EP4374097A1

EP4374097A1 - A two-port solenoid valve with an integrated non-return valve (nrv) or check valve

Info

Publication number: EP4374097A1
Application number: EP22845549.9A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Nirav Shah; Rajesh Shah
Original assignee: Rotex Automation Ltd
Current assignee: Rotex Automation Ltd
Priority date: 2021-07-23
Filing date: 2022-07-23
Publication date: 2024-05-29
Also published as: WO2023002459A1

Abstract

An improved pilot operated two-port solenoid valve 300 with an integral non-return valve is disclosed, the valve 300 having a NRV 312 configured within a main valve piston 322 of the valve and configured to block flow of a media from an outlet port 304 of the valve to a pilot chamber 302, thereby preventing opening of the valve due to back pressure on the outlet port 304. The NRV 312 is configured within a cavity of the main valve piston 322. The main valve piston 322 is of two piece construction comprising a NRV holder 328 configured at one end of the main valve piston 322 defining the cavity that accommodates the non-return valve 312.

Description

A TWO-PORT SOLENOID VALVE WITH AN INTEGRATED NON RETURN VALVE (NRV) OR CHECK VALVE

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to the technical field of solenoid valves. In particular, it pertains to a solenoid valve for media (gas or liquid) dispensing systems. More particularly, it pertains to a two-port solenoid valve with a non-return valve integrated therewith.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Background description includes information that may be useful in understanding the present invention. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art or relevant to the presently claimed invention, or that any publication specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.

[0003] Conventional fuel dispensing systems handling a gaseous media typically include a low pressure tank, a medium pressure tank, and a high pressure tank, and at least one priority panel. The priority panel includes components such as solenoid valves (SOVs), non return valve (NRV) or check valves, pressure gauges, manual isolation valves, priority valves, relief valves, bleed valves, pipes and fittings. These components generally take a lot of space, and the installation of the pipes connecting these components involves number of bends and/or joints.

[0004] Conventionally, SOVs and NRVs are used in the gaseous fuel (e.g., CNG, LPG, Nitrogen etc.) dispensing systems as separate components/assemblies provided inside the priority panel. The SOV is generally required for automatic ON/OFF of flow of the media being handled by the system and enforcing emergency shutdown of the system. The NRV is generally required to prevent entry of high pressure media into the medium pressure tank, and to prevent entry of medium pressure media into the low pressure tank.

[0005] In the conventional systems, the NRVs placed as a separate unit in the dispensing system require additional space. As there are multiple NRVs, separate NRVs resulting in longer piping, more bends and/or more fittings. Further, there is additional pressure loss in the dispensing system due to longer piping and/or more number of bends. Additionally, there is a higher risk of leakage and resultant fire or explosion hazard due to an increased number of joints. [0006] Therefore, there is a requirement for an improved gaseous fuel dispensing system for vehicles refueling that can overcome the aforementioned disadvantages.

[0007] In some embodiments, the numbers expressing quantities of objects, properties, arrangements, and so forth, used to describe certain embodiments of the invention are to be understood as being modified in some instances by the term “about.” Accordingly, in some embodiments, the numerical parameters set forth are approximations that can vary depending upon the desired properties sought to be obtained by a particular embodiment.

[0008] As used in the description herein and throughout other sections that follow, the meaning of “a,” “an,” and “the” includes plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Also, as used in the description herein, the meaning of “in” includes “in” and “on” unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Some of the objects of the present disclosure, which at least one embodiment herein satisfies are as listed herein below.

[0010] A general object of the present disclosure is to provide for a solenoid valve that overcomes the aforementioned disadvantages associated with the conventional media dispensing system.

[0011] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a solenoid valve which reduces the space required for priority panel used in any media dispensing system.

[0012] Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a solenoid valve that reduces piping, number of joints/bends in any media dispensing system.

[0013] Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a media dispensing solenoid valve that reduces pressure loss in the system.

[0014] Yet another object of the present disclosure is to provide a solenoid valve that reduces risk of leakage and resultant fire or explosion hazard in any media dispensing system. [0015] Still another object of the present disclosure is to provide a media dispensing solenoid valve which prevents back pressure from outlet passing through the valve pilot line when the valve is in de-energized conditiondue to inbuilt NRV/check valve.

SUMMARY

[0016] Aspects of the present disclosure relate to a pilot operated solenoid valve (SOV). In particular, the present disclosure pertains to a pilot operated solenoid valve with an integrated non-return valve, which does away with the requirement of providing a separate NRV coupled to the SOV by pipes and fittings.

[0017] In an aspect, the disclosed pilot operated solenoid valve includes a non-return valve that is configured within a main valve piston of the valve. The non-return valve is configured to block flow of a media being handled by the valve from an outlet port of the valve to a pilot chamber and thereby preventing opening of the valve due to back pressure on the outlet port.

[0018] In an embodiment, the non-return valve may be configured within a cavity of the main valve piston. The main valve piston can be of two piece construction having a NRV holder configured at one end of the main valve piston. The NRV holder may define the cavity that accommodates the non-return valve.

[0019] In an embodiment, the non-return valve may be configured on an outlet port end of a bleed hole in the main valve piston, where the bleed hole fluidically connects the pilot chamber to the outlet port.

[0020] In an embodiment, the non-return valve may be configured to allow flow of the media from the bleed hole to the outlet port and to block flow of the media from the outlet port to the bleed hole.

[0021] In an embodiment, the non-return valve may include a NRV poppet and a spring biasing the NRV poppet towards a NRV valve seat to keep the non-return valve closed, and the NRV valve seat may be provided at the outlet port end of the bleed hole.

[0022] In an embodiment, the non-return valve may include any of a steel ball and a soft seat to close the non-return valve.

[0023] In an embodiment, the valve comprises a solenoid pilot valve may be configured such that actuation of the solenoid pilot valve results in flow of the media from an inlet port of the valve to the pilot chamber to move the main valve piton to open the valve.

[0024] In an embodiment, the solenoid pilot valve may be configured co axially with the main valve piston. In an alternate embodiment, the solenoid pilot valve may be configured in lateral direction perpendicular to an axis of the main valve piston.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] The accompanying drawings are included to provide further understanding of the present disclosure and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the present disclosure. The diagrams are for illustration only, which thus is not a limitation of the present disclosure.

[0026] FIG. 1 illustrates an architectural diagram of a conventional gaseous fuel dispensing system.

[0027] FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary circuit diagram of a priority panel used in conventional gaseous fuel dispensing system.

[0028] FIGs. 3A-3D illustrate exemplary sectional views of the proposed two-port solenoid valve with non-return valve integrated therewith for use in any media dispensing system with a corresponding pilot valve located coaxially with the main valve, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0029] FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary cross sectional view of the proposed two-port solenoid valve with an integral non-return valve with a laterally located pilot valve, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] The following is a detailed description of embodiments of the disclosure depicted in the accompanying drawings. The embodiments are in such detail as to clearly communicate the disclosure. However, the amount of detail offered is not intended to limit the anticipated variations of embodiments; on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.

[0031] Various terms are used herein. To the extent a term used herein is not defined, it should be given the broadest definition persons in the pertinent art have given that term as reflected in printed publications and issued patents at the time of filing.

[0032] The present disclosure relates generally to any media dispensing valves, and more particularly, to an improved two-port solenoid valve that has inbuilt non-return valve (NRV), or check valve, thereby overcoming the disadvantages of conventional media dispensing systems. In particular, the present disclosure pertains to a pilot operated valve for media dispensing with integrated non-return valve that prevents back pressure from an outlet port of the valve to cause opening of the valve.

[0033] In an embodiment, media (hereinafter interchangeably referred to as “gas” or “liquid” or “fuel” or fluid) may be any gas, liquid, or a mixture of one or more gases and/or one or more liquids which may be used in any media dispensing system. In an exemplary embodiment, media may be any type of natural gas (CNG), one or more petroleum products (LPG), nitrogen, and the like.

[0034] The pilot operated valves typically include a small solenoid operated pilot valve that, when opened, supplies pressurised fluid from an inlet side of the valve to one end of a piston of the main valve. Pressure of the supplied pressurized fluid results in the piston to move axially against a biasing force to open a valve seat configured between the inlet side and an outlet side of the valve. When the pilot valve is closed to stop the supply of the pressurised fluid to the end of the piston of the main valve, the accumulated pressurised fluid at the end of the piston is bled out to the outlet side of the main valve through a bleed hole in the piston, thereby reducing pressure at the end of the piston for the biasing force to move the piston back to closed the valve seat.

[0035] However, at times, a back pressure may develop on the outlet side of the valve, which can travel to the end of the piston through the bleed hole to cause opening of the main valve. To take care of such an eventuality, the fluid system employing the pilot operated valves, such as 2X2 solenoid valves include a non-return valve or check valve configured in series with the outlet of the valve. The NRV/check valve prevents any back pressure to reach the outlet side of the main valve, thereby preventing opening of the valve due to the back pressure.

[0036] However, NRVs placed as a separate unit in a fluid system, such as the CNG dispensing system, require additional space. As there are multiple NRVs, separate NRVs resulting in longer piping, more bends and/or more fittings. Further, there is additional pressure loss in the dispensing system due to longer piping and/or more number of bends. Besides, more fittings pose correspondingly higher risk of leakage and resultant fire or explosion hazard.

[0037] FIG. 1 illustrates an architectural diagram of a conventional gaseous fuel dispensing system. In the conventional dispensing system, a simple 2/2 solenoid valve (SOV) is generally used in combination with check valve / non-retum valve (NRV) which takes more space and requires piping to connect them thereby increasing the number of joints. [0038] As illustrated in FIG. 1, in the conventional systems, media may enter the system through a compressor 102 which may be configured to compress the incoming media. The compressed media (e.g., compressed natural gas (CNG)) may be passed through a priority panel 104. The priority panel 104 may be responsible for controlling flow of the media and distributing the media discharged from the compressor 102 to one or more storage tanks. The one or more storage tanks may include high pressure tank 106, medium pressure tank 108, and low pressure tank 110. The one or more storage tanks may be configured to supply stored media to a dispenser 112 for dispensing the media to one or more vehicles.

[0039] When the pressure falls too low in the high pressure tank 106, the priority panel 104 may close off other tanks 108 and 110 and distribute the media directly from the compressor to the fuel dispenser 112 through the high pressure tank 106. The storage tanks may allow dispenser 112 to pull fuel first from the low pressure tank 110, then switch to the middle pressure tank 108, and lastly switch to the high pressure tank 106 to maintain highest differential of pressure allowing for complete fill without starting the compressor 102 for every vehicle filling.

[0040] FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary circuit diagram of a priority panel used in a conventional gaseous fuel dispensing system. The priority panel circuit is an arrangement of a plurality of isolating valves 202, a plurality of check valves (CV) 204 associated with pressures gauge 206, a plurality of bleed valves 208, a plurality of relief valves 210, a plurality of priority valves 212, and a plurality of solenoid valves 214. Arrows 216 in the circuit diagram indicate direction of gas flow. When pressure falls below certain threshold within any storage tank 106, 108, or 110, the priority panel 104 may distribute the compressed media to fill the storage tank 106, 108, or 110.

[0041] The priority panel 104 may be configured to take fill active/inactive decisions and determine when to open and close one or more valves 202, 204, 208, 210, 212, or 214 to control the timing and prioritizing the flow of the media. The priority panel 104 may be designed to provide priority filling and flow control features from the compressor to the one or more storage tanks. The priority panel 104 may also provide shutoff functions for the fuel supply.

[0042] As depicted in FIG. 2, there are separate SOV and CV/NRV units inside the priority panel 104. The SO Vs 214 may be configured to automatically switch ON/OFF supply of the media and enforce emergency shutdown of the system. The CVs/NRVs 204may provide safety functions so that high pressure media is prevented from entering the medium pressure tank 108 and prevent medium pressure media in tank 108 from entering the low pressure tank 110.

[0043] FIGs. 3A-3D illustrate exemplary sectional views of the disclosed two port solenoid valve (also referred to as 2/2 solenoid valve, pilot operated solenoid valve or simply as SOV, and all the terms used interchangeably hereinafter) with a non-return valve integrated therewith for use in any media dispensing system, where solenoid and the pilot valve is located coaxially with the main valve. The media dispensing system may include one or more 2/2 solenoid valves300 with in-built NRV or check valve 312, which provides the same protection to the SOV 300as NRV204 in the priority panel 104 of FIGs. 1 and 2. The solenoid valve 300 may have the NRV or check valves 312 integrated inside a piston 322 (refer to FIGs. 3B and 3C) of a main valve 340of the pilot operated 2/2 Solenoid Valve 300. The Solenoid Valve 300 also includes a pilot valve 330 that incorporates a solenoid 332 [0044] As illustrated in FIG. 3A, the pilot valve 300 includes an inlet port 306 and an outlet port 304. When the SOV 300 is actuated the main valve 340 opens to fluidically connect the inlet port 306 to the outlet port 304 for the media to flow from the inlet port 306 to the outlet port 304. Opening of the main valve 340 is facilitated by the pilot valve 330. [0045] As illustrated in FIG. 3B and FIG. 3C, when the solenoid 320 of the pilot valve 330is in an energized condition, a pilot valve plunger 310 lifts up from the orifice 308 which allows the media to flow through the orifice 308 and reach and fill a pilot valve chamber 302. Built up pressure in the pilot valve chamber 302 acts on a top end of a piston 322 (also referred to as main valve piston hereinafter) of the main valve 340 and pushes it down against a biasing force to open a valve seat 324 of the main valve 340, which fluidically connects the inlet port 306 to the outlet port 304.

[0046] The pressurized media from the pilot valve chamber 302 also reaches an inlet of an NRV seat 314 placed inside main valve piston 322 through a bleed hole 326 in the main valve piston 322, as illustrated in FIG. 3B. Once the media reaches a threshold pressure at the inlet of the NRV 312, a steel ball 316 may be displaced by compressing an NRV spring 320, which is configured around a NRV poppet 318to bias the steel ball 316 against the inlet of the NRV 312, to open the NRV 312. Then, the media may flowto the outlet port 304 through a cross hole in the main valve piston 322. As long as the main valve 340 is open, some amount of media continues to flow through the bleed hole 326.

[0047] When the pilot valve 330 is closed by deactivating the solenoid 332, the orifice 308 gets closed due to down movement of the pilot valve plunger 310. Closing of the orifice 308 stops supply of the media to the valve chamber 302. However, pressure difference between the valve chamber 302 and the outlet 304 keeps the NRV 312 open and the media trapped in the valve chamber 302 continues to flow through the bleed hole 326 till pressure of the valve chamber 302 and the outlet 304 become equal. At this point, reduced pressure in the valve chamber 302 results in the main valve piston 322 moving down to close the valve seat 324, as shown in FIG. 3C, to close the SOV 300 and stop supply of the media from the inlet port 306 to the outlet port 304. NRV 312 also closes due to pressure drop in the valve chamber 302. [0048] As illustrated in FIG. 3D, when the SOV 300 is in the closed condition, in case there is back pressure from the outlet 304 (due to outlet pressure greater than inlet pressure) which is acting from below, the steel ball 316 shall remain seated against a seat of the NRV 314, thereby keeping the non-retum valve 312 in OFF condition blocking the pressurized media from reaching the valve chamber 302, which may otherwise cause the main valve piston 322 to move and open the main valve 340. Thus, the media passing through the bleedhole 326 in the main valve piston 322 is stopped by the NRV 312 incorporated in the main valve piston 322. Thus, the NRV 312 may prevent media from passing through the pilot hole in main valve piston when the valve is in de-energized condition and the outlet pressure is greater than the inlet pressure.

[0049] In an aspect, the main valve piston 322 can be of two piece construction comprising a NRV holder 328 fixed to one end of the main valve piston 322, such as by threading. The NRV holder 328 can be configured such that, when fixed to the main valve piston, a cavity is configured where the integrated NRV 312 is accommodated.

[0050] FIG. 4 illustrates another embodiment of the disclosed SOV with integral NRV, wherein the pilot valve is configured laterally perpendicular to an axis of the main valve. As shown in FIG. 4, the SOV 400 includes a main valve piston 404 configured slidably within a valve housing 402 to open or close a valve seat 410, which connects an inlet port 424 to an outlet port 426, by moving a seal 412 fixed on the main valve piston 404 away from the valve seat 410. The main valve piston 404 is biased by a spring 418 to keep the valve seat 410 closed, and includes a bleed hole 406 extending from a pilot chamber 408 to a seat of the NRV located within the main valve piston 404. The NRV includes a soft seat 422 and a NRV poppet 416 that is biased by a spring 420 to keep the NRV closed.

[0051] The SOV 400 further includes a pilot solenoid valve 450 that is located in a lateral direction perpendicular to an axis of the main valve, as shown in FIG. 4. The pilot solenoid valve 450, on actuation, supplies pressurized media from the inlet port 424 to the pilot chamber 408 through a pilot hole 452, which increases pressure in the pilot chamber 408 to open the main valve by moving the main valve piston 404, as in the SOV 300.

[0052] In an embodiment, the main valve piston 404 is of two piece construction comprising a NRV holder 414 that is fixed to one end of the piston, such as by threads, and defines a cavity to accommodate the integrated NRV. Functioning of the SOV 400 in respect of closing on deactivation of the solenoid pilot valve 450 and in case of back pressure from the outlet port 426 is similar as in case of SOV 300, and therefore is not repeated forbrevity. [0053] Thus the present disclosure provides a pilot operated solenoid valve with an integrated NRV that does away with the requirement of a separate NRV/check valve in the system connected by pipes and fittings, resulting in reduction of pipes and joints in the fluid system. [0054] One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that techniques consistent with the present disclosure are applicable in other contexts as well without departing from the scope of the disclosure.

[0055] While the foregoing describes various embodiments of the invention, other and further embodiments of the invention may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof. The scope of the invention maybe determined by the claims. The invention is not limited to the described embodiments, versions or examples, which are included to enable a person having ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention when combined with information and knowledge available to the person having ordinary skill in the art.

ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION [0056] The present disclosure provides a solenoid valve that overcomes the aforementioned disadvantages associated with the conventional media dispensing system. [0057] The present disclosure provides a solenoid valve which reduces the space required for priority panel used in any media dispensing system.

[0058] The present disclosure provides a solenoid valve that reduces piping, number of joints and bends in the corresponding system.

[0059] The present disclosure provides a media dispensing solenoid valve that reduces pressure loss in the corresponding system.

[0060] The present disclosure provides a solenoid valve that reduces risk of leakage and resultant fire or explosion hazard in the corresponding system. [0061] The present disclosure provides a vehicle fuel dispensing system which can prevent back pressure from outlet port passing through the pilot hole in main valve piston when the valve is in de-energized conditiondue to inbuilt NRV/check valve.

Claims

We Claim:

1. A pilot operated solenoid valve, the valve comprising: a non-return valve configured within a main valve piston of the valve; the non-return valve being configured to block flow of a media being handled by the valve from an outlet port of the valve to a pilot chamber and thereby prevent opening of the valve due to back pressure on the outlet port.

2. The valve as claimed in claim 1, wherein the non-return valve is configured within a cavity of the main valve piston.

3. The valve as claimed in claim 2, wherein the main valve piston is of two piece construction comprising a NRV holder configured at one end of the main valve piston, the NRV holder defining the cavity that accommodates the non-return valve.

4. The valve as claimed in claim 3, wherein the NRV holder is fixed to the main valve piston by threads.

5. The valve as claimed in claim 1, wherein the non-return valve is configured on an outlet port end of a bleed hole in the main valve piston, the bleed hole fluidically connecting the pilot chamber to the outlet port.

6. The valve as claimed in claim 5, wherein the non-return valve is configured to allow flow of the media from the bleed hole to the outlet port and to block flow of the media from the outlet port to the bleed hole.

7. The valve as claimed in claim 5, wherein the non-return valve comprises a NRV poppet and a spring biasing the NRV poppet towards a NRV valve seat to keep the non-return valve closed, the NRV valve seat being provided at the outlet port end of the bleed hole.

8. The valve as claimed in claim 7, wherein the non-return valve comprises any of a steel ball and a soft seat to close the non-return valve.

9. The valve as claimed in claim 5, wherein the valve comprises a solenoid pilot valve configured such that actuation of the solenoid pilot valve results in flow of the media from an inlet port of the valve to the pilot chamber to move the main valve piton to open the valve.

10. The valve as claimed in claim 9, wherein the solenoid pilot valve is configured co axially with the main valve piston.

11. The valve as claimed in claim 9, wherein the solenoid pilot valve is configured in lateral direction perpendicular to an axis of the main valve piston.