US3352324A

US3352324A - Control valve structure and linkage therefor

Info

Publication number: US3352324A
Authority: US
Inventors: Seymour F Stryker
Original assignee: AIR MITE DEVICES Inc
Current assignee: AIR MITE DEVICES Inc
Priority date: 1965-05-10
Filing date: 1965-05-10
Publication date: 1967-11-14
Anticipated expiration: 1984-11-14

Description

Nov..14, 1967 s. F. STRYKER CONTROL VALVE STRUCTURE AND LINKAGE THEREFOR 2 Shee ts-Sheet l /N VE N 70/? e z MMJZZ I 7/ Filed May 10, 1965 Nov. 14, 1967 s. F. STRYKER 3,352,324

CONTROL VALVE STRUCTURE AND LINKAGE THEREFOR 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 10, 1965 A TT'OR/VEYS United States Patent 3,352,324 CONTROL VALVE STRUCTURE AND LINKAGE THEREFOR Seymour F. Stryker, Evanston, IIL, assignor to Air-Mite Devices, Inc., Chicago, 111., a corporation of Illinois Filed May 10, 1965, Ser. No. 454,462 Claims. (Cl. 137625.69)

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLDSURE A miniature valve apparatus for controlling the selective passage of air through a pneumatic system by me chanical actuation of a plunger retained in the valve by a plunger housing having a roller actuator and a single ring which holds all parts together, the ring being easily removable to give access to the interior of the valve and the plunger housing being rotatable after disassembly from the remainder of the valve and indexed to either of two positions 90 apart so that the roller axis may be disposed for actuation of the roller from either of two directions at right angles to one another.

The invention relates generally to control valve structures and linkages therefor, and more particularly is concerned with a novel type of valve structure which is especially suitable for application to valves of relatively small sizes.

The valve structures of the invention are especially intended for installation into pneumatic systems and hence operate by virtue of air pressure of vacuum. These valves are used to control the operation of power cylinders, other valves and the like, which are operated by air, all of such latter operated structures being generally referred to hereinafter as air-actuated devices. The valve structures to be described use relatively small diameter tubing and miniature fittings and are ideally suited for use in substitution of electrical switches on production lines, in machinery and the like. Such uses include limit switches, actuating switches, both automatically and electrically operated. The construction of the valves of the invention enables same to be made in miniature and with small and easily fabricated parts.

The principal objects of the invention include the provision of a control valve structure which is easily assembled or disassembled without destruction or the need for cutting or shearing any parts; the provision of a valve structure of this type in which there is a plunger adapted to be reciprocated by means of a roller and pushrod and in which the axis of the roller is readily rotated 90 without destructive disassembly of the valve structure; the provision of a control valve structure in which there are novel means for controlling the mechanical pressure applied to the assemblage of O-rings and annular spacer sleeves of the valve and within .which the plunger reciprocates.

Other objects of the invention, advantages and features of the valve structure will become more apparent as a description of the invention proceeds hereinafter, in connection with which the details of a preferred embodiment will be set forth and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

In such drawings:

FIG. 1 is a median sectional view through a control valve constructed in accordance with the invention, shown fully assembled and with a roller for reciprocating the push rod arranged with its axis at right angle to the long dimension of the valve body.

FIG. 2 is a view similar to that of FIG. 1 but on a much larger scale, and with certain parts shown in section that are shown in elevation in FIG. 1. In this. view,

3,352,324 Patented Nov. 14, 1967 the push rod has been fully depressed to establish one condition of valving in the passageways of the valve.

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary view similar to that of FIG. 2 but in this instance, the push rod has been urged fully outward of its housing by the springs of the valve, whereby to establish a second condition of valving in the passageways of the valve.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary top plan view of the valve of FIG. 2 showing the arrangement for changing the axis of the roller of the push rod.

FIG. 5 is a view similar to that of FIG. 4 but in this case the axis of the roller has been changed to coincide with the long dimension of the valve body.

FIGS. 6 and 7 are fragmentary sectional views taken through FIG. 2 along the lines 66 and 7-7, respectively, and in the indicated directions.

FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective elevational view of the control valve and all of its parts.

The invention is generally characterized by the provision of a control valve structure which is assembled by means of a single ring which holds all parts together, and which can easily be removed in the field or on a bench to give access to the interior of the valve. In this manner parts may be replaced or inspected or cleaned quickly and simply, and without the need for special tools. Snap rings of a variety requiring special pliers may be used, but convenience would indicate as a preference those rings which can be readily removed or installed by means of any sharp pointed instrument. Some rings are of the split variety and others are of multiple convolution construction. All will be referred to hereinafter as snap rings.

The invention is further characterized by an arrangement which enables the push-rod housing to be rotated once it has been disassembled from the remainder of the valve and indexed to either of two positions apart so that the roller axis may be disposed for actuation of the roller from either of two directions at right angles to one another. Other details are concerned with the novel means for enabling the push-rod and housing to be readily separated from the remainder of the valve, while still being reciprocable one relative to the other, and novel means for maintaining proper pressure on the packing rings.

Referring now to the drawings, the valve structure of the invention is designated generally by the reference character 10. In the description hereinafter, the word valve will be used as a collective word to include the entire structure rather than any particular parts which perform valvin-g operations. The valve 10 is formed of several components, or groups of parts, which perform the various functions contributing to the operation as a whole.

Basically there is a body having various passageways, a

' principal valving cavity or chamber in the body which has the passageways connecting therewith and provides the multiple packing means in the form of various suitably spaced O-rings to cooperate with the movable plunger to form the several paths for flow of the air during operation of the valve. Means are provided to reciprocate the plunger, and structure for securing the means in assembly with the valve.

It is appreciated that the basic concept of such a plunger type of valve is well-known, but as previously pointed out, certain structures to be described and claimed are believed novel, and these render the resulting valve more economical to manufacture and service, and more efiicient in operation and flexible in use than prior valves of this type.

The body 12 is a simple block of aluminum or brass, which is somewhat elongate as shown in the drawings, this configuration being one of design although probably the. most economicalwhen considering the need for screw threaded

receptacles

14 and 16 formed at the opposite ends. These receptacles are required to receive the threaded male ends of suitable connecting

air conduits

18 and 20 respectively (FIG. 8) when the valve is connected into an air system. Another receptacle 22 is formed in the body 12 opening to the bottom thereof, for receiving the air conduit 24. The block is bored transversely at 26 to provide holes for bolts for enabling the valve 10 to be secured in position to a suitable mounting. Likewise, bracket grooves 28 may be milled or cast in the block as shown in FIG. 8 to assist in mounting the valve. As will be seen, the pushrod housing is threaded for mounting on panels or the like.

The body 12 has a vertical valving cavity 30 of cylindrical configuration bored therein and connecting with the bottom receptacle 22 at 32 to provide a bottom port, connecting with the right hand receptacle 16 by means of a small passageway forming a port 34 and connecting with the left hand receptacle 14 by means of another passageway forming port 36. The cavity 30 has an enlarged entrance 38 thereby providing a shoulder 40 into which a short vertical pin 42 is inserted as shown in FIGS. 2, 3, 4, 5 and 8. This entrance 38 is often called a gallery or recess hereinafter. The pin 42 is for indexing the position of the push-rod housing as will be described. The gallery 38 has a shallow annular groove 44 spaced from the top wall 46 to receive therein a snap ring 48 of conventional construction, shown in place in FIGS. 4 and 5, and shown independently in FIG. 8.

Astring of annular spacers of sleeve-like configuration and O-rings is located within the valving cavity, and held in place by the snap ring 48 in a manner to be described. Each annular spacer has the same construction and hence attention may be directed to the bottommost one 50 for the description of all. There is an axial cylindrical portion 52 with radial holes 54 circumferentially spaced about the cylindrical portion, and each end has a flange 56 integral therewith. The O-rings are conventional in construction.

Starting at the bottom of the cavity 30, there is a spacer sleve 50, above which is an O-ring 58, second spacer sleeve 60, second O-ring 62, third spacer sleeve 64 and third O-ring 66. The spacers and O-rings are held in the relationship described with a predetermined pressure, since the -O-rings are made of rubber of equivalent material, and are resilient. Pressure is applied by means of the skirt 68 of the pressure thimble 70 that is in the form of an inverted cup-like member having a central opening 72 located in the upper wall 74 for a purpose to be described.

Mention has been made hereinbefore of a push-rod housing, push-rod and plunger. These three elements are shown separated in FIG. 8 and assembled in several of the other figures. The push-rod is designated generally 76, the housing 78 and the plunger 80. The push-rod 76 has a central square shaft 82 reciprocally engaging through a square opening 84 in the end 86 of the housing 78. The outer end of the push-rod has a bifurcated fitting 88 either integral with the push-rod or fixed thereto, and a roller 90 is journalled for free rotation therein at 92. The lower end of the push-rod 76 is cylindrical and provided with an annular groove 94 which receives the split washer 96, the latter serving both as a stop member to prevent the push-rod 76 from being ejected from the housing by the helical spring 98 seated on the wall 74 and engaging against the split ring when the valve is in assembled condition, and as means to prevent the push-rod being withdrawn from the housing.

The housing 78 is tubular, and has a square cross section passageway 84 in its end 86, as explained above. At its lower end 100 there is an enlarged cylindrical bore 102 to accommodate the movement of the washer 96 and the flexing of the spring 98 without interference. A still further enlarged cylindrical, bore 104 provides a socket for reception and seating of the pressure thimble The bottom end or base of the housing 78 is provided with an annular flange 106 that has two notches or

perforations

108 and 110 which are circumferentially spaced apart. When the housing is engaged into the enlarged entrance 38, the flanged base 106 fits within the gallery in a sliding fit with the lower surface thereof seated on the shoulder 40, and with the pin 42 engaging into one or the other of the

perforations

108 or 110. Obviously, the snap ring 48 must be removed before the housing can be installed, after which replacement of the ring will hold the entire structure in assembled condition. The pin 42 serves to index the disposition of the housing relative to the body 12. If assembled in the order shown in FIG. 8, the pin 42 will engage the perforation 108 and the axis of the roller 90 will be at right angle to the longer dimension of the body 12.

Obviously the push-rod may be assembled to the housing 78 with the roller disposed 90 from its disposition in FIG. 8 in which case the plane of the roller will be in alignment with the perforation. instead of the perforation 108. This condition is assumed in FIGS. 4 and 5. In

FIG. 4, the roller axis is vertical on the paper, while in FIG. 5, it is horizontal on the paper. The difference between the two arrangements is that the pin 42 is engaged with the perforation 110 inFIG. 4. and with the perforation 108 in FIG. 5. This is easily accomplished by tem porarily removing the snap ring 48, rotating the housing and thereafter replacing the snap ring. The push-rod 76 is not as readily changed relative to the housing, because it requires a long-nosed pliers or the like for the particular type of washer, but this change will not usually be necessary.

Shifting the disposition of the roller 90 is simply done in the field and this gives great flexibility to the use of the valve 10.

The valve includes a plunger 80 which is disposed in the valving cavity in engagement with the O-rings. The plunger has a reduced diameter follower end with a rounded tip 122 that engages against the end 124 of the push-rod so as to follow the same during movement of the push-rod. The plunger is biased against the pushrod end 124 by means of a coil spring 126 that is retained in a hollow recess 128 formed in the plunger 80 and opening to the bottom end thereof and engaging on the bottom surface 130 of the cavity 30. The follower end 120 passes through the opening 72 in the pressure thimble 70 and its reciprocation does not effect the pressure applied by the thimble to the spacer-O-ring string.

The plunger 80 has two spaced cylindrical valving surfaces 132 and 134 separated by a necked portion 136, the lower surface 134 being spaced from the bottom end of the plunger by means of a reduced diameter portion 138.

Movement of the plunger 80 up and down accomplishes the valving functions of the valve 10. This is done in a more or less conventional manner and involves cooperation between the valving surfaces and the O-rings. This may be explained as follows:

Assume initially that the valve 10 is in the condition shown in FIG. 3, in which the push-rod 76 is pressed outward of the housing 78 by the spring 98. The plunger 80 is biased upward to its maximum extent by the spring 126 and with the tip 122 engaging the end 124. In these circumstances, the port 36 opens into the. cavity by way of the holes of the spacer 64, but the valving surfaces 132 and 134 are in engagement with the O-

rings

66 and 62, respectively, and hence a blind end is produced at the spacer 64. The O-rings are under suflicient compression such that they act as packing means to prevent any passage of air by way of the port 36 to other parts of the valve 10.

The same conditions prevailing, there is free passage between the

receptacles

22 and 16 by way of the cavity 30. A direction of fluidflow is assumed to be from the conduit 24 to the conduit 20, although this is not essential. Air follows the arrows of FIG. 3, entering from the bottom port 32, passing through the center of the spacer 50 past the O-ring 58, through the holes of the spacer 60 and out of the port 34. The connection is thus established between the

conduits

24 and 20.

Assuming that a moving member 140 (FIG. 2) engages the roller 90 and pushes the same inward, the conditions of the valve are shown in FIG. 2. Both springs 98 and 126 are compressed. The plunger 80 has been pushed downward until the reduced diameter end 138 is engaged against or close to the surface 130. Now the valving surface 134 has moved out of engagement with the O-ring 62 and into engagement with the O-ring 58 thereby blocking passage of any air by way of the port 32. The valving surface 132 has moved axially with the plunger 80 but has not left its engagement with the O-ring 66. According- 1y, it will be appreciated that this O-ring is a continuously engaged packing member which prevents escape of any fluid out of the cavity 30 by way of the housing during the operation of the valve. The necked portion 136 is now disposed alongside the O-ring 62 so that air is free to pass this O-ring. Accordingly, air may now pass from the receptacle 14 by way of the port 36 into the cavity 30 through the holes of the spacer 64, past the O-ring 62, through the holes of the spacer 60 and out of the port 34 into the receptacle 16. The connection is thus established between the

conduits

18 and 20.

The housing 78 has its exterior threaded to enable the same to be mounted in any suitable opening by means of a nut engaging this threaded surface, if desired. Instead of a roller, other pusher means may be used to reciprocate the push-rod 76 to operate the valve, but the roller arrangement is the most common and desirable. Manual buttons, solenoids and the like may be substituted therefor, but the particular feature of the invention concerned with being able to easily to change the rotational axis of the roller would not apply without the presence of a roller or some other directional actuating means.

The invention has been sufficiently described such as to enable those skilled in this art to understand and appreciate the same and to build structures embodying the same. Considerable variation is capable of being made in the details of the structure without in any way departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as described in the appended claims.

What it is desired to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. A valve having a body provided with a valving cavity, a plurality of alternately stacked annular packing members and perforated spacers co-axially engaged and mounted in said cavity to define a passageway, a plurality of ports in said body opening to said cavity, a plunger disposed in said passageway defined by said annular packing members and spacers and provided With a plurality of valving surfaces, such that upon reciprocation of said plunger, said valving surfaces are adapted to engage said packing members upon movement of the plunger selectively to establish different paths of communication between the ports, a push rod, an extension on the plunger engaged by the push rod such that the plunger may be moved axially, spring means for biasing the plunger in opposition to said push rod to an axial position with the plunger disposed toward the outer end of said cavity, an annular recess portion surrounding the said valving cavity to define a shoulder at the entrance thereof in said body, a cup-shaped push rod housing having an open end and an aperture in the opposite end thereof, an annular surface formed on the open end of said housing, said housing being partially received in said annular recess with the annular surface on the housing seated on the annular shoulder formed by said recess and a portion of the said push rod disposed in and protruding from the aperture in said housing, means associated with said push rod housing and said body removably to lock said housing in the annular recess to retain the valve elements in assembled relationship in said valve cavity and thereby to provide access to said valve elements upon disengagement of said last named means and the removal of said housing.

2. A valve as defined in claim 1 wherein the annular surface on the cup-shaped push rod housing is defined by an outwardly extending annular flange provided with a plurality of perforations, pin means mounted on the annular shoulder formed by said recess, said pin means engaged with one of said perforations to fix the relative rotative position of said push rod housing, said push rod being non-rotatively disposed in said housing aperture.

3. A valve as defined in claim 1 wherein said means to removably lock said push rod housing in engagement with the shoulder defined by the annular recess comprises an annular groove in the circumferential wall of said recess, and a snap ring engaged in said groove and retaining said push rod housing in said recess.

4. A valve as defined in claim 1 further including biasing means for said packing members comprising an annular thimble mounted within said push rod housing, spring means engaging said thimble to bias it axially into engagement with the alternately stacked packing members and spacers.

5. A valve having a body with a valving cavity opening to one surface of said body, an annular gallery in said body surrounding the entrance to the cavity to thereby define a shoulder therein, a plurality of alternately stacked annular packing members and annular perforated spacers, co-axially engaged in the cavity to define a passageway, a plurality of ports in the said body opening to said cavity and adapted to be selectively connected for the valving operation, a plunger disposed in said passageway defined by said packing members and annular perforated spacers, movable axially therein and having the valving surfaces for engaging said annular packing members, the packing members being arranged relative to the ports and plunger such that the axial movement of the plunger selectively establishes communication between different ports, spring means for biasing the plunger to a first axial position with the plunger disposed toward the outer end of the valving cavity, a housing secured in said gallery and having means protruding therefrom associated with said plunger and adapted to be engaged to bias said plunger axially inward, an annular thimble mounted within said housing, spring means engaging said thimble to bias it axially toward the inner end of said cavity and into engagement with said alternately stacked packing and spacer members.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,902,697 3/ 1933 Ellingsen 285-276 2,136,947 11/1938 Morgan.

3,195,574 7/1965 Carls 137625.69 3,229,721 1/1966 Bingel 137625.69 3,236,251 2/1966 Hansen 137625.68 X 3,253,617 5/1966 Beckett l37-625.69 3,279,835 10/ 1966 Krohm 287-119 M. CARY NELSON, Primary Examiner.

HENRY T. KLI K S 'SMK a ner.

Claims

1. A VALVE HAVING A BODY PROVIDED WITH A VALVING CAVITY, A PLURALITY OF ALTERNATELY STACKED ANNULAR PACKING MEMBERS AND PERFORATED SPACERS CO-AXIALLY ENGAGED AND MOUNTED IN SAID CAVITY TO DEFINE A PASSAGEWAY, A PLURALITY OF PORTS IN SAID BODY OPENING TO SAID CAVITY, A PLUNGER DISPOSED IN SAID PASSAGEWAY DEFINED BY SAID ANNULAR PACKING MEMBERS AND SPACERS AND PROVIDED WITH A PLURALITY OF VALVING SURFACES, SUCH THAT UPON RECIPROCATION OF SAID PLUNGER, SAID VALVING SURFACES ARE ADAPTED TO ENGAGE SAID PACKING MEMBERS UPON MOVEMENT OF THE PLUNGER SELECTIVELY TO ESTABLISH DIFFERENT PATHS OF COMMUNICATION BETWEEN THE PORTS, A PUSH ROD, AND EXTENSION ON THE PLUNGER ENGAGED BY THE PUSH ROD SUCH THAT THE PLUNGER MAY BE MOVED AXIALLY, SPRING MEANS FOR BIASING THE PLUNGER IN OPPOSITION TO SAID PUSH ROD TO AN AXIAL POSITION WITH THE PLUNGER DISPOSED TOWARD THE OUTER END OF SAID CAVITY, AN ANNULAR RECESS PORTION SURROUNDING THE SAID VALVING CAVITY TO DEFINE A SHOULDER AT THE ENTRANCE THEREOF IN SAID BODY, A CUP-SHAPED PUSH ROD HOUSING HAVING AN OPEN END AND AN APERTURE IN THE OPPOSITE END THEREOF, AN ANNULAR SURFACE FORMED ON THE OPEN END OF SAID HOUSING, SAID HOUSING BEING PARTIALLY RECEIVED IN SAID ANNULAR RECESS WITH THE ANNULAR SURFACE ON THE HOUSING SEATED ON THE ANNULAR SHOULDER FORMED BY SAID RECESS AND A PORTION OF THE SAID PUSH ROD DISPOSED IN AND PROTRUDING FROM THE APERTURE IN SAID HOUSING, MEANS ASSOCIATED WITH SAID PUSH ROD HOUSING AND SAID BODY REMOVABLY TO LOCK SAID HOUSING IN THE ANNULAR RECESS TO RETAIN THE VALVE ELEMENTS IN ASSEMBLED RELATIONSHIP IN SAID VALVE CAVITY AND THEREBY TO PROVIDE ACCESS TO SAID VALVE ELEMENT UPON DISENGAGEMENT OF SAID LAST NAMED MEANS AND THE REMOVAL OF SAID HOUSING.