DESC:FIELD
The present disclosure related to the field of fluid valves.
BACKGROUND
Typically, a fluid valve is used to regulate the flow of fluids depending upon the application requirements. A conventional fluid valve comprises a housing, a valve stem, a body, and a plurality of sealing elements. Predominantly, the fluid valves require multiple seals for sealing the valve stem with the housing and the body to prevent leakage of the fluid.
In conventional valves, typically in quarter turn valves, at least two leakage paths are observed, i.e., one between the stem and housing, and the other between the housing and the body. To prevent leakage from each path, two sealing elements are required. Furthermore, a spacer is required to position the sealing elements, which leads to addition of elements and thereby, increasing the complexity of arrangement of the fluid valve.
Also, the sealing diameter of the valve stem and the housing is large. Thus, to seal the leakage paths, multiple sealing elements are required. Further, multiple fasteners with larger diameters are required to fasten the body and the housing. This increases the housing weight and reduces the efficiency of the fluid valve.
There is, therefore, felt a need of a sealing element that alleviates the abovementioned drawbacks and prevents the leakage of fluid from the fluid valve.
OBJECTS
Some of the objects of the present disclosure, which at least one embodiment herein satisfies, are as follows:
An object of the present disclosure is to provide a seal for a valve.
Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a seal, which prevents leakage of the fluid from the valve.
Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a seal, which reduces overall weight of the valve.
Yet another object of the present disclosure is to provide a seal for a valve, which has a simple configuration and is cost effective
Other objects and advantages of the present disclosure will be more apparent from the following description, which is not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.
SUMMARY
The present disclosure envisages a seal for a valve. The valve comprises a valve body, a housing, and a stem. The structure and shape of the valve body facilitates the flow of fluid therethrough. The housing is connectable to the valve body and has a hollow configuration that defines an interior space. The interior space and the valve body are configured to receive the stem. The stem is coupled with a regulating element to control the fluid flow through the valve body.
In accordance with a first aspect of the present disclosure, the stem has at least one collar interfacing with an opening formed on the valve body. Further, the seal comprises at least one sealing element that is disposed operatively below the collar portion for preventing fluid leakage therethrough.
In an embodiment, the seal includes an auxiliary ring disposed operatively below the collar. The sealing element is a lip type seal disposed operatively below the auxiliary ring.
In another embodiment, the sealing element is an O-ring disposed operatively between two collars formed on the stem in a spaced apart manner.
In yet another embodiment, the sealing element is a sealing gasket.
In another embodiment, the sealing element is selected from the group consisting of C-seal, X-seal, U-seal, M-seal, S-seal, and Bellow seal.
In an embodiment, the valve is a quarter turn valve.
In accordance with a second aspect of the present disclosure, the stem and the valve body define a space therebetween in an assembled configuration. The seal comprises at least one sealing element disposed in the space to prevent fluid leakage therethrough.
In accordance with a second aspect of the present disclosure, the seal comprises a housing seat disposed in the space between the valve body and the stem, and connected to the housing via biasing members. The housing seat has at least one collar interfacing with the valve body. The sealing element is disposed operatively above the collar between the housing seat and the valve body.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWING
A seal for a valve, of the present disclosure, will now be described with the help of the accompanying drawing, in which:
Figure 1A and Figure 1B illustrate a cross-sectional view of the conventional valve;
Figure 2 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the valve having a seal, in accordance with a first aspect of the present disclosure;
Figure 3 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the valve of Figure 2 having an O-ring as a sealing element, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
Figure 4 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the valve of Figure 2 having a gasket as the sealing element, in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure;
Figure 5 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the valve having a seal, in accordance with a second aspect of the present disclosure; and
Figure 6 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the valve having a seal, in accordance with a third aspect of the present disclosure.
LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS USED IN DETAILED DESCRIPTION AND DRAWING
100, 200 – Valve
102 – Valve body
104 – Spacer
106 – Sealing element
108 – Housing
110 – Stem
202 – Housing
204 – Valve body
206 – Stem
207 - Collar
208 – Lip seal
210 – Auxiliary ring
307 - Collar
308 – O-ring
407 - Collar
408 – Sealing gasket
507 - Collar
508 – Sealing element
510 – Housing seat
515 – Biasing members
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
The present disclosure envisages a seal for a valve. The valve, of the present disclosure, is hereinafter described with reference to figure 1 through figure 6.
Generally, a fluid valve is used to regulate the flow of fluids depending upon the application requirement. The conventional valves, typically, a quarter turn valve comprises a housing, a body, a stem, a handle and a plurality of sealing elements. The handle is attached to the stem to manually control the opening and closing of the valves. The valves are generally controlled manually when the handle is turned ninety degrees between operating positions (open/close).
Further, at least two leakage paths are observed, i.e., between the stem and the housing, and another between the housing and the body. To prevent leakage from each path, two sealing elements are required. Furthermore, a spacer is required to suitably position the sealing elements which lead to the requirement of additional components, thereby increasing the complexity of arrangement of the fluid valve.
Referring to figure 1A and figure 1B, conventionally, a valve 100 comprises a valve body 102, a housing 108, and a stem 110. The housing 108 has a hollow configuration defining an interior space and is connectable to the valve body 102.
Further, the stem 110 is receivable in the interior space of the valve body 102. In an embodiment, the stem 110 is coupled with a regulating element to control the fluid flow through the valve body 102. Conventionally, the stem 110 has at least one collar interfacing with an opening configured on the valve body 102. In an embodiment, the housing 108 is coupled to the valve body 102 by a bolt and nut assembly.
In an operative configuration, when the fluid flows through the valve body 102, at least two leakage paths are observed. A first leakage path is located between the stem 110 and the housing 108, and a second leakage path is located between the housing 108 and the valve body 102. To prevent the leakage of fluid from the two leakage paths, a seal is provided at each of the leakage paths. Further, the seal comprises at least one sealing element 106. One sealing element 106 is provided between the housing 108 and the valve body 102, and another sealing element 106 is provided between the housing 108 and the stem 110. These sealing elements typically have larger sealing diameters which increase the housing weight and stem collar diameter.
Referring to figure 1A, the sealing element 106 used to seal the two leakage paths are a lip seals. Further, for the positioning of the lip seal at each of the leakage paths, a spacer 104 is required, wherein the spacer 104 is positioned at a location where the stem 110 interfaces with the housing 108. The requirement of the spacer 104 for positioning the lip seal results in usage of additional materials which makes the valve heavy/bulky.
Similarly, referring to figure 1B, the sealing element 106 used to seal the at least two leakage path is an O- ring.
The present disclosure envisages a seal for a valve 200, wherein the replacement of the conventional seal with the seal of the present disclosure eliminates the formation of two leakage paths, which are existent in the conventional valves.
Referring to Figure 2, the valve 200 comprises a housing 202, a valve body 204, and a stem 206. The housing 202 has a hollow configuration defining an interior space, and is connectable to the valve body 204, wherein the valve body 204 facilitates flow of the fluid therethrough. In an embodiment, the valve body 204 is made of ductile iron, cast iron, bronze, stainless steel, composites, or other suitable materials to sustain variable pressure fluids flowing through the valve 200. Further, the housing 202 is connectable to the valve body 204 by a bolt and nut assembly. In an embodiment, the stem 206 is received in the hollow interior space of the housing 202, and the valve body 204. The stem 206 is coupled to a regulating element (not specifically shown in figures) to control the fluid flow through the valve body 204. In an embodiment, the regulating element is a wheel, a handle or any other suitable mechanism that rotationally displaces the stem 206 to control the fluid flow through the valve body 204. The controlling of fluid flow includes, but not limited to, regulating discharge of fluid, and completely shutting-down the fluid flow.
In accordance with a first aspect of the present disclosure, the stem 206 has formed on it at least one collar (207, 407) interfacing with an opening configured on the valve body 204. In an embodiment, the stem 206 has multiple collars (307) interfacing with the opening configured on the valve body 204.
The seal comprises at least one sealing element (208, 408) disposed operatively below the collar (207, 407) of the stem 206 for preventing leakage of the fluid flowing through the valve body 204.
In first embodiment, the sealing element is a lip seal 208. The seal further includes an auxiliary ring 210 disposed operatively below the collar (207) of the stem 206. The lip seal 208 is disposed operatively below the auxiliary ring 210 for preventing leakage of the fluid flowing through the valve body 204 into the housing 202. The lip seal 208, at the connection of the stem 206 and the valve body 204, prevents the formation of leakage paths as observed in the conventional valve 100. In an embodiment, the auxiliary ring 210 is a back-up ring, a support ring, or an annular ring.
In second embodiment, the sealing element is an O-ring 308 (as shown in figure 3). The O-ring 308 is disposed operatively between two collars (307) formed on the stem 206 in a spaced apart manner to prevent leakage. In an embodiment, the O-ring 308 is disposed in an O-ring groove (not specifically shown in figures) configured on the stem 206.
In third embodiment, the sealing element is a sealing gasket 408 (as shown in figure 4). The sealing gasket 408 is disposed operatively below the collar (407) formed on the stem 206. The sealing gasket 408 is configured to prevent leakage of the fluid through the valve body 204.
In accordance with a second aspect of the present disclosure, the stem 206 and the valve body 204 define a space therebetween in an assembled configuration. The seal comprises at least one sealing element 508 (as shown in figure 5) disposed in the space to prevent fluid leakage therethrough.
In accordance with a third aspect of the present disclsoure, the seal comprises a housing seat 510 (as shown in figure 6) disposed in the space between the valve body 204 and the stem 206, and connected to the housing 202 via biasing members 515. In an embodiment, each of the biasing members 515 is a spring. The biasing members 515 are configured to counter the self-weight of the stem 206 and to retain the housing seat 510 and the sealing element 508 in their original positions.
The housing seat 510 has at least one collar (507) interfacing with the valve body 204. The sealing element 508 (as shown in figure 6) is disposed operatively above the collar (507) between the housing seat 510 and the valve body 204.
In another embodiment, the sealing element 208, 308, 408 and 508, is selected from the group consisting of O-ring, Lip seal, gasket, C-seal, X-seal, U-seal, M-seal, S-seal, and Bellow seal.
Typically, the valve 200 is a quarter turn valve. However, the seal envisaged in the present disclosure can also be used for any other type of valve for preventing fluid leakage from them.
The seal of the present disclosure eliminates the formation of leakage paths, as observed in the conventional valves, thereby reducing at least one sealing element.
TECHNICAL ADVANCEMENTS
The present disclosure described herein above has several technical advantages including, but not limited to, the realization of a seal for a valve that:
• requires only one sealing element;
• reduces overall weight of the valve;
• ensures reliable and leak-proof sealing;
• is simple in configuration; and
• is cost effective.
The foregoing disclosure has been described with reference to the accompanying embodiments which do not limit the scope and ambit of the disclosure. The description provided is purely by way of example and illustration.
The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained with reference to the non-limiting embodiments in the following description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.
The foregoing description of the specific embodiments so fully revealed the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the embodiments as described herein.
Throughout this specification the word “comprise”, or variations such as “comprises” or “comprising”, will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps, but not the exclusion of any other element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps.
The use of the expression “at least” or “at least one” suggests the use of one or more elements or ingredients or quantities, as the use may be in the embodiment of the disclosure to achieve one or more of the desired objects or results.
Any discussion of documents, acts, materials, devices, articles or the like that has been included in this specification is solely for the purpose of providing a context for the disclosure. It is not to be taken as an admission that any or all of these matters form a part of the prior art base or were common general knowledge in the field relevant to the disclosure as it existed anywhere before the priority date of this application.
The numerical values mentioned for the various physical parameters, dimensions or quantities are only approximations and it is envisaged that the values higher/lower than the numerical values assigned to the parameters, dimensions or quantities fall within the scope of the disclosure, unless there is a statement in the specification specific to the contrary.
While considerable emphasis has been placed herein on the components and component parts of the preferred embodiments, it will be appreciated that many embodiments can be made and that many changes can be made in the preferred embodiments without departing from the principles of the disclosure. These and other changes in the preferred embodiment as well as other embodiments of the disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the disclosure herein, whereby it is to be distinctly understood that the foregoing descriptive matter is to be interpreted merely as illustrative of the disclosure and not as a limitation. ,CLAIMS:WE CLAIM:
1. A seal for a valve (200), said valve (200) comprising:
? a valve body (204) for facilitating flow of a fluid therethrough;
? a housing (202) connectable to said valve body (204), said housing (202) having a hollow configuration that defines an interior space; and
? a stem (206) receivable in said interior space and said valve body (204), said stem (206) coupled with a regulating element to control fluid flow through said valve body (204);
? at least one collar (207) is formed on said stem (206) interfacing with an opening configured on said valve body (204); and
? at least one sealing element (208) disposed operatively below said collar (207) for preventing fluid leakage therethrough.
2. The seal as claimed in claim 1, wherein said seal includes an auxiliary ring (210) disposed operatively below said collar (207).
3. The seal as claimed in claim 1, wherein said sealing element (208) is a lip seal disposed operatively below said auxiliary ring (210).
4. The seal as claimed in claim 1, wherein said sealing element (208) is an O-ring (308).
5. The seal as claimed in claim 1, in which two collars (307) are formed on said stem (206) in a spaced apart manner.
6. The seal as claimed in claim 5, wherein the O-ring (308) is operatively disposed between said two collars (307).
7. The seal as claimed in claim 1, wherein said sealing element is a sealing gasket (408).
8. The seal as claimed in claim 1, wherein said sealing element (208, 308, 408) is selected from the group consisting of C-seal, X-seal, U-seal, M-seal, S-seal, and Bellow seal.
9. The seal as claimed in claim 1, wherein said valve (200) is a quarter turn valve.
10. A seal for a valve (200), said valve comprising:
• a valve body (204) for facilitating flow of a fluid therethrough;
• a housing (202) connectable to said valve body (204), said housing (202) having a hollow configuration that defines an interior space; and
• a stem (206) receivable in said interior space and said valve body (204), said stem (206) coupled with a regulating element to control fluid flow through said valve body (204), said stem (206) and said valve body (204) defining a space therebetween in an assembled configuration; and
• at least one sealing element (508) disposed in said space to prevent fluid leakage therethrough.
11. The seal as claimed in claim 10, wherein said seal comprises a housing seat (510) disposed in said space between said valve body (204) and said stem (206), and connected to said housing (202) via biasing members, said housing seat (510) having at least one collar (507) interfacing with said valve body (204), wherein said sealing element (508) is disposed operatively above said collar (507) between said housing seat (510) and said valve body (204).
12. The seal as claimed in claim 10, wherein said sealing element (508) is selected from the group consisting of O-ring, Lip seal, gasket, C-seal, X-seal, U-seal, M-seal, S-seal, and Bellow seal.