in each case in the non-flown-through state, which is why the indication of the flowmeter, which in the following will still be discussed more into detail, in all representations does not show any flow rate.

[0035] The illustrated distribution valve is intended for the control of the flow rate through a warm water heating circuit and has been formed by introducing and mutual screwing together an adjusting and measuring unit 3 and a branch line 2 from the outside into two opposite receiving openings formed in a distribution manifold 1 having several such valves (only the detail with this valve is shown), which distribution manifold serves as housing and feed line.

[0036] The branch line 2 here serves as discharge line and in the present case at its free end is equipped with an outer thread for connection to the feed line of the warm water heating circuit.

[0037] The adjusting and measuring unit 3 serves for the adjusting and indicating of the warm water flow rate through the branch line 2 and comprises all components except the branch line 2 and the distribution manifold 1 which forms the housing. It comprises a sleeve-shaped valve closing body 11 carried by an adjusting spindle 4, which forms, by concentrically plunging into a cylindrical bore hole of a valve seat body 12 which in the intended use is static with respect to the distribution manifold, together with this valve seat body 12 a valve gap 13 which is adjustable by twisting the adjusting spindle 4, such that the valve gap width with an increasing plunging of the valve closing body 11 into the cylindrical bore hole of the valve seat body 12 decreases, until no valve gap 13 is present any more and the valve is completely closed. The actual sealing at completely close valve takes place via a sealing ring 14.

[0038] The flowmeter of the adjusting and measuring unit 3 has a button-like inflow member 15, which is positioned inside a conical flow channel 16 which flow channel succeeds the valve closing body 11 and as well is carried by the adjusting spindle 4. In the intended use, the water coming from the valve gap 13 flows, via several radial openings 21 into the valve closing body 11 and from same into the flow channel 16, which it completely flows through before it leaves the distribution valve via the branch line 2.

[0039] The inflow member 15 is connected to an indicator rod 17, which by a spiral spring 18 is acted upon with a spring force in direction against the flowing through direction S through the flow channel 16.

[0040] In doing so, the inflow member 15 is arranged in the flow channel 16 in such a manner that it, together with the indicator rod 17, starting from a starting position in which it is positioned by the spring loaded indicator rod 17 when the flow channel 16 in not flown through, is displaced in dependence of the flow rate against the spring force when the flow channel 16 is flown through, so that a specific axial position of the inflow member 15 and of the indicator rod 17 in the flow channel 16 corresponds to a specific flow rate through the flow channel 16 and therewith also through the branch line 2. The free end of the indicator rod 17 which is facing towards the outside comprises a plate-like thrust bearing 19 for the spring 18, which at its circumference is marked with color and thus constitutes an indicator mark. It is completely surrounded by a transparent plastic hood 20. This plastic hood 20 is fixedly connected with the adjusting spindle 4, so that it can serve as adjusting member for the manual actuation of the adjusting spindle 4 and upon twisting of same axially displaces together with same with respect to the components of the distribution valve that are stationary with the housing. The transparent plastic hood 20 in axial direction is furnished with a scaling (not shown) for the flow rate, so that the respective position of the indicator rod 17 with respect to the scaling on the plastic hood 20 and therewith also the flow rate through the branch line 2 can be red from the outside.

[0041] The valve seat body 12 is formed from the base body 5 of the adjusting and measuring unit 3, which combines all main components of the adjusting and measuring unit to one unit and via a thread is firmly connected with the branch line 2. In doing so, the two components 5, 2 in each case are sealed with respect to the distribution manifold 1 by a sealing ring. Due to the fact that the valve seat body 12 is formed by the base body 5 of the adjusting and measuring unit 3, the advantage results that between the valve closing body 11 and the valve seat body 12, independently of any manufacturing tolerances of the distribution manifold 1 and/or of the branch line 2, there always exists an exact alignment and that the dimensional accuracy of these components can be ensured in an easy manner, so that the desired control characteristic and tightness is always guaranteed.

[0042] The inflow from the feed line formed by the distribution manifold 1 to the valve gap 13 formed by the valve closing body 11 and the valve seat body 12 takes place via four radial flowing through openings 24, which at a common axial position are equally distributed at the circumference of the base body 5 of the adjusting and measuring unit 3.

[0043] The flow channel 16 is formed by the same component which also forms the valve closing body 11. In this way, those walls, which define the flow channel 16 in the area in which the inflow member 15 in the intended use can be positioned by the flow forces and which therefore are of specific importance for the accuracy of measurement, are formed by a component of the adjusting and measuring unit 3, what provides the advantage that between the mentioned walls of the flow channel 16 and the inflow member 15, independently of any manufacturing tolerances of the distribution manifold 1 and/or of the branch line 2, in a simple manner an exact axial as well as radial alignment is reached and that the dimensional accuracy of these components can be ensured in a simple manner, so that a high accuracy of measurement is guaranteed.

[0044] The adjusting spindle 4, the valve closing body 11 and the flow channel 16 are mutually formed by a one-piece injection-molding plastic part, by what such distribution valves consist of relative few individual components and can especially cost-efficiently be manufactured.

[0045] As can clearly be recognized, the flow channel 16 is formed by a free end having a cylindrical outer contour of the component which also forms the valve closing body 11, wherein this free end axially extends into a bore hole of the branch line 2.

[0046] In order to avoid the formation of a leakage flow into the branch line 2, which would bypass the flow channel 16 and thus would lead to an incorrect measurement, this free end is radially sealed against the branch line 2 by a sealing 22 in such a way that a rotation as well as an axial translatory movement of this free end is possible without impairing the sealing function. This sealing 22 also seals the base body 5 of the adjusting and measuring unit 3 and the branch line 2 against each other. Also, this sealing 22 serves as axial stop for an abutment shoulder 23 arranged at the outer circumference of the component which is forming the flow channel 16, which abutment shoulder prevents an unscrewing and removal of the adjusting spindle 4 out of the base body 5 of the adjusting and measuring unit 3.

[0047] As has been mentioned already, the inflow of the water coming from the valve gap 13 into the entry zone of the flow channel 16 takes place via several radial openings in the wall of the sleeve-shaped valve closing body 11, which as seen in flow direction S are arranged before the inflow member 15 which is in the starting position when the flow channel 16 is not flown through. There are four radial openings 21 with in each case identical cross section and identical cross sectional shape arranged at a common axial position distributed equally at the circumference of the sleeve-shaped valve closing body 11. This construction principle leads to a uniform inflow to the inflow member 15 in the flow channel 16, by what a steady indication and thus a good readability of the flow rate can be achieved.

[0048] As becomes visible in synopsis of the FIGS. 1 to 3, the valve gap 13 is, starting from the fully closed situation depicted in FIG. 1, through a twisting of the adjusting spindle 4 relative to the base body 5 of the adjusting and measuring unit 3 in such manner that it axially moves towards the branch line 2, opened or increased, respectively, until a maximum valve gap opening as depicted in FIG. 2 is reached. In the intended use, the flow rate through the branch line 2 is thereby increased accordingly, wherein typically a valve gap opening 13 is adjusted which lies between these two extremes, in order to achieve a specific flow rate through the branch line which lies within the adjustment range of the distribution valve, e.g. a valve gap opening 13 as depicted in FIG. 3.

[0049] In order to lock this adjustment, e.g. starting from the adjustment depicted in FIG. 3, the abutment nut 6 which is arranged at the thread 9 of the adjusting spindle 4 is twisted on this thread relative to the adjusting spindle 4, until it abuts with its face 7 (first abutment face according to the claims) facing towards the branch line 2 against the face 8 of the base body 5 of the adjusting and measuring unit 3 (second abutment face according to the claims). This situation is depicted in FIG. 4.

[0050] Thereafter, the abutment nut 6 is locked in this position against a twisting relative to the adjusting spindle 4 by means of a locking hood 10, which in axial direction towards the branch line 2 is pushed onto the adjusting spindle 4 and the abutment nut 6 and by doing so in a rotatably positive locking manner engages contours formed at the circumference of the adjusting spindle 4 and at the circumference of the abutment nut 6. In doing so, the hood 10 latches in axial direction with the abutment nut 6. This situation is depicted in FIG. 5.

[0051] In case starting from this situation depicted in FIG. 5 the flow rate through the branch line 2 shall temporarily be reduced or the valve shall temporarily be closed, without the need that the originally adjusted flow rate after that has again to be determined, the adjusting spindle 4 together with the abutment nut 6 and the locking hood 10 is twisted relative to the base body 5 of the adjusting and measuring unit 3 in such a manner that it moves relative to the base body 5 in axial direction away from the branch line 2 until the desired situation is reached.

[0052] FIG. 6 shows the situation in case that the distribution valve is temporarily completely closed. In order to readjust the valve starting from this situation to the originally adjusted flow rate through the branch line 2, it is merely necessary to again twist the adjusting spindle 4 together with the abutment nut 6 and the locking hood 10 relative to the base body 5 of the adjusting and measuring unit 3 in opposite direction, until the abutment nut 6 with its face 7 abuts against the face 8 of the base body 5 of the adjusting and measuring unit 3.

[0053] In case another flow rate through the branch line 2 has to be adjusted, the locking hood 10 must be pulled away from the abutment nut 6 and the adjusting spindle 4, and then the steps described before must again be performed.

[0054] While in the present application there are described preferred embodiments of the invention, it is to be distinctly understood that the invention is not limited thereto and may by otherwise variously be embodied and practiced within the scope of the following claims.