The present invention relates to valves, and in particular, but not exclusively, to
valves for controlling, charging, discharging and/or regulating the flow of
powders, liquids, slurries and/or fluids.
Valves, such as split butterfly valves, are available in many designs and used
widely for processes where product containment is required to prevent product
exposure to environment and personnel working in close proximity of the product.
The split valves are designed pre~dominantiy for handling and contained transfer
of solid state powders and granular material alike.
Split valve design allows the valve to be split open into two halves, commonly
called alpha and beta halves, or active and passive halves. The valve design is
such that when split, the two halves keep the contents on either side sealed and
contained, and aiso protected from the environment.
Similar to the split butterfly valve, a split bail valve can also be used for contained
transfer of solids and more commonly liquids. Historically, these valves have
mainly been used in pharmaceutical and biotech industries for non-sterile
operations.
The material being bandied is often hazardous to health, owing to the increasing
potency of any new pharmaceutical ingredients. Pharmaceutical and biomanufacturing
products are often manufactured under st ct controls against
product contamination This is because the products are often for human
consumption and the industries are heaviiy regulated by bodies like the FDA
{Food and Drug Administration) in the United States and the H A (Medicines
and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency) in the United Kingdom.
Furthermore, the pharmaceutical products, such as active pharmaceutical
ingredients and/or subsequently diluted powders, may in sufficient quantities be
hazardous to the health of an operator, It is therefore necessary to avoid direct
contact between an operator and the potentia!iy hazardous material.
Owing to such stringent requirements for there to be a good seal between active
and passive elements of the split valve to prevent product exposure to
environment and personnel working in close proximity of the product,
manufacture of the elements of the valve are under stringent conditions to ensure
that the dimensions of the elements are precisely manufactured to ensure
stringent tolerances are met.
In addition, the valve elements are consequently relatively large often owing to
the housing for the valve itself being capable of ensuring that there is a good seal
between members. This can make the containers bulky and difficult to handle,
particularly when being handled in a glove box containment apparatus where the
dexterity of operators is compromised.
O2010092395 discloses a split butterfly vaive having a locking pin and
complementarily shaped non-threaded bore for receiving said pin for locking to
valve portions of a split valve together, thus enabling the safe transfer of materia!
from one vessel to another, for example. However, the tolerances required for
correct alignment of the bore and pin are very small to ensure a good seal
between the two vaive portions. Consequently, the pin is disposed s!ightiy offcentre
of the longitudinal axis of the bore to ensure an excellent interference fit.
However, the pin and bore are consequently subject to much more significant
wear which can result in the interference fit being impaired over time and with
consistent use. Furthermore, it is difficult and costiy to machine a complex shape
into a hole.
It is an object of the present invention to overcome or alleviate one or more of the
problems associated with the prior art.
In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a split valve assembly
comprising two vaive portions complementarily shaped such that the first can
sea!ingiy engage with and co-operate with the second to ai ow the movement of
materia! therethrough, each valve portion comprising a housing, a valve seat and
a vaive closure member moveable between a first position in which the vaive
closure member is displaced from the valve seat and the vaive is open, and a
second position in which the valve closure member co-operates with the valve
seat and the vaive is closed, wherein the assembly has a first configuration in
which the first and second valve portions engage with one another, the valve
closure members being closed, and a second configuration in which the two
valve portions are disengaged from one another, the first valve portion having
locking means moveable relative to the second valve portion to selectively lo k
and unlock the two valve portions together, said locking means received by the
second valve portion which comprises a shim.
The present invention provides a valve assembly capabie of ensuring a secure
and good seal therebetween and which has a simplified mechanism for
engagement and securing valve portions together to provide an improved valve
system.
The locking means may comp se a locking pair, one member of which is
moveable relative to the other and capable of selectively engaging with the other
member to lock and unlock portions together.
The locking pair may comprise a male and female member complementary
shaped to one another. The male member is preferabiy moveable relative to the
female member.
The male member is preferably capabie of transiafionai movement.
In one embodiment, the male member comprises a pin and the female member
comprises a complementarity shaped blind bore for receiving the male member.
The male member is preferably disposed in the active valve portion and the
female in the passive valve portion.
The sh m receives the pin and displaces it n a direction perpendicular to its
longitudinal axis resulting in a more secure and better sea between valve
portions.
The longitudinal axis of the male member may be off-set from that of the female
member. Consequently, when the male member engages and is received by the
female member, the valve portions are squeezed together to form a better seal
therebetween.
Preferably, the shim is releasably secured in the second valve portion.
More preferably, the means for releasably securing the shim to the second valve
portion comprises fastening means.
Preferably, the fastening means is a screw.
The shim may be replaceable to improve the life of the valve.
The shim ay be manufactured from a different material to that of the pin. This
improves part life reducing friction and wear.
The shim may be manufactured from a material having less tensile strength than
the pin. This may facilitate extension of the valve iife as the shim is likely to
wear/fail before the pin.
The shi may comprise a base and a wedge portion.
The wedge portion is preferably orientated such that the thin end is proximal to
the bore opening.
The wedge portion may taper from the end of the bore, distal to the opening.
The base of the shim may comp se an aperture through which securing means
may pass to secure the shim in place.
The tapered profile of the wedge portion allows the two discs to be forced
together n a controlled way as the pin extends into the bore and engages with
the distal end of the wedge portion. This improves the valve's containment
performance.
The face of the wedge portion for engagement with the pin s complementarity
shaped. The wedge is preferably curved. One side of the shim is
conformed/shaped to conform with curvature of the pin, the other side shaped to
conform to the curvature of the bore.
One side of the shim is arcuate and adapted to be one third to ha f a complete
circle circumference
The shim is preferably tapered.
The shim has a top bearing surface formed from a first radius of curvature and
the lower surface being a second radius of curvature that is greater than the first.
Radius of first radius of curvature is preferably substantially the same as the
radius of the male member.
The radius of the shim is substantially the same as the female member.
The arc length of the shim is from about one quarter to one haif of the
circumference of a circle defined by the arcuate section.
The shim may have an extraction hoie which is accessibie external to the shim
for engagement with a tool for the insertion and/or removal of the shim.
The shim is preferably forced info position.
The shim is preferably held in position with a retaining fastener.
The shim is may be resilientiy deformabie to allow insertion and then to conform
to the desired shape.
The male member and wedge portion may be complimentary shaped. This
maximises the contact area to reduce wear and damage to the pin and bore of
the valves.
in one embodiment the first and second valve portions may be both female
members, there being a third va ve portion having corresponding male members
which the female members can receive.
Each valve poslion of the assembly may be mountable on a vessel for containing
material, conveyance means, such as a hose, for conveying material and/or other
process equipment known to the art. The means for mounting the valve portions
may comprise any means known to the art, such as for example a screw thread,
interference fit, femaie:female attachement etc. n an alternative embodiment, the
valve portions may be integrally formed with a vessel or conveyance means.
The inlet and outlet of the chamber may be closed once the movement from the
first to the second configuration is complete. In so doing, the assembly ensures
that the material being transferred therethrough does not come into contact with
the surrounding environment.
The valve seat and valve closure member are preferably cemplementari!y
shaped to ensure that a seal is formed when the valve closure member is closed.
The valve assembly may be a split butterfly valve, split ball valve, any other split
valve or quick release coupling known to the art. Preferably, the assembly is a
split butterfly valve.
Preferably, the valve portions form a mating pair, one being a male or active
valve portion, the other female or passive.
Preferably, the valve seat comprises a sea, member. The seal member may
preferably comprise an abutment portion and a resiliency def r ab e portion
located between the abutment portion and the valve housing.
in an aiternative embodiment, the valve closure member may be provided with a
recess for receipt of a sea! which, in use, is adapted to engage against a solid
portion of the valve housing.
the case where the seal is iocated in a recess n the valve closure member the
valve closure member may further comprise an elastomeric materia! covering the
valve closure member a d the seal iocated thereon.
in one embodiment, the valve closure member being pivotable beyond the
position in which further displacement is normally prevented by engagement with
the valve seal the valve may further comprise biassing means for biassing the
vaive closure member into its closed position.
The valve seal may be Iocated either on the vaive housing or on the valve
closure member.
During use, the assembly may be switched from the first to the second
configuration to allow material to be transferred therethrough. Once the material
has been transferred, the assembly is switched back to the first configuration and
the two va ve portions disengaged.
The shim preferably has a special and highly toieranced shape and profile (which
is compiimeniary to the Locking Pin shape) to exert carefully controlled forces on
the valve portions to hold them tightly together when the Locking Pins are
extended and in the locked configuration This controlled force is crucial to
improving containment performance and easing operation.
The valve portions may be manufactured from 3 1 L and 304 Stainless Steel,
Alloy 22 and C276 Nickel aiioys.
The Locking Pins may be manufactured from materials that resist wear, for
example Aluminium Bronze, Phosphor Bronze, other Bronze grades, hard
speciality grades of stainless steel, such as 431 and 17-4PH.
The locking pins may also comprise a coating. The coating material may
comprise Diamond Like Coating (DLC) and/or plastic coatings, such as, PEEK,
PTFE and other grades.
The shim may be manufactured from 3 1 L or 304 Stainless Steel, or one of the
harder speciality grades of stainless steel such as 431 or 17-4PH.
By way of example only, a specific embodiment of the present invention will ow
be described, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the two vaive portions of a butterfly vaive;
Fig. 2 is a partial view of second valve portion of a vaive assembly in accordance
with the present invention;
Figs, 3a and b are partial views of a first valve portion of a vaive assembly in
accordance with the present invention in its first configuration and second
configuration respectively;
Figs. 4a and b are sectional views of the active portion of a valve assembly
engaging with a passive portion of the vaive assembly in accordance with the
present invention;
Figs. 5a and b show a cut away section through the active valve portion of Figs. 1
3;
Fig. 6 shows two vaive portions in an engaged configuration; and
Figs. 7a and b are partial views of a passive portion of a passive portion of a
valve assembly in accordance with the present invention.
Referring firstly to Figs 1 to 8 , the valve assembly 1 comprises two valve
portions, an upper, passive and lower, active valve portion 12,14, each having a
vaive housing indicated generally at 16. 8 which are generally annular and a
valve closure member 20, 20' which is pivotally mounted within the housing.
Valve housing 8 has an annular recess 19. The valve closure member 20,20' is
in the form of an annular disc and is provided with spindles 22,22' by means of
which the vaive closure member is pivotally mounted within the housing. The
vaive closure member 20,20' and the spindles 22,22'are machined from a single
piece of metal.
One of the spindles 22 of the lower valve closure member 8 Is operatively
connected to actuator 28. Thus, the annular disc Is journalied for rotation on the
spindles 22,22' and Is moved by the spindle. A automatic actuator 28 is
received on an opposite end to the annular disc of the spindie 22. Two actuators
may be employed, one either side of the spindle of the active valve portion or a
manual actuator can be used in an alternative embodiment.
The valve closure member 20,20' is engageable with and disengageable from an
annular va ve seat in the form of an annular seal (not shown) which is seated in a
compiimentarily-shaped recess n the valve housing. The seal comprises a
EPD annular abutment portion (alternatively, perfiuoroeiastorner or any other
suitable material can be used) which, n use. engages the valve closure member
20,20'
The outer end face of each of the valve housing portions 16, 18 is planar and in
use each face is connected to, for example, adjacent piping sections or a vessel
in a manner well known to in the art and a through passage is formed by means
of, for example, aligned bores.
The abutment of the two valve housing portions ,1 form a mating pair such
that the upper valve portion 16 is mounted within the lower valve housing portion
18, the upper valve portion 18 being male and the lower valve portion 18 being
female. n a first configuration (see Fig. 2) the two valve portions are engaged,
such that the valve closure members are sealed from the surrounding
environment and that material to be transferred through the valve will not be
contaminated by the surrounding environment,
The active or male portion 14 of the valve 10 has two m veab y mounted locking
pin 80 diametrically opposite one another and located within a housing 82 Each
pin 80 is capable of translatlonal movement to move from an unlocking position
(see Fig. 3) where the pin s located within the housing 82 to a locking or
engaged position whereby the pin 0 extends beyond ts housing see Fig. 4)
The housing 82 forms part of the spindle 22.
There are two complementarity shaped blind bores 84 that are iocated in the
female valve portion 1 each of which is shaped to receive respective pin 80.
The biind bores 84 are substantiaSly oval in shape. Each pin has a chamfered
edge 63 to facilitate iocation of the pin in the bores 84.
Fig 5a and b show the locking member engaging with and disengaging with the
female or passive portion of the valve. As can be seen, pin is moveabie from a
retracted position (Fig. 5a) nto an extended position (Fig. 5b where the pin is
received in blind bore.
The shim 98 comprises a base 100 and a wedge portion 102. The pr f ie of the
wedge portion is complementarity shaped to that of the tapered end of the pin 80
to facilitate easy entry of the pin into the bore 84 to reduce friction and wear.
The shim 98 forces the locking pin 60 against the inner wall of the bore 4
creating a tighter interference fit. Consequentiy, the toierances between the pin
80 and the bore 64 are less critical and as a result manufacturing is simpler and
more cost-effective.
The wedge portion 1 2 tapers from the base 0.
The base of the shim 78 is a substantially circuiar member having an
aperture 110 for receiving a screw 1 which has a circuiar recess 11 for
receiving the head of a screw 1 2 to ensure that once secured the head of the
screw is flush with the plane of the base 100 fhe screw does not sit proud of the
base.
The wedge 1 2 has two profiles: an inclined region 120 and a plateau region
122
The shim has a substantially L" shaped longitudinal cross-section
The shim has an arcuate wedge portion complementarily shaped to that of the
pin.
The valve closure members are adapted to be pivotable through 90 degrees, and
when in its fully open position the profile of the inner face 50,50' of the vaive
closure member 20,20' corresponds with the profile of the through bore of the
valve housing, thereby creating minimal restrictions for the flow of fluid or other
material.
The valve assembly can then be fully engaged n ts second configuration,
whereby seats 28,28' mate to form a seal and valve closure members 20,20'
contact one another and can rotate to open each vaive portion respectively,
which are sea i gly engaged thereby allowing the passage of material
therethrough without the material becoming contaminated Rotation of the
spindles 22, 22' of the lower valve closure member 20' will result in rotation of the
upper vaive closure member 20'.
In an alternative embodiment, the blind bores located in the female valve portion
are substantially circular blind bores 200. Figs. ?a and b are partial views of such
an embodiment. The bores 200 have a substantially circular side wall 202
flattened at the bottom having a recessed support surface 204 upon which the
wedge 102 can nest. The support surface 204 is recessed into side wall 202.
The recess is shaped to receive and support the wedge 2,
The valves of the present invention are able to operate in a complete ste le or
decontaminated manner, with, in one embodiment, an n situ sterilisation or
decontamination step before and after each docking, regardless of how many
times the valve is split open and re-docked, ensuring sterile conditions on product
contact parts before, and if receiving, after each dock and undock.
These barriers can be created by any combination of seals, gaskets, o rings, or
seats or inflatable seals.
When the valve s split open into two halves, any material disposed within a
vessel eto. will maintain its sterility as each valve portion is sealed from the
surrounding atmosphere by the valve closure members.
The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiments. For
example, the vaive actuator may be replaced with a different actuator, such as a
manually-operated handle.
An alternative embodiment of the present invention replaces the butterfly valve
closure members of the valve with ba l closure members.
i ?

CLAIMS
1. A split valve assembly comprising two valve portions complementarity
shaped such that the first can seaiingly engage with and co-operate with
the second to allow the movement of material therethrough, each valve
portion comprising a housing, a valve seat and a valve closure member
moveable between a first position in which the valve closure member is
displaced from the valve seat and the valve is open, and a second
position in which the va ve closure member co-operates with the valve
seat and the vaive is closed, wherein the assembly has a first
configuration in which the first and second valve portions engage with one
another, the valve closure members being closed, and a second
configuration n which the two valve portions are disengaged from one
another, the first vaive portion having locking means moveable relative to
the second valve portion to selectively lock and unlock the two valve
portions together, said locking means received by the second valve
portion which comprises a shim.
A split vaive assembly as claimed n claim 1 wherein the locking means
may comprise a locking pair, one member of which is moveable relative
the other and capabie of selectively engaging with the other member to
lock and unlock portions together.
3 . A split valve assembly as claimed in claim 2 wherein the locking pair may
comprise a male and female member compiementarily shaped to one
another.
A split valve assembly as claimed in ciaim 3 wherein the male me ber is
preferably moveable relative o the femaie member.
A split valve assembly as claimed in claim 4 wherein the male member is
capable f transiational movement.
A split vaive assembly as claimed in any previous claim wherein, the male
member comprises a pin and the femaie member comprises a
complementarity shaped blind bore for receiving the male member.
A split valve assembly as claimed in any previous claim wherein the male
member is preferably disposed in the active vaive portion and the female
in the passive vaive portion.
A split vaive assembly as claimed in any previous ciaim wherein the shim
receives the pin and is located i t e second vaive portion,
A split valve assembly as claimed in ciaim 8 wherein the shim is
reieasably secured in the second vaive portion.
A split valve assembly as claimed in claim 9 wherein the means for
releasabiy securing the shim to the second valve portion comprises
fastening means.
11. A spiit valve assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein the fastening
means is a screw.
12. A split valve assembly as claimed in any previous claim wherein the shim
is replaceable.
3 . A split valve assembly as claimed in any previous ciaim wherein the shim
is manufactured from a different material to that of the maie member,
1 . A split valve assembly as claimed in any previous ciaim wherein the shim
comprises a base and a wedge portion
15. A split valve assembly as claimed in ciaim 14 wherein the wedge portion
is orientated such that the tapered end is proximal to the bore opening.
16. A split valve assembly as claimed in claim 5 wherein the base portion of
the shim comprises an aperture through which securing means may pass
to secure the shim in place.
17. A split valve assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein the pin and wedge
portion of the shim are cornp!imentariiy shaped.
18. A split valve assembly as claimed in any previous ciaim wherein the valve
assembly is a split butterfly vaive, split bail valve or any other split valve.
1 . A split valve assembly as claimed in any previous ciaim wherein the valve
portions are manufactured from 3 L and 304 Stainless Steel, Alloy 22
and C278 Nickel alloys.
2 . A split valve assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein the Locking Pins
are manufactured from Aluminium Bronze, Phosphar z , other Bronze
grades, hard speciality grades of stainless steel such as 431 and 7-4PH
2 . A split valve assembly as claimed n ciaim 20 wherein the shim is
manufactured from 3 L or 304 Stainless Steel or one of the harder
speciality grades of stainless steel such as 431 or 17-4PH.
22. A shim for a split valve assembly having first and second vaive portions
and !ocking means comprising a male and female member, said shim
comprising a base portion and a wedge portion, the wedge portion
extending from the base and having a tapered profile, the base having
means for securing it to a va ve portion.
A shim as claimed in ciaim 22 wherein the male member comprises a pin
and the femaie member comprises a compiementarily shaped blind bore
for receiving the male member.
24. A shim as claimed in ciaim 23 wherein the male member is preferably
disposed in the active vaive portion and the femaie in the passive valve
portion.
25. A shim as claimed in ciaim 24 having releasabie securing means for
reieasabiy securing it to a valve portion.
28. A shim as claimed in claim 25 wherein the means for reieasabiy securing
the shim to the second valve portion comprises fastening means.
27. A shim as claimed in claim 28 wherein the fastening means is a screw.
28. A shim as claimed in claim 22 wherein the tapered end is proximal to the
bore opening.
29. A shim as claimed in claim 22 wherein the base of the shim comprises an
aperture through which secu ng means ay pass to secure the shim in
p ace
30. A shim as claimed in claim 23 wherein the face of the wedge portion for
engagement with the pin is complementary shaped thereto.
3 . A shim as claimed in claim 30 wherein the wedge portion is arcuate
32. A shim as claimed in claim 3 1 wherein one side of the shim is arcuate and
adapted to be one third to half a complete circle circumference.
33. A shim as ciaimed in claim 32 wherein the shim has a top bearing
surface formed from a first radius of curvature and the lower surface being
a second radius of curvature that is greater than the first.
34. A shim as ciaimed in claim 33 wherein Radius of first radius of curvature
is preferably substantially the same as the radius of the pin.
A shim as claimed in ciaim 22 having an extraction hole which is
accessibie external to the shim for engagement with a tool for the
insertion and/or removal of the shim.