Valve assembly and method of controlling flow of fluid

• US 9,611,947 B2
• Filed: 06/09/2015
• Issued: 04/04/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 06/09/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GE Aviation Systems LLC (General Electric Co. (Italy))
• Original Assignee: GE Aviation Systems LLC (General Electric Co. (Italy))
• Inventors: Hallisey, Kevin Patrick, Dunn, Christopher Michael, Hext, III, Richard George
• Primary Examiner(s): Schneider, Craig
• Assistant Examiner(s): BARSS, KEVIN R
• Application Number:
  US14/734,098
• Publication Number:
  US 20160363228A1
• Time in Patent Office: 665 Days
• CPC Class Codes: F02C 7/26 Starting; Ignition
• CPC Class Codes: F05D 2260/85 Starting
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 11/044 with movable valve members positioned between valve seats
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 11/052 with pivoted closure members, e.g. butterfly valves
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 15/033 spring-loaded
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 50/60 Efficient propulsion technologies, e.g. for aircraft
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/2544 Supply and exhaust type
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/2554 Reversing or 4-way valve systems

Abstract

A valve assembly includes a plenum having first, second, and third air source ports, a flapper valve assembly pivotally movable between a first position, where the first air source port is closed by the flapper valve assembly and the second and third air source ports are open and in fluid communication, and a second position, where the second air source port is closed by the flapper valve assembly and the first and third air source ports are open and in fluid communication and a method of controlling fluid flow via a valve assembly.

Claims

1. A valve assembly comprising:

a plenum having first, second, and third air source ports;

a flapper valve assembly pivotally movable between a first position, where the first air source port is closed by the flapper valve assembly and the second and third air source ports are open and in fluid communication, and a second position, where the second air source port is closed by the flapper valve assembly and the first and third air source ports are open and in fluid communication;

a biasing device imparting a biasing force to the flapper valve assembly to bias the flapper valve assembly into the first position to close off the first air source port; and

an air dam provided on the flapper valve assembly to confront the first air source port when the flapper valve assembly is in the first position, wherein the air dam includes a wall, shaped to avoid contact with the plenum or the first air source port, projecting from the flapper valve assembly, and air acting on the air dam generates a pressure force opposing the biasing force.

2. The valve assembly of claim 1 wherein at least one of the second and third air source ports has a higher static pressure than the first air source port.

3. The valve assembly of claim 2 wherein the first air source port has a higher dynamic pressure than the at least one of the second and third air source port.

4. The valve assembly of claim 1 wherein at least one of the first and second air source ports includes a valve seat.

5. The valve assembly of claim 4 wherein the valve seat has a predetermined sealing face and the flapper valve assembly has a complementary sealing face, which abuts the predetermined sealing face to fluidly seal the flapper valve assembly and the valve seat.

6. The valve assembly of claim 5 wherein both of the first and second air source ports include a valve seat with a predetermined sealing face and the flapper valve assembly includes a complementary sealing face for both of the predetermined sealing faces.

7. The valve assembly of claim 1 wherein the wall defines a face that confronts fluid flowing from the first air source port to the third air source port when the flapper valve assembly is in the second position.

8. The valve assembly of claim 7 wherein the face is generally perpendicular to a flow of fluid from the first air source port to the third air source port.

9. The valve assembly of claim 8 wherein the wall is spaced from a geometric center of the flapper valve assembly.

10. The valve assembly of claim 1 wherein a geometry of the plenum and a geometry of the air dam ore configured to minimize a pressure drop from the first air source port to the third air source port while overcoming the biasing force and allowing the flapper valve assembly to seal in the second position.

11. A valve comprising:

a flapper valve assembly pivotally movable between a first position and a second position, wherein the flapper valve assembly includes opposing sides and a contoured sealing surface is provided on at least one of the opposing sides;

a biasing device imparting a biasing force to the flapper valve assembly to bias the flapper valve assembly into the first position;

an air dam projecting from the flapper valve assembly such that air acting on the air dam generates a pressure force opposing the biasing force; and

a gimbal mechanism operably coupled between the opposing sides of the flapper valve assembly, and configured to allow the opposing sides to tilt about the gimbal mechanism.

12. The valve of claim 11 wherein the air dam has a face that is generally perpendicular to the flapper valve assembly.