Two-stage control valve

• US 4,078,582 A
• Filed: 04/15/1976
• Issued: 03/14/1978
• Est. Priority Date: 10/03/1974
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Keystone International Holdings Corp. (Emerson Electric Company)
• Original Assignee: Yarway Corp. (Johnson Controls International plc)
• Inventors: Hetz, Heinz K.
• Primary Examiner(s): Nilson, Robert G.
• Application Number:
  US05/677,230
• Time in Patent Office: 698 Days
• Field of Search: 137/630.14, 137/630.15, 137/630.22, 137/614.16, 137/495, 137/630.13
• US Class Current: 137/630.14
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 47/04 for decreasing pressure or noise level, the throttle being incorporated in the closure member
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/86976 First valve moves second valve

Abstract

The preferred embodiments of the invention disclosed herein comprise a first or main control valve means and a second valve means including a pressure reducing valve arrangement both controlled by the same actuator means. Initial operation of the actuator means opens the second valve means and its further operation opens the first valve means. The valve means are constructed and arranged so that inlet pressure provides a force tending to close the first valve means and another force which tends to open the second valve means whereby proper sequential operation of the valves is assured and so that the force acting to open the second valve is transmitted to the first valve when it is being opened.

Claims

1. A two-stage sequentially operated valve assembly comprising an inlet port and an outlet port, first and second valve means each controlling the flow of fluid from said inlet port to said outlet port, said first valve means including a surface portion in communication with said inlet port such that fluid pressure on the inlet side of said valve assembly acts to close said first valve means, said second valve means including a portion in slidable engagement with said first valve means, said portion having a surface in communication with said inlet port such that fluid pressure on the inlet side of said valve assembly acts only on said surface of said portion to provide a force acting to open said second valve means and whereby said force is not offset by any fluid pressure tending to close said second valve means, and actuating means operatively connected to both said first and second valve means for initially opening said second valve means and thereafter opening said first valve means, said actuating means providing a force retaining said second valve means in a closed position, a pressure chamber in communication with said inlet port for receiving fluid from the inlet side of said valve assembly, said first valve means including a valve disc member and a valve seat, said valve disc member having said surface portion formed on its outer periphery and being arranged with said surface portion in said pressure chamber whereby the fluid inlet pressure on said inlet side of said valve assembly can act to move said valve disc member into engagement with said valve seat.

2. A two-stage sequentially operated valve assembly in accordance with claim 1 wherein said actuating means includes a valve stem connected to said second valve means, said valve stem having a first position in which said second valve means is closed and a second position wherein said second valve means is open and said first valve means is closed, said actuating means further includes means for coupling said first and second valve means in said second position whereby said first valve means can be operated, said coupling means being also operative in said second position to transmit the force acting to open said second valve means to said first valve means for offsetting the fluid pressure acting to close said first valve means.

3. A two-stage sequentially operated valve assembly in accordance with claim 1 wherein flow control means is provided between said inlet port and said second valve means for allowing flow from said inlet port to said second valve means when said first valve means is closed and for discontinuing flow from said inlet port to said second valve means after said first valve means has opened whereby flow from said inlet port is transferred from said second valve means through said first valve means only.

4. A two-stage sequentially operated valve assembly in accordance with claim 1 wherein said first valve means includes a valve disc member and a valve seat and wherein said second valve means includes a valve member located within said valve disc member and a second valve seat also located within said valve disc member, said valve disc member being formed with port means adjacent said second valve means and in communication with said inlet port when said first valve means is closed and out of communication with said inlet port after said first valve means has opened whereby fluid from said inlet port can flow to said second valve means until said first valve means is opened and thereafter can flow to said first valve means only.

5. A two-stage sequentially operated valve assembly in accordance with claim 1 wherein said first and second valve means is opened, the fluid pressure acting to open said second valve means is transmitted to said first valve means.

6. A two-stage sequentially operated valve assembly in accordance with claim 1 wherein said first valve means is a main flow control valve and said second valve means includes pressure reducing valve means.

7. A two-stage sequentially operated valve assembly in accordance with claim 1 wherein said first valve means includes a main valve disc, one face of said valve disc cooperating with a valve seat in its closed position, said surface portion of said first valve means being an opposite face of said main valve disc.

8. A two-stage sequentially operated valve assembly in accordance with claim 1 wherein said portion of said second valve means is a piston member adjacent said second valve means.

9. A two-stage sequentially operated valve assembly in accordance with claim 1 wherein said first valve means includes a main valve disc one face of which cooperates with a valve seat to close said valve means, said surface portion of said first valve means comprising another face of said main valve disc, said second valve means including a valve member cooperating with a valve seat to close said second valve means and said portion of said second valve means comprising a piston bearing on a face of said valve member.

10. A two-stage sequentially operated valve assembly in accordance with claim 9 wherein said second valve means includes a pressure reducing valve arrangement.

11. A two-stage sequentially operated valve assembly in accordance with claim 1 wherein said actuating means includes a stem connected to said second valve means and a guide sleeve rigidly connected to said first valve means, said stem being slidably carried in said guide sleeve between a first position wherein said second valve means is closed and a second position wherein said second valve means is open.

12. A two-stage sequentially operated valve assembly in accordance with claim 11 including means in said second position for coupling said stem and said first valve means whereby further movement of said stem opens said first valve means.

13. A two-stage sequentially operated valve assembly comprising an inlet port and an outlet port, first and second valve means each controlling the flow of fluid from said inlet port to said outlet port, said first valve means being a main control valve and including a main valve disc one face of which cooperates with a first valve seat for controlling the flow of fluid through said ports, said second valve means including a second valve seat carried in said valve disc and a valve member cooperating with said second valve seat for controlling the flow of fluid through said ports, said main valve disc including another face in communication with said inlet port such that fluid pressure on the inlet side of said valve assembly acts to close said first valve means, said second valve means bearing on and being connected for movement with a piston member one face of which is in communication with said inlet port, said piston member being in slidable engagement with a bore in said main valve disc such that fluid pressure acts only on said one face thereof developing a force acting to open said second valve means and such that the net inlet pressure fluid forces do not act to close said second valve means, and actuating means for sequentially opening said first and second valve means, said actuating means including a stem connected to said piston member and said valve member, said actuating means being movable from a first position wherein said first and second valve means are closed to a second position wherein said second valve means is open, means for transmitting force to said valve disc when said actuating means is in said second position such that fluid pressure acting to open said second valve means is transmitted to said first valve means for offsetting the fluid pressure acting to close said first valve means and such that movement of said stem beyond said second position opens said first valve means, a pressure chamber in communication with said inlet port for receiving fluid from the inlet side of said valve assembly, said another face of said main valve disc being formed on the outer periphery thereof and being opposite to said one face thereof, said another face of said main valve disc being located in said pressure chamber whereby fluid pressure on the inlet side of said valve assembly acts on said another face of said main valve disc to retain said main valve disc in engagement with said first valve seat.

14. A two-stage sequentially operated valve assembly in accordance with claim 13 wherein said main valve disc includes flow control means between said inlet port and said second valve means for allowing the flow of fluid from said inlet port to said second valve means when said first valve means is closed and for discontinuing the flow of fluid from said inlet port to said second valve means after said first valve means has opened whereby the flow of fluid from said inlet port is transferred from said second valve means to said first valve means after said first valve means has opened.

15. A two-stage sequentially operated valve assembly in accordance with claim 13 wherein said main valve disc is formed with port means for communication between said inlet port and said second valve means when said first valve means is closed, said port means being movable to a position wherein communication between said inlet port and said second valve means is discontinued after said first valve means is opened whereby the flow of fluid from said inlet port is transferred from said second valve means to said first valve means after said first valve means has opened.

16. A two-stage sequentially operated valve assembly in accordance with claim 13 wherein said main valve disc is located for sliding movement in a bore and wherein the end of said main valve disc opposite said first valve seat and said bore form a chamber into which fluid can leak and resist opening of said first valve means, said stem being movable in said chamber and through said opposite end of said main valve disc, said stem further including passage means for communicating between said chamber and said outlet port whereby fluid in said chamber can be discharged.

17. A two-stage sequentially operated valve assembly in accordance with claim 16 wherein said passage means is closed when said second valve means is closed and is open when said second valve means is open.

18. A two-stage sequentially operated valve assembly comprising an inlet port and an outlet port, first and second valve means each controlling the flow of fluid from said inlet port to said outlet port, said first valve means including a surface portion in communication with said inlet port such that fluid pressure on the inlet side of said valve assembly acts to close said first valve means, said second valve means including a portion in slidable engagement with said first valve means, said portion having a surface in communication with said inlet port such that fluid pressure on the inlet side of said valve assembly acts only on said surface of said portion to provide a force acting to open said second valve means and whereby said force is not offset by any inlet fluid pressure tending to close said second valve means, and actuating means operatively connected to both said first and second valve means for intially opening said second valve means and thereafter opening said first valve means, said actuating means providing a force retaining said second valve means in a closed position, flow control means provided between said inlet port and said second valve means for allowing flow from said inlet port to said second valve means when said first valve means is closed and for discontinuing flow from said inlet port to said second valve means after said first valve means has opened whereby all of the flow from said inlet port is transferred from said second valve means through said first valve means only, said flow control means being operative to start reducing flow through said second valve means as said first valve means starts to open.

19. A two-stage sequentially operated valve assembly comprising an inlet port and an outlet port, first and second valve means each controlling the flow of fluid from said inlet port to said outlet port, said first valve means including a surface portion in communication with said inlet port such that fluid pressure on the inlet side of said valve assembly acts to close said first valve means, said second valve means including a portion in slidable engagement with said first valve means, said portion having a surface in communication with said inlet port such that fluid pressure on the inlet side of said valve assembly acts only on said surface of said portion to provide a force acting to open said second valve means and whereby said force is not offset by any inlet fluid pressure tending to close said second valve means, and actuating means operatively connected to both said first and second valve means for initially opening said second valve means and thereafter opening said first valve means, said actuating means providing a force retaining said second valve means in a closed position, said first valve means including a valve disc member and a valve seat and wherein said second valve means includes a valve member located within said valve disc member and a second valve seat also located within said valve disc member, said valve disc member being formed with port means adjacent said second valve means and in communication with said inlet port when said first valve means is closed and out of communication with said inlet port after said first valve means has opened whereby fluid from said inlet port can flow to said second valve means until said first valve means is opened and thereafter can flow to said first valve means only, said port means moving out of communication with said inlet port to start reducing flow through said second valve means as said first valve means starts to open.

20. A two-stage sequentially operated valve assembly comprising an inlet port and an outlet port, first and second valve means each controlling the flow of fluid from said inlet port to said outlet port, said first valve means being a main control valve and including a main valve disc one face of which cooperates with a first valve seat for controlling the flow of fluid through said ports, said second valve means including a second valve seat carried in said main valve disc and a valve member cooperating with said second valve seat for controlling the flow of fluid through said ports, said main valve disc including another face in communication with said inlet port such that fluid pressure on the inlet side of said valve assembly acts to close said first valve means, said second valve means bearing on and being connected for movement with a piston member one face of which is in communication with said inlet port, said piston member being in slidable engagement with a bore in said main valve disc such that fluid pressure acts only on said one face thereof developing a force acting to open said second valve means and such that the net inlet pressure fluid forces do not act to close said second valve means, and actuating means for sequentially opening said first and second valve means, said actuating means including a stem connected to said piston member and said valve member, said actuating means being movable from a first position wherein said first and second valve means are closed to a second position wherein said second valve means is open, means for transmitting force to said valve disc when said actuating means is in said second position such that fluid pressure acting to open said second valve means is transmitted to said first valve means for offsetting the fluid pressure acting to close said first valve means and such that movement of said stem beyond said second position opens said first valve means, said main valve disc including flow control means between said inlet port and said second valve means for allowing the flow of fluid from said inlet port to said second valve means when said first valve means is closed and for discontinuing the flow of fluid from said inlet port to said second valve means after said first valve means has opened whereby all of the flow of fluid from said inlet port is transferred from said second valve means to said first valve means after said first valve means has opened, said flow control means being operative to start discontinuing flow through said second valve means as said first valve means starts to open.

21. A two-stage sequentially operated valve assembly comprising an inlet port and an outlet port, first and second valve means each controlling the flow of fluid from said inlet port to said outlet port, said first valve means being a main control valve and including a main valve disc one face of which cooperates with a first valve seat for controlling the flow of fluid through said ports, said second valve means including a second valve seat carried in said main valve disc and a valve member cooperating with said second valve seat for controlling the flow of fluid through said ports, said main valve disc including another face in communication with said inlet port such that fluid pressure on the inlet side of said valve assembly acts to close said first valve means, said second valve means bearing on and being connected for movement with a piston member one face of which is in communication with said inlet port, said piston member being in slidable engagement with a bore in said main valve disc such that fluid pressure acts only on said one face thereof developing a force acting to open said second valve means and such that the net inlet pressure fluid forces do not act to close said second valve means and, actuating means for sequentially opening said first and second valve means, said actuating means including a stem connected to said piston member and said valve member, said actuating means being movable from a first position wherein said first and second valve means are closed to a second position wherein said second valve means is open, means for transmitting force to said valve disc when said actuating means is in said second position such that fluid pressure acting to open said second valve means is transmitted to said first valve means for offsetting the fluid pressure acting to close said first valve means and such that movement of said stem beyond said second position opens said first valve means, said main valve disc being formed with port means for communication between said inlet port and said second valve means when said first valve means is closed, said port means being movable to a position wherein communication between said inlet port and said second valve means is discontinued after said first valve means is opened whereby all of the flow of fluid from said inlet port is transferred from said second valve means to said first valve means after said first valve means has opened, said port means moving out of communication with said inlet port to start reducing flow through said second valve means as said first valve means starts to open.

22. A two-stage sequentially operated valve assembly comprising an inlet port and an outlet port, first and second valve means each controlling the flow of fluid from said inlet port to said outlet port, said first valve means being a main control valve and including a main valve disc one face of which cooperates with a first valve seat for controlling the flow of fluid through said ports, said second valve means including a second valve seat carried in said valve disc and a valve member cooperating with said second valve seat for controlling the flow of fluid through said ports, said main valve disc including another face in communication with said inlet port such that fluid pressure on the inlet side of said valve assembly acts to close said first valve means, said second valve means bearing on and being connected for movement with a piston member one face of which is in communication with said inlet port, said piston member being in slidable engagement with a bore in said main valve disc such that fluid pressure acts only on said one face thereof developing a force acting to open said second valve means and such that the net inlet pressure fluid forces do not act to close said second valve means, and actuating means for sequentially opening said first and second valve means, said actuating means including a stem connected to said piston member and said valve member, said actuating means being movable from a first position wherein said first and second valve means are closed to a second position wherein said second valve means is open, means for transmitting force to said valve disc when said actuating means is in said second position such that fluid pressure acting to open said second valve means is transmitted to said first valve means for offsetting the fluid pressure acting to close said first valve means and such that movement of said stem beyond said second position opens said first valve means, said main valve disc being located for sliding movement in a bore and wherein the end of said main valve disc opposite said first valve seat and said bore form a chamber into which fluid can leak and resist opening of said first valve means, said stem being movable in said chamber and through said opposite end of said main valve disc, said stem further including passage means for communicating between said chamber and said outlet port whereby fluid in said chamber can be discharged, said passage means being closed when said second valve means is closed and being open when said second valve means is open.