Adjustable valve poppet

Abstract

A valve arrangement having a valve body with an inlet passage and an outlet passage. A valve seat is disposed in the valve body and forms an aperture positioned in the path of fluid flow between the inlet and outlet passages. A shaft member is disposed within the valve body and has a flow control member connected to the end of the shaft. The flow control member has a valve portion for operably engaging the valve seat and a valve extension portion that extends from the valve portion and circumscribes the shaft in order to shield the shaft from being exposed to contaminants. The valve portion and valve extension portion are integrally formed into a one-piece member thus eliminating an additional component in the valve design.

1 . A valve arrangement comprising: 
 a valve body having an inlet passage and an outlet passage;    a valve seat disposed in said valve body and having an aperture positioned in the path of fluid flow between said inlet and outlet passages;    a shaft disposed in said valve body;    a flow control member connected to said shaft and having a valve portion for operably engaging said valve seat and a valve extension portion extending from said valve portion wherein said valve extension portion deflects fluid flowing through said valve seat away from said shaft and circumscribes said shaft, wherein said valve portion and said valve extension portion are an integrally formed one piece member.    
   
   
       2 . The valve arrangement of  claim 1  further comprising: 
 a moveable end of said valve shaft capable of sliding axially along the axis of said valve shaft;    a stem formed on said flow control member, wherein said stem is configured to receive and connect to said moveable end of said valve shaft.    
   
   
       3 . The valve arrangement of  claim 2  wherein said stem is connected to said moveable end by crimping.  
   
   
       4 . The valve arrangement of  claim 3  further comprising: 
 a radial groove circumscribing said valve shaft, wherein said stem is crimped into said radial groove.    
   
   
       5 . The valve arrangement of  claim 2  wherein said moveable end of said valve shaft has a knurled portion that enters said stem.  
   
   
       6 . The valve arrangement of  claim 2  wherein said stem can be closed or open ended.  
   
   
       7 . The valve arrangement of  claim 1  further comprising a radial groove circumscribing said valve shaft, wherein said flow control member is connected to said valve shaft at said radial groove.  
   
   
       8 . The valve arrangement of  claim 1  wherein said flow control member is connected to said valve shaft by an aperture formed in said flow control member configured to slidably receive an end of said valve shaft, wherein said valve shaft and said flow control member are then connected by crimping a portion of said flow control member to said valve shaft.  
   
   
       9 . The valve arrangement of  8  wherein said valve shaft and said valve member are connected using one of the following, adhesive, soldering, crimping or laser welding.  
   
   
       10 . A valve arrangement comprising: 
 a valve seat forming an aperture in the path of fluid flow through an exhaust gas recirculation valve;    a shaft having a moveable end capable of sliding along the axis of said valve shaft;    a flow control member connected to said moveable end of said valve shaft having a valve portion configured to selectively engage said valve seat and a valve extension portion extending from said valve portion; and    a stem formed in said flow control member, wherein said stem is configured to slidingly receive and fasten to said moveable end of said valve shaft.    
   
   
       11 . The valve arrangement of  claim 10  further comprising a radial groove portion circumscribing said valve shaft near said moveable end of said valve shaft, wherein said flow control member is fastened to said valve shaft by crimping said stem into said radial groove.  
   
   
       12 . The valve arrangement of  claim 10  wherein said valve stem extends away from said aperture of said valve seat, and said valve stem is configured to slidably receive and fasten to said moveable end of said valve shaft.  
   
   
       13 . The valve arrangement of  claim 10  wherein said valve portion is an annular shoulder that contacts said valve seat.  
   
   
       14 . The valve arrangement of  claim 10  wherein said stem can form an open or blind hole through said flow control member.  
   
   
       15 . The valve arrangement of  claim 10  wherein said stem protrudes into said aperture of said valve seat.  
   
   
       16 . A method of assembling a valve while maintaining alignment of said valve having a valve housing, an inlet port, an outlet port, a valve seat arranged in said housing in the path of fluid flow between said inlet port and said outlet port, flow control member operably disposed in relation to said valve seat, wherein said flow control member has an integrated valve extension portion with an aperture formed in said flow control member; a valve shaft having an end configured to slide axially into said aperture comprising the steps of: 
 placing said flow control member in a predetermined position;    sliding said end of said valve shaft into said aperture of said flow control member so said valve extension portion circumscribes said valve shaft;    adjusting the position of said end of said valve shaft in relation to said stem to a predetermined position in order to allow proper valve function; and    fixing said valve shaft to said flow control member.    
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 16  wherein said predetermined position is in relation to said valve seat, or a specific flow position, or a full open stop or in relation to a valve mounting surface feature.  
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the step of fixing said flow control member to said valve shaft is accomplished by crimping a portion of said flow control member to said valve shaft.  
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 16  further comprising the steps of: 
 providing a stem on said shaft shield where said axial aperture is located; and    providing a radial groove near said end of said shaft, wherein said step of fixing is accomplished by crimping said stem into said annular groove.    
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 16  further comprising: 
 providing a knurled surface of said valve shaft adjacent said radial groove, wherein said knurled portion holds said end of shaft in position until said step of fixing occurs.