SHUTTLE VALVE, DIRECTIONAL CONTROL VALVE MODULE, AND PNEUMATIC OR HYDRAULIC ASSEMBLY

Abstract

A shuttle valve includes: a first valve body; a second valve body, a first control-pressure-charged surface and a second control-pressure-charged surface of the first valve body being larger than a third control-pressure-charged surface and a fourth control-pressure-charged surface of the second valve body, a first control pressure from a first inlet pressure port being applied to a first valve body first side, the first control pressure from a second inlet pressure port being applied to a first valve body second side, a second control pressure from a third inlet pressure port being applied to a second valve body first side, the second control pressure from a fourth inlet pressure port being applied to a second valve body second side, a first control pressure acting on a first control-pressure-charged surface and a second control-pressure-charged surface, and the second control pressure acting on a third control-pressure-charged surface and a fourth control-pressure-charged surface.

Claims

1. A shuttle valve for selecting a maximum pressure in two control pressure lines that are separate from one another, the two control pressure lines being a first control pressure line and a second control pressure line, the shuttle valve comprising: a first inlet pressure port; a second inlet pressure port, the first inlet pressure port and the second inlet pressure port being configured for a first control pressure; a third inlet pressure port; a fourth inlet pressure port, the third inlet pressure port and the fourth inlet pressure port being configured for a second control pressure; a first outlet pressure port configured for connecting the first control pressure line; a second outlet pressure port configured for connecting the second control pressure line; a first valve body in a fluid-conducting connection between the first inlet pressure port and the second inlet pressure port on the one hand and the first outlet pressure port on the other hand, the first valve body including a first valve body first side and a first valve body second side situated opposite the first valve body first side, the first valve body further including a first control-pressure-charged surface and a second control-pressure-charged surface; and a second valve body between the third inlet pressure port and the fourth inlet pressure port on the one hand and the second outlet pressure port on the other hand, the second valve body including a second valve body first side and a second valve body second side situated opposite the second valve body first side, the second valve body further including a third control-pressure-charged surface and a fourth control-pressure-charged surface, the first control-pressure-charged surface and the second control-pressure-charged surface in each case being larger than the third control-pressure-charged surface and the fourth control-pressure-charged surface, the first valve body and the second valve body being positively coupled and thereby being configured for being displaced together, the shuttle valve being configured such that: the first control pressure from the first inlet pressure port is applied to the first valve body first side; the first control pressure from the second inlet pressure port is applied to the first valve body second side; the second control pressure from the third inlet pressure port is applied to the second valve body first side; the second control pressure from the fourth inlet pressure port is applied to the second valve body second side; the first control pressure respectively acts on the first control-pressure-charged surface and the second control-pressure-charged surface; and the second control pressure respectively acts on the third control-pressure-charged surface and the fourth control-pressure-charged surface.

2. The shuttle valve according to claim 1, further including a coupling element, which is configured for mechanically transmitting a displacement of the first valve body to the second valve body.

3. The shuttle valve according to claim 2, wherein the first valve body has a multi-piece configuration and thereby includes a first valve body part and a second valve body part, wherein the second valve body has a multi-piece configuration and thereby includes a third valve body part and a fourth valve body part, wherein the coupling element is positioned between the first valve body part and the second valve body part and between the third valve body part and the fourth valve body part.

4. The shuttle valve according to claim 3, further including a first valve seat, a second valve seat, a third valve seat, and a fourth valve seat, wherein the first valve body part is configured for cooperating with the first valve seat so as to form a first sealing point, the second valve body part is configured for cooperating with the second valve seat so as to form a second sealing point, the third valve body part is configured for cooperating with the third valve seat so as to form a third sealing point, and the fourth valve body part is configured for cooperating with a fourth valve seat so as to form a fourth sealing point.

5. The shuttle valve according to claim 4, wherein the first inlet pressure port is configured for sealing by way of the first sealing point, the second inlet pressure port is configured for sealing by way of the second sealing point, the third inlet pressure port is configured for sealing by way of the third sealing point, and the fourth inlet pressure part is configured for sealing by way of the fourth sealing point.

6. The shuttle valve according to claim 5, further including a fifth valve seat and a sixth valve seat, wherein the third valve body part is configured for cooperating with the fifth valve seat so as to form a fifth sealing point, the fourth valve body part is configured for cooperating with the sixth valve seat so as to form a sixth sealing point, the fifth valve seat is situated axially opposite the third valve seat and the sixth valve seat is situated axially opposite the fourth valve seat in such a way that the third inlet pressure port is configured for sealing, based on a position of the third valve body part, by way of the third sealing point and by way of the fifth sealing point, and the fourth inlet pressure port is configured for sealing, based on a position of the fourth valve body part, by way of the fourth sealing point and by way of the sixth sealing point.

7. The shuttle valve according to claim 3, wherein the first valve body part, the coupling element, and the second valve body part are arranged one behind the other in a first direction, and the third valve body part, the coupling element, and the fourth valve body part are arranged one behind the other in a second direction situated perpendicularly or obliquely relative to the first direction.

8. The shuttle valve according to claim 3, wherein the coupling element is spherical.

9. The shuttle valve according to claim 3, wherein each of the first valve body part, the second valve body part, the third valve body part, and the fourth valve body part is spherical.

10. The shuttle valve according to claim 3, further including a spacer element, wherein the spacer element is between the coupling element and at least one of the first valve body part, the second valve body part, the third valve body part, and the fourth valve body part, by way of which the coupling element is supported on at least one of the first valve body part, the second valve body part, the third valve body part, and the fourth valve body part.

11. The shuttle valve according to claim 10, wherein the spacer element is spherical.

12. The shuttle valve according to claim 11, wherein the coupling element and the first valve body and the second valve body rest freely against one another.

13. The shuttle valve according to claim 12, wherein the spacer element is a first spacer element, the shuttle valve further including a second spacer element, wherein the coupling element, the first valve body part, the second valve body part, the third valve body part, and the fourth valve body part and at least one of the first spacer element and the second spacer element rest freely against one another.

14. A directional control valve module, comprising: two directional valves which are redundant relative to one another; a shuttle valve configured for selecting a maximum pressure in two control pressure lines that are separate from one another and are a first control pressure line and a second control pressure line, the shuttle valve including: a first inlet pressure port; a second inlet pressure port, the first inlet pressure port and the second inlet pressure port being configured for a first control pressure; a third inlet pressure port; a fourth inlet pressure port, the third inlet pressure port and the fourth inlet pressure port being configured for a second control pressure; a first outlet pressure port configured for connecting the first control pressure line; a second outlet pressure port configured for connecting the second control pressure line; a first valve body in a fluid-conducting connection between the first inlet pressure port and the second inlet pressure port on the one hand and the first outlet pressure port on the other hand, the first valve body including a first valve body first side and a first valve body second side situated opposite the first valve body first side, the first valve body further including a first control-pressure-charged surface and a second control-pressure-charged surface; and a second valve body between the third inlet pressure port and the fourth inlet pressure port on the one hand and the second outlet pressure port on the other hand, the second valve body including a second valve body first side and a second valve body second side situated opposite the second valve body first side, the second valve body further including a third control-pressure-charged surface and a fourth control-pressure-charged surface, the first control-pressure-charged surface and the second control-pressure-charged surface in each case being larger than the third control-pressure-charged surface and the fourth control-pressure-charged surface, the first valve body and the second valve body being positively coupled and thereby being configured for being displaced together, wherein the shuttle valve is configured such that: the first control pressure from the first inlet pressure port is applied to the first valve body first side; the first control pressure from the second inlet pressure port is applied to the first valve body second side; the second control pressure from the third inlet pressure port is applied to the second valve body first side; the second control pressure from the fourth inlet pressure port is applied to the second valve body second side; the first control pressure respectively acts on the first control-pressure-charged surface and the second control-pressure-charged surface; and the second control pressure respectively acts on the third control-pressure-charged surface and the fourth control-pressure-charged surface, wherein the two directional valves are respectively configured for providing the first control pressure and the second control pressure and are connected respectively to two of the first inlet pressure port, the second inlet pressure port, the third inlet pressure port, and the fourth inlet pressure port of the shuttle valve in a control pressure-conducting manner.

15. The directional control valve module according to claim 14, wherein the two directional valves in each case are configured for being continuously adjustable and have electromagnetic actuation.

16. The directional control valve module according to claim 15, wherein each of the two directional valves includes a solenoid, a directional valve piston and a return spring, the solenoid being configured for serving as a drive and for displacing the directional valve piston against a force of the return spring.

17. An assembly which is a pneumatic assembly or a hydraulic assembly, the assembly comprising: a double-acting cylinder, which includes a piston chamber and a piston which is configured for displacing in the piston chamber, the piston including a piston first side and a piston second side opposite the piston first side; and a directional control valve module, including: two directional valves which are redundant relative to one another; a shuttle valve configured for selecting a maximum pressure in two control pressure lines that are separate from one another and are a first control pressure line and a second control pressure line, the shuttle valve including: a first inlet pressure port; a second inlet pressure port, the first inlet pressure port and the second inlet pressure port being configured for a first control pressure; a third inlet pressure port; a fourth inlet pressure port, the third inlet pressure port and the fourth inlet pressure port being configured for a second control pressure; a first outlet pressure port configured for connecting the first control pressure line; a second outlet pressure port configured for connecting the second control pressure line; a first valve body in a fluid-conducting connection between the first inlet pressure port and the second inlet pressure port on the one hand and the first outlet pressure port on the other hand, the first valve body including a first valve body first side and a first valve body second side situated opposite the first valve body first side, the first valve body further including a first control-pressure-charged surface and a second control-pressure-charged surface; and a second valve body between the third inlet pressure port and the fourth inlet pressure port on the one hand and the second outlet pressure port on the other hand, the second valve body including a second valve body first side and a second valve body second side situated opposite the second valve body first side, the second valve body further including a third control-pressure-charged surface and a fourth control-pressure-charged surface, the first control-pressure-charged surface and the second control-pressure-charged surface in each case being larger than the third control-pressure-charged surface and the fourth control-pressure-charged surface, the first valve body and the second valve body being positively coupled and thereby being configured for being displaced together, wherein the shuttle valve is configured such that: the first control pressure from the first inlet pressure port is applied to the first valve body first side; the first control pressure from the second inlet pressure port is applied to the first valve body second side; the second control pressure from the third inlet pressure port is applied to the second valve body first side; the second control pressure from the fourth inlet pressure port is applied to the second valve body second side; the first control pressure respectively acts on the first control-pressure-charged surface and the second control-pressure-charged surface; and the second control pressure respectively acts on the third control-pressure-charged surface and the fourth control-pressure-charged surface, wherein the two directional valves are respectively configured for providing the first control pressure and the second control pressure and are connected respectively to two of the first inlet pressure port, the second inlet pressure port, the third inlet pressure port, and the fourth inlet pressure port of the shuttle valve in a control pressure-conducting manner, wherein the first outlet pressure port is connected on the piston first side to the piston chamber in a pressure-conducting manner; wherein the second outlet pressure port is connected on the piston second side to the piston chamber in a pressure-conducting manner.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0031] The above-mentioned and other features and advantages of this invention, and the manner of attaining them, will become more apparent and the invention will be better understood by reference to the following description of embodiments of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0032] FIG. 1 shows a hydraulic assembly including a directional control valve module according to the state of the art;

[0033] FIG. 2 shows a hydraulic assembly including a directional control valve module in a logical expansion of the directional control valve module from FIG. 1 for activating a double-acting cylinder;

[0034] FIG. 3 shows a first exemplary embodiment of a pneumatic or hydraulic assembly according to the present invention including a directional control valve module according to the present invention and a shuttle valve according to the present invention; and

[0035] FIG. 4 shows a second exemplary embodiment of a shuttle valve according to the present invention, as can be used, for example, in the pneumatic or hydraulic assembly in FIG. 3.

[0036] Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. The exemplifications set out herein illustrate embodiments of the invention, and such exemplifications are not to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention in any manner.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0037] FIG. 3 shows a pneumatic or hydraulic assembly according to the present invention including a double-acting cylinder 40, which has a piston chamber 41 and a piston 42 displaceable in the piston chamber 41. On a first axial side, the control pressure from the first control pressure line 1 opening into the piston chamber 41 is applied to the piston 42, and on a second axial side located opposite the first axial side, a control pressure from a second control pressure line 2 opening into the piston chamber 41 is applied to the piston 42. The control pressures in the first control pressure line 1 and the second control pressure line 2 are provided or set by a directional control valve module 30, which includes a shuttle valve 10 and two directional valves 31 and 32.

[0038] The shuttle valve 10 has a first inlet pressure port 11 and a second inlet pressure port 12 for a first control pressure. The first control pressure is provided at the first inlet pressure port 11 by the first directional valve 31, and the first control pressure is redundantly provided at the second inlet pressure port 12 by the second directional valve 32. The shuttle valve 10 furthermore has a third inlet pressure port 13 and a fourth inlet pressure port 14 for a second control pressure, wherein the second control pressure at the third inlet pressure port 13 is provided by the first directional valve 31 and is provided at the fourth inlet pressure port 14 by the second directional valve 32.

[0039] The shuttle valve has a first outlet pressure port 15, to which the first control pressure line 1 is connected, and a second outlet pressure port 16, to which the second control pressure line 2 is connected.

[0040] A first valve body 17 is arranged in a fluid-conducting connection between the first and second inlet pressure ports 11, 12 on the one hand and the first outlet pressure port 15 on the other hand. A second valve body 18 is arranged between the third and fourth inlet pressure ports 13, 14 on the one hand and the second outlet pressure port 16 on the other hand. The first control pressure from the first inlet pressure port 11 is accordingly applied to a first side A1 of the first valve body 17, and the first control pressure from the second inlet pressure port 12 is applied to a second side A2 situated opposite the first side. The second control pressure from the third inlet pressure port 13 is applied to a first side B1 of the second valve body 18, and the second control pressure from the fourth inlet pressure port 14 is applied to a second side B2 situated opposite thereto.

[0041] The first control pressure acts on each of a first and second control-pressure-charged surface F1, F2 of the first valve body 17, and the second control pressure acts on each of a third and fourth control-pressure-charged surface F3, F4 of the second valve body 18. The two valve bodies 17, 18 each effectuate a maximum pressure selection of the control pressures which act on them. The first surface F1 and the second surface F2 are in each case larger than the third surface F3 and the fourth surface F4. Furthermore, the two valve bodies 17, 18 are mechanically coupled to one another so as to always move together, in order to either accordingly completely or partially seal or expose the first and third inlet pressure ports 11, 13 or the second and fourth inlet pressure ports 12, 14. For this purpose, the two valve bodies 17, 18 are coupled to one another via a coupling element 19.

[0042] To be able to seal the inlet pressure ports 11, 12, 13, 14, the first valve body 17 cooperates with a first valve seat 20.1 and a second valve seat 20.2 so as to seal either the first inlet pressure port 11 or the second inlet pressure port 12. The second valve body 18 cooperates with a third valve seat 20.3 and a fourth valve seat 20.4 so as to seal either the third inlet pressure port 13 or the fourth inlet pressure port 14.

[0043] The first directional valve 31 and the second directional valve 32 each include a solenoid 33, serving as a drive, and a directional valve piston 34, which is displaced by the solenoid 33 against the force of a return spring 35, based on the control current of the controlled variable present at the solenoid 33, for example in the range of 4 to 20 mA.

[0044] As long as the directional control valve module 30 is operating properly, the same control pressures are present at the inlet pressure ports 11 and 12 and at the inlet pressure ports 13 and 14, namely the first control pressure is present at the inlet pressure ports 11 and 12 and the second control pressure is present at the inlet pressure ports 13 and 14. The valve bodies 17, 18 are in a center position so that the first control pressure is present in the first control pressure line 1 and the second control pressure is present in the second control pressure line 2.

[0045] If, for example, the second directional valve 32 fails, the return spring 35 thereof pushes the directional valve piston 34 into the zero position and connects the pressure connection P to the fourth inlet pressure port 14. The second inlet pressure port 12 is connected to the tank connection T of the second directional valve 32. Since the first valve body 17 has larger engagement surfaces F1, F2 for the pressure than the second valve body 18, the first valve body 17 urges the second valve body 18 into the fourth valve seat 20.4 so that the fourth inlet pressure port 14 is being sealed. The full control pressure P that is necessarily present at the fourth inlet pressure port 14 cannot find its way into the piston chamber 41, and the shuttle valve 10, together with the first valve body 17, is able to assume or maintain the control or regulation of the control pressures in the first control pressure line 1 and the second control pressure line 2 by itself.

[0046] If, in the other case, the first directional valve 31 fails, the return spring 35 thereof pushes the directional valve piston 34 thereof into the zero position and connects the pressure connection P thereof to the third inlet pressure port 13. The tank connection T of the first directional valve 31 is connected to the first inlet pressure port 11. Since, in turn, the first valve body 17 has the larger surfaces F1, F2 for the present control pressures than the second valve body 18, the first valve body 17 urges the second valve body 18 into the third valve seat 20.3 so that the control pressure of the pressure connection P at the first directional valve 31 cannot propagate into the rod-side piston chamber 41. The second directional valve 32 is given the control authority and assumes the control of the control pressures in the first control pressure line 1 and the second control pressure line 2 by itself.

[0047] Since, in practice, the solution shown in FIG. 3, having a connection of the two valve bodies 17, 18 via a rod or the like, requires comparatively complicated sealing, an improved embodiment of the shuttle valve 10 in this regard is proposed according to FIG. 4. In this embodiment, the first valve body 17 and the second valve body 18 each include multiple valve body parts, namely, the first valve body 17 includes the first valve body part 17.1 and the second valve body part 17.2, and the second valve body 18 includes the third valve body part 18.1 and the fourth valve body part 18.2. The coupling element 19 is positioned between the first valve body part 17.1 and the second valve body part 17.2, and between the third valve body part 18.1 and the fourth valve body part 18.2. For example, as is shown, the first valve body part 17.1, the coupling element 19, and the second valve body part 17.2 are arranged one behind the other in a first direction, and the third valve body part 18.1, the coupling element 19, and the fourth valve body part 18.2 are arranged one behind the other in a second direction, with the second direction being situated perpendicularly or obliquely on the first direction.

[0048] In the shown exemplary embodiment, the valve body parts 17.1, 17.2, 18.1, 18.2 do not rest directly against the coupling element 19, but via interposed spacer elements 21.

[0049] For example, all of the valve body parts 17.1, 17.2, 18.1, 18.2, the spacer elements 21, and the coupling element 19 are spherical. However, other shapes are also possible, in particular a cylindrical shape or also an angular shape.

[0050] The first valve body part 17.1 together with the first valve seat 20.1 seals the first inlet pressure port 11, the second valve body part 17.2 together with the second valve seat 20.2 seals the second inlet pressure port 12, the third valve body part 18.1 together with the third valve seat 20.3 seals the third inlet pressure port 13, and the fourth valve body part 18.2 together with the fourth valve seat 20.4 seals the fourth inlet pressure port 14, provided that corresponding pressure conditions are present at the inlet pressure ports 11, 12, 13 and 14.

[0051] Due to the size of the valve body parts 17.1, 17.2, 18.1, 18.2, the first valve body 17, which includes the valve body parts 17.1, 17.2, has larger control-pressure-charged surfaces F1, F2 than the second valve body 18 including the valve body parts 18.1, 18.2, which has the control-pressure-charged surfaces F3 and F4.

[0052] If, due to an accordingly large control pressure at the first inlet pressure port 11, the first valve body part 17.1, by way of the spacer elements 21, displaces the coupling element 19 and the second valve body part 17.2 so that the second valve body part 17.2 is pushed into the second valve seat 20.2, the fourth valve body part 18.2 is pushed at the same time, via the coupling element 19, into the fourth valve seat 20.4, while the pressure at the third inlet pressure port 13 lifts the third valve body part 18.1 off the third valve seat 20.3. Control of the control pressures in the control pressure lines 1 and 2 is thus achieved in a manner similar to the illustration of FIG. 3, which are accordingly connected to the shuttle valve 10, so that the first valve body 17 is, or the valve body parts 17.1, 17.2 of the first valve body 17 are, positioned between the first control pressure line 1 and the first two inlet pressure ports 11, 12, and the second valve body 18 is, or the valve body parts 18.1, 18.2 are, positioned between the second control pressure line 2 and the inlet pressure ports 13, 14.

[0053] Optionally, furthermore the fifth and sixth valve seats 20.5 and 20.6 are provided for the third and fourth valve body parts 18.1 and 18.2 so as to seal the third inlet pressure port 13 and the fourth inlet pressure port 14. The fifth valve body seat 20.5 is situated axially opposite the third valve body seat 20.3 and the sixth valve body seat 20.6 is situated axially opposite the fourth valve body seat 20.4 so that, when the third valve body part 18.1 is lifted off the third valve seat 20.3 due to the pressure at the third inlet pressure port 13, the third valve body part 18.1 together with the fifth valve body seat 20.5 seals the third inlet pressure port 13, and, when the fourth valve body part 18.2 is lifted off the fourth valve seat 20.4 due to the pressure at the fourth inlet pressure port 14, the fourth valve body part 18.2 together with the sixth valve body seat 20.6 seals the fourth inlet pressure port 14, in each case accordingly in the position of the coupling element 19 in which such lifting of the valve body parts 18.1, 18.2 off the respective valve seat 20.3, 20.4 is enabled, and with a sufficient pressure differential across the respective valve body part 18.1, 18.2. In an intermediate space laterally next to the coupling element 19, on the side of the first valve body part 17.1 or on the side of the second valve body part 17.2, diversion space is accordingly made available for the spacer element 21 to recede laterally next to the third valve body part 18.1 or the fourth valve body part 18.2.

[0054] The sealing at the fifth and sixth valve body seats 20.5, 20.6 can prevent leakage at the inlet pressure ports 13 or 14, and can reduce overall leakage.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

[0055] 1 first control pressure line [0056] 2 second control pressure line [0057] 10 shuttle valve [0058] 10.1, 10.2 shuttle valve [0059] 11 first inlet pressure port [0060] 12 second inlet pressure port [0061] 13 third inlet pressure port [0062] 14 fourth inlet pressure port [0063] 15 first outlet pressure port [0064] 16 second outlet pressure port [0065] 17 first valve body [0066] 17.1 first valve body part [0067] 17.2 second valve body part [0068] 18 second valve body [0069] 18.1 third valve body part [0070] 18.2 fourth valve body part [0071] 19 coupling element [0072] 20.1 first valve seat [0073] 20.2 second valve seat [0074] 20.3 third valve seat [0075] 20.4 fourth valve seat [0076] 20.5 fifth valve seat [0077] 20.6 sixth valve seat [0078] 21 spacer element [0079] 30 directional control valve module [0080] 31 first directional valve [0081] 32 second directional valve [0082] 33 solenoid [0083] 34 directional valve piston [0084] 35 return spring [0085] 40, 40 cylinder [0086] 41 piston chamber [0087] 42 piston [0088] 43 piston spring [0089] A1 first side of the first valve body [0090] A2 second side of the first valve body [0091] B1 first side of the second valve body [0092] B2 second side of the second valve body [0093] F1 first control-pressure-charged surface of the first valve body [0094] F2 second control-pressure-charged surface of the first valve body [0095] F3 third control-pressure-charged surface of the second valve body [0096] F4 fourth control-pressure-charged surface of the second valve body

[0097] While this invention has been described with respect to at least one embodiment, the present invention can be further modified within the spirit and scope of this disclosure. This application is therefore intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention using its general principles. Further, this application is intended to cover such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to which this invention pertains and which fall within the limits of the appended claims.