WO2001055626A1

WO2001055626A1 - Valve

Info

Publication number: WO2001055626A1
Application number: PCT/GB2001/000247
Authority: WO
Inventors: Robert Stuart White
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2000-01-28
Filing date: 2001-01-23
Publication date: 2001-08-02
Anticipated expiration: 2002-07-28
Also published as: GB0001877D0; AU2001226963A1

Abstract

A valve is provided for controlling the flow of fluid through a pipeline (10), the pipeline (10) being breached by a lateral opening (12). The valve includes a resilient sleeve (14) which spans the opening (12) and ball (18) movable laterally of the pipeline (10) into the opening (12) thereby deforming the resilient member to close the pipeline.

Description

Valve

This invention relates to a valve for controlling flow of a fluid through a pipeline or like passageway. The valve has been developed for use in controlling the flow of materials which set either on exposure to air or by chemical reaction with another material when mixed therewith. An example of use of the valve of the invention is as part of a hand-held gun which discharges a dicyanate with a diol, e.g. polyester, as one component and water or a foaming agent as a second component. While such application of the valve of the invention is particularly convenient, for reasons which will appear, it is not intended to be limited to such use. The valve is considered to have w de potential uses and "fluid" as used herein is intended to embrace not only liquid or pasty substances but any other fluid such as a gas or gaseous mixture.

In accordance with the present invention there is provided a valve for controlling flow of a fluid through a pipeline, the pipeline being breached by a lateral opening, the valve comprising a resilient member which spans said opening and a valve member movable laterally of the pipeline into said opening thereby deforming the resilient member to close the pipeline.

The resilient member will, of course, be of a material selected to resist degradation or deterioration in the presence of the fluid passing through the pipeline.

The resilient member is preferably a resilient sleeve surrounding and elastically engaging the pipeline to extend over said opening.

The valve preferably includes an actuator presenting a cam surface to the valve member, the arrangement being such that as the actuator is moved the cam surface presses the valve member into the opening or permits emergence of the valve member from the opening.

A common actuator may simultaneously control the valve members of similar said valves respectively controlling a plurality of pipelines.

Two or more parallel pipelines may be controlled by a common actuator disposed between or among the pipelines, the actuator being movable linearly parallel with the pipelines.

Alternatively two parallel pipelines may be controlled by a common actuator disposed between them and linearly movable perpendicularly to the pipelines.

In yet another embodiment of the invention the actuator has a part- spherical surface in which a recess is formed to accept the valve member in the valve-open position, the actuator being rotatable to drive the valve member out of said recess thereby to close the valve.

The or each valve member is preferably a ball.

Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of non-limitative example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:-

Figs. 1 and 2 are similar sectional elevations of a valve in accordance with the invention, in the valve-open and valve-closed positions respectively;

Fig. 3 is a sectional elevation taken through part of a hand-held gun for dispensing two flowable materials;

Fig. 4 is a view taken generally on the line IV-IV of Fig. 3 but illustrating a modification in which a common actuator controls four pipelines;

Fig. 5 is a view resembling Fig. 4 but illustrating a modification in which the actuator moves perpendicularly to the pipelines;

Fig. 6 illustrates a modification in which the common actuator is disposed beside instead of among the pipelines;

Fig. 7 illustrates a modification in which the actuator is part-spherical;

Fig. 8 is a diagrammatic sectional elevation of an alternative valve in accordance with the invention, suitable for use in an aerosol container;

Fig. 9 is a partial, diagrammatic, exploded view of the valve of Fig. 8;

Fig. 10 is a diagrammatic sectional elevation through part of an alternative hand-held gun for dispensing two flowable materials;

Fig. 11 is a diagrammatic vertical section through the gun of Fig. 10; and

Fig. 12 is a partial, diagrammatic exploded view of the gun of Figs. 10 and 11.

Figs. 1 and 2 illustrate a pipeline 10 having an internal bore or passageway 11 which is breached by a lateral opening 12. The opening is substantially circular. In the region of the opening 12, an annular recess is formed in the outer periphery of the pipeline 10. The annular recess surrounds the opening 12 and extends axially on either side of it. In the annular recess there is located a resilient tubular sleeve 14 which spans the opening 12 and surrounds and elastically engages the pipeline 10.

Adjacent the pipeline 10 and movable linearly in the direction of the arrow is an actuator 15 which presents to the pipeline a frusto-conical cam surface 16 terminating in a step 17. A ball 18 is trapped between the actuator 15 and the resilient sleeve 14 and in this example of the invention never fully emerges from the opening 12 of the pipeline. The sleeve 14 is therefore stressed by the ball 18 and as the ball moves to the valve-closed position of Fig. 2 the pipeline is sealed by the deformed sleeve. This is facilitated in the example illustrated by a part-spherical recess 19 in the wall of passageway 11 which confronts the opening 12.

As the actuator 15 is moved to the left as viewed in Fig. 1 the cam surface 16 bears on the ball 18, forcing it further into the opening 12 and distending the sleeve 14 until the position of Fig. 2 is reached in which the valve is closed. The rate of closure of the valve relative to movement of the actuator 15 can of course be varied by varying the taper of the cam surface 16.

To open the valve the actuator 15 is moved to the right as viewed in Fig. 2, whereupon the ball 18 will move out of the opening 12 to the extent permitted by the cam surface 16 both under the influence of the resilient sleeve 14 and, more importantly, under the influence of the pressurised fluid passing along passageway 11.

Fig. 3 illustrates the application of the valve of the invention to a handgun 20 having two pipelines 10 and 10A connected at the rear of the gun to respective sources 21, 21A of flowable material. These are to be mixed on emergence from the front end of the gun through a mixing device (not shown).

Flow of the two materials through the respective pipelines 10 and 10A is simultaneously controlled by a common actuator 15 A. This is displaceable linearly in a bore 22 of the gun, the bore lying between the pipelines 10 and 10A. The actuator is controlled by a trigger mechanism (not shown) which engages an annular, trigger engaging recess 23 of the actuator I SA. A compression spring 24 urges the actuator 15A to the valve-closed position in which a leading end 25 of the actuator abuts a screw- threaded closure 26 of the leading end of the bore 22. The trigger engaging recess 23 of the actuator 15A can be used to pull the actuator to the right as viewed, against the action of spring 24, whereby the balls 18, 18A of the valves of the invention are simultaneously exposed to a frusto-conical cam surface 16A of the actuator 15A. As the cam surface 16A progressively permits the balls 18, 18A to emerge from the lateral openings 12, 12 A of the pipelines, under the influence both of the respective resilient sleeves 14, 14A and of pressurised fluid in the pipelines, the pipelines 10 and 10A are progressively opened at a rate which is determined by the taper of frusto-conical surface 16A. As soon as the trigger is released the spring 24 urges the actuator 15A to the left as viewed, reclosing the valves.

On assembly of the gun 20 the problem is presented of initially locating the balls 18, 18A in the respective openings 12 and 12A. The loading tool 20A is designed to resolve this problem. A leading end of the actuator 15A beyond the cam surface 16A is formed with two radial bores in which the balls 18 and 18A are initially located. The balls are shown in phantom lines in this position. First the spring 24 and then the actuator 15A are passed into the bore 22 and then the loading tool 20A is used to compress the spring 24 until the radial bores are aligned with the openings 12 and 12 A. The frusto-conical leading end 28 of the loading tool can then urge the balls into the openings 12 and 12 A. When the loading tool 20 is now withdrawn from the bore 22 the actuator 15A traps the balls 18 and 18A in the openings 12 and 12A. The plug 26 can now be screwed into position to complete the assembly.

Fig. 4 illustrates part of a gun generally similar to that of Fig. 3 but in which four rather than two pipelines are controlled by the common actuator 15 A. The two additional pipelines and their associated valve components are indicated by like reference numerals but with the suffixes "B" and "C".

The arrangement of Fig. 5 is generally similar to that of Fig. 3 except that the actuator 15B moves perpendicularly rather than radially to the pipelines.

In Fig. 6 the actuator 15C is disposed not between or among the pipelines it is commonly controlling but beside them and its cam surface 16C is a wedge- shaped rather than a frusto-conical element. The actuator 15c moves in a generally axial direction of the pipelines, to control the valves.

In Fig. 7 the actuator 15D has a shape which generally resembles a ball- joint, and has a part-spherical recess 30 shaped to receive the ball 18 when the part-spherical member 15D is rotated to align the recess 30 with the ball 18. When ball 18 is in recess 30 the valve is open but when member 15D is rotated the ball 18 will be forced out of the recess 30 thus closing the valve.

Referring to Figs. 8 and 9, there is illustrated an upper part 30 of an aerosol container incorporating a valve according to the invention. The upper part 30 of the container includes inner and outer pipe members 32 and 34 respectively, which together define an internal passageway 11. A substance contained under pressure within the aerosol container may leave the container via the passageway 11, under the control of a valve arrangement 36 described in more detail hereinafter.

The inner pipe member 32 is generally cylindrical, including an internal bore 38 which defines the passageway 11 in the region of the valve arrangement 36. The inner pipe member is breached by a lateral opening 40. On either side of and surrounding the opening 40, an outer periphery of the inner pipe member 32 includes an annular recess 42, in which is located a resilient sleeve 14 which spans the opening and elastically engages the inner pipe member 2.

The outer pipe member 34 is also generally cylindrical, including an internal bore 44 which defines the passageway 11 in an upper region of the aerosol container. In the region of the valve arrangement 36, the outer pipe member includes a larger diameter bore 46, which receives the inner pipe member 32 and the resilient sleeve 14. The sleeve 14 is thus retained in the recess 42, between the inner and outer pipe members 32 and 34.

Two circumferential nodules 48A,B project radially outwardly from the periphery of the inner pipe member 32, within the annular recess 42. A first nodule 48A is located in an upper region of the recess 42 and a second nodule 48B is located in a lower region of the recess 42. The nodules urge the sleeve 14 outwardly towards the internal surface of the bore 46, increasing the compression of the sleeve in the region of the nodules 48A, B and improving the seal provided by the sleeve 14. The nodules 48A.B effectively provide 'O' ring seals around the ends of the sleeve 14. Surrounding the outer pipe member 34, and movable in the longitudinal direction thereof, is an actuator 50. The actuator 50 includes a sleeve portion 51 which presents an internal frusto-conical cam surface 52 to the outer pipe member 34, the cam surface 52 terminating in a step 54. The actuator also includes an annular portion 56 integral with the sleeve portion. The annular portion 56 may be depressed manually to move the actuator 50 down as viewed in the drawing.

A ball 18 is trapped between the actuator 50 and the resilient sleeve 14, in a similar manner to that described in relation to the previous embodiments of the invention. The ball 18 stresses the sleeve, forcing it to enter the opening 40 to a greater or lesser extent depending upon the position of the actuator 50.

Fig. 8 illustrates the valve-closed position. The actuator 50 is biased (by means which are not illustrated) into this position. In the valve-closed position, the ball 18 is forced by the cam surface 52 into a position where it causes the sleeve 14 to block and therefore close the passageway 11. Depression of the actuator 50 permits the ball 18 to move out of the opening 40 to the extent permitted by the cam surface, thus allowing the pressurised substance to flow through the passageway 11 and to leave the aerosol container. The extent to which the passageway is open may be varied by varying the extent of depression of the actuator 50.

There is thus provided a valve arrangement for an aerosol container which permits control of the speed of release of the substance. Although the actuator is biased into the valve-closed position (thus keeping the container normally closed), pressure within the container tends to open the valve. This helps the valve to operate smoothly. In addition, the moving parts of the valve (other than the resilient sleeve) do not come into contact with the substance in the container and are thus less likely to stick or jam in place.

Figs. 10 to 12 illustrate a hand-gun similar to that of Fig. 3, but utilising a different form of actuator. The same reference numerals are used for corresponding parts. The hand-gun 20 again includes two pipelines 10 and 10A connected at the rear of the gun to respective sources 21, 21A of flowable materials which are to be mixed on emergence from the front end of the handgun. The hand-gun 20 of Figs. 10 to 12 is similar in principle to the hand-gun of Fig. 3, but includes an alternative actuator 15E.

The actuator 15E comprises an eccentrically shaped cylinder 60 mounted for rotation on a shaft 62, alongside the two pipelines 10 and 10A. The cylinder 60 includes a recessed portion which presents a cam surface 64 to the two balls 18 in the respective pipelines 10 and 10A (see Fig. 10).

As the cylinder 60 is rotated from the position shown in Fig. 10 in a clockwise direction, the cam surface 64 gradually permits the balls 18 in the respective pipelines to move radially outwardly of the pipelines, permitting the flow of material through the pipelines. The flow of material through both pipelines may thus be simultaneously controlled by manipulation of the cylinder 60, by a user's thumb.

A valve in accordance with the above described embodiments of the invention has particular advantages over conventional needle or plunger valves when controlling the flow of thick, sticky and settable substances. It will be cheaper to manufacture than conventional valves and will be easier and cheaper to maintain. Conventional valves frequently become blocked and are difficult to clean and disassemble. The valve of the invention is easy to disassemble and, lacking a conventional valve seat, is less likely to become blocked. Replacement of the resilient sleeves is a relatively simple operation when this becomes necessary.

Various modifications may be made to the above described embodiment without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, where particular valve arrangements are illustrated with a plurality of pipelines, they could be used with a single pipeline and vice-versa. Whilst endeavouring in the foregoing specification to draw attention to those features of the invention believed to be of particular importance it should be understood that the Applicant claims protection in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to and/or shown in the drawings whether or not particular emphasis has been placed thereon.

Claims

1. A valve for controlling flow of a fluid through a pipeline (10), the pipeline (10) being breached by a lateral opening (12), the valve comprising a resilient member (14) which spans said opening and a valve member (18) movable laterally of the pipeline (10) into said opening (12) thereby deforming the resilient member (14) to close the pipeline (10).

2. A valve according to claim 1 wherein the resilient member is a resilient sleeve surrounding and elastically engaging the pipeline to extend over said opening.

3. A valve according to claim 2 wherein the valve member is located radially outwardly of the sleeve and is movable substantially radially of the pipeline into the opening, to close the pipeline.

4. A valve according to any preceding claim wherein the valve includes an actuator presenting a cam surface to the valve member, the arrangement being such that as the actuator is moved the cam surface presses the valve member into the opening or permits emergence of the valve member from the opening.

5. A valve according to claim 4 wherein the actuator is movable substantially linearly and substantially parallel with the pipeline.

6. A value according to claim 4 or claim 5 wherein the actuator includes a sloping surface which progressively presses the valve member into the opening when the actuator is moved in one direction and progressively permits emergence of the valve member from the opening when the actuator is moved in an opposite direction.

7. A valve according to claim 5 wherein the sloping surface forms part of a substantially frusto-conical surface of the actuator.

8. A valve according to any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the actuator is movable substantially perpendicularly to the pipeline.

9. A valve according to any of claims 1 to 4 wherein the actuator has a part spherical surface in which a recess is formed to accept the valve member in the valve-open position, the actuator being rotatable to drive the valve member out of said recess thereby to close the valve.

10. A valve according to any preceding claim wherein the valve includes a body which encloses the resilient member therein.

11. A valve according to any preceding claim wherein the resilient member is retained between inner and outer generally cylindrical hollow members.

12. A valve according to claim 11 wherein the inner cylindrical member includes respective circumferential protrusions towards each of its ends, the protrusions urging the resilient member outwardly towards the outer cylindrical member, to form a seal between the resilient member and the cylindrical members.

13. A valve according to any preceding claim wherein the valve member is able to deform the resilient member to such an extent that it contacts an internal wall of the pipeline opposite the opening, to fully close the pipeline.

14. A valve according to any preceding claim wherein a common actuator simultaneously controls the valve members of similar said valves respectively controlling a plurality of pipelines.

15. A valve according to claim 14 wherein two or more parallel pipelines are controlled by a common actuator disposed between or among the pipelines, the actuator being movable linearly parallel with the pipelines.

16. A valve according to claim 14 wherein two parallel pipelines are controlled by a common actuator disposed between them and linearly movable perpendicularly to the pipelines.

17. A valve according to any preceding claim wherein the or each valve member is a ball.

18. A valve according to claim 17 wherein the ball is spherical.

19. A valve substantially as herein described with reference to any of the accompanying drawings.

20. Any novel subject matter or combination including novel subject matter disclosed herein, whether or not within the scope of or relating to the same invention as any of the preceding claims.