Adjustable Fluid Valve Assembly

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to fluid valves, more particularly, to an infinitely adjustable fluid valve that can be inserted within a fluid line in an industrial setting for controlling the flow of fluid to a machine apparatus.

2. Description of the Background Art

Fluid valves are commonly used in industrial applications to control the flow of fluid to and from machinery, for example, machine tools where coolants and hydraulic fluids are used. Conventional fluid control valves include, but are not limited to, the needle type fluid valve and the drilled fixed orifice type fluid valve. The needle type valve generally includes a valve body having an adjustable needle member inserted therein for varying the flow of fluid out of the valve body. Conventional problems with needle valves include whistling noises that are generated by the turbulent flow of the fluid as it travels within the valve body. Further, needle type valves do not offer the fine adjustment for fluid flow rate control that is often needed for certain machine tool applications. Also, the flow rate of a needle valve is often too low because of the turbulent flow generated by the fluid racing around the needle within the valve body. The turbulent flow has a tendency of increasing vibration in high pressure applications which is not desirable. Metallic decay can also occur due to high fluid velocities. Finally, the operating range of needle type valves is limited and thus, not desirable in certain industrial applications.

The drilled fixed orifice type valve includes inserting a plug within a fluid line. The plug has a predetermined fixed orifice that allows fluid to flow therethrough. The problem with this type of fluid valve is that it has a fixed flow rate which can only be changed by an operator inserting a new plug with a different orifice size within the fluid line. This of course causes unnecessary down time. Further, the drilled fixed orifice type valve results, during operation, in a turbulent flow which causes unnecessary noise and vibration. Also, obtaining a specific flow rate is very difficult given this design. Moreover, metallic decay can also occur due to high fluid velocities.

Therefore, there is a need to provide an infinitely adjustable fluid valve that provides a broad flow range, ease of adjustability, yet produces laminar flow at a reduced noise level. The adjustable valve should be balanced in order to minimize or even eliminate turbulent flow, yet be capable of operating in high pressure, high fluid velocity and high fluid volume environments. There also is a need for an adjustable fluid valve that is simple to adjust, yet will maintain its adjustment even in high vibration applications. Also, the adjustable valve should be resistant to corrosive fluids and be reliable in industrial applications. Finally, the adjustable valve should be able to be adjusted without disturbing the piping that is connected to the valve.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an adjustable fluid valve that overcomes the problems associated with conventional fluid valves. Such a fluid valve should be simple in design, quiet during operation, and allow an operator to easily select a flow rate for a particular application.

A first preferred form of the present invention provides a fluid valve assembly having a valve body with an inlet chamber and an outlet chamber. A valve member is positionable within the valve body and has an internal passage with a plurality of radially extending inlet ports. An O-ring is positioned between the valve member and the valve body. A stop is secured to the valve body and has a portion that engages the valve member to prevent the valve member from backing out beyond a safe threaded engagement zone. A lock nut is threaded to the valve member and maintains the adjustment of the valve assembly.

A second preferred form of the present invention includes a valve body, a valve member positioned within the valve body, an O-ring disposed between the valve member and the valve body, a stop, a jam nut, and a swivel connector pivotally connected to the valve member. The swivel connector allows for adjustment of the valve member relative to the valve body without disturbing the piping that the valve assembly is connected to. The swivel connector includes bearing means to effectuate rotation and an elastomeric member in order to prevent leakage of fluids from the valve assembly.

From the following specification taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and the dependent claims, other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art.

FIG. 1 is a side view of the valve assembly of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a partial sectional view of the side elevation of the valve assembly illustrating its primary components;

FIG. 3 is sectional view taken along line 3--3 of FIG. 2 showing the inlet ports in the valve member relative to the valve body;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line 4--4 of FIG. 2 showing the flattened shoulder of the valve member;

FIG. 5 is an alternative embodiment to the FIG. 2 valve assembly showing the valve member with a reduced internal passageway and the assembly in the closed position; and

FIG. 6 is another alternative embodiment to the FIG. 2 valve assembly showing a swivel connector connected to the valve member.

FIGS. 1 and 2 depict an infinitely adjustable fluid valve assembly 10 which includes a body 12, a valve member also known as a cartridge or spool 14, a jam nut 16, a stop or set screw 18, and an O-ring 20. Flattened area operable to receive a wrench. The body 12 further has an inlet chamber 22 and an outlet chamber 24. The inlet chamber 22 has a taper 26 that partially defines a shoulder 28 that acts as a stop for the spool 14 to rest against. The body 12 further has a tapped hole 30 for receiving the set screw 18.

The spool 14 is substantially cylindrical and is of sufficient size to be received within the outlet chamber 24. The spool 14 has an end 32 that is flat and can seat against the shoulder 28 in order to block off all fluid flow into the outlet chamber 24. The spool 14 has an outlet passage 34 that extends substantially the entire length of the spool and runs substantially parallel to a major longitudinal axis 36. Threads 38 are located at one end of the outlet passage 34 for receiving a pipe member (not shown). It will be appreciated the straight or NPT type threads can be used. The other end of the outlet passage 34 has a plurality of radially extending ports 40 that are normal to axis 36. As depicted in FIG. 3, the radially extending ports 40 are preferrably equally spaced apart around the perimeter of recessed area 42. The recessed area 42 is smoothly contoured to minimize fluid turbulence within the high pressure area of the outlet chamber 24. The shape and size of openings 44 of the radial ports 40 can be modified in order to maximize fluid flow. The FIG. 2 valve assembly preferably provides a flow rate of approximately 10 to 60 gallons per minute (GPM) and is operable to perform under pressures reaching 1500 PSI.

A groove 46 is provided within spool 14 in order to accommodate the O-ring 20. Shoulders 48 and 50 are provided on both sides of the O-ring in order to further separate the outlet chamber 24 into a high pressure chamber 52 and a low pressure chamber 54. The spool 14 further has a recess 56 that provides a clearance for the set screw 18. External threads 58 are provided and allow the spool 14 to be threaded into the body 12 which has corresponding female threads 59. The threads 58 also receive jam nut 16 which maintains the adjustment of the valve assembly 10 during operation and especially during high vibration applications. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the end of a spool 14 has a flat or a shoulder 60 for receiving a wrench to assist in adjusting the spool 14 in or out of the body 12.

With continued reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, the operation of the valve assembly 10 will now be described. The fluid enters inlet chamber 22 and follows the path of arrows 62. The fluid is smoothly and evenly distributed around the end 32, all 360 degrees, and then is broken up into discrete streams as the fluid enters the radial ports 40. The fluid then enters the outlet passage 34 where it is then delivered to a pipe (not shown) downstream. To increase the fluid flow rate, the operator can unscrew nut 16 and then rotate the spool 14 counter clockwise or outwardly relative to the body 12 to a predetermined position. This can be accomplished by placing a wrench on the flat shoulder 60 of the spool 14 and on the other flat shoulder 60 of the body 12 and rotating the wrench. The nut 16 can then be tightened against the forward edge 64 of the body. The spool 14 may be backed out to the point of where the screw 18 engages edge 66 of recess 56. This prevents the spool 14 from inadvertently backing out too far and disengaging from the body 12. Also, valve assembly 10 can be adjusted such that the fluid flow rate is zero by rotating the nut 16 counter clockwise and then threading the spool 14 in a clockwise manner until the end 32 rests against shoulder 28. Thus, the valve assembly 10 preferably is infinitely adjustable between 0 to 60 GPM. It will be appreciated that the valve assembly 10 can be modified to produce higher flow rates and different flow ranges.

FIG. 5 represents an alternative embodiment valve assembly 100 that preferably provides a flow rate of 0.5 GPM to 15 GPM. It too can be shut off to produce 0 GPM. The valve assembly 100 has a valve body 102, a spool 104, a set screw 106, an O-ring 108, and a jam nut 110. The body 102, set screw 106, O-ring 108, and jam nut 110 are substantially similar to that described in the FIG. 2 embodiment, and thus, no further discussion will be presented here. The spool 104 has a modified internal passageway 112 that connects a plurality of radially extending ports 114 to an outlet passage 116. The internal passageway 112 is smaller in diameter than the outlet passage 116. Outlet passage 116 is threaded to receive a pipe member (not shown). The radial ports are fewer in number than those disclosed in FIG. 3. The assembly 100 is smaller in configuration in order to accommodate applications where flow rates under approximately 15 GPM are desired. The valve assembly 100 operates in substantially the same manner as the valve assembly 10.

FIG. 6 illustrates an alternative valve assembly 150 that uses a swivel connector to minimize torque on the pipes that are connected to the assembly. Where possible, like reference numerals will be used to indicate similar components. The valve assembly 150 is comprised of a body 12, a spool 152, a nut 16, a set screw 18, an O-ring 20, and a swivel connector assembly 154. The valve body 12 is shown with straight threads 156 instead of the NPT type threads depicted in the FIG. 2 embodiment. The swivel connector assembly 154 includes a body 158, bearings 160, a retaining screw 162, and a seal 164. The spool 152 is modified at one end to have a bearing fill port 166 that is sufficiently large in diameter to freely receive the bearings 160. The retaining screw 162 retains the bearings 160 once they have been inserted into the bearing fill port 166. The body 158 has a neck portion 168 that extends within the outlet passage 34 and provides a smooth continuous extension of the outlet passage into the swivel assembly 152 in order to enhance laminar flow. The neck 168 includes a recess 170 for receiving the bearings 160 and another recess 172 is provided for receiving the seal 164. This relationship allows the spool 152 to rotate relative to the swivel connector assembly 154 when an operator adjusts the flow rate and therefore, minimizes stress on the piping connected to the valve assembly. The body 158 has internal threads 174 for receiving pipe 176 which, in turn, can be connected to an apparatus that needs its fluid flow regulated. It is preferred that the valve assemblies be connected downstream from a pump and/or accumulator.

The body and the spool are preferrably made of a corrosive resistant material, for example tool steel 4340 and black oxide coated. The assembly is also preferrably made of material having excellent machinability as well as wearability due to the high flow rates and high fluid velocities to which the valve will be subjected. The FIG. 6 embodiment operates in the same manner as discussed in the FIG. 2 embodiment, except for the operation of the swivel connector assembly 154. It will be appreciated that the swivel connector assembly 154 can be modified to adapt to the outer perimeter 178 of the spool 14. It is further contemplated that one skilled in the art would appreciate other mechanisms for connecting a connector to a spool in order to create a swivel connection. The resulting assembly will minimize the stress on the piping downstream and upstream from the valve assembly.

The foregoing discussion discloses and describes merely exemplary embodiments of the present invention. One skilled in the art will readily recognize from such discussion and from the accompanying drawings and the claims, that various changes, modifications, and variations can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.