DESC:FIELD
The present disclosure relates to the field of mechanical engineering.
DEFINITIONS
As used in the present disclosure, the following terms are generally intended to have the meaning as set forth below, except to the extent that the context in which they are used indicate otherwise.
The expression “NAMUR” used hereinafter in this specification refers to, but is not limited to, an acronym for Normen Arbeitgemeinschaft fur Mass Und Regeltechnik (Standards Working Group for Mass and Control Technology) which provides a specification for a standard interface between pneumatic actuators and solenoid/directional control valves.
The expression “NAMUR mounting plate” used hereinafter in this specification refers to an attachment for a valve to directly mount on a complementary holder formation of the actuator, and also to provide direct connection to the pressure supply/exhaust ports.
BACKGROUND
The background information herein below relates to the present disclosure but is not necessarily prior art.
Air supplied by a pneumatic actuator such as a compressor is often contaminated with dust and oil among other contaminants. Contaminated air deteriorates the performance and life of the downstream components such as valves, cylinders and the like. Production downtime due to contaminants is undesirable in industrial applications. Air pressure in a system is controlled by a regulator, which is often a pressure regulator valve. A device combining the function of a filter and a regulator is termed as a ‘filter regulator (FR)’. In addition, a lubricator unit may also be implemented together with the filter regulator, to form a filter-regulator-lubricator (FRL) device. This pressurized air can typically be supplied through the FRL to air-driven tools such as guns and wrenches, air brakes, drilling, automation, metal cutting, packaging and other fluid power applications.
Conventionally, a filter regulator and a valve of an actuator are mounted separately, and are then connected with each other by means of fittings and tubing. The conventional approach of using fittings and tubing for connecting the filter regulator and the valve leads to an increased number of leakage points, and, therefore, requires frequent maintenance. Further, the conventional approach is also laborious, time consuming, and expensive due to the requirement of additional tubing and fittings.
There is, therefore, felt a need to provide an apparatus for coupling a valve of an actuator with a filter regulator which alleviates the abovementioned drawbacks.
OBJECTS
Some of the objects of the present disclosure, which at least one embodiment herein satisfies, are as follows:
It is an object of the present disclosure to ameliorate one or more problems of the prior art or to at least provide a useful alternative.
An object of the present disclosure is to provide an apparatus for coupling a valve with a filter regulator.
Another object of the present disclosure is to provide an apparatus for coupling a valve with a filter regulator, which facilitates left or right inlet orientation of the filter regulator.
Still another object of the present disclosure is to provide an apparatus for coupling a valve with a filter regulator, which facilitates horizontal and vertical orientation of the valve.
Yet another object of the present disclosure is to provide an apparatus for coupling a valve with a filter regulator, which requires less maintenance.
Still another object of the present disclosure is to provide an apparatus for coupling a valve with a filter regulator, which eliminates the requirement of fittings and tubings for connecting filter regulator and valve
Yet another object of the present disclosure is to provide an apparatus for coupling a valve with a filter regulator, which reduces the number of leakage points.
Another object of the present disclosure is to provide an apparatus for coupling a valve with a filter regulator, which is cost effective.
Still another object of the present disclosure is to provide an apparatus for coupling a valve with a filter regulator, which required less assembly time.
Yet another object of the present disclosure is to provide an apparatus for coupling a valve with a filter regulator, which has a simple configuration.
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 an apparatus for fluidly coupling a filter regulator and a valve of an actuator. The apparatus comprises a diverter block configured with a passage for a fluid. The passage has an inlet and an outlet. The diverter block is configured to interface between the filter regulator and the valve.
In an embodiment, the diverter block is substantially rectangular-parallelopiped in shape. The inlet and the outlet of the diverter block are configured on adjacent faces of the diverter block.
According to another embodiment, a clamp is provided for clamping the diverter block with the filter regulator in an operative configuration.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWING
An apparatus of the present disclosure for fluidly coupling a valve and a filter regulator will now be described with the help of the accompanying drawing, in which:
Figure 1 illustrates a front view of an arrangement for mounting a valve with a filter regulator, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
Figure 2–5 illustrate isometric views of the arrangement of Figure 1 depicting various orientations of the valve with respect to the filter regulator;
Figure 6 and Figure 7 illustrate isometric views of a diverter block of the arrangement of Figure 1;
Figure 8 and Figure 9 illustrate isometric views of a clamp of the arrangement of Figure 1;
Figure 10 illustrates an isometric view of the valve and filter regulator mounted on an actuator, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; and
Figure 11 illustrates an exploded view of the arrangement for coupling the valve with the filter regulator and the actuator of Figure 10.
LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS
102 Filter Regulator
104 Valve
106 Air pressure gauge
108 Diverter block
110 Through-holes
112 Fasteners
114 Clamp
114a Clamp through-hole
114b First wedge
114c Base portion
116 Inlet
118 NAMUR mounting plate
120 Second wedge
122a Block inlet
122b Block outlet
124 Groove
200 Actuator
202 Mounting surface
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Embodiments, of the present disclosure, will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing.
Embodiments are provided so as to thoroughly and fully convey the scope of the present disclosure to the person skilled in the art. Numerous details are set forth, relating to specific components, and methods, to provide a complete understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to the person skilled in the art that the details provided in the embodiments should not be construed to limit the scope of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, well-known processes, well-known apparatus structures, and well-known techniques are not described in detail.
The terminology used, in the present disclosure, is only for the purpose of explaining a particular embodiment and such terminology shall not be considered to limit the scope of the present disclosure. As used in the present disclosure, the forms “a”, “an” and “the” may be intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly suggests otherwise. The terms “comprises”, “comprising”, “including” and “having” are open ended transitional phrases and therefore specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, modules, units and/or components, but do not forbid the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. The particular order of steps disclosed in the method and process of the present disclosure is not to be construed as necessarily requiring their performance as described or illustrated. It is also to be understood that additional or alternative steps may be employed.
When an element is referred to as being “mounted on”, “engaged to”, “connected to” or “coupled to” another element, it may be directly on, engaged, connected or coupled to the other element. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed elements.
The conventional approach of connecting a filter regulator and a valve of a pneumatic actuator involves mounting the filter regulator and the valve separately and connecting them with tubing, clamps and other fittings. This approach not only increases the number of leakage points but also is laborious, time-consuming and expensive.
The present disclosure envisages an apparatus for fluidly coupling a valve of an actuator and a filter regulator. The envisaged apparatus of the present disclosure eliminates the need for tubings and/or fittings required for connecting a valve and a filter regulator, thereby reducing the number of leakage points and the overall cost of assembly, and also reducing the time required for assembly.
An apparatus for fluidly coupling a filter regulator 102 and a valve 104 of an actuator 200 of the present disclosure is now described with reference to Figure 1 through Figure 11.
Figure 1 illustrates a front view of an arrangement for fluidly coupling a valve 104 and a filter regulator 102, using the apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figures 2-5 illustrate isometric views of the arrangement depicting various orientations of the valve 104 with respect to the filter regulator 102.
Referring to Figure 1 through Figure 5, the filter regulator 102 includes an air pressure gauge 106. The air pressure gauge 106 is mounted on a body (not specifically labelled in the figures) of the filter regulator 102. An inlet 116 is configured on the filter regulator 102 which facilitates passage of air therethrough. The air pressure gauge 106 is configured to indicate the pressure of air supplied from the inlet 116, of the filter regulator 102, to an actuator 200 (shown in Figure 10 and Figure 11) via the valve 104.
The apparatus of the present disclosure comprises a diverter block 108 for fluidly coupling the filter regulator 102 and the valve 104. In an embodiment, a clamp 114 is provided for securely connecting the filter regulator 102 to the diverter block 108. Figure 6 and Figure 7 illustrate isometric views of the diverter block 108, and Figure 8 and Figure 9 illustrate isometric views of the clamp 114.
In an embodiment, the clamp 114 is defined by a base portion 114c. The base portion 114c has a clamp through-hole 114a configured thereon. A first wedge 114b is configured on the base portion 114c of the clamp 114. The first wedge 114b, of the clamp 114, is configured to be received within a complementary wedge formed on the filter regulator 102. In an embodiment, the first wedge 114b is a male wedge, whereas the complementary wedge formed on the filter regulator 102 is a female wedge. The wedge on the filter regulator is as available from the market. Therefore, by providing a complementary first wedge 114b on the diverter block 108, the need to modify the filter regulator 102 is eliminated.
In an embodiment, the diverter block 108 is provided with a plurality of through-holes 110, a block inlet 122a, a block outlet 122b, and a second wedge 120. In an exemplary embodiment, the diverter block 108 is a monolithic structure. The diverter block 108 is weather-proof and explosion-proof. The rigidity of the monolithic structure of the block 108 of the present disclosure enhances reliability of the fluid coupling between the filter regulator 102 and the valve 104.
In still another embodiment, the plurality of through-holes 110 is provided on a face of the diverter block 108. The plurality of through-holes 110 are configured on the diverter block 108 to facilitate mounting of the valve 104 in different orientations. The second wedge 120 and the block inlet 122a are provided on any one face which may be adjacent to the face having through-holes 110. In another embodiment, the block outlet 122b is provided on any one of the faces having through-holes 110 configured thereon.
In an embodiment, the block inlet 122a and the block outlet 122b form a passage therebetween, wherein the passage facilitates the flow of air received from the filter regulator 102 towards the valve 104. Further, upon mounting, the block outlet 122b is aligned with the inlet port of the valve 104. In an embodiment, the passage between the block inlet 122a and the block outlet 122b is provided by drilling through the block on the surfaces where the inlet 122a and the outlet 122b are to be formed, upto the centre of the block 108 until the drilled passages meet to form a continuous passage. In another embodiment, the passage is formed by joining two halves of the block 108 which have complementary grooves machined on the mating surfaces of the halves.
In another embodiment, a groove 124 is formed on the diverter block 108. The groove 124 is configured to receive the base portion 114c of the clamp 114. In an embodiment, the shape of the groove 124 is complementary to the shape of the base portion 114c of the clamp 114.
In an operative configuration, the filter regulator 102 is securely connected to the diverter block 108 by means of the second wedge 120 formed on the diverter block 108 and the clamp 114. By matching the first wedge 114b of the clamp 114 and the second wedge 120 of the diverter block 108 with the wedges on the face corresponding to the outlet of the filter regulator 102 in the operative configuration, the outlet of the filter regulator 102 is aligned with the inlet 122a of the block 108. This configuration is secured by means of a fastener screwed through the clamp through-hole 114a and the threaded hole formed in the groove 124 of the block 108.
Further, the filter regulator 102 coupled with the diverter block 108 is mounted on the valve 104 by means of a plurality of fasteners 112. The fasteners 112 are received within a plurality of slots (not shown in figure) configured on the valve 104 via the plurality of through-holes 110 of the diverter block 108.
Air from the filter regulator 102 passes to the actuator 200 via the inlet 116 of the filter regulator 102, diverter block inlet 122a, diverter block outlet 122b, valve 104 and the inlet (not specifically labelled in Figure 11) of the actuator 200. Any return air from the actuator 200 is given out to the atmosphere through the valve 104.
In an exemplary embodiment, the assembly of the valve 104 and the filter regulator 102, which is coupled by means of the apparatus of the present disclosure, is mounted on a mounting surface 202 of the actuator 200 by means of a NAMUR mounting plate 118. The NAMUR mounting plate 118 facilitates direct mounting of the valve 104 on to the mounting surface 202 provided on the actuator 200.
The arrangement of the present disclosure can be adapted for 3/2 NC or 5/2 NC functions for controlling single-acting and double-acting actuators by means of the NAMUR mounting plate 118.
In another embodiment, the unit 102 includes a lubricator along with a filter and a regulator, to form a filter regulator lubricator (FRL) 102. The diverter block 108 of the present disclosure fluidly couples the filter regulator lubricator 102 and the valve 104.
The configuration of the diverter block 108 is such that various mounting arrangements and/or orientations of the valve 104 and the filter regulator 102 are feasible. As depicted in the various embodiments through Figure 2 to Figure 5, the inlet 116 of the filter regulator 102 can have left orientation or right orientation with respect to the air pressure gauge 106, thereby allowing the air pressure gauge 106 to be oriented at front face to provide convenience to a user. Similarly, the mounting of the valve 104 can be horizontal or vertical as per the application requirements. The apparatus of the present disclosure is modular and enables the assembly of the valve 104 and the filter regulator 102 to form a single unit which can be directly mounted on the actuator 200, as depicted in Figure 10 and Figure 11.
A life cycle test was performed on an apparatus which included the filter regulator coupled with a NAMUR valve through the diverter block of the present disclosure. Inlet air pressure at the filter regulator was 8.5 bar. Over 0.49 million life cycles of the apparatus at the aforementioned pressure, no leakage was observed. Hence, the effectiveness of the diverter block over the prior art in terms of leakage reduction was established.
The terms first, second, third, etc., should not be construed to limit the scope of the present disclosure as the aforementioned terms may be only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another component, region, layer or section. Terms such as first, second, third etc., when used herein do not imply a specific sequence or order unless clearly suggested by the present disclosure.
Terms such as “inner”, “outer”, “beneath”, “below”, “lower”, “above”, “upper” and the like, may be used in the present disclosure to describe relationships between different elements as depicted from the figures.
The foregoing description of the embodiments has been provided for purposes of illustration and not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. Individual components of a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particular embodiment, but, are interchangeable. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the present disclosure, and all such modifications are considered to be within the scope of the present disclosure.
TECHNICAL ADVANCEMENTS
The present disclosure described herein above has several technical advantages including, but not limited to, the realization of an apparatus for fluidly coupling a valve and a filter regulator which:
• is cost-effective;
• reduces the number of leakage points;
• eliminates the requirement of fittings and tubings for connecting filter regulator and valve;
• facilitates horizontal and vertical orientation of the valve;
• facilitates left or right inlet orientation of the filter regulator;
• retrofitted to an existing filter regulator and an existing valve;
• has a simple configuration;
• is reliable; and
• requires less maintenance.
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 reveal 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.
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. An apparatus for fluidly coupling a filter regulator (102) and a valve (104) of an actuator (200), said apparatus comprises a diverter block (108) configured with a passage for a fluid, said passage having an inlet (122a) and an outlet (122b), said diverter block (108) being configured to interface between said filter regulator and said valve (104).
2. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said diverter block (108) is substantially rectangular-parallelopiped in shape and said inlet (122a) and said outlet (122b) are configured on adjacent faces of said diverter block (108).
3. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein a clamp (114) is provided for clamping said diverter block (108) with said filter regulator (102) in an operative configuration.
4. An apparatus for fluidly coupling a filter regulator lubricator (102) and a valve (104) of an actuator (200), said apparatus comprises a diverter block (108) configured with a passage for a fluid, said passage having an inlet (122a) and an outlet (122b), said diverter block (108) being configured to interface between said filter regulator and said valve (104).