WO2008047288A2

WO2008047288A2 - A valve

Info

Publication number: WO2008047288A2
Application number: PCT/IB2007/054175
Authority: WO
Inventors: Gary Kenneth Diamond; Paul Eksteen
Original assignee: Gary Kenneth Diamond; Paul Eksteen
Priority date: 2006-10-19
Filing date: 2007-10-15
Publication date: 2008-04-24
Also published as: WO2008047288A3

Abstract

The invention provides a valve (10) for automatically controlling fluid flow in response to the tilting of the valve (10) from a first condition to a second condition. The valve (10) includes a valve housing (12) defining a passage (14) for fluid flow through the valve (10) from a valve inlet (16) to a valve outlet (20), and a valve closure (26) which is movable between a closed condition in which it prevents fluid flow through the valve passage (14) and an open condition in which it allows fluid flow through the valve passage (14). The valve (10) also includes a safety device (34) for effecting displacement of the valve closure (26) into the closed condition when the valve (10) is tilted from the first condition to the second condition. The safety device (34) includes a mass (36) which is automatically displaceable, under the effect of gravity, when the valve (10) is tilted towards or into the second condition, and the safety device (34) is arranged so that the automatic displacement of the mass (36) causes or allows the valve closure (26) to be displaced into the closed condition.

Description

AVALVE

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

THIS invention relates to valves, and more specifically to a valve for automatically controlling fluid flow in response to the tilting of the valve from a first condition to a second condition. In particular, the invention relates to a valve for automatically shutting off the supply of fuel to a burner head if the burner head is tipped over, in use. The invention also relates to a burner which incorporates such a valve.

Burners of the conversion type are designed to convert a liquid fuel into a high temperature vapour fuel and subsequently to generate heat energy by combustion of the high temperature vapour fuel at a burner head. Generally, with these types of burners, if the burner is accidentally tipped over, in use, it is important that the flame at the burner head is extinguished as quickly as possible to avoid a subsequent fire.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a valve for automatically shutting off the supply of fuel to a burner head if the burner head is tipped over, in use. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the invention there is provided a valve for automatically controlling fluid flow in response to the tilting of the valve from a first condition to a second condition, the valve including: a valve housing which defines a passage for fluid flow through the valve from a valve inlet to a valve outlet; a valve closure which is movable between a closed condition in which it prevents fluid flow through the valve passage and an open condition in which it allows fluid flow through the valve passage; and a safety device for effecting displacement of the valve closure into the closed condition when the valve is tilted from the first condition to the second condition, the safety device including a mass which is automatically displaceable, under the effect of gravity, when the valve is tilted towards or into the second condition, and wherein the safety device is arranged so that the automatic displacement of the mass causes or allows the valve closure to be displaced into the closed condition.

In one embodiment of the invention, the valve controls the flow of fuel to a burner such as, for example, a burner in a stove, a geyser, a heater or the like, and the safety device is arranged to effect displacement of the valve closure into the closed condition if the burner is accidentally bumped over, in use. In this way, the safety device shuts off the fuel flow to a burner head when the burner is bumped over, preventing further combustion at the burner head.

The safety device may include a mass which is automatically displaceable, under the effect of gravity, to drive the valve closure into the closed condition when the valve is tilted from a first condition in which the burner head is operative to a second condition in which the burner head has been tipped over. For example, the safety device may comprise a ball which is seated in a concave seat and which, when the valve is tilted, is arranged to roll on the seat into engagement with the valve closure and to subsequently displace the valve closure into the closed condition. In this arrangement, the valve closure may comprise a base and a valve stem extending from the base, the valve stem being engagable with a valve seat when the valve closure is in the closed condition, and the ball may be arranged to engage the base when displacing the valve closure into the closed condition.

Preferably, the base has a mass which is sufficient to draw the valve stem away from the valve seat into the open condition of the valve closure when the valve is in the first condition.

At least a portion of the safety device may be incorporated into the valve closure.

In another embodiment of the invention, the safety device includes a mass which is arranged to hold the valve closure in the open condition when the burner head is operative, and which is automatically displaceable, under the effect of gravity, away from the valve closure when the burner head is tipped over so as to allow the valve closure to be displaced into the closed condition.

In burner applications, the valve may be located at various locations on the burner, including locations adjacent or remote from a burner head, and may be incorporated within the burner head.

The valve may also include a deformable member which is responsive to changes in the temperature of fluid within the valve so as to deform automatically upon a predetermined change in the fluid temperature from a first position in which the valve closure is in the closed condition to a second position in which the valve closure is in the open condition.

Preferably, the deformable member is responsive to changes in the temperature of fluid within the valve so as to also deform automatically upon a predetermined change in the fluid temperature from the second position in which the valve closure is in the open condition to the first position in which the valve closure is in the closed condition. In this way, the valve may be used to supply fuel to the burner head at predetermined temperatures so as to ensure correct and complete combustion.

The deformable member may be any device which deforms sufficiently under predetermined temperature changes to cause the valve closure to open and/or close.

In one embodiment of the invention, the deformable member comprises a bimetal device composed of two metal portions which have different coefficients of thermal expansion.

In a preferred embodiment, the deformable member comprises a bi-metal disc such as, for example, a snap-acting bi-metal disc of the type sold under the name Klixon^®.

The invention extends to a burner which incorporates a valve of the type described above. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be described in more detail, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a valve according to one embodiment of the present invention in a substantially upright, open condition;

Figure 2 illustrates, in cross-section, the operation of a safety device when the valve is tipped to one side;

Figures 3 and 4 illustrate, diagrammatically, side views of a burner with the valve positioned at different locations on the burner;

Figure 5 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a valve according to a second embodiment of the invention in a closed condition;

Figure 6 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the valve of Figure 5 in an open condition; and

Figure 7 illustrates, in cross-section, the operation of the safety device when the valve is tipped to one side. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention has application in the field of valves, and more specifically in a valve for automatically controlling the flow of fluid in response to the tilting of the valve from a first condition to a second condition. In one application, the invention is embodied in a valve for automatically shutting off the supply of fuel to a burner head if the burner head is tipped over, in use.

Figures 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawings illustrate a safety valve according to one embodiment of the present invention. The valve is designated generally with the reference numeral 10 and includes a valve housing 12 which defines a passage 14 for fluid flow through the valve from a valve inlet 16 in an inlet component 18 to a valve outlet 20 in an outlet component 22. As representatively illustrated in Figure 1 , the inlet component 18 and the outlet component 22 may be threadably engagable with the valve housing 12.

The outlet component 22 may define a valve seat 24, as illustrated in Figure 1 , which is designed to receive a valve closure 26. As can be seen, the valve closure 26 may comprise a base 28 and a valve stem 30 which defines a tapered point 32 for engaging the valve seat 24 in a closed condition of the valve.

The valve 10 also includes a safety device 34 for automatically closing the valve outlet 20 if the valve tips over from a first, substantially upright condition, as illustrated in Figure 1, to a second, tilted condition as illustrated in Figure 2. In this embodiment of the invention, the safety device 34 includes a ball 36 which is seated in a concave seat 38 in the inlet component 18. The ball 36 is arranged to roll on the seat 38 from the position illustrated in Figure 1 to the position illustrate in Figure 2 when the valve 10 is tipped to one side, for example if a burner incorporating the valve tips over.

With reference now to Figures 3 and 4 of the drawings, the valve 10 may be connected to the inlet end 40 of a burner 42, as illustrated in Figure 3, for receiving liquid fuel from a fuel line 44 connected to a fuel supply (not illustrated) and supplying the liquid fuel to a burner head 46 via a conversion conduit 48. Alternatively, the valve 10 may be connected to an outlet end 50 of a burner 52, as illustrated in Figure 4, for receiving vapour fuel from a conversion chamber 54 and supplying the vapour fuel to a burner head 56.

In practice, the valve 10 may be used in various applications. In one application, the valve 10 may be used to control the flow of fuel to the burner head of a conventional paraffin stove. In this application, the valve 10 may be located adjacent the burner head 56, as illustrated in Figure 4, or it may be incorporated within the burner head so that a flame at the burner head can be extinguishing relatively quickly upon tipping of the burner, in use. In an operative condition, the valve closure 26 is held in the open condition illustrated in Figure 1 by the base 28, allowing fuel to flow through the valve passage 14 from the valve inlet 16 to the valve outlet 20, to fuel combustion at the burner head 56. If the burner 52 is accidentally bumped over, in use, the ball 36 rolls from the Figure 1 condition to the Figure 2 condition, forcing the base 28 away from the inlet component 18 and driving the valve closure 26 into the closed condition to automatically prevent further flow of fuel to the burner head 56. In this way, the safety valve 10 automatically shuts off the fuel flow to the burner head 56 to extinguish the flame at the burner head and prevent a subsequent fire. The valve 10 is typically located as close as possible to combustion at the burner head 56 so that shutting off of the fuel flow to the burner head results in the immediate or very rapid extinguishing of the burner head flame.

Figures 5 to 7 of the accompanying drawings illustrate a valve 110 according to another embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, the valve 110 includes a valve housing 112 which defines a fluid passage 114 leading from a valve inlet 116 in an inlet component 118 to a valve outlet 120 in an outlet component 122. The outlet component defines a valve seat 124 (see Figure 6) which is designed to receive a valve closure 126. As representatively illustrated in Figure 5, the valve closure 126 may comprise a base 128 and a valve stem 130 which defines a tapered point 132 for engaging the valve seat 124 in a closed condition of the valve. The valve stem 130 carries projections 134 engagable with a deformable disc 136 which will be described in more detail below.

A safety device according to the present invention is designated generally with the reference numeral 138. The safety device is similar to the safety device 10 described above with reference to Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings and includes a ball 140 which is seated in a concave seat 142 in the inlet component 118. The ball 140 is arranged to roll on the seat 142 from the position illustrated in Figure 6 to the position illustrate in Figure 7 when the valve 110 is tipped to one side, for example if a burner incorporating the valve tips over.

The deformable disc 136 is deformable from a first position as illustrated in Figure 5 to a second position as illustrated in Figure 6. The disc 136 may be designed to deform upon exposure to predetermined temperature changes and may comprises a snap-acting bi-metal disc of the type sold under the name Klixon^®. This type of disc is well known in the art and it is therefore not necessary to describe such a disc in any further detail for a full understanding of the invention. However, generally, these types of discs are composed of two metal portions which have different coefficients of thermal expansion and which are connected together so that, when the disc is exposed to a predetermined change in temperature, the metal portions expand or contract at different rates, causing the disc to deform, i.e. to flex from a convex condition to a concave condition or vice versa. In this embodiment of the invention, the disc 136 defines apertures 144 for allowing fuel to flow through the disc and a central opening for receiving the valve stem 130, as shown. A locator 146 which is threadably engagable with the valve housing 112 holds the disc 136 in position both in the closed, Figure 5 condition and in the open, Figure 6 condition.

In use, the disc 136 holds the closure member 126 in the closed condition illustrated in Figure 5 until the temperature of fuel which has entered the valve 110 is heated by a primer (not illustrated) to a predetermined temperature, for example 200⁰C, at which point the disc 136 deforms from the position illustrated in Figure 5 to the position illustrated in Figure 6. When this occurs, the mass of the base 128 causes the valve stem 130 to drop away from the valve seat 124, thereby moving the closure member 126 into the open condition of Figure 6 and allowing fuel to flow through the valve passage 114 from the valve inlet 116 to the valve outlet 120. If the temperature of the fuel subsequently drops below a predetermined temperature, for example 200⁰C, the disc 136 deforms back into the Figure 5 condition, driving the closure member 126 back into the closed condition and preventing further fuel flow to the burner head. In this way, the valve 110 ensures that the temperature of the fuel delivered to the burner head is within a desired range so as to ensure correct and efficient combustion. As in the previous embodiment, the valve 110 could be connected to a burner at various different locations.

In the event that the burner incorporating the valve 110 is accidentally bumped over, in use, the ball 140 rolls from the Figure 6 condition to the Figure 7 condition, forcing the base 128 away from the inlet component 118 and driving the closure member 126 into the closed condition to automatically prevent further fuel flow to the burner head.

In another, non-illustrated, embodiment of the invention, the safety device includes a mass which is arranged to hold the valve closure in an open condition when the valve is in a first condition, and which is automatically displaceable, under the effect of gravity, away from the valve closure when the valve is tilted towards or into a second condition so as to allow the valve closure to be displaced into a closed condition. For example, the valve closure may be biased into the closed condition, the safety device may include a ball, and, in a first, operative condition of the valve, the ball may be arranged to roll into contact with the valve closure and to push the valve closure into the open condition in which fluid may pass through the valve. However, upon tilting of the valve from the first, operative condition towards or into a second, inoperative condition, the ball may be arranged to roll away from the valve closure, under the effect of gravity, so as to allow the valve closure to return to the closed condition.

An advantage of the safety valve according to the invention is that, by immediately shutting off fuel flow to the burner head when the burner is tipped over, the safety valve can stop combustion at the burner head relatively quickly. In instances where the valve is located adjacent the burner head or is incorporated within the burner head, the flame at the burner head can be extinguished immediately upon, or very rapidly after, tipping over of the burner head. This is desirable for avoiding a subsequent fire.

It will be appreciated that the valve according to the invention may be adapted for various different applications and that it is not limited to paraffin stoves. It will also be understood that the safety device need not comprise a ball and seat arrangement as illustrated in Figures 1 , 2 and 5 to 7 of the drawings, and that various other configurations of the safety device are within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A valve for automatically controlling fluid flow in response to the tilting of the valve from a first condition to a second condition, the valve including: a valve housing which defines a passage for fluid flow through the valve from a valve inlet to a valve outlet; a valve closure which is movable between a closed condition in which it prevents fluid flow through the valve passage and an open condition in which it allows fluid flow through the valve passage; and a safety device for effecting displacement of the valve closure into the closed condition when the valve is tilted from the first condition to the second condition, the safety device including a mass which is automatically displaceable, under the effect of gravity, when the valve is tilted towards or into the second condition, and wherein the safety device is arranged so that the automatic displacement of the mass causes or allows the valve closure to be displaced into the closed condition.

2. A valve according to claim 1 , wherein the safety device includes a mass which is automatically displaceable, under the effect of gravity, to drive the valve closure into the closed condition when the valve is tilted towards or into the second condition.

3. A valve according to claim 2, wherein the safety device comprise a ball which is seated in a concave seat and which, when the valve is tilted, is arranged to roll on the seat into engagement with the valve closure and to subsequently displace the valve closure into the closed condition.

4. A valve according to claim 3, wherein the valve closure comprises a base and a valve stem extending from the base, wherein the valve stem is engagable with a valve seat when the valve closure is in the closed condition, and wherein the ball is arranged to engage the base when displacing the valve closure into the closed condition.

5. A valve according to claim 4, wherein the base has a mass which is sufficient to draw the valve stem away from the valve seat into the open condition of the valve closure when the valve is in the first condition.

6. A valve according to any one of the preceding claims wherein at least a portion of the safety device is incorporated into the valve closure.

7. A valve according to claim 1 , wherein the safety device includes a mass which is arranged to hold the valve closure in the open condition when the valve is in the first condition, and which is automatically displaceable, under the effect of gravity, away from the valve closure when the valve is tilted towards or into the second condition so as to allow the valve closure to be displaced into the closed condition.

8. A valve according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the valve controls the flow of fuel to a burner, and the safety device is arranged to effect displacement of the valve closure into the closed condition if the burner is accidentally bumped over.

9. A valve according to claim 8, wherein the burner is a burner in a stove, a geyser or a heater.

10. A valve according to either claim 8 or claim 9, wherein the valve is located adjacent a burner head.

11. A valve according to either claim 8 or claim 9, wherein the valve is located remote from a burner head.

12. A valve according to either claim 8 or claim 9, wherein the valve is incorporated within the burner head.

13. A valve according to any one of the preceding claims, including a deformable member which is responsive to changes in the temperature of fluid within the valve so as to deform automatically upon a predetermined change in the fluid temperature from a first position in which the valve closure is in the closed condition to a second position in which the valve closure is in the open condition.

14. A valve according to claim 13, wherein the deformable member is responsive to changes in the temperature of fluid within the valve so as to also deform automatically upon a predetermined change in the fluid temperature from the second position in which the valve closure is in the open condition to the first position in which the valve closure is in the closed condition.

15. A valve according to either claim 13 or claim 14, wherein the deformable member is a device which deforms sufficiently under predetermined temperature changes to cause the valve closure to open and/or close.

16. A valve according to claim 15, wherein the deformable member comprises a bi-metal device composed of two metal portions which have different coefficients of thermal expansion.

17. A valve according to claim 16, wherein the deformable member is a snap-acting bi-metal disc.

18. A burner incorporating a valve according to any one of claims 1 to 17.