System for regulating a liquid in a circuit

Abstract

This invention relates to a system for regulating a liquid in a circuit, with the system comprising: a plug valve comprising at least one inlet and one outlet, the plug comprising an internal passage through which is intended to pass the liquid flowing from the inlet to the outlet of the valve when the valve is open at least partially, an expansion reservoir in communication with the liquid flowing in the circuit and intended to contain liquid and a compensating gas, characterized in that the plug comprises at least partially an expansion channel which has at least one lateral opening located on a lateral face of the plug and which is conformed to provide a permanent communication between said lateral opening and the expansion reservoir, the valve being conformed in such a way that: at least when the valve is closed: the lateral opening is in direct communication with the liquid coming from the inlet or from the outlet of the valve, when the valve is open at least partially, the lateral opening cooperates with an inner wall integral with a body of the valve in such a way as to form a conduit in communication on the one hand with the expansion reservoir and on the other hand with the internal passage. The invention also relates to a circuit integrating this system as well as a use of this system.

Claims

1. A system for regulating a liquid in a circuit, with the system comprising: a plug valve comprising at least one inlet and one outlet, the plug comprising an internal passage through which is intended to pass the liquid flowing from the inlet to the outlet of the valve when the valve is open at least partially, an expansion reservoir in communication with the liquid flowing in the circuit and intended to contain liquid and a compensating gas, wherein the plug comprises at least a part of an expansion channel which has at least one lateral opening located on a lateral face of the plug and which is conformed to provide in operation a communication between said lateral opening and the expansion reservoir, the valve being conformed in such a way that: at least when the valve is closed: the lateral opening is in direct communication with the liquid coming from the inlet or from the outlet of the valve; when the valve is partially open and when the valve is fully open, the lateral opening cooperates with an inner wall integral with a body of the valve in such a way as to form a conduit in communication on the one hand with the expansion reservoir and on the other hand with the internal passage.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the conduit opens on the one hand into the expansion reservoir and opens on the other hand into a space formed by a lower face of the plug and a bottom of the body of the valve, with this space being in communication with the internal passage by said part of the expansion channel, said part of the expansion channel being made in the plug.

3. The system according to claim 1, wherein the lateral opening is a recess, with the cooperation of the recess and the inner wall forming the conduit when the valve is open at least partially.

4. The system according to claim 2, wherein the lateral opening is a recess, with the cooperation of the recess and the inner wall forming the conduit when the valve is open at least partially and wherein the recess extends from the expansion reservoir to the lower face of the plug.

5. The system according to claim 1, wherein the plug is a spherical plug.

6. The system according to claim 1, wherein the plug is a cylindrical plug.

7. The system according to claim 6, wherein the conduit opens on the one hand into the expansion reservoir an opens on the other hand into a space formed by a lower face of the plug and a bottom of the body of the valve, with this space being in communication with the internal passage by a part of the expansion channel, said part of the expansion channel being made in the plug, the system being conformed in such a way that when the valve is open, the expansion reservoir communicates with the liquid passing through the valve solely through the recess, of said space and of the lower channel.

8. The system according to claim 1, wherein the inlet and the outlet of the valve form an angle between 130 and 180.

9. The system according to claim 1, wherein the valve is a straight valve.

10. The system according to claim 1, wherein the inlet and the outlet of the valve forming an angle less than 130.

11. The system according to claim 1, wherein the valve comprises a cover forming with the body an enclosure and wherein the expansion reservoir is housed in the enclosure.

12. The system according to claim 1, configured in such a way as to orient the direction of closing of the plug according to the direction of the circulation of the liquid in the circuit.

13. The system according to claim 1, wherein the plug is actuated by a control device comprising a reduction gear housed inside the expansion reservoir.

14. The system according to claim 13, wherein the reduction gear is immersed in the compensating gas.

15. The system according to claim 14, comprising an overflow in order to limit the level of liquid in the expansion reservoir and wherein the reduction gear is arranged above the overflow.

16. The system according to claim 15, comprising an aerator device arranged in the expansion reservoir, under the overflow and configured to break the jets of liquid coming from the expansion channel.

17. The system according to claim 13, comprising a thermal protection device housed inside the expansion reservoir and conformed to thermally insulate the reduction gear from the heat of the liquid.

18. The system according to claim 1, comprising a rotational guiding bearing of the plug and wherein the bearing is housed inside the expansion reservoir.

19. The system according to claim 18, configured in such a way that in operation the bearing is immersed in the liquid contained in the expansion reservoir.

20. The system according to claim 19, wherein the bearing comprises a passage allowing the free circulation of the liquid contained in the expansion reservoir through the bearing.

21. The system according to claim 1, wherein the valve is a throttle valve.

22. The system according to claim 1, wherein the plug is movable with respect to the expansion reservoir.

23. The system according to claim 1, wherein the expansion reservoir is vertically arranged higher than the plug.

24. The system according to claim 1, wherein the expansion reservoir surmounts the plug valve.

25. The system according to claim 1, wherein the expansion reservoir is fixed with respect to the body of the valve during the displacement of the plug valve.

26. The system according to claim 25, wherein the expansion reservoir is formed at least partially by the inner wall of the valve.

27. The system according to claim 26, wherein the expansion reservoir is connected to the valve by being arranged at a distance from the latter.

28. The system according to claim 1, wherein the valve comprises a cover, wherein the cover comprises an inner wall and wherein the expansion reservoir is formed by the inner walls of the body of the valve, by the inner wall of the cover and by an upper face of a body of the plug valve.

29. A circuit comprising the system according to claim 1 and a pump able to deliver in two opposite directions.

30. The circuit according to claim 29, wherein the plug comprises the expansion channel for the passing of the liquid opening into the inner passage of the plug in order to place in communication the expansion reservoir with the circuit, the circuit being configured in such a way as to orient the direction of closing of the plug according to the direction of the circulation of the liquid in the circuit.

31. The circuit according to claim 29, configured in such a way that, during the closing of the valve, the plug is turned in such a way that the expansion channel remains in communication with a portion of the circuit separating the valve from an inlet of the pump.

32. A method of using a system according to claim 1 comprising a step of providing the circuit with the liquid to be regulated, the liquid having a temperature greater than or equal to 350 C.

33. The method according to claim 32 wherein the liquid to be regulated is liquid sodium intended to provide for the heat transfer in a circuit of a sodium cooled nuclear reactor.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

(1) The purposes and objects as well as the characteristics and advantages of the invention shall appear better in the detailed description of an embodiment of the latter which is shown in the following accompanying drawings wherein:

(2) FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a first circuit according to prior art wherein the liquid circulates in a first direction.

(3) FIG. 2 is a diagram of the circuit shown in FIG. 1 and wherein the liquid circulates in a second direction opposite the first.

(4) FIGS. 3 and 4 are diagrams showing a second circuit according to prior art wherein the liquid circulates respectively in a first direction and in a second direction.

(5) FIGS. 5 and 6 are diagrams showing a third circuit according to prior art wherein the liquid circulates respectively in a first direction and in a second direction.

(6) FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a circuit provided with a system according to an embodiment of the invention.

(7) FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a valve body of a system according to a first embodiment of the invention.

(8) FIG. 9 is a side view of the valve body shown in FIG. 8.

(9) FIG. 10 is a simplified cross-section view of a system according to a first embodiment of the invention.

(10) FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a cylindrical plug provided on the system according to an embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 10.

(11) FIG. 12 is a cross-section view of the plug shown in FIG. 11.

(12) FIG. 13 is a view along cross-section BB of the system according to the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 10, wherein the valve is fully open.

(13) FIG. 14 is a view along cross-section CC of the system in the configuration shown in FIG. 13.

(14) FIG. 15 is an enlarged view of FIG. 14, centred on the cooperation between the body of the valve and the plug.

(15) FIG. 16 is a view along cross-section BB of the system according to the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 10, wherein the valve is fully closed in a second direction.

(16) FIG. 17 is a view along cross-section DD of the system in the configuration shown in FIG. 16.

(17) FIG. 18 is a perspective view of a valve body of a system according to a second embodiment of the invention.

(18) FIG. 19 is a top view of the valve body shown in FIG. 18.

(19) FIG. 20 is a perspective view of a cylindrical plug of a system according to a second embodiment of the invention.

(20) FIG. 21 is a cross-section view of the plug shown in FIG. 20.

(21) FIG. 22 is a simplified cross-section view of a system according to a second embodiment of the invention.

(22) FIG. 23 is a view along cross-section BB of the system according to the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 22, wherein the valve is fully open.

(23) FIG. 24 is a view along cross-section BB of the system according to the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 22, wherein the valve is fully closed in a first direction.

(24) FIG. 25 is a view along cross-section CC of the system in the configuration shown in FIG. 24.

(25) FIG. 26 is a view along cross-section BB of the system according to the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 22, wherein the valve is fully closed in a second direction.

(26) FIG. 27 is a view along cross-section DD of the system in the configuration shown in FIG. 26.

(27) The drawings are provided as examples and do not limit the invention. They form diagrammatical representations intended to facilitate the understanding of the invention and are not necessarily at the scale of practical applications. In particular the relative dimensions and thicknesses of the various parts, walls and members do not represent reality.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(28) An example of a circuit integrating a system according to the invention shall now be described in reference to FIG. 7.

(29) In this example, the circuit 1 comprises a pump 2, preferably reversible, an exchanger 6 and a system 10 according to the invention comprising a valve 200. These three elements are arranged in series. They form a closed circuit and are fluidly connected together by sections 3, 4 5 of pipes. The section 3 connects the pump 2 to the exchanger 6, the section 4 connects the exchanger 6 to the valve 200 of the system 10 and the section 5 connects the valve 200 of the system 10 to the pump.

(30) In the framework of this invention, circuit 1 is qualified as the closed circuit comprising the pump 2 and comprising preferably the exchanger 6 or any other member(s) as well as the valve 200 of the system 10. Other elements can naturally be incorporated into the system 10. Moreover, the exchanger 6 can be replaced with another component or several other components.

(31) The pump 2 is reversible which allows it to have for inlet and for outlet, respectively the sections 5 and 3 or inversely for inlet and for outlet respectively the sections 3 and 5. The valve 200 comprises an outlet and an inlet that are inverted according to the direction of the circulation of the liquid.

(32) Particularly advantageously, the system 10 comprises an expansion reservoir 100 that makes it possible to offset the variations in the volume of the liquid present in the circuit and which are due to the variations in the temperature of the liquid. The expansion reservoir 100 is connected to the valve 200 mounted in series on circuit 1. As such, the expansion reservoir 100 is not connected in series on the circuit 1 comprising the pump 2 and the valve 200. It is connected as a bypass by the intermediary of valve 200.

(33) Valve 200 is configured to allow for permanent communication between the circuit 1 and the expansion reservoir 100. As such, regardless of the position of the plug 210 of the valve 200, the expansion reservoir 100 communicates with at least one of the sections 4 or 5 of the circuit.

(34) Particularly advantageously, this makes it possible to considerably improve the reliability of the system 10 since it is no longer required to control the isolation valves of one or more reservoirs with precision as in the solution shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. Moreover, it is possible to have only one throttle valve formed by the valve 200. This makes it possible to reduce the load loss that is inevitable induced by the presence of additional valves as is the case in the solutions shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. In particular, the invention does not require the presence of a throttle valve 91 on the section 3 between the exchanger 6 and the pump 2. The invention as such makes it possible to widen the range of admissible flows. In addition to simplifying the control of the expansion reservoir 100, the invention makes it possible to significantly reduce the number of components required and in particular the number of control components, which makes it possible to improve the reliability of the circuit 1 and to reduce the cost of it.

(35) The expansion reservoir 100 can be connected on the valve 200 by being arranged at a distance from the latter. In a preferred embodiment, the expansion reservoir 100 and the valve 200 are on the contrary grouped together within the same component. This makes it possible in particular to simplify the mounting of the circuit and to limit the encumbrance. More advantageously, this makes it possible to approach the expansion reservoir 100 of the circuit 1 and as such improve the reactivity of the expansion reservoir 100 and a protective device 8 against excessive pressure associated with the expansion reservoir 100. Advantageously, the portions of the expansion reservoir comprising the liquid 112 and the pressurisation gas 103 have substantially identical diameters.

(36) Preferentially, the expansion reservoir 100 surmounts the valve 200 and communicates with the liquid of the circuit by a channel, designated as expansion channel 213, carried at least partially by the plug 210. Also advantageously, the valve 200 comprises a body 201 and a cover 101 forming together an enclosure 102, with the expansion reservoir 100 being housed inside this enclosure 102.

(37) As such, the movable obturator is separate from the expansion reservoir 100, with the latter fixed with respect to the body 201 of valve 200. The movable obturator is movable with respect to the expansion reservoir.

(38) In non-restricted embodiments shown in the figures which are described hereinbelow, the expansion reservoir 100 is vertically arranged above the movable obturator. More precisely, the expansion reservoir 100 surmounts the movable obturator. The expansion reservoir is formed by the inner walls 201 of the valve 200, by the inner wall of the cover 101 and by an upper face 214 of the body of the movable obturator. As such, the expansion reservoir is housed at least partially in the cover. Preferably, at least 20% and preferably at least 30% and preferably at least 50% of the internal volume of the expansion reservoir 100 is housed in the internal volume of the cover 101.

(39) A first example of the system 10 according to the invention shall now be described in detail in reference to FIGS. 8 to 17.

(40) In the following example, the valve 200 is a throttle valve or a valve that makes it possible to circulate or interrupt the circulation of the liquid inside the circuit 1.

(41) FIGS. 8 and 9 show the body 201 of the valve inside of which the plug 210 for example cylindrical, is movable in order to adjust the passage of the liquid from one flange to another of the valve 200. For a direction of circulation of the fluid, the flange 202 forms the inlet of the valve and the flange 203 forms the outlet of the valve. The inlet and outlet are naturally inverted in case of an inversion in the direction of circulation. In the example shown, the flanges 202, 203 are intended to be connected to a pipe by bolting without this being restrictive. Indeed, a fastening via welding can be considered, in particular for applications wherein the liquid is a liquid metal such as sodium as is the case in sodium cooled nuclear reactors.

(42) In the following example, the valve is an in-line valve, with the inlet and the outlet substantially coaxial. Sections 4 and 5 are then arranged in the extension of one another. Moreover, the plug is spherical.

(43) As shall be shown in what follows in reference to FIGS. 18 to 27, the invention also covers the plug valves 200 that have an elbow. It also covers cylindrical plugs.

(44) As shown in FIGS. 10, 11 and 12, the plug 210 has a body 211 that comprises an internal passage 212 for the liquid. This internal passage 212 makes it possible to place the inlet and the outlet of the liquid into communication for certain angular positions at least of the plug 210 with respect to the body 201 of the valve. As with all plug valves, the shape and the size of the inside of the body 201 of the valve and of the body 211 of the plug are chosen in such a way that the liquid can flow from one flange to the other only through the internal passage 212 carried by the body 211 of the plug 210. Preferably, the valve body comprises a seat 209 conformed to receive the spherical plug. The seat 209 is integral with the body 201 of the valve 200.

(45) The angular position of the plug with respect to the body 201 of the valve therefore with respect to the inlet 202 and outlet 203 flanges, is controlled by a control device which typically comprises an actuator, for example a reduction gear 120.

(46) The body 201 of the valve and the cover 101 form an enclosure 102 inside of which the expansion reservoir 100 is housed. This enclosure 102 is sealed except for a channel 213 for communication between the expansion reservoir 100 and one of the flanges, such as shall be described hereinafter, and possibly except for an overflow 107, an orifice 104 for the management of the pressurisation gas which will also be described in more detail in what follows.

(47) Particularly advantageously, the body 211 of the plug comprises at least partially a channel 213 that allows the liquid circulating inside the circuit and coming from one of the two flanges 202, 203, to penetrate inside the expansion reservoir 100 formed by the enclosure 102. It is as such qualified as an expansion channel 213.

(48) The body 211 of the plug 210 comprises at least one lateral opening located on a lateral face 219 of the plug. Valve 200 is conformed to ensure permanent communication between said lateral opening and the expansion reservoir 100. In the example shown, the lateral opening forms a recess 218 which extends from the inside of the circuit to the expansion reservoir 100.

(49) Preferably, the recess 218 extends from an upper face of the body 211 of the plug to the lower face 220 of the plug 210.

(50) Advantageously, the recess 218 forms a groove. The valve is conformed in such a way that at least when the valve is closed the recess 218 is in direct communication with the liquid coming from the inlet or from the outlet of the valve 200. In FIG. 10, the recess 218 communicates with the liquid passing through the flange 203. As such, when the internal passage 212 no longer communicates directly with the inlet or the outlet of the valve, the liquid present in the inlet or the outlet of the valve can therefore communicate with the expansion reservoir 100 by entering into the expansion channel 213 via the recess 218.

(51) Moreover, the valve is conformed in such a way that at least when the valve 200 is open at least partially, i.e. when the internal passage 212 communicates directly with the inlet and/or the outlet of the valve, the recess 218 cooperates with the inner wall 207 of the seat 209 in such a way as to form a conduit of which the section, taken perpendicularly to the flow of the liquid in the conduit forms a closed perimeter. This conduit is in communication on the one hand with the expansion reservoir 100 and on the other hand with the internal passage 212. Preferably, this conduit opens on the one hand into the expansion reservoir 100 and opens on the other hand into a space 221 formed by the lower face 220 of the plug 210 and the bottom 208 of the body 201. In the embodiment shown and wherein the body 201 comprises a seat 209, the bottom 208 delimiting with the lower face 220 of the spherical plug the space 221 is the bottom of the seat 209. This space 221 is in communication with the internal passage 212 via a channel 217, typically a hole, made in the plug 210. In the non-restricted example shown, this space 221 is formed by a groove 222 made on the lower face 220 of the body 211 of the plug 210 and which cooperates with the bottom 208 of the seat 209 in order to define a passage for the liquid.

(52) An expansion channel forming a recess 218 or a groove on the lateral face of the body 211 of the plug 210 advantageously makes it possible to simplify the carrying out of the plug.

(53) This example is not however restrictive. The invention extends to embodiments wherein the expansion channel forms a conduit that has a lateral opening that does not form a groove. Moreover, the invention extends to embodiments wherein the expansion channel forms a conduit, typically a hole, which communicates directly between the lateral opening and the internal passage 212.

(54) As such, the valve 200 is conformed in such a way that, regardless of the position of the plug 210, the expansion channel 213 is always in communication with the inlet or the outlet of the valve 200. Either the lateral opening communicates directly with the inlet or the outlet of the valve, or it communicates with the internal passage 212, preferably via the space 211, when the internal passage 212 communicates with the inlet or the outlet of the valve. Liquid can therefore permanently reached the expansion reservoir 100 formed by the enclosure 102. This shall be described in more detail in reference to FIGS. 13 to 17.

(55) The expansion volume is the volume of liquid 112 located between the upper face 214 of the plug 210 and the free surface 105 of the liquid.

(56) The plug 210 represents a variable load loss. The communication between the circuit and the expansion reservoir 100 is carried out via a path which is always outside of the pump-load loss section induced by the plug 210. As such, regardless of the expansion reservoir 100 in the circuit, the expansion reservoir 100 never sees the pressure delivered by the pump contrary to the expansion reservoir of the circuit shown in FIG. 2 which is in direct communication with the outlet of the pump. Moreover, in the circuit of FIG. 2 the expansion reservoir 100 imposes the pressure between the valve and a component such as the exchanger.

(57) Preferably, and as shown in FIG. 10, a bearing 108 provided with rollers 109 is provided in order to ensure the guiding in rotation of the plug 210. Preferably, the bearing 108 guides the plug 210 on an axis 216 of the plug 210 integral with the body 211 of the plug and which extends according to the direction of rotation of the latter. Preferably, the bearing 108 is situated in the immediate vicinity of the upper face 214 of the plug 200 forming a cylinder in its upper portion. A passage 110 is provided in the bearing 108 for the liquid coming from the internal passage 212 carried by the body 211 of the plug. According to an alternative embodiment not shown, if the bearing 108 is housed in the body 201 of the valve, a passage can be made in the thickness of the wall of the body 201 of the valve in order to allow the liquid to pass from the upper face 214 of the body 211 of the plug to a space located above the bearing.

(58) As such in operation, the bearing 108 is immersed in the liquid 112 present in the expansion reservoir 100.

(59) Advantageously, an aerator device 111 is provided to prevent projections of liquid coming from the expansion channel 213 with a substantial speed. In this example, an aerator device 111 is placed above the bearing 108. In normal operation, the aerator device 111 is immersed and the free surface 105 of the liquid 112 is located above the aerator device 111.

(60) An overflow 107 is also provided to evacuate any overflow of liquid. In normal operation, the free surface 105 of the liquid 112 is therefore located underneath the overflow 107.

(61) In the enclosure 102 formed by the body 201 of the valve 200 and the cover 101, and above the free surface 105 of the liquid 112, is located the pressurisation gas 103 also designated as sky gas, of which the function is to offset the variations in volume of the liquid in the circuit and to ensure that the pressure of the circuit remains within an acceptable operating interval.

(62) An orifice 104 is also provided for the management of the pressure of the pressurisation gas 103. This orifice 104 is preferably located in the upper portion of the cover 101.

(63) Advantageously but optionally, the system also comprises a protective device 8, preferably connected to the orifice 104 for the management of gases, and configured to adjust and to limit the pressure of the gas in the expansion reservoir 100 and therefore the pressure of the liquid in the circuit when the latter exceeds a threshold value that could damage the circuit. When the protective device 8 is activated, the excess gas pressure is directed to an outlet 81 which prevents exceeding an admissible pressure limit for the expansion reservoir and the circuit.

(64) As indicated hereinabove, a control device is provided in order to control the angular position of the plug 210 with respect to the body 201 of the valve. Note here that the angular position of the plug 210 is perfectly independent of the pressure inside the circuit and of the pressure inside the expansion reservoir 100.

(65) According to a particular advantageous embodiment, it is placed that this control device be housed inside the enclosure 102 and that, also preferably, the coupling between the plug 210 and the control device also be housed inside the enclosure 102. As such, the invention makes it possible to substantially reduce the constraints for sealing, as such improving the reliability of the system 10.

(66) More precisely, the control device comprises a motor, typically a reduction gear 120, preferably housed in the enclosure 102 above the overflow 107. It is therefore immersed in the pressurisation gas by being advantageously separated from the liquid 112. A coupling device 125 between the outlet of the reduction gear 120 and the plug 210 is also located above the overflow 107 and therefore immersed in the pressurisation gas 103 while still being separated from the liquid 112. The axis 216 of the plug 210 connects the coupling device 125 to the body 211 of the plug. Preferably, the reduction gear 120 is arranged in such a way that its output axis is coaxial with the axis 216 of rotation of the plug 210.

(67) Advantageously, a thermal protection device 124 is arranged between the liquid 112 and the reduction gear 120 in such a way as to preserve the latter from the heat of the liquid 112. This is even more advantageous when the liquid is a liquid metal such as sodium. The thermal protection device 124 can be for example a stack of thin disks and spaced apart or any other volume or association of subsets having low thermal conductivity. Preferably, the thermal protection device 124 is arranged around the coupling device 125 as is shown in FIG. 10.

(68) Preferably, the motor is fixed onto a support 121 conformed to be fixed into an upper portion of the body 201 of the valve, for example on the opening of the body 201 of the valve. Once the motor is fixed on the body 201 of the valve, the cover 101 can then be positioned on the body 201 of the valve in order to cover the motor and form the sealed enclosure 102. The mounting of the system 10 is therefore particularly simple. For example, the attaching between the body 201 of the valve and the cover 101 is carried out by bolting of two flanges 204, 207 carried respectively by the body 201 of the valve and the cover 101.

(69) When the liquid is brought to a high temperature, typically between 300 and 500 C. as in the case with liquid sodium, the system 10 advantageously comprises a cooling system 123 of the motor. A heat carrying fluid then circulates in the pipes passing through the enclosure 102 and penetrates into the motor. Preferably, holes for the passage of these pipes are made in the cover 101.

(70) The enclosure 102, preferably the wall of the cover, also comprises a hole for the passage of a power supply line or lines 122 of the motor.

(71) The system 10 can also comprise one or more level sensors 106 to measure and control the level of liquid in the expansion reservoir 100. A hole can be made in the enclosure 102, typically in the wall of the cover 101, for the passage of the sensors 106.

(72) Preferably, the body of the valve has an emptying hole 206 made in the bottom 209 of the body 201 and which makes it possible to facilitate the emptying of the system 10 incorporating the valve 200 and the expansion reservoir 100.

(73) The invention as such proposes a system 10 integrating within the same component a valve 200, in particular an in-line valve, and an expansion reservoir 100 in permanent communication with the liquid of the circuit and for which the design offers improved operating reliability, a particularly simple and effective seal, as well as easy assembly.

(74) The operation of the invention shall now be described in detail in reference to FIGS. 13 to 17.

(75) FIGS. 13 to 15 show the valve 200 in fully open position. In this position, the plug 210 is equivalent to the pipe portion that the valve 200 replaces in circuit 1. The load loss in the valve 200 is very low and even zero, which is an advantage with respect to the other valves with a transfer obturator. In this position the circulation of the liquid is possible in both directions.

(76) Moreover, as can be seen clearly in FIG. 15, the internal passage 212 is in communication with the liquid of the circuit. The liquid can therefore pass through the lower channel 217, reach the space 221 in order to reach the conduit formed by the recess 218 and the inner wall integral with the body. From this conduit, the liquid can reach the expansion reservoir 100.

(77) As such, the expansion channel 213 then formed by the lower channel 217, the space 221 and the recess 218 allows for the communication of the liquid circulating in the circuit 1 with the liquid 112 contained in the expansion reservoir 100.

(78) When the valve 200 is closed, as shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, the circulation of the liquid in the circuit 1 is interrupted. The internal passage 212 is no longer in communication with the section of the circuit connected to the flange 202 or even with the circuit connected to the flange 203. The recess 218 forms an opening that opens into the circuit. The liquid can therefore directly reach the recess 218 from the inlet or the outlet of the valve. In the example shown, the recess 218 is arranged directly facing the flange 202. As the recess opens into the expansion reservoir 100, the latter is therefore in communication with the liquid. Such will be the case for all of the angular positions of the plug wherein the recess 218 is directly accessible by the liquid present in a section between the plug 210 and a flange 202, 203.

(79) By the intermediary of the expansion channel 213, the expansion reservoir 100 therefore remains in communication with the liquid present in the section connected to this flange 202 as is shown in FIG. 15. This position if the valve 200 will be favoured when the flange 202 is connected to a section forming the inlet of the pump 2 or in the vicinity of the inlet of the pump 2. As such, in the event of a drop in pressure at the inlet of the pump 2, the expansion reservoir 100 allows for an offsetting of the volume and as such prevent a cavitation at the pump inlet.

(80) As such, it is preferable to ensure to adapt the angular orientation of the plug 210 according to the direction of circulation of the liquid. Generally, the position of the plug 210 will be controlled in such a way as to place in communication the expansion reservoir 100 with a portion of the circuit 1 that separates the expansion reservoir 100 from the inlet of the pump 2.

(81) In addition to allowing for permanent communication between the expansion reservoir 100 and the liquid of the circuit, the invention makes it possible to limit the speed of the liquid reaching the expansion reservoir 100, in particular when the valve is open and the liquid passes through with a high speed. However, due to the speed of displacement of the liquid in the circuit 1, liquid could arrive at a relatively high speed in the expansion reservoir 100 if the communication were direct. The invention as such makes it possible to limit and even prevent the appearance in the expansion reservoir 100 of jets of liquid coming from the liquid in movement in the circuit 1. However, these jets can be a source of mechanical fatigue and control difficulties. Indeed, these projections of liquid induce significant fluctuations at the level of the free surface 105 of the liquid 112 and in the expansion reservoir 100. These jets of liquid can also be the source of the generation of aerosols for which the formation is sought to be avoided as much as possible in order to reinforce the reliability of the mechanism. The limitation of aerosols is very advantageous. Without this, aerosols can be found in the pressurisation gas 103 (sky gas) and come from the reduction gear 120. This reduces the reliability of it. The limitation of the aerosols significantly improves the reliability of the mechanism. Moreover, aerosols can impregnate the thermal protection 124 and therefore significantly increase its thermal conductivity. This would have the consequence of increasing the temperature of all of the mechanical parts that are above the thermal protection 124, of which the reduction gear 120, and would therefore reduce the reliability of it.

(82) A second example of the system 10 according to the invention shall now be described in detail in reference to FIGS. 18 to 27.

(83) The system according to this second example differs from the system according to the first example described in reference to FIGS. 8 to 17 in that the plug is cylindrical and in that the valve is an elbow. The other characteristics described in terms of the first example all apply to the second example.

(84) In this second example, the expansion channel 213 is also configured to limit the appearance in the expansion reservoir 100 of jets of liquid coming from the liquid in movement in the circuit 1. Indeed, the expansion channel 213 of this second embodiment does not offer a straight path for the liquid, generates load losses and reduces the speed of the liquid when it enters the expansion reservoir 100. As in the preceding example, the expansion channel 213 comprises at least: a lower channel 217 opening on the one hand into the internal passage 212 and on the other hand under a lower face 220 of the body 211 of the plug. More precisely, the lower channel 217 opens into a space 221 defined by the lower face 220 of the body 211 of the plug and by the bottom 208 of the body 201 of the valve. As the valve is cylindrical, it is preferable to avoid a seat 209 to receive the plug 210; a recess 218 is made on a lateral face 219 of the body 211 of the plug, with this recess opening on the one hand under the lower face 220 and on the other hand in the expansion reservoir 100. This recess 218 preferably forms a groove. In the case where the plug 210 is cylindrical, and as shown in FIGS. 20 and 21, this groove is preferably linear and extends along a direction parallel to the axis of rotation of the plug 210.

(85) The recess 218 made on the lateral face 219 of the body 211 of the plug as such forms an open channel. When this recess 218 is arranged facing the body 201 of the valve, more precisely facing its inner wall 207, it cooperates with the latter in such a way as to form a channel. Preferably, the section of this channel forms a perimeter. The section is taken according to a plane perpendicular to the direction of flow of the liquid in this channel. This channel then has two openings, one opening under the lower face 220 of the body 211 of the plug, the other opening into the expansion reservoir 100.

(86) FIG. 19 clearly shows the opening on the expansion reservoir 100 of this closed channel formed by the recess 218 and the inner wall 207 of the body 201 of the valve. The valve 200 is configured so that the liquid present in the internal passage 212 can pass into the lower passage 217 then into the recess 218 in order to reach the expansion reservoir 100. Between the lower channel 217 and the recess 218, the liquid transits by the space 221.

(87) In FIG. 22, the expansion channel 213 appears between the bottom of the recess 218 and the inner wall of the body 201 of the valve. The other characteristics of the system are identical to those described in particular in reference to FIG. 10.

(88) The operation of the system according to this embodiment shall now be described in detail in reference to FIGS. 23 to 27.

(89) FIG. 23 shows the valve 200 in fully open position. In this position, the plug 210 is equivalent to the elbow portion that the valve 200 replaces in circuit 1. The load loss in the valve 200 is very low and even zero. More generally, it is identical to the elbow that this valve replaces. In this position, the circulation of the liquid is possible in both directions. The liquid present in the internal passage 212 communicates with the lower channel 217 in order to reach the space formed between the lower face 208 of the body 211 of the plug and the bottom 220 of the body 201 of the valve. The liquid then reaches the closed channel defined by the cooperation between the recess 218 and the inner wall 207 of the body 201 of the valve. It can as such enter the expansion reservoir 100. The conveying of the liquid in the expansion channel 213, formed by the lower channel 217, the space 221 and the recess 218, makes it possible to limit the speed of the liquid at the inlet of the reservoir 100 and to limit the formation of jets of liquid in the latter. This is all the more so advantageous that in this angular position of the body 211 of the plug, the speed of the liquid passing through the valve 200 is normally substantial.

(90) When the valve 200 is closed on the right, as shown in FIGS. 24 and 25, the circulation of the liquid in the circuit 1 is interrupted. On the other hand, the internal passage 212 remains in communication with the section of the circuit connected to the flange 202. By the intermediary of the expansion channel 213, the expansion reservoir 100 therefore remains in communication with the liquid present in the section connected to this flange 202 as is shown in FIG. 25.

(91) In the case where the valve 200 is closed and where the recess 218 is not in direct communication with the inlet or the outlet of the valve 200 but cooperates with the inner wall 207 of the body 201 of the valve in order to form a closed channel, the liquid reaches the expansion reservoir 100 by passing through the internal passage 212, the lower channel 217, the space 221 then the recess 218, as is the case when the valve is open (as shown in FIG. 23).

(92) In this position of the plug, the risks of jets of liquid appearing in the reservoir are limited and even suppressed.

(93) When the valve 200 is closed on the left, as shown in FIGS. 26 and 27, the circulation of the liquid in the circuit 1 is interrupted. On the other hand, the internal passage 212 remains in communication with the section of the circuit connected to the flange 203. By the intermediary of the expansion channel 213, the expansion reservoir 100 therefore remains in communication with the liquid present in the section connected to this flange 203 as is shown in FIG. 27.

(94) In the case where the valve 200 is closed and where the recess 218 is in direct communication with the inlet or the outlet of the valve 200 (the outlet in the example of FIGS. 26 and 27) the liquid reaches the expansion reservoir 100 by penetrating from the inlet/the outlet of the valve directly into the recess 218. Of course liquid can penetrate into the internal passage 212 through the recess 218, the space 221 and the lower channel 217, but this liquid remains in the internal passage 212 without being able to pass through the valve 200.

(95) This position if the valve 200 will be favoured when the flange 203 is connected to a section forming the inlet of the pump 2 or in the vicinity of the inlet of the pump 2. In this section, the speed of the liquid is generally low and the risks of jets in the expansion reservoir 100 are limited. In each of the embodiments considered in the description hereinabove, the obturator is movable inside the body 201 of the valve 200 which is fixed with respect to the conduits connected to the inlet and to the outlet of the valve 200. The expansion reservoir 100 is fixed with respect to the body 201 of the valve 200. The movable obturator is movable with respect to the expansion reservoir 100.

(96) Advantageously, the movable obturator is separated from at least a portion of the expansion reservoir 100. As such, in at least a portion of the expansion reservoir 100, the movable obturator is absent.

(97) As such, the expansion reservoir 100 is separate from the movable obturator. This makes it possible in particular to not drive in displacement, typically in rotation, the expansion reservoir 100 during the displacement of the movable obturator, with the expansion reservoir 100 possibly comprising a significant volume of liquid and gas. The system is therefore made more robust, more reliable and less complex.

(98) Moreover, the independence between the expansion reservoir 100 and the movable obturator makes it possible to independently size these two elements. In particular, the expansion reservoir 100 can be adapted, in particular in terms of volume, to the characteristics of the circuit (flow, pressure), while still retaining a movable obturator of small size. A movable obturator of small size makes it possible in particular to reduce the encumbrance of the system and to facilitate the carrying out of a movable obturator with dimensions and surface states that are perfectly controlled in such a way as to guarantee a good seal of the valve in closed position.

(99) In light of the preceding description, it clearly results that the invention offers an effective system for improving the reliability and the simplicity of reversible circuits, particularly those in which circulate a liquid at high temperature and/or chemically reactive. The invention as such offers a particularly advantageous solution for test circuits for electromagnetic pumps for liquid metals such as those used in the sodium circuits of certain nuclear reactors. Moreover, the invention is advantageous, regardless of the liquid, in the circuits where it is necessary to proceed with an inversion in the direction of circulation, for example to clean in-line filters.

(100) The invention is not limited to the embodiments described hereinabove and extends to all the embodiments covered by the claims.

(101) In particular, the invention covers the systems wherein the motor is arranged outside of the enclosure formed by the valve body and by the cover. In this case, a coupling device passes through the enclosure.

REFERENCES

(102) 1. Circuit 2. Pump 3. Section 4. Section 5. Section 6. Exchanger 7. Expansion reservoir 71. Liquid 72. Pressurisation gas 73. Free level 74. Isolation valve 7. Expansion reservoir 74. Isolation valve 8. Protection device 81. Outlet 9. Throttle valve 91. Second throttle valve 10. System 100. Expansion reservoir 101. Valve cover 102. Sealed enclosure 103. Pressurisation gas 104. Orifice for pressurisation gas 105. Free surface of the liquid 106. Level sensor 107. Overflow 108. Bearing 109. Roller 110. Bearing passage 111. Aerator device 112. Liquid 120. Reduction gear 121. Motor support 122. Power supply/control lines 123. Cooling circuit 124. Thermal protection device 125. Coupling device 200. Valve 201. Valve body 202. Inlet flange 203. Outlet flange 204. Cover flange 205. Edge 206. Emptying hole 207. Inner wall 208. Bottom of the valve body 209. Seat 210. Plug 211. Plug body 212. Internal passage 213. Expansion channel 214. Upper face 215. Upper hole 216. Axis 217. Lower orifice 218. Recess 219. Lateral face 220. Lower face 221. Space