FLOW CONTROL VALVE

• US 20100282326A1
• Filed: 12/08/2008
• Published: 11/11/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 12/06/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Kohler MIRA Limited (Kohler Company)
• Original Assignee: Kohler MIRA Limited (Kohler Company)
• Inventors: Zhu, Xiangzhen, Hopson, Richard Timothy
• Granted Patent: US 8,585,009 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 137/1
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 31/047 characterised by mechanical means between the motor and the valve, e.g. lost motion means reducing backlash, clutches, brakes or return means F16K31/043 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 31/404 the discharge being effected through the diaphragm and being blockable by an electrically-actuated member making contact with the diaphragm
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/0318 Processes

Abstract

A flow control valve has a linear electric actuator for controlling flow through the valve. The linear electric actuator comprises an electric motor (1) and a shaft (2) configured for linear movement under the control of the motor (1) to open and close the valve. A safety device interposed between the shaft (2) and a valve member (9) is biased to move the valve member (9) to close the valve if the linear electric actuator is disabled when the valve is open such as by an interruption of the power supply to the linear electric actuator.

Claims

1. A flow control valve, comprising:

a linear electric actuator for controlling flow through the valve, and closure means operable to close the valve independently of the linear electric actuator if the linear actuator is disabled when the valve is open.

2. The flow control valve according to claim 1 wherein, the linear electric actuator comprises a shaft driven by a motor.

3. The flow control valve according to claim 1 wherein the closure means is operable automatically to close the valve if the linear electric actuator is disabled when the valve is open.

4. The flow control valve according to claim 1 wherein the closure means comprises a solenoid controlled armature configured to follow movement of the linear electric actuator when the solenoid is energized and biased to close the valve when the solenoid is de-energized.

5. The flow control valve according to claim 4 wherein, in use, a magnetic force created when the solenoid is energized overcomes the biasing of the armature.

6. The flow control valve according to claim 5 wherein, in use, the solenoid is de-energized if a power supply to the linear electric actuator is interrupted.

7. The flow control valve according to claim 1 wherein the closure means comprises a solenoid controlled armature that is disabled when the solenoid is energized allowing flow to be controlled by means of the linear electric actuator and which is activated when the solenoid is de-energized to close the valve.

8. The flow control valve according to claim 7 wherein the armature is coupled to the linear electric actuator when the solenoid is energized to follow movement the linear electric actuator and is uncoupled from the linear electric actuator wherein the solenoid is de-energized to move independently of the linear electric actuator to close the valve if the linear electric actuator is disabled when the valve is open.

9. The flow control valve according to claim 4 wherein, the valve comprises a diaphragm valve in which movement of a diaphragm towards and away from a valve seat controls flow through the valve.

10. The flow control valve according to claim 9 wherein, the diaphragm follows movement of the armature due to a pressure force differential created across the diaphragm, and the pressure force differential is reversed when the valve is closed to maintain the valve closed.

11. The flow control valve according to claim 10 wherein the armature closes an orifice in the diaphragm when the valve is closed to prevent flow of fluid from a control chamber on one side of the diaphragm to an outlet.

12. The flow control valve according to claim 11 wherein the armature is biased to close the orifice by a spring.

13. The flow control valve according to claim 12 wherein the armature is movable under the biasing of the spring to close the valve if the solenoid is de-energized when the valve is open.

14. A method of operating a valve, comprising:

providing the valve with a linear electric actuator, operating the linear electric actuator to open and close the valve to control flow, and providing the valve with an automatic shut-off device operable to close the valve if the linear electric actuator is disabled when the valve is open.

15. The method according to claim 14 wherein the automatic shut-off device comprises a solenoid controlled armature that is disabled when the solenoid is energized allowing flow to be controlled by means of the linear electric actuator and which is activated when the solenoid is de-energized to close the valve.

16. The method according to claim 15 wherein the armature is coupled to the linear electric actuator when the solenoid is energized to follow movement of the linear electric actuator and is uncoupled from the linear electric actuator wherein the solenoid is de-energized to move independently of the linear electric actuator to close the valve if the linear electric actuator is disabled when the valve is open.

17. An electrically operable flow control valve, comprising:

a valve seat;

a valve member;

an electrically powered linear actuator;

and a closure member;

the valve member being movable relative to the valve seat to control flow through the valve when the valve is powered;

the closure member comprising an armature biased to close the valve when the valve is not powered, and a solenoid operable to overcome the biasing when the valve is powered; and

the armature being disposed between the linear actuator and the valve member whereby the linear actuator acts as a stop for the armature when the valve is powered for controlling movement of the valve member relative to the valve seat.

18. The electrically operable flow control valve of claim 17 wherein the armature comprises a first part for controlling a pressure differential across the valve member and a second part for controlling movement of the valve member relative to the valve seat.

19. The electrically operable flow control valve of claim 18 wherein the first part closes a hole in the valve member when the valve is not powered and moves to open the hole when the valve is powered.

20. The electrically operable flow control valve of claim 19 wherein the pressure differential acts to open the valve when said hole is open and the linear actuator is operable to control movement of the second part and thus control movement of the valve member when the valve is powered.