Flow control system for a valve

• US 7,309,113 B2
• Filed: 11/17/2004
• Issued: 12/18/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 11/18/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Luxfer Canada Limited (Luxfer Holdings PLC)
• Original Assignee: Dynetek Industries Ltd. (Luxfer Holdings PLC)
• Inventors: Carter, Stephen A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Burch; Melody M.
• Application Number:
  US10/989,350
• Publication Number:
  US 20050103382A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,126 Days
• Field of Search: 303/119.1, 303/119.2, 303/1, 137/505, 137/505.13, 137/861, 137/877
• US Class Current: 303/119.1
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 31/406 acting on a piston
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 13/04 Arrangement or mounting of valves valves per se F16K ; snap-coupling of nipples F16L37/00
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2205/0326 electrically actuated
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2205/0329 manually actuated
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2205/0385 in blocks or units
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2221/012 Hydrogen
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2223/0123 gaseous, e.g. CNG, GNC
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2223/036 Very high pressure (>80 bar)
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2250/043 Pressure
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2250/0636 Flow or movement of content
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2260/021 Avoiding over pressurising
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2260/036 Avoiding leaks
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2270/05 for industrial use
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/32 Hydrogen storage
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/7761 Electrically actuated valve
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/7793 With opening bias [e.g., pressure regulator]

Abstract

A fluid-flow control system for a valve comprises a valve body and a bi directional main flow passage between a first and second fluid areas. The shuttle piston having a first face in direct communication with the second area and a second face in communication therewith through a bleed orifice. The second face is alternately exposed to the first fluid area through a backpressure passage and second orifice which alters the pressure differential across the shuttle piston. A second valve such as a solenoid operates to either close the second orifice wherein the shuttle piston is operable under differential pressure between the first and second pressure areas, or to close the second orifice wherein the shuttle piston is operable under differential pressure between the second pressure area and the backpressure passage. Filters at the fluid inlet and outlets protect the sealing components therein.

Claims

1. A flow control system for a valve comprising:

a valve body having a main flow passage connecting a first area at a first pressure to a second area at a second pressure;

a first shuttle valve having a first shuttle face and a backpressure face, the shuttle face having a seal face operative for opening and closing the main flow passage, the shuttle face being in communication with the main flow passage between the seal face and the second area, the shuttle valve being biased for closing the main flow passage;

a backpressure passage extending between the first area and the backpressure face and having a metering orifice therealong;

a bleed passage extending between the second area and the backpressure face and having a bleed orifice therealong;

a second valve operable for opening and closing the metering orifice wherein

when the metering orifice is closed, the biased shuttle valve is operable under differential pressure between the first area and the second area, and

when the metering orifice is open, metered flow through the metering orifice exceeds bleed flow through the bleed orifice and the backpressure face equilibrates to an intermediate pressure between the first and second pressures, and the biased shuttle valve is operable under differential pressure between the first area, the second area and the backpressure face.

2. The flow control system of claim 1 wherein the second valve is biased to close the metering orifice, the system further comprising a solenoid operable for opening the metering orifice.

3. The flow control system of claim 1 wherein:

the first pressure at the first area is at a high pressure which is greater than a low pressure at the second pressure at the second area for directing flow from the first area to the second area, and

when the metering orifice is closed, the differential pressure across the seal face opens the shuttle valve enabling flow along the main flow passage, and

when the metering orifice is open, pressure at the backpressure face equilibrates to an intermediate pressure between the low pressure in the second area and the high pressure in the first area for establishing a differential pressure across the biased shuttle valve for closing the shuttle valve, disabling flow along the main flow passage.

4. The flow control system of claim 3 wherein the metering orifice is opened when the high pressure at the first area exceeds a threshold pressure.

5. The flow control system of claim 4 wherein the second valve is biased closed and the metering orifice is sized so that the threshold pressure on the second valve exceeds the biasing thereon.

6. The flow control system of claim 5 wherein the second valve is a solenoid valve and wherein flow is enabled along the main flow passage by actuating the solenoid for opening the metering orifice.

7. The flow control system of claim 6 wherein the solenoid valve is actuated on demand from a sensor at the first area.

8. The flow control system of claim 1 wherein:

the first pressure at the first area is at a low pressure which is less than the second pressure which is at a high pressure at the second area for directing flow from the second area to the first area, and

when the metering orifice is closed, pressure at the backpressure face equilibrates through the bleed passage to the high pressure at the second area and the shuttle valve is biased closed for disabling flow along the main flow passage, and

when the metering orifice is open, pressure at the backpressure face equilibrates through the bleed passage and the backpressure passage to an intermediate pressure between the high pressure in the second area and the low pressure in the first area for establishing a pressure differential across the biased shuttle valve for opening the shuttle valve and enabling flow along the main flow passage.

9. The flow control system of claim 8 wherein the second valve is a solenoid valve wherein flow is enabled along the main flow passage by actuating the solenoid for opening the metering orifice.

10. The flow control system of claim 9 wherein the solenoid valve is actuated on demand.

11. The flow control system of claim 1 wherein the first area is fit with a first filter for cleaning the flow through the main flow passage.

12. The flow control system of claim 11 wherein the second area is fit with a second filter for cleaning the flow through the main flow passage.

13. The flow control system of claim 12 wherein the first and second filters comprises tubular filter elements having a bore and forming an annulus therearound, the filter elements having a barrier in the bore for directing flow from the bore through the filter and at least into the annulus.

14. The flow control system of claim 1 further comprising a manual shutoff valve in the main flow passage, the shutoff valve further comprising:

an annular seat formed in the main flow passage; and

a valve stem having a seal at a distal end thereof for cooperating with the seat for manually closing the main flow passage,

wherein the seal is an elastomer retained axially to the stem with a tubular retaining sleeve providing radial and axial support to the elastomer.

15. The flow control system of claim 1 wherein

the valve body is fit to a cylinder,

the first area is a fluid distribution system, and

the second area is the cylinder.

16. The flow control system of claim 15 wherein the second valve is a solenoid valve which is biased closed and opened by actuating the solenoid for opening the metering orifice so as to stop filling of the cylinder with fluid from the fluid distribution system, and wherein:

the fluid distribution system is at a high pressure which is greater than a low pressure in the cylinder for directing fluid flow from the fluid distribution system to the cylinder, and

when the metering orifice is closed, the differential pressure across the shuttle valve opens the shuttle valve enabling flow along the main flow passage to fill the cylinder, and

when the metering orifice is open, pressure at the backpressure face equilibrates to an intermediate pressure between the low pressure in the cylinder and the high pressure in the fluid distribution system for establishing a differential pressure across the shuttle valve for closing the shuttle valve and stopping filling of the cylinder through the main flow passage.

17. The flow control system of claim 16 wherein the metering orifice is sized so that the threshold pressure on the second valve exceeds the biasing thereon.

18. The flow control system of claim 16 wherein the solenoid valve is actuated on demand from a sensor at the fluid distribution system.

19. The flow control system of claim 15 wherein the second valve is a solenoid valve which is biased closed and opened by actuating the solenoid for opening the metering orifice so as to enable withdrawal of fluid from the cylinder, and wherein:

the fluid distribution system is at a low pressure which is less than a high pressure in the cylinder for withdrawing fluid from the cylinder to the fluid distribution system, and

when the metering orifice is closed, pressure at the backpressure face equilibrates to the high pressure and the first valve is biased closed for preventing withdrawal of fluids from the main flow passage, and

when the metering orifice is open, pressure at the backpressure face equilibrates through the bleed passage and the backpressure passage to an intermediate pressure between the high pressure in the cylinder and the low pressure in the fluid distribution system while the first face remains at the high pressure for establishing a pressure differential across the shuttle valve for opening the first valve and enabling flow along the main flow passage to the fluid distribution system.

20. The flow control system of claim 1 wherein the main flow passage has a seal seat and wherein the seal face is a hemispherical face wherein the shuttle valve, the hemispherical face, the seal seat have a common centerline.

21. The flow control system of claim 20 wherein the main flow passage has a seal carrier for supporting the seal seat and wherein the seal carrier and seal set have the same centerline.

22. A flow control system for a valve comprising:

a valve body having a main flow passage communicating between a first pressure area and a second pressure area which is in a vessel;

a first valve, in the main flow passage, having a shuttle piston normally biased closed and operable to open and close a first seal in the main flow passage, wherein the first seal has first pressure area opening forces formed thereon and the shuttle piston is further operable under differential pressure between a first face and a second backpressure face, the first being positioned intermediate the first seal and the vessel and in communication with the second pressure area;

a backpressure passage extending between the first pressure area and the second backpressure face of the shuttle piston and having a metering orifice therealong;

a bleed passage extending between the vessel and the second backpressure face and having a bleed orifice therealong; and

a second valve actuable to open and close the metering orifice, wherein when the second valve is actuated to open the metering orifice, flow through the metering orifice exceeds flow through the bleed orifice wherein the second backpressure face of the shuttle piston operates at an intermediate pressure between the first pressure area and second pressure area, and when the second valve is actuated to close the metering orifice, the second backpressure face of the shuttle piston communicates with the second pressure area, wherein

the first valve is operable to open and close by the biasing on the shuttle piston, by first pressure area opening forces at the first seal and by differential pressure across the first face and second backpressure face of the shuttle piston.

23. The flow control system of claim 22 wherein, for controlling flow from the vessel,

the second pressure in the vessel is at a high pressure and the first pressure is at a low pressure, and

when the second valve is actuated to open the metering orifice, the intermediate pressure at the second backpressure face is lower than the second pressure at the first face and the differential pressure across the shuttle piston overcomes the biasing and the first valve opens to regulate flow through the main flow passage.

24. The flow control system of claim 22 wherein, for controlling flow from the vessel,

the second pressure in the vessel is at a low pressure and the first pressure is at a low pressure being lower than the second pressure, and

when the second valve is actuated to open the metering orifice, the intermediate pressure at the second backpressure face is lower than the second pressure at the first face, the differential pressure across the shuttle piston is insufficient to overcome the biasing and the first valve closes the main flow passage.

25. The flow control system of claim 22 wherein, for controlling flow into the vessel,

the second pressure in the vessel is lower the first pressure is at a high pressure, the second pressure forming an opening force on the first seal to open the first valve, and

when the second valve opens the metering orifice, the intermediate pressure at the second backpressure face is higher than the second pressure at the first face and the differential pressure across the shuttle piston overcomes the opening force at the first seal to close the main flow passage.

26. The flow control system of claim 22 wherein, for controlling flow into the vessel,

the second pressure in the vessel is lower the first pressure is at a high pressure, the second pressure forming an opening force on the first seal to open the first valve, and

when the metering orifice is closed, the pressure at the second backpressure face is about the same as the second pressure at the first face, and the opening force at the first seal overcomes the differential pressure across the shuttle piston and regulates flow through the main flow passage.

27. The flow control system of claim 22 wherein, for controlling flow into the vessel,

the second valve is normally biased to the closed position,

the second pressure in the vessel is lower pressure than the first pressure which is at a high over-pressure, the first pressure forming a first opening force on the first seal to open the first valve and forming a second opening force on the second valve to open the metering orifice, and

when the metering orifice opens under the second opening force to connect the backpressure passage with the first pressure, the intermediate pressure at the second backpressure face is higher than the second pressure at the first face and the biasing and differential pressure across the shuttle piston overcomes the first opening force at the first seal for closing the first valve.