US3208719A - Rotary sleeve valves - Google Patents

Description

Sept. 28, 1965 E. E. HULSEY 3,208,719

ROTARY SLEEVE VALVES Original Filed Aug. 28, 1962 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 E- 4- INVENTOR ELDON E. HULSEY 31 32 ATTORNEY sept- 1965 E. E. HULSEY 3,208,719

ROTARY SLEEVE VALVES Original Filed Aug. 28, 1962 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR ELDON E. HULSEY BY X ATTORNEY Sept. 1965 E. E. HULSEY 3,208,719

ROTARY SLEEVE VALVES Ii -15- EUII- F515" EJEEJ- INVENTOR ELDON E. HULSEY BY 77 X ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,208,719 ROTARY SLEEVE VALVES Eldon E. Hulsey, Houston, Tex., assignor of "five percent to Drilling Tools, Inc., Houston, Tex., a corporation of Texas, and ten percent to Robert L. Erwin, Farmington, N. Mex.

Original application Aug. 28, 1962, Ser. No. 219,846, now Patent No. 3,135,293, dated June 2, 1964. Divided and this application Feb. 20, 1964, Ser. No. 346,195

8 Claims. (Cl. 251207) This invention relates to new and useful improvements in rotary sleeve valves suitable for controlling the flow of either liquids or gases and the principal object of the invention is to provide a valve of this type which is very simple in construction highly efficient in operation and economical from the standpoint of both manufacture and maintenance.

The present application is a division of my application Serial No. 219,846, filed August 28, 1962, now Patent No. 3,135,293, entitled Rotary Control Valve.

The valve in accordance with the present invention embodies various structural improvements and refinements in the rotary sleeve valve of the general type disclosed in United States Patent No. 3,005,468, issued October 24,

1961, one of such improvements involving the provision of a housing which surrounds the rotary valve sleeve but is fixed to the valve body on which the sleeve is rotatably positioned. Another improvement involves the provision of a pressure relief valve in the valve body, which provides equalization of fluid pressures existing in the valve housing and the fluid inlet of the valve body when the valve is closed. Still another improvement resides in the provision of replaceable or interchange-able valve ports in the valve body, which facilitate convenient and economical maintenance as well as the use of ports with different flow characteristics in the same valve. Still another improvemerit involves the provision of a valve having a plurality of ports of different sizes through which fluid flow may be selectively and individually directed to effect an eflicient throttling or metering of the flow.

Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like characters of reference are employed to designate like parts, and wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a longitudinal sectional View of the improved valve;

FIGURE 2 is a cross-sectional view, taken substantially in the plane of theline 22 in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary sectional view, similar to that shown in FIGURE 2 but illustrating the valve in the closed position;

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged, fragmentary sectional detail, taken substantially in the plane of the line 4-4 in FIG-URE 2 and showing the pressure relief valve;

FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary perspective view showing one form of the valve ports;

FIGURE 6 is a fragmentary group perspective view showing another form of the ports;

FIGURE 7 is a fragmentary perspective view showing a replaceable port;

FIGURE 8 is an enlarged sectional detail, taken substantially in the plane of the line 8-8 of FIGURE 7, but with the sleeve in position on the valve body;

FIGURE 9 is a longitudinal sectional view of a modified embodiment of the valve; and

FIGURES 10-13 inclusive are cross-sectional views taken substantially in the planes of the lines 1010, 1111, 1212, and 13-13, respectively, in FIGURE 9.

Referring now to the accompanying drawings in detail, more particularly to FIGURES 1-3, the rotary sleeve 3,208,719 Patented Sept. 28, 1965 valve in accordance with the invention is designated generally by thereference numeral 10 and embodies in its construction a tubular valve body 11 having afluid inlet 12 and anoutlet 13, with atransverse partition 14 secured in the valve body intermediate its ends. The tubular body 11 is also provided with pairs ofvalve ports 15, 16, the ports in each pair being longitudinally aligned but spaced so that they communicate with the respective inlet and outlet end portions of the body. The end portions of the body 11 are externally screw-threaded as at 17 to receive a pair of aperturedmounting flanges 18, whereby the entire valve may be connected to suitable pipe lines (not shown). If desired, one of these flanges may be permanently secured to the valve body, as by welding, in place of screw-threads, but the other flange should be removable in order to facilitate assembly of the sleeve and housing (hereinafter described) on the valvebody.

Atubular sleeve 19 is rotatably positioned on the valve body 11 and is provided with pairs of longitudinally aligned but spaced valve ports orport openings 20,21 which are in register with therespective ports 15, 16 in the body 11 when the sleeve is rotated to the position shown in FIGURES 1 and 2. This, of course, is the open position of the valve, while its closed position is shown in FIGURE 3, wherein thesleeve 19 has been rotated through on the body 11. One end portion of thesleeve 19 is thickened as indicated at 22 and has secured thereto a radially projecting handle orlever 23, whereby rotation of the sleeve may be effected, either manually or by a mechanical control. Any suitable stop means may be employed for preventing rotation of the sleeve beyond the open and closed positions of the valve.

Abulbous housing 24 surrounds thesleeve 19 in coaxial relation, one end of the housing being rigidly secured, as by theweld 25, to the adjacent of theflanges 18 and to the valve body 11, while the other end of the housing is rotatably positioned on thesleeve 19 and rotatably abuts ashoulder 26 at theenlargement 22 of the sleeve. The interior of thehousing 24 provides anannular chamber 27 around the sleeve, and when the valve is open, fluid may pass from the body inlet 12 through theports 15, 20 into thechamber 27, and then through theports 21, 16 to thebody outlet 13. Thehousing 24 is provided with aremovable drain plug 28 for draining and/ or flushing out the valve. Also, with the valve in its closed position, theplug 28 may be removed to vent thechamber 27 to the atmosphere for testing the ports for leakage.

Apressure relief valve 30 is provided in the body 11 between theports 15 as shown in FIGURES 1 and 2. Thevalve 30 is illustrated in detail in FIGURE 4 and comprises an externally screw-threadedmember 31 which is threaded into a screw-threaded aperture formed in the body 11 and is provided with an outwardly tapered or frusto-conical passage 32 movably receiving aball check 33. The ball check is urged to its seated or closed position by aspring 34 which is interposed between theball check 33 and akeeper ring 35 mounted in the inner end portion of thepassage 32. When the valve is open as shown in FIGURE 2, thepressure relief valve 30 in the body 11 is covered by thesleeve 19. However, when the valve is closed as shown in FIGURE 3, therelief valve 30 is exposed through one of theports 20 in the sleeve and if because of heat expansion, the pressure of fluid trapped in thehousing chamber 27 becomes greater than the fluid pressure in theinlet 12, sufliciently to overcome the re tion. Axial sliding of thesleeve 19 on the body 11 is prevented in one direction by abutment of theshoulder 26 with the adjacent end of thehousing 24 and, in the opposite direction, by abutment of theenlargement 22 with the adjacent of theflanges 18, as will be clearly apparent from FIGURE 1. Theaforementioned weld 25 is made after the various parts are assembled as shown, and if it is desired to disassemble the valve, theweld 25 is broken, theadjacent flange 18 is removed, and thehousing 24 with thesleeve 19 are slipped oil the body 11. Thesleeve 19, of course, may be readily withdrawn from thehousing 24.

Annular sealing rings are provided in grooves in' the body 11 to frictionally engage the inside of thesleeve enlargement 22, andsimilar sealing rings 36 are provided in grooves in thesleeve 19 to frictionally engage the adjacent end portion of thehousing 24. Theports 15, 16, 20, 21 may be oval-shaped as illustrated in FIGURE 5, and oval-shaped sealing rings 37 are provided in grooves in the body 11 around theports 15, 16, to frictionally en gage the inside of thesleeve 19.

Theports 15, 16, 20, 21 may also have a form other than that of an oval. For example, they may be substantially triangular, as indicated at 15 and 20' in FIG- URE 6, in which event substantiallytriangular sealing rings 37 are employed in the body 11 around the ports in the body.

FIGURES 7 and 8 illustrate a modified arrangement wherein the body 11 is equipped With replaceable or interchangeable valve ports to facilitate economical maintenance as Well as usage of ports of various shapes and flow characteristics in the same valve. In this embodiment the body 11 is provided at the location of each port with an opening 40 and with an outwardly openingcounterbore 41 which receives aremovable insert 42. Theinsert 42 is equipped with aperipheral seal 43 which engages thecounterbore 41, and theport opening 15 is formed in the insert as shown, with the sealing ring 37' surrounding the port opening. Theinsert 42 is retained in thecounterbore 41 by thesleeve 19 when the latter is in position on the body 11, and asuitable spring element 44 urges the insert in engagement with the inside of the sleeve. Thespring element 44, which may be a conveXoconcave annulus, or the like, is interposed between theinsert 42 and anannular shoulder 45 which exists at the junction of the opening 40 with thecounterbore 41.

While FIGURES 7 and 8 illustrate the replaceable valve port in conjunction With the triangular ports 15' and 20', the same arrangement is, of course, also applicable to the ports at the outlet side of the valve, as well as to theoval ports 15, 16.

FIGURES 913 illustrate a modified embodiment of the valve which is designated generally by the reference numeral and, like theembodiment 10, comprises atubular valve body 51 with atransverse partition 52 intermediate its ends, and mountingflanges 53 at the ends of the valve body. Atubular sleeve 54 is rotatably positioned on thebody 51, while ahousing 55 surrounds the sleeve and is secured at one end thereof as at 56 to one of theflanges 53. The other end of thehousing 55 is rotatably positioned on the sleeve and the latter projects outwardly therefrom to carry the manipulatinghandle 57. Suitable annular sealing rings 58, 59 are provided between thebody 51 andsleeve 54 and between the sleeve and thehousing 55, respectively, as shown.

The interior of thehousing 55 provides anannular chamber 60 around thesleeve 54, which chamber communicates through suitable openings orpassages 61 with the outlet end of thevalve body 51, it being noted that the openings or passages '61 are formed inthe outlet and portion of the valve body and that thesleeve 54 terminates upstream from the passages, to make possible the aforementioned communication of thechamber 60 with the outlet end portion of the valve body. The passages .61 are open regardless of whether the valve is open or closed.

the several ports in each set are of different diameters,

progressively increasing in size from one end of the row of ports to the other.

Thesleeve 54 is provided with one or more sets of port openings, the number of such sets corresponding to the number of sets of the ports in the valve body, and the number of port openings in each set also corresponding to the number of valve body ports in each set. However, theport openings 66, 67, 68, 69 in the sleeve are disposed in a row which extends spirally of the sleeve, so that the several port openings in the set are offset circumferentially as well as longitudinally of the sleeve. Theport openings 66, 67, 68, 69 are also of different sizes and correspond to the diameters of therespective ports 62, 63, 64, 65.

The arrangement of the ports and port openings is such that when thesleeve 54 is in the position shown in FIG-URES 9 and 10, theport opening 66 is in register with theport 62 so that fluid may flow from the inlet side of the valve into thechamber 60 and through thepassages 61 to the outlet side. However, when the sleeve is rotated through theangle 70 in FIGURE 1, theport openings 67 will be brought in register with theport 63, while theport opening 66 is brought out of register with theport 62. Similarly, if the sleeve is rotated through theangles 71 or 72 as shown in FIGURES 12 and 13, respectively, theport openings 68 and 69 will be brought in register with therespective ports 64 and 65. It will be noted that only one particular port opening in the set may be in regiser at any time with only one particular port, and since the ports are of different size, an effective throttling or metering of the fluid flow through the valve is obtained. The fluid flow may be shut off completely by simply rotating the sleeve in the direction of thearrow 73 to a position where none of the port openings is in register with the ports.

As in the previously described embodiments of the valve, thebody 51 may be equipped with annular sealing rings 75 around the several posts, as will be clearly apparent.

While in the foregoing there have been described and shown the preferred embodiments of the invention, various modifications may become apparent to those skilled in .the art to which theinvention relates. Accordingly, it is not desired to limit the invention to this disclosure, and

-various modifications and equivalents may be resorted to,

falling within-the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed.

I claim:

1. In a rotary sleeve valve, the combination of a tubular valve body having inlet and outlet ends, a transverse partition provided intermediate the ends of said body and separating the inlet end thereof from the outlet end, a tubular sleeve rotatably position on said valve body, a housing surrounding said sleeve in coaxial spaced relation for forming an annular chamber around said sleeve,

one end portion of said housing rotatably receiving therein one end portion of said sleeve and the other end portion of said housing extending longitudinally beyond the other end of the sleeve and being sealingly secured to said body,

one end portion of said body and a region of said sleeve surrounding the same being provided with coacting port means of different sizes selectively usable to communicate said last mentioned one end portion of the body with said chamber upon rotation of said sleeve to a predetermined position relative to said body, and passage means communicating said chamber with the other end portion of said body.

2. The device as defined in claim 1 wherein said one end portion of said Sleeve projects outwardly from said one end portion of said housing, and means provided on the projecting end portion of the sleeve for rotating the same.

3. In a rotary sleeve valve, the combination of a tubular valve body having inlet and outlet ends, a transverse partition provided intermediate the ends of said body and separating the inlet end thereof from the outlet end, a tubular sleeve rotatably positioned on said valve body, a housing surrounding said sleeve in coaxial spaced relation for forming an annular chamber around said sleeve, one end portion of said housing rotatably receiving therein one end portion of said sleeve and the other end portion of said housing extending longitudinally beyond the other end of the sleeve and being sealingly secured to said body, the inlet end portion of said body and a region of said sleeve surrounding the same being provided with coacting port means of different sizes selectively usable to communicate the inlet end portion of the body with said chamber upon rotation of said sleeve to a predetermined position relative to said body, and passage means communicating said chamber with the outlet end portion of said body.

4. The device as defined in claim 3 wherein said one end portion of said sleeve projects outwardly from said one end portion of said housing, and means provided on the projecting end portion of the sleeve for rotating the same.

5. In a rotary sleeve valve, the combination of a tubular valve body having inlet and outlet ends, a transverse partition provided intermediate the ends of said body and separating the inlet end thereof from the outlet end, a tubular sleeve rotatably positioned on said valve body, a housing surrounding said sleeve in coaxial spaced relation for forming an annular chamber around said sleeve, one end portion of said housing rotatably receiving therein one end portion of said sleeve and the other end portion of said housing extending longitudinally beyond the other end of the sleeve and being sealingly secured to said body, the inlet end portion of said body being provided with a set of valve ports of different sizes, said sleeve being provided with opening means individually and successively registrable with said ports upon rotation of said sleeve relative to said body whereby to communicate the inlet end portion of the body with said chamber through selected one of said ports, and passage means communicating said chamber with the outlet end portion of said body.

6. The device as defined in claim 5 wherein said one end portion of said sleeve projects outwardly from said one end portion of said housing, and means provided on the projecting end portion of the sleeve for rotating the same.

7. In a rotary sleeve valve, the combination of a tubular valve body having inlet and outlet ends, a transverse partition provided intermediate the ends of said body and separating the inlet end thereof from the outlet end, the inlet end portion of said body being provided with a longitudinally extending row of valve ports of different sizes progressively increasing in size from one end of the row to the other, a tubular sleeve rotatably positioned on said valve body and provided with a spiral row of longitudinally and circumferentially spaced port openings individually and successively registrable with said ports upon rotation of said sleeve relative to said body, and a housing surrounding said sleeve and said body in coaxial spaced relation and forming an annular chamber around the same, the inlet end of said body being communicable with said chamber through a selected one of said ports and port openings, and passage means communicating said chamber with the outlet end of said valve body, said passage means comprising an opening formed in the outlet end portion of said body and communicating with said chamber.

8. In a rotary sleeve valve, the combination of a tubular valve body having inlet and outlet ends, a transverse partition provided intermediate the ends of said body and separating the inlet end thereof from the outlet end, a tubular sleeve rotatably positioned on said valve body, a housing surrounding said sleeve in coaxial spaced relation for forming an annular chamber around said sleeve, one end portion of said housing rotatably receiving therein one end portion of said sleeve and the other end portion of said housing extending longitudinally beyond the other end of the sleeve and being sealingly secured to said body, the inlet end portion of said body being provided with a longitudinally extending row of valve ports of different sizes progressively increasing in size from one end of the row to the other, said sleeve being provided with a spiral row of longitudinally and circumferentially spaced port openings individually and successively registrable with said ports upon rotation of said sleeve relative to said body whereby to communicate the inlet end portion of the body with said chamber through selected one of said ports, and passage means communicating said chamber with the outlet end portion of said body.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 932,960 8/09 Cappon 25l207 X 2,143,565 1/39 Minea 137625.32 X 3,005,468 10/61 Erwin et al 25 l345 X M. CARY NELSON, Primary Examiner.

MARTIN P. SCHWADRON, Examiner.

Claims (1)

1. IN A ROTARY SLEEVE VALVE, THE COMBINATION OF A TUBULAR VALVE BODY HAVING INLET AND OUTLET ENDS, A TRANSVERSE PARTITION PROVIDED INTERMEDIATE THE ENDS OF SAID BODY AND SEPARATING THE INLET END THEREOF FROM THE OUTLET END, A TUBULAR SLEEVE ROTATABLY POSITION ON SAID VALVE BODY, A HOUSING SURROUNDING SAID SLEEVE IN COAXIAL SPACED RELATION FOR FORMING AN ANNULAR CHAMBER AROUND SAID SLEEVE, ONE END PORTION OF SAID HOUSING ROTATABLY RECEIVING THEREIN ONE END PORTION OF SAID SLEEVE AND THE OTHER END PORTION OF SAID HOUSING EXTENDING LONGITUDINALLY BEYOND THE OTHER END OF THE SLEEVE AND BEING SEALINGLY SECURED TO SAID BODY, ONE END PORTION OF SAID BODY AND A REGION OF SAID SLEEVE SURROUNDING THE SAME BEING PROVIDED WITH A COACTING PORT MEANS OF DIFFERENT SIZES SELECTIVELY USABLE TO COMMUNICATE SAID LAST MENTIONED ONE END PORTION OF THE BODY WITH SAID CHAMBER UPON ROTATION OF SAID SLEEVE TO A PREDETERMINED POSITION RELATIVE TO SAID BODY, AND PASSAGE MEANS COMMUNICATING SAID CHAMBER WITH THE OTHER END PORTION OF SAID BODY.

Images