阅读说明：本技术 用于阀封闭元件的密封组件 (Sealing assembly for valve closure element ) 是由 安东尼·托德·哈根 于 2019-05-27 设计创作，主要内容包括：用于阀封闭元件的密封组件。阀组件包括阀主体,阀主体具有流动通路和绕着通路延伸的大致环状的座,封闭元件能够沿着中央轴线线性移位并包括圆筒状的主体。密封组件包括：外密封件,其包括环状的主体、内周面、外周面以及相反的第一轴向端和第二轴向端,主体由聚合物材料形成并具有中线,内周面限定出密封件孔,第一轴向端具有大致沿径向延伸的环状密封面,密封面能够与阀座密封接合；以及内连接件,其包括大致环状的主体,主体由实质上刚性的材料形成并至少部分地布置在密封件孔内,连接件主体具有能够与阀主体外表面摩擦接合以使密封件与封闭元件连结的内周面。(A seal assembly for a valve closure member. The valve assembly includes a valve body having a flow passage and a generally annular seat extending about the passage, a closure element linearly displaceable along a central axis and including a cylindrical body. The seal assembly includes: an outer seal comprising an annular body formed of a polymeric material and having a centerline, an inner circumferential surface defining a seal bore, an outer circumferential surface and opposed first and second axial ends, the first axial end having a generally radially extending annular sealing surface sealingly engageable with the valve seat; and an inner connector including a generally annular body formed of a substantially rigid material and disposed at least partially within the seal bore, the connector body having an inner circumferential surface frictionally engageable with the valve body outer surface to join the seal with the closure element.)

1. A seal assembly for a closure element of a valve assembly, the valve assembly including a valve body having a flow passage and a generally annular seat extending about the passage, the closure element being linearly displaceable along a central axis and including a generally cylindrical body having an outer peripheral surface, a first axial end and an opposite second axial end, the first axial end being arrangeable against the seat to block flow from the passage, the seal assembly comprising:

An outer seal comprising a generally annular body formed of a polymeric material and having a centerline, an inner peripheral surface defining a seal bore, an outer peripheral surface and first and second opposite axial ends, the first axial end having a generally radially extending annular sealing surface sealingly engageable with the valve seat; and

An inner connector including a generally annular body formed of a substantially rigid material and disposed at least partially within the seal bore, the connector body having an inner circumferential surface frictionally engageable with the valve body outer surface to join the seal with the closure element.

2. the seal assembly of claim 1, wherein the connector comprises:

A generally tubular base having an inner surface providing the connector inner peripheral surface, an opposing outer peripheral surface, and two opposing axial ends, at least a portion of the seal body inner peripheral surface being disposed about the base outer surface; and

a flange portion integrally formed with and extending radially outwardly from one of the base axial ends, the flange portion being disposed against or within the seal body.

3. The seal assembly of claim 1 wherein said seal body is formed of polyurethane or other plastic polymer and said connector is formed of a metallic material.

4. The seal assembly of claim 1, wherein the connector has the following dimensions: the inner peripheral surface engages the valve body outer surface in an interference fit.

5. The seal assembly of claim 1 wherein the seal face of the seal body is generally angled in a manner extending axially and radially relative to a body centerline such that when the seal assembly is installed in the closure element, a radially inner edge of the seal face is generally proximate to an outer edge of the closure element first axial end, the radially outer edge of the angled surface being spaced axially toward the closure element second axial end.

6. The seal assembly of claim 1, wherein the seal body further has a spot facing extending axially inward from the body second axial end and radially outward from the bore, the spot facing configured to receive a radial shoulder of the closure element.

7. The seal assembly of claim 1, wherein the seal body has a radial thickness between the seal body inner and outer circumferential surfaces, the connector body has a radial thickness between the connector body inner and outer circumferential surfaces, the seal body thickness being substantially greater than the connector body radial thickness.

8. the seal assembly of claim 1, wherein the seal assembly is removable from the valve closure element by slidingly displacing the connector inner surface against the closure body outer surface until the seal assembly is separated from the closure element.

9. A valve assembly, comprising:

A valve body having a central flow passage and a generally annular valve seat extending circumferentially about the central passage;

a closure element linearly displaceable along a central axis and comprising a generally cylindrical body having an outer peripheral surface, a first axial end and an opposite second axial end, the first axial end being arrangeable against the seat to block flow from the passageway; and

a seal assembly, comprising:

an outer seal comprising a generally annular body formed of a polymeric material and having a centerline, an inner peripheral surface defining a seal bore, an outer peripheral surface and first and second opposite axial ends, the first axial end having a generally radially extending annular sealing surface sealingly engageable with the valve seat; and

An inner connector including a generally annular body formed of a substantially rigid material and disposed at least partially within the seal bore, the connector body having an inner circumferential surface frictionally engageable with the valve body outer surface to join the seal with the closure element.

10. The valve assembly of claim 9, wherein the closure element is displaceable along the central axis between a first position in which the closure element first axial end is disposed against the valve seat and a second position in which the closure element first axial end is spaced from the valve seat.

Technical Field

the present invention relates to seals, and more particularly, to seals for valve closure elements.

Background

Seals for valve closure elements, such as those used in valve assemblies for linear pumps, typically comprise an annular seal body formed from a polymeric material. In certain applications, the polymeric seal is retained to the metal element by snapping or pressing the seal around the metal closure element, which can fail due to separation of the seal from the closure element. In other applications, the seal is bonded around the closure element or injection molded around the closure element, which can be expensive to manufacture or rework when the closure element is relatively large.

Disclosure of Invention

In one aspect, the present invention is a seal assembly for a closure element (closure element) of a valve assembly that includes a valve body having a flow passage and a generally annular seat extending around the passage. The closure element is linearly displaceable along a central axis and comprises a generally cylindrical body having an outer peripheral surface, a first axial end positionable against the seat to block (intercept) flow from the passageway, and an opposite second axial end. The seal assembly includes: an outer seal comprising a generally annular body formed of a polymeric material and having a centerline (/ centerline), an inner peripheral surface defining a seal bore, an outer peripheral surface having a generally radially extending annular sealing surface sealingly engageable with the valve seat, and first and second opposite axial ends; and an inner connector (connector) including a generally annular body formed of a substantially rigid material and disposed at least partially within the seal bore, the connector body having an inner circumferential surface frictionally engageable with the valve body outer surface to join the seal with the closure element.

In another aspect, the present invention is a valve assembly comprising: a valve body having a central flow passage and a generally annular valve seat extending circumferentially about the central passage; a closure element linearly displaceable along a central axis and comprising a generally cylindrical body having an outer peripheral surface, a first axial end and an opposite second axial end, the first axial end being arrangeable against the seat to block flow from the passageway; and a seal assembly comprising: an outer seal comprising a generally annular body formed of a polymeric material and having a centerline, an inner peripheral surface defining a seal bore, an outer peripheral surface and first and second opposite axial ends, the first axial end having a generally radially extending annular sealing surface sealingly engageable with the valve seat; and an inner connector including a generally annular body formed of a substantially rigid material and disposed at least partially within the seal bore, the connector body having an inner circumferential surface frictionally engageable with the valve body outer surface to join the seal with the closure element.

Drawings

The foregoing summary, as well as the detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the present invention, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there is shown in the drawings embodiments which are presently preferred. It should be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown. In the figure:

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a simplified linear pump having two valve assemblies, both of which include a seal assembly according to the present invention;

FIGS. 2A and 2B (collectively FIG. 2) are axial cross-sectional views of a valve assembly having the seal assembly of the present invention, shown in the closed and open positions, respectively;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a valve closure element with a seal assembly and an attached valve stem;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the closure element and seal assembly;

FIG. 5 is a perspective cross-sectional view of the closure element and seal assembly;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged cut-away cross-sectional view of the closure element and seal assembly;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the seal assembly;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a connection piece of the seal assembly;

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of a seal of the seal assembly;

FIG. 10 is an enlarged cut-away cross-sectional view of the closure element and seal assembly, illustrating the process of installing the seal assembly into the closure element; and

Fig. 11A-11H (collectively fig. 11) are each cut-away cross-sectional views of a seal assembly having alternative configurations of a connector and/or seal.

Detailed Description

Certain terminology is used in the following description for convenience only and is not limiting. The words "inner", "inwardly" and "outer", "outwardly" refer to directions toward and away from, respectively, a designated centerline or geometric center of the element being described, with special meaning as will be apparent from the context of the specification. Further, as used herein, the terms "connected" and "coupled" are both intended to include direct connections between two members that do not sandwich any other members, as well as indirect connections between two members that sandwich one or more other members. The terminology includes the words above specifically mentioned, derivatives thereof, and words of similar import.

Referring now in detail to the drawings wherein like reference numerals are used to designate like elements throughout the several views, there is shown in fig. 1-11 a seal assembly 10 for a closure element 12 of a valve assembly 14. the valve assembly 14 further includes a valve seat body 16, the valve seat body 16 having a flow passage 18 and a generally annular seat 20 extending circumferentially about an outlet end 18a of the passage 18. as shown in fig. 1, although the valve assembly 14 is preferably used to control flow through an inlet 1 or an outlet 2 of a linear pump 3, it may be used in any other suitable application, the closure element 12 is linearly displaceable along a central axis a _C and includes a generally cylindrical disc-shaped body 22, the body 22 having a centerline L _CC generally coaxial with a central axis a _C. the closure element body 22 has a first axial end 22a disposable against the seat 20 for blocking flow from the passage 18, an opposite second axial end 22b, a peripheral circumferential surface 24 extending generally axially between the ends 22a and 22b, and a shoulder 26 extending radially outward from the outer surface 24 and proximal to the second end 22b, the outer surface 24 b, the seal assembly 10 including a substantially inner seal member 30 and a coupling member 30, the inner seal member 30 and a coupling member 40.

More specifically, seal 30 includes a generally annular body 32, preferably, body 32 is a relatively thick hollow cylinder formed of a polymeric material M ₁, although preferably, polymeric material M ₁ is a polyurethane or other plastic polymer (plastic polymer), but may be any other suitable seal material such as Nitrile, Delrin, natural or synthetic rubber, or the like, seal body 32 has a centerline L _CS, an inner circumferential surface 33A, an outer circumferential surface 33B that defines a seal bore 34 (FIG. 9), a radial thickness t _S (FIG. 9) between surfaces 33A and 33B, and opposite first and second axial ends 32A and 32B, seal body first axial end 32A has a generally radially extending annular sealing surface 36, sealing surface 36 sealingly engageable with valve seat 20. As such, seal 30 serves to substantially prevent fluid from leaking past interface I _C (FIG. 2A) between closure element 12 and valve seat 20 when seal body first axial end 32A has a generally radially extending annular sealing surface 36. seal body 32 also has a counterboring (counterboring/counter bore) configured to substantially prevent fluid from being radially extending from interface I _C (FIG. 2A) between closure element 12 and valve seat 20 when seal body 32 is in a radially extending axial direction with a radially extending counter bore 38, and configured to retain seal body 32, such as is depicted, and is configured to form a radially extending counter bore 38, such as a radially extending counter bore 32, and a radially extending flange portion 32, e.g. 11, a radially extending counter bore 32, and configured to retain a radially extending element 32, a radially extending counter bore 32, such as a radially extending counter element 32, e.g. a radially extending counter bore 32.

further, the connector 40 includes a generally annular body 42, the body 42 being at least partially disposed within the seal bore 34 and formed of a substantially rigid material M ₂, although preferably the material M ₂ is a metallic material such as mild steel or aluminum, but could be a rigid polymer, ceramic, or any other suitable material, the connector body 42 having an inner circumferential surface 43A, an outer circumferential surface 43B, respectively, defining a bore 44, a radial thickness t _C (FIG. 8) between the surfaces 43A and 43B, and first and second opposing axial ends 42a and 42B, the connector body 42 preferably being formed as a relatively thin circular tube such that the seal body thickness t _S is substantially greater than the connector body radial thickness t _C, further, the seal body 32 is preferably attached to the connector body 42 by adhesive bonding, although most preferably, by being formed and attached to the connector body 42 using a bonding matrix (bonding matrix) applied at the interface I _S between the seal 30 and the connector 40, although any other suitable means (e.g., fasteners) may only be frictionally or even merely maintained attached.

the connector body inner circumferential surface 43A is frictionally engageable with the closure element outer circumferential surface 24 to couple the seal 30 to the closure element 12. Specifically, the closure element 12 is inserted in the connector aperture 44 (see fig. 10) such that the closure element outer surface 24 is slidably displaceable against the connector inner surface 43A until the seal assembly 10 is fully "seated" about the closure element 12 as shown in fig. 3-6. Specifically, when fully seated, as best shown in FIG. 9, the second axial end 42b of the connector 40 is preferably disposed against the closure element shoulder 26, the entire connector inner surface 43A is disposed about the closure element outer surface 24, and the sealing surface 36 of the seal 30 is generally aligned in line (align) with the closure element engagement surface 23 (to be described later).

Preferably, inner diameter ID _CO (FIG. 8) of connector inner surface 43A is sized slightly smaller than outer diameter OD _CL (FIG. 3) of outer surface 24 of closure element body 22 such that connector 40 is an interference or friction fit with closure element 12, whereby seal assembly 10 is removably joined with closure element 12. specifically, seal assembly 10 may be removed by enabling sliding displacement of connector inner surface 43A against closure body outer surface 24 until seal assembly 10 is separated from closure element 12. further, the amount of force F _M required to mount seal assembly 10 to closure element 12 and optionally to detach seal assembly 10 from closure element 12 is directly proportional to the difference between inner diameter ID _CO of connector 40 and outer diameter OD _CL of closure element 12.

referring to fig. 6-8 and 11, the connector 40 is preferably formed to include a generally tubular base portion 50 and a generally radial flange portion 52 extending in an axial direction, the tubular base portion 50 having an inner surface 51A providing a connector inner peripheral surface 43A, an opposed outer peripheral surface 51B providing a connector outer surface 43B, and two opposed axial ends 50a, 50B as shown in fig. 6-1, 11G and 11H, the base portion 50 preferably having an axial length L _A (fig. 8) approximately equal to the axial length of the closure element outer surface 24, however, as depicted in fig. 11A-11F, the tubular base portion 50 may be sized such that the axial length L _A is substantially less than the closure element outer surface 24, further, the radial flange portion 52 has an inner radial end 52a, the inner radial end 52a being integrally formed with and extending radially outward from one of the base axial ends 50a and 50B, depending on the desired configuration as shown in fig. 6-8 and 11.

more specifically, in the particular configuration shown in FIGS. 6-8, 11C-11H, the flange portion 52 extends outwardly from the first axial end 50a of the base portion 50 and is capable of being disposed at least partially against the preferred shoulder 26 of the closure element body 20. in the other configurations shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B, the flange portion 52 extends outwardly from the base second axial end 50B and is capable of being disposed or "buried" within the seal body 32. preferably, the flange portion 52 is dimensioned to have a radial dimension E _R, i.e., a radial length or maximum distance from the flange inner end 52a, that is at least approximately equal to the radial length L _R of the closure element shoulder 26.

in addition, in all of the various configurations, connector flange portion 52 serves to retain seal body 32 in conjunction with connector body 42. specifically, during installation of seal assembly 10 about closure element 12 as depicted in FIG. 10, force F _M applied to seal body 32 to install connector 40 about closure element 12 may break the adhesive bond at connector interface I _S and may allow relative displacement between seal 30 and connector 40. accordingly, connector flange portion 52 is provided to reinforce portion 35 (FIGS. 6 and 10) of seal body 32 between body first axial end 32a and flange portion 52 to which installation force F _M is applied.

Referring to fig. 1-3, in the presently preferred application as discussed above, the valve assembly 14 preferably functions as a pair of first and second valve assemblies 15A, 15B of the linear pump 3, the first valve assembly 15A being disposed within the pump inlet 1 and the second valve assembly 15B being disposed within the outlet 2, the pump 3 further including a housing 4 providing the inlet 1 and outlet 2 and an internal chamber 5, and a reciprocating piston 6 extending into the housing 4 and at least partially disposed within the chamber 5, the piston 6 being displaced along an axis a _P in a first direction D ₁ to draw fluid through the first valve assembly 15A and into the chamber 5, and optionally the piston 6 being displaced along an axis a _P in a second direction D ₂ to pressurize the fluid in the chamber 5 and then discharge the pressurized fluid through the second valve assembly 15B.

in the preferred application, each valve seat body 16 preferably includes a generally hollow cylinder 60, the cylinder 60 having opposite first and second axial ends 60a and 60B, the valve seat 20 being disposed at the first axial end 60 a. the valve body has an inner peripheral surface 62 extending between the ends 60a and 60B and defining the valve passageway 18. preferably, the circumferential valve seat 20 is concave, or as best shown in FIG. 2B, the circumferential valve seat 20 is generally angled in a manner extending both radially outward from the central axis A _C and axially along the central axis A _C. further, the valve body cylinder 60 is disposed within a single one of two circular apertures 7 in the housing 3, the two circular apertures 7 each providing at least a portion of the pump inlet 1 or the pump outlet 2.

With the above structure of the valve seat body 16, the first axial end 22a of the closure element body 22 preferably has a convex shape, the angle at which the annular engagement face 23 can be disposed against the valve seat 20 such that the closure element 12 interrupts flow through the valve passageway 18 as will be described in further detail later, the engagement face 23 extends radially outwardly from a centerline L _CC and generally axially toward the second axial end 22b, in addition, the valve assembly 14 also preferably includes a guide post 70, the guide post 70 having a first end 70a attached to the closure element 12 and a second end 70b disposed within the valve passageway 18. the post 70 preferably includes a plurality of axially extending legs or wings 72, each leg or wing 72 being slidably engageable with the valve body inner surface 62 to center the closure element 12 on the central axis A _C during opening and closing of the valve assembly 14 as will be described later.

in addition, the sealing surface 36 of the seal body 32 is also preferably generally angled to substantially conform to the profile of the closure element engagement surface 23 as described above, specifically, the sealing surface 36 extends axially and radially relative to the seal body centerline L _CS, as such, the radially inner edge 36a of the sealing surface 36 is generally adjacent to the outer edge 25 of the closure element first axial end 22a (FIG. 6), and the radially outer edge 36b of the sealing surface 36 is spaced axially toward the second axial end 22a of the closure element 12. preferably, the sealing surface 36 is angled "shallower" or less steeply than the closure element engagement surface 23 such that at least that portion of the seal body 32 at the body first axial end 32a compresses against the valve seat 20 when the closure element 12 is in a closed position P ₁, as will be described later.

Referring to fig. 1 and 2, in use, the closure element 12 is displaceable along a valve central axis a _C between a first position P ₁ and a second position P ₂. in a first, "closed" position P ₁ as shown in fig. 1 and 2A, the closure element first axial end 22A is disposed against the valve seat 20 so as to at least substantially interrupt fluid flow through the associated passageway 18. in the closed position P ₁, the seal 30 at least substantially prevents any leakage of fluid within the valve passageway through the valve interface I _C. optionally, in a second, "open" position P ₂ depicted in fig. 2B, the closure element first axial end 22A is spaced from the valve seat 20 to permit flow through the valve passageway 18 and into or out of the housing chamber 5.

The seal assembly 10 of the present invention is advantageous for two primary reasons. By having a rigid connection 40, preferably metal, the seal assembly 10 is more positively retained and less likely to fail for joining the seal 30 to the closure element 12 than prior known seals are retained by the interface between the relatively soft seal and the metal closure element. More significantly, by having the seal assembly 10 manufactured separately from the closure element 12 and then attached to the closure element 12 with a separate installation process, the seal assembly 10 is easier to manufacture than prior seals that had to be injection molded around or bonded directly to the closure element. The present seal assembly 10 can be shipped to an end user for direct installation of the seal assembly 10 without shipping the potentially relatively large and heavy closure element 12 back to the seal manufacturer for replacement.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes could be made to the embodiments described above without departing from the broad inventive concept thereof. It is understood, therefore, that this invention is not limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but it is intended to cover modifications of the invention which are within the spirit and scope of the appended claims, as generally defined by the following claims.