Fluid Regulating Valve

Abstract

A valve for regulating the fluid pressure and/or the fluid flow in a fluid distribution network. The valve comprises a stator ( 10, 110 ) defining an interior space ( 14, 114 ); at least one inlet port ( 15, 131 a, 132 a ) and at least one outlet port ( 15, 133 a , 134 a ). The inlet port and outlet port are arranged for being connected to a fluid duct. A rotor ( 20, 120 ) is arranged rotatable about a rotational axis in the interior space and is provided with a rotor core ( 21, 121 ) and a number of vanes ( 23, 123 ), which are movable in relation to the core. The rotor continuously divides, in sealing relation with the stator, upon rotation of the rotor the interior space into at least two mutually separated chambers ( 14 a, 14 b, 114 a - d ). Each chamber comprises an inlet opening ( 17 a, 17 b, 112 a ) and an outlet opening ( 18 a, 18 b, 112 b ). The valve further comprises at least one inlet channel ( 17, 131, 132 ) which connects the at least one inlet port with at least one inlet opening of each of said at least two chambers and at least one outlet channel 18, 133, 134 ) which connects at least one outlet opening of each of said at least two chambers with the at least one outlet port

1 . A valve for regulating the fluid pressure and/or the fluid flow in a fluid distribution network, said valve comprising;
 a stator ( 10 ,  110 ) defining an interior space ( 14 ,  114 );   at least one inlet port ( 15 ,  131   a ,  132   a ) and at least one outlet port ( 16 ,  133   a ,  134   a ), which inlet port and outlet port are arranged for being connected to a fluid duct; and   a rotor ( 20 ,  120 ) which is arranged rotatable about a rotational axis in the interior space and which is provided with a rotor core ( 21 ,  121 ) and a number of vanes ( 23 ,  123 ) which are movable in relation to the core and which rotor, in sealing relation with the stator, upon rotation continuously divides the interior space into at least two mutually separated chambers ( 14   a ,  14   b ,  114   a - d ), each chamber comprising an inlet opening ( 17   a ,  17   b ,  112   a ) and an outlet opening ( 18   a ,  18   b ,  112   b )   
       characterized by at least one inlet channel ( 17 ,  131 ,  132 ) which connects the at least one inlet port with at least one inlet opening of each of said at least two chambers and at least one outlet channel  18 ,  133 ,  134 ) which connects at least one outlet opening of each of said at least two chambers with the at least one outlet port. 
     
     
         2 . A valve according to  claim 1 , wherein the circumferential extension of each chamber ( 14   a ,  14   b ,  114   a - d ) about the rotor ( 20 ,  120 ) are essentially equal. 
     
     
         3 . A valve according to  claim 1  or  2  wherein the interior space is divided into an odd number of chambers. 
     
     
         4 . A valve according to any of  claim 1 - 3 , wherein the inlet openings ( 17   a ,  17   b ,  112   a ) are arranged in pairs radially opposite to each other and the outlet openings ( 18   a ,  18   b ,  112   b ) are arranged in pairs radially opposite to each other. 
     
     
         5 . A valve according to any of  claim 1 - 4 , wherein the at least one inlet channel ( 17 ,  131 ,  132 ) and the at least one outlet channel ( 18 ,  133 ,  134 ) are annular and extend circumferentially around the interior space ( 14 ,  114 ). 
     
     
         6 . A valve according to  claim 5 , wherein each inlet channel ( 17 ,  131 ,  132 ) is connected to a respective inlet opening ( 17   a ,  17   b ,  112   a ′,  112   a ″) of two chambers ( 14   a ,  14   b ,  114   a ,  114   c ) and each outlet channel ( 18 ,  133 ,  134 ) is connected to a respective outlet opening ( 18   a ,  18   b ,  112   b ′,  112   b ″) of two chambers ( 14   a ,  14   b ,  114   a ,  114   c ). 
     
     
         7 . A valve according to  claim 6 , comprising a number of inlet channels ( 17 ,  131 ,  132 ) and outlet channels ( 18 ,  133 ,  134 ), which are arranged one after the other along the axial extension of the rotor ( 20 ,  120 ). 
     
     
         8 . A valve according to any of  claim 1 - 7 , wherein the inlet channels ( 131 ,  132 ) and outlet channels ( 133 ,  134 ) are formed of essentially identical parts. 
     
     
         9 . A valve according to any of  claim 1 - 8 , wherein at least one inlet channel or outlet channel is formed of an radially inner part exhibiting at least one communication opening and a outer part exhibiting at least one inlet port or at least one outlet port respectively. 
     
     
         10 . A valve according to  claim 9 , wherein the radially inner and outer parts are circumferentially slidable in relation to each other. 
     
     
         11 . A valve according to  claim 9  or  10 , wherein the radially inner part is circumferentially slidable in relation to the stator. 
     
     
         12 . A valve according to any of  claim 1 - 11 , wherein the vanes ( 23 ,  123 ) are arranged movable in relation to the core ( 21 ,  121 ) such that they define a respective active area which is parallel with the axial and radial directions of the rotor ( 20 ,  120 ) and which areas vary with the movement of the respective vane in relation to the core. 
     
     
         13 . A valve according to  claim 12 , wherein the vanes ( 23 ,  123 ) are arranged such that the respective active area, upon rotation of the rotor ( 20 ,  120 ), is essentially zero at a position of the vane immediately before reaching the inlet opening ( 17   a ,  17   b ,  112   a ′,  112   a ″) and immediately after passing the outlet opening ( 18   a .  18   b ,  112   b ′,  112   b ″) of each chamber ( 14   a ,  14   b ,  114   a - d ). 
     
     
         14 . A valve according to any of  claim 1 - 13 , wherein the vanes ( 123 ) are arranged radially slidable in relation to the rotor core ( 121 ). 
     
     
         15 . A valve according to any of  claim 1 - 14 , wherein the vanes ( 23 ) are arranged pivotal about pivotal axes which extend in parallel with the rotational axis of the rotor ( 20 ), in relation to the rotor core ( 21 ).