FIELD

The present invention relates to manual overrides for solenoid operated valves.

BACKGROUND

The background information herein below relates to the present disclosure but is not necessarily prior art.

The solenoid operated valve comprises a housing containing a core and a solenoid operated plunger. The valve is configured to be in Normally Closed configuration. The valve can be opened by energizing the solenoid. More specifically, solenoid coils are energized by an external electric power supply to axially displace the core and facilitate pulling of the plunger.

However, in the absence of an electric power supply or when the valve needs to be tested, a provision for manually operating or overriding the plunger is required. The conventional manual overriding arrangements though are provided at an operative bottom portion of the valve. As a result, these valves have a restricted usage especially when it comes to gang manifolds. Although, there have been some trials for providing the arrangements on top of the valve, it requires dismantling some parts of the valve to facilitate manual overriding.

There is therefore felt a need for an arrangement that alleviates the aforementioned drawbacks.

OBJECTS

Some of the objects of the present disclosure, which at least one embodiment herein satisfies, are as follows:

An object of the present disclosure is to provide a manual overriding arrangement for a solenoid operated valve. Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a manual overriding arrangement for a solenoid operated valve, which facilitates stacking of the solenoid valve in a gang manifold.

Yet object of the present disclosure is to provide a manual overriding arrangement for a solenoid operated valve, which has a simple configuration.

Still another object of the present disclosure is to provide a manual overriding arrangement for a solenoid operated valve, which enables monitoring the health of the valve without the need of a fluid to pass through.

Other objects and advantages of the present disclosure will be more apparent from the following description, which is not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure provides an assembly of a solenoid operator and a manual overriding arrangement for controlling a flow through a valve by means of displacing a valve body between open and closed positions. The solenoid operator comprises a housing, a coil, a core, and a plunger. The coil is configured to be powered by an external power source for moving the plunger in an axial direction towards or away from the core in an energized or de-energized configuration of the solenoid operator. The manual overriding arrangement comprises a stem with a distal end that is connected to the plunger to move along therewith in the axial direction. The stem extends movably through a centre hole in the core and projects with a proximal end outside the core respectively the housing. The arrangement further comprises a knob displaceably provided in the axial direction at a core side of the housing opposite a plunger side thereof and acting on the proximal end of the stem. The knob is configured to be operatively moved to displace the plunger even when the solenoid does not receive power from the external power source.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWING A manual overriding arrangement of the present disclosure, for a solenoid operated valve will now be described with the help of the accompanying drawing, in which:

Figure 1 illustrates an isometric view of the arrangement, of the present disclosure, mounted on the solenoid operated valve;

Figure 2 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the arrangement, of Figure 1, mounted on the solenoid operated valve;

Figure 3 illustrates an exploded view of the arrangement;

Figure 4 a cross-sectional view of the arrangement, of Figure 1, mounted on the solenoid operated valve, and in a de-energized configuration;

Figure 5 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the arrangement, of Figure 4, mounted on the solenoid operated valve, and in an energized configuration;

Figure 6 illustrates a cross-sectional front view of the arrangement, of Figure 1, with an O-ring; and Figure 7 illustrates a cross-sectional front view of the arrangement, of Figure 1, with a grub screw.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments, of the present disclosure, will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing. Embodiments are provided so as to thoroughly and fully convey the scope of the present disclosure to the person skilled in the art. Numerous details, are set forth, relating to specific components, and methods, to provide a complete understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to the person skilled in the art that the details provided in the embodiments should not be construed to limit the scope of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, well-known processes, well-known apparatus structures, and well-known techniques are not described in detail. The terminology used, in the present disclosure, is only for the purpose of explaining a particular embodiment and such terminology shall not be considered to limit the scope of the present disclosure. As used in the present disclosure, the forms "a,” "an," and "the" may be intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly suggests otherwise. The terms "comprises," "comprising," “including,” and “having,” are open ended transitional phrases and therefore specify the presence of stated features, elements, modules, units and/or components, but do not forbid the presence or addition of one or more other features, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

When an element is referred to as being "mounted on," “engaged to,” "connected to," or "coupled to" another element, it may be directly on, engaged, connected or coupled to the other element. As used herein, the term "and/or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed elements.

The terms first, second, third, etc., should not be construed to limit the scope of the present disclosure as the aforementioned terms may be only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another component, region, layer or section. Terms such as first, second, third etc., when used herein do not imply a specific sequence or order unless clearly suggested by the present disclosure.

Terms such as “inner,” “outer,” "beneath," "below," "lower," "above," "upper," and the like, may be used in the present disclosure to describe relationships between different elements as depicted from the figures.

A solenoid operated valve comprises a housing containing a core and a solenoid operated plunger. The valve is configured to be in Normally Closed configuration. The valve can be opened by energizing the solenoid. More specifically, solenoid coils are energized by an external electric power supply to axially displace the core and facilitate displacement of the plunger.

However, in the absence of an electric power supply or when the valve needs to be tested, a provision for manually operating or manual overriding the plunger is required. The conventional manual overriding arrangements though are provided at an operative bottom portion of the valve. As a result, these valves have a restricted usage especially when it comes to gang manifolds. Although, there have been some trials for providing the arrangements on top of the valve, it requires dismantling some parts of the valve to facilitate manual overriding.

An assembly of a manual overriding arrangement (100), of the present disclosure, for a solenoid operated valve (10) will now be described with reference to Figure 1 through Figure 7.

The solenoid operator comprises a housing (20), a coil (11), a core (12), and a plunger (14). The coil (11) is configured to be powered by an external power source for moving the plunger (14) in an axial direction towards or away from the core (12) in an energized or de-energized configuration of the solenoid operator (10). The manual overriding arrangement (100) comprises a stem (106) with a distal end that is connected to the plunger (14) to move along therewith in the axial direction. The stem (106) extends movably through a centre hole in the core (12) and projects with a proximal end outside the core (12) respectively the housing (20). The arrangement further comprises a knob displaceably provided in the axial direction at a core side of the housing opposite a plunger side thereof and acting on the proximal end of the stem. The knob (102) is configured to be operatively moved to displace the plunger (14) even when the coil (11) does not receive power from the external power source.

The knob is configured to be operatively pulled to displace the plunger towards the core (12), as well as the mechanical inversion variant in which the knob is configured to be pushed towards the housing for displacing the plunger away from the core (12).

In an embodiment, the manual overriding arrangement (100) includes a hollow guiding cap (110) configured to extend in the axial direction around the proximal end of the stem (106). The knob (102) has a manual operator sleeve configured to be guided in the axial direction along an operative outer side of the cap (110). In another embodiment, at least one guiding slot is provided in the guiding cap (110). The guiding slot (112) is configured to receive and slidably guide a pin (116) that extends in a direction operatively perpendicular to the axial direction and that is fixedly connected to the manual operator sleeve (120). The guiding slot (112) is orientated such that the pin (116) along with the manual operator sleeve (120) together are slidably displaceable with a degree of freedom in a direction operatively parallel to the axial direction of the manual overriding arrangement (100).

In one embodiment, at least one fixation hole (122) is configured on the manual operator sleeve (120). The fixation hole (122) is configured to receive the pin (116) fixedly connected in the manual operator sleeve (120).

In another embodiment, at least one fixation hole (122) is configured on the manual operator sleeve (120). The fixation hole (122) is configured to receive the pin (116) fixedly connected in the manual operator sleeve (120).

In yet another embodiment, the guiding slot (112) and pin (116) extend sideways of the stem (106).

In still another embodiment, two guiding slots (112) and two pins (116) are provided extending at opposing sides of the stem (106).

In an embodiment, ring-shaped spacers (114, 118) are provided around the stem (106) at opposing sides of the pin (116).

In another embodiment, the guiding cap (110) is configured to be fixedly mounted on the housing (20) respectively on the core (12).

In yet another embodiment, at least one O-ring (128) is provided between the guiding cap (110) and the manual operator sleeve (120).

In still another embodiment, the manual operator sleeve (120) includes a grub screw (129) configured to lock the manual operator sleeve (120) against the guiding cap (110), in a non-operative configuration of the manual operator sleeve (120).

In yet another embodiment, more than one guiding slots are configured on the cap to receive the respective number of pins therein.

In an embodiment, a head is connected with or provided at the proximal end of the stem (106). The head is received movably in the axial direction inside said guiding cap (110), wherein the head is configured to lie against the pin (116) and together with the stem (106) and plunger (14) be displaced along with said manual operator sleeve (120) to displace the plunger (14) relative to the core (12) when the manual operator sleeve is moved, even in a non-energized configuration of the core (12). The head is further configured to be displaced along with the stem (106) with the plunger (14) while moving away from the pin (116) and thus keeping the manual operator sleeve immobilized, in an energized configuration of the core (12). Thus, when the coil is energized, the manual operator sleeve advantageously does not have to be moved along, which saves energy and helps to prevent malfunctioning in case of the manual operator sleeve being accidentally more or less obstructed.

The assembly further includes a magnetic actuator (104) co-moving with the stem (106) and a proximity sensor (130) mounted on the manual overriding arrangement (100). The proximity sensor (130) is configured to sense the displacement of the magnetic actuator (104) to generate a health indication signal. In an embodiment, the assembly includes other types of health signal indicators and position switches.

In an embodiment, the head that is connected with or provided at the proximal end of said stem (106) is formed by the magnetic actuator (104).

In another embodiment, the manual overriding arrangement (100) includes a first biasing member (124) configured to enable travel of said knob (102) back to its initial position when the knob (102) is released.

In still another embodiment, the first biasing member (124) acts on an operative portion of the head.

The knob (102) is configured to be operatively pulled away from the housing (20) to displace the plunger (14) towards the core (12). The knob (102) is configured to be operatively pushed towards the housing (20) to displace the plunger (14) away from the core (12).

The assembly includes a second biasing member (126) configured to act between the core (12) and the plunger (14), and which is provided around the distal end of the stem (106). The second biasing member (126) is at least partly housed inside a blind bore that is provided in the core (12) around its centre hole. In an embodiment, a fluid duct (127) is provided in the plunger (14), for forming a fluid connection with the valve. The fluid duct (127) is configured to at least partly extend outside a central axis of the plunger (14).

In another embodiment, the fluid duct (127) includes an axially extending starting duct portion (127a) through the central axis of the plunger (14) that lies at the side of the valve, a sideways extending intermediate duct portion (127b) through the plunger (14), and an axially extending ending duct portion (127c) along an outer circumferential wall of the plunger.

Providing the arrangement (100), of the present disclosure, on the top end of the valve (10) allows the valve (10) to be stacked on top of each other to enable gang manifold. Further, the proximity sensor (130) helps in identifying the health of the valve (10), without needing a fluid to be passed through the valve (10) to check the operating conditions of the valve (10).

The arrangement (100) has a simple configuration which facilitates ease in the operation of the valve (10).

In yet another embodiment, the sleeve (120) includes a grub screw (129), as shown in Figure 7, provided thereon. The grub screw (129) is configured to lock the sleeve (120) against the cap (110), in a non-operative configuration of the sleeve (120). The grub screw (129) prevents accidental displacement of the sleeve (120).

The assembly, of the present disclosure, is configured to be used in hydraulic brake applications such as in trains. With the manual operator sleeve, the function of the valve can be checked during safety inspection, while at a same time a co-displaceable detectable health indicating element may provide real time feedback that the solenoid operated valve has actually performed a stroke after energizing or manual operation.

In an embodiment, a central fluid duct is configured in the plunger, along the height of the plunger’s central axis to balance the plunger in terms of fluid pressure normally. Due to the connection between the distal end of the stem and the plunger at the heart of the plunger’s upper side, the balance in the fluid pressure is difficult to achieve. Therefore, an alternative fluid connection is provided inside and along the plunger, which comprises a central portion along the central axis at the side of the valve body, which comprises a branch portion that extends sideways perpendicular thereto, and which comprises a slit in the outer circumferential wall parallel to the central axis.

In one embodiment, the spring configured to act between the core (12) and the plunger (14) for balancing the remnant magnetism after the coil is de-energized, is provided in a blind bore in the plunger.

The foregoing description of the embodiments has been provided for purposes of illustration and not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. Individual components of a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particular embodiment, but, are interchangeable. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the present disclosure, and all such modifications are considered to be within the scope of the present disclosure.

TECHNICAL ADVANCEMENTS

The present disclosure described hereinabove has several technical advantages including, but not limited to, the realization of a manual overriding arrangement for a solenoid operated valve that:

• facilitates stacking of the solenoid valve in a gang manifold;

• has a simple configuration; and

• enables monitoring the health of the valve without the need of a fluid to pass through.

The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained with reference to the non-limiting embodiments in the following description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.

The foregoing description of the specific embodiments so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the embodiments as described herein. he use of the expression “at least” or “at least one” suggests the use of one or more elements or ingredients or quantities, as the use may be in the embodiment of the disclosure to achieve one or more of the desired objects or results.

Any discussion of documents, materials, devices, articles or the like that has been included in this specification is solely for the purpose of providing a context for the disclosure. It is not to be taken as an admission that any or all of these matters form a part of the prior art base or were common general knowledge in the field relevant to the disclosure as it existed anywhere before the priority date of this application.

While considerable emphasis has been placed herein on the components and component parts of the preferred embodiments, it will be appreciated that many embodiments can be made and that many changes can be made in the preferred embodiments without departing from the principles of the disclosure. These and other changes in the preferred embodiment as well as other embodiments of the disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the disclosure herein, whereby it is to be distinctly understood that the foregoing descriptive matter is to be interpreted merely as illustrative of the disclosure and not as a limitation.