KNIFE VALVE FOR ATMOSPHERIC SYSTEMS

Abstract

A guillotine valve for controlling the passage of fluids, such as pulps, tailings and sludge in atmospheric systems, comprising at least one cage attached to the inlet or outlet of at least one tank; at least one gate which controls the flow of the at least one fluid; at least one movement transmission means which allows the at least one gate to be moved between at least one open position and at least one closed position; at least one drive means which allows the at least one movement transmission means to be operated; at least one anti-vibration head which joins the at least one gate with the at least one movement transmission means allowing the axial movement of the at least one gate; and at least one guide means arranged in the same direction as the at least one movement transmission means which allows a tight fit between said at least one guide means and the at least one cage.

Claims

1. A guillotine valve to operate in open tanks, completely submerged in the fluid, such as pulps, tailings and mineral concentrates, which allows controlling the flow rate of fluids in atmospheric systems, wherein it includes: at least one cage attached to the inlet or outlet of at least one tank; at least one gate which controls the flow of the at least one fluid; at least one movement transmission means which allows the at least one gate to be moved between at least one open position and at least one closed position; at least one drive means which allows the at least one movement transmission means to be operated; at least one anti-vibration head which joins the at least one gate with the at least one movement transmission means allowing the axial movement of the at least one gate; and at least one guide means arranged in the same direction as the at least one movement transmission means which allows a tight fit between said at least one guide means and the at least one cage.

2. The valve according to claim 1, wherein the at least one cage is fixedly attached to the interior of the at least one tank.

3. The valve according to claim 1, wherein the at least one cage is removably attached to the interior of the at least one tank.

4. The valve according to claim 3, wherein the at least one cage is bolted against the internal surface of the at least one tank.

5. The valve according to claim 1, wherein the at least one cage is made of steel.

6. The valve according to claim 1, wherein the at least one cage is coated with a polymer.

7. The valve according to claim 1, wherein the at least one guide means corresponds to at least one idler, wherein the at least one idler comprises a conical shape having a smaller diameter at its lower end, increasing progressively to its upper end.

8. The valve according to claim 1, wherein the at least one guide means corresponds to at least two idlers, wherein the at least two idlers comprises a conical shape having a smaller diameter at its lower end, increasing progressively to its upper end.

9. (canceled)

10. The valve according to claim 1, wherein the at least one cage comprises at least one lattice inside.

11. The valve according to claim 1, wherein the at least one movement transmission means has a polygonal cross section shape, preferably a square shape.

12. The valve according to claim 1, wherein it also comprises at least one housing attached to at least one guide means and that fits into the at least one cage to receive the at least one gate.

13. The valve according to claim 1, wherein the at least one gate, the at least one guide means, the at least one movement transmission means and/or the at least one anti-vibration head are covered partly or entirely of rubber.

14. The valve according to claim 1, wherein it also comprises at least one transverse guide arranged transversely between the at least one guide means.

15. The valve according to claim 14, wherein the at least one transverse guide crosses the at least one movement transmission means.

16. The valve according to claim 14, wherein the at least one transverse guide is made of steel.

17. The valve according to claim 1, wherein it also comprises at least one adjustment means arranged above the movement transmission means which allows minor displacements to be made in the at least one guide means.

18. The valve according to claim 1, wherein it also comprises at least one upper base to which the upper ends of the at least one guide means and the at least one movement transmission means are attached.

19. The valve according to claim 18, wherein the at least one upper base is arranged on at least one support means arranged side by side in the duct of the at least one tank.

20. A procedure for assembling and disassembling a guillotine valve, wherein it includes the stages of: moving at least one valve body above the duct or installation space in at least one tank; lowering or raising the valve above the at least one tank, depending on whether it is an assembly or disassembly operation; and contacting or separating at least one valve guide means with at least one hole arranged in at least one valve cage, as the valve body descends or ascends through the duct.

Description

PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0025] Below, various figures of the guillotine valve are exhibited according to one of its preferred embodiments.

[0026] FIG. 1 shows a general view of the guillotine valve (1) arranged inside a tank (100), as well as a section view that allows viewing the valve body (11) arranged in the cage (10) which is bolted against the surface of said tank.

[0027] As mentioned above, the valve body (11) is introduced through the duct or space provided for its operation sliding it vertically until the guide means (12) or idlers located on the sides of the valve body (11) are introduced into the respective holes (10a) of the cage. This configures an open body valve which allows its main components grouped in the valve body (11), to be disassembled for repair and/or maintenance tasks without affecting the normal operation of the plant.

[0028] Furthermore, it is observed the arrangement of an upper base (18) to which the upper ends of the guiding means (12), made up of the idlers and the movement transmission means (14), are attached. Said upper base may be arranged on a support means arranged from side to side in the tank duct.

[0029] This FIG. 1 also shows the arrangement of the transverse guides (13) that provide stability to the movement transmission means (14) arranged in the central part of the valve body (11), thus helping in the path to open and close the gate (15). In relation to the movement transmission means (14), this may correspond to any means that transfers movement hydraulically, mechanically and/or electrically, such as a piston.

[0030] FIG. 2 shows in detail the shape of the cage (10) where the two holes (10a) can be seen for coupling with the idlers that make up the guide means (12). In addition, the interior lattice (10b) is observed which allows full tightness to be obtained when the gate (15) is closed preventing the passage of fluid, if necessary.

[0031] In relation to FIG. 3, it shows in detail the idlers that make up the guiding means (12), as well as a housing (16), through which the gate (15) enters to control the flow of the fluid. These components are preferably made of steel and may be covered in rubber or another type of rubber to prevent abrasion. The housing (16) is integrally attached to the guide means (12) so as to fit into the cage (10) together with the idlers of said guide means (12).

[0032] FIG. 4 shows the movement of the gate (15) as it fits into the housing (16) and subsequently into the cage lattice (10b). Preferably, the valve can have different geometries for its characterization, depending on the type of process and fluid to be controlled.

[0033] Also seen in FIG. 4 is the anti-vibration head (17) which absorbs the vibrations produced by the fluid when it impacts against the gate (15) which favors a longer useful life of this valve component. Furthermore, said anti-vibration head (17) which joins the gate (15) with the movement transmission means (14) allows the axial movement of the gate (15) helping it to slide without problems.

[0034] Finally, FIG. 5 shows two graphs that show the velocity profile of the fluid as it passes through the valve gate. From these graphs, it can be noted how the valve of the invention reduces fluid turbulence by obtaining an essentially horizontal velocity profile. This also helps to reduce wear within the equipment where the valve is operating.