Related Application Data

[0001] This application claims priority benefit to US provisional application ser. no. 63/317,333, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein.

Background of the Invention

[0002] The present disclosure is directed to a modular valve assembly and methods of making the same.

SUMMARY

[0003] One aspect of the disclosure is a method of making a modular valve assembly. A first housing member and a second housing member are provided, and the first housing member is joined to the second housing member to form a unitary housing. A valve component opening is formed in the unitary housing, and the valve component opening is sized to receive a valve component. An inlet passageway is formed in the unitary housing. The inlet passageway communicates with the valve component opening. An outlet passageway is formed in the unitary housing. The outlet passageway communicates with the valve, component opening. A valve component is placed in the valve component opening.

[0004] Further features and advantages, as well as the operation, are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0005] FIG. 1 is a front view of a modular valve assembly.

[0006] FIG. 2 is a left side view of the modular valve assembly of FIG. 1 .

[0007] FIG. 3 is a right side view of the modular valve assembly of FIG. 1 . [0008] FIG. 4 is a set of cross sectional views of the modular valve assembly of FIG. 1.

[0009] FIG. 5a is an isometric view of housing members of an embodiment of the modular valve assembly of the modular valve assembly of FIG. 1

[0010] FIG. 5b is an isometric view of housing members of another embodiment of the modular valve assembly of the modular valve assembly of FIG. 1

[0011] FIG. 5c is an isometric view of housing members of yet another embodiment of the modular valve assembly of the modular valve assembly of FIG. 1

[0012] FIG. 6 is a flow diagram of an embodiment of a method of manufacturing the modular valve assembly of FIG. 1 .

[0013] FIG. 7 shows valve components that may be used with the modular valve assembly of Fig. 1 .

[0014] FIG. 8 shows valve components that may be used with the modular valve assembly of Fig. 1 .

[0015] FIG. 9 shows valve components that may be used with the modular valve assembly of FIG. 1.

[0016] FIG. 10 shows valve components that may be used with the modular valve assembly of FIG. 1.

[0017] FIG. 11 shows another embodiment of a left housing member in multiple views.

[0018] FIG. 12 shows another embodiment of a middle housing member in multiple views. [0019] FIG. 13 shows another embodiment of a right housing member in multiple views.

[0020] FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of modular valve assembly comprising the left housing member of FIG. 11 , the middle housing member of FIG. 12, and the right housing member of FIG. 13 with additional valve components installed thereon.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021] Figures 1-5c show a modular valve assembly, which is described in detail below. Figure 6 is a flow diagram of an embodiment of a method of manufacturing a modular valve assembly, including that shown in FIGS. 1-5c. Referring to reference number 20, the method comprises providing a first housing member 36 and a second housing member 38. This step may include providing the first housing member 36 having a length Li and a height Hi and providing the second housing member 38 having a length L2 and a height H2. The length and height Li, Hi of the first housing member 36 may be dimensioned to match the length and height L2, H2 of the second housing member 38. The first and second housing members 36, 38 may be provided as a monolithic block of material. Additionally, the first and second housing members 36, 38 may comprise various materials including aluminum, steel, or like materials. The first and second housing members 36, 38 may be rectangular in shape.

[0022] Referring to reference number 22, the method further comprises joining the first housing member 36 to the second housing member 38 to form a unitary housing 40. The unitary housing 40 may have first and second opposite end surfaces 42, 44 spaced apart by the first and second housing member lengths Li, L2. Similarly, the unitary housing 40 may have first and second side surfaces 46, 48 spaced apart by the first and second housing member heights Hi ,H2. The first and second housing members 36, 38 may have complementary and interlocking geometry to allow the first and second housing members to be joined together to form the unitary housing 40. For instance, the first and second housing members 36, 38 may have a system of tabs and grooves, alignment and/or locking pins or dowels, and/or cam engagement fasteners for joining the first and second housing members together. In addition to or in the alternative, joining the first housing member 36 to the second housing 38 member to form the unitary housing member 40 may be accomplished by slidably connecting the first housing member to the second housing member. For example, a matching dovetail may be formed in the first and second housing members, and the matching dovetail may be used to slidably connect the first housing member 36 to the second housing member 38. The dovetail may be formed to extend from one end surface 42 to an opposite end surface 44. The dovetail may be formed to extend from one side surface 46 to an opposite side surface 48. Multiple dovetails may be provided on opposite ends 42, 44 or sides 46, 48 of the first and second housing members 36, 38, depending on the sizes of the first and second housing members. In addition to or in the alternative, mechanical fasteners may also be used to join the first and second housing members 36, 38 together.

[0023] Referring to reference number 24, the method further comprises forming a valve component opening 50 in the unitary housing 40. The valve component opening 50 may be sized to receive a valve component 52. As used herein, “valve component” means and refers to a solenoid, strainer, relief valve, check valve, valve body, spring, magnet, lead screw, plug, cartridge, filter, valve seat, or the like. Such components are shown in FIGS. 7-10. Figures 7-10 show additional valve components including a bonnet 52a, cap 52b, cartridge 52c, core 52d, cover strainer 52e, guide 52f, lead screw 52g, magnet 52h, nut 52i, plug 52j, seat 52k, stem 52I, PTFE seat 52m, and V port 52n. As shown in the drawings, the valve component opening 50 may be formed in one of the first and second side surfaces 46, 48 of the unitary housing 40. In addition to or in the alternative, the valve component opening 50 may be formed in one of the first and second end surfaces 42, 44 of the unitary housing 40. Forming the valve component opening 50 may include forming a threaded connection that is adapted and configured to receive a threaded member 64, which may be integral to the valve component or may be used to locate and the mount the valve component in the valve component opening. The threaded member 64 may allow for adjustment of the valve component in the valve component opening.

[0024] Referring to reference number 26, the method further comprises forming an inlet passageway 54 in the unitary housing 40. The inlet passageway 54 may communicate with the valve component opening 50. As shown in the drawings, the inlet passageway 54 may be formed in one of the first and second end surfaces 42, 44 of the unitary housing 40. The inlet passageway 54 may also be formed in one of the first and second side surfaces 46, 48 of the unitary housing 40. The inlet passageway may be created by forming a first blind hole through one of the first and second end surfaces 46, 48 of the unitary housing 40, and a second blind hole through one of the first and second side surfaces. The first blind hole and the second blind hole may intersect to form the inlet passageway 54. The second blind hole may then have a plug installed to seal the second blind hole. The inlet passageway 54 formation process may also include forming a threaded connection that is adapted and configured to connect to external piping.

[0025] Referring to reference number 28, the method further comprises forming an outlet passageway 56 in the unitary housing 40. The outlet passageway 56 may communicate with the valve component opening 50. The outlet passageway 56 may be formed in the other of the first and second end surfaces 42, 44 of the unitary housing, which corresponds to the end surface opposite the end surface in which the inlet 54 passageway is formed. The outlet passageway 56 may also be formed in one of the first and second side surfaces 46,48 of the unitary housing 40. The outlet passageway 56 may be created by forming a first blind hole through hone of the first and second end surfaces 42, 44 of the unitary housing, and a second blind hole through hone of the first and second side surfaces 46, 48. The first blind hole and the second blind hole may intersect to form the outlet passageway 56. The second blind hole may then have a plug installed to seal the second blind hole. The outlet passageway formation process may also include forming a threaded connection that is adapted and configured to connect to external piping.

[0026] Referring to reference number 30, the method further comprises placing a valve component 52 in the valve component opening. This step may include separating the first and second housing members 36, 38. Then, the valve component 52 may be installed in the valve component opening 50. The valve component 52 may be mounted and located as needed in the valve component opening so as to cooperate with the inlet passageway 54 and/or outlet passageway 56. For instance, when the valve component 52 comprises a valve with a valve body, the valve component may be mounted and located in the valve component opening 50 so the valve body is movable to sealingly engage a seat of the inlet passageway 54. After the valve component 52 is located and mounted in the valve component opening 50, the first and second housing members 36, 38 may be rejoined to form the unitary housing 40. Placing the valve component 52 in the valve component opening 50 may also be accomplished by securing the valve component in the unitary housing 40 with the threaded member 64 formed in the valve opening. In addition to or in the alternative, the valve component 52 may be mounted and located in the valve component opening 50 by inserting the valve component in the valve component opening and then sealing the valve component opening with a plug or access disk mechanical joined to the unitary housing 40.

[0027] Referring to reference number 32, the method may further comprise connecting the inlet passageway 54 to inlet piping 58.

[0028] Referring to reference number 34, the method may further comprise connecting the outlet passageway 56 to outlet piping 60.

[0029] The steps referenced in reference numbers 24-30 may also be employed to form one or more further valve component opening(s) 50 in the unitary housing 40 and to install one or more further valve component(s) 52 in the further valve component opening(s). Also, one or more secondary passageway(s) 62 may be formed in the unitary housing 40. The one or more secondary passageway(s) 62 may communicate with the valve component opening 50 and the one or more further valve component opening(s) 50. In one example, the outlet passageway 56 may be in communication with the valve opening 50 via the further valve opening 50 and the secondary passageway 62. In another example, the inlet passageway 54 may be in communication with the valve opening 50 and the further valve opening 50 via the secondary passageway 62. Forming the secondary passageway 62 may include forming the secondary passageway in one of the first and second end surfaces 42, 44 of the unitary housing 40. This may be accomplished by forming the secondary passageway 62 as a blind hole through one of the first and second end surfaces 42, 44 of the unitary housing 40. A plug may then be used to seal the blind hole of the secondary passageway 62 at the first and second end surfaces 42, 44 of the unitary housing.

[0030] The steps referenced in reference numbers 20-34 may apply equally to a process involving additional housing members 66 (such as a third and fourth housing member). In such an instance, the pairs of additional housing members are provided in accordance with reference number 20, are joined to form a further unitary housing in accordance with reference number 22, and have components formed and/or connected in accordance with steps 24-34. Thus, the discussion of reference numbers 20-34 applies equally to additional housing members and unitary housings. The further unitary housing may be connected end surface to end surface and/or side surface to side surface. In one example, unitary housings of the type shown in Figures 1-5c may be connected end surface to end surface such that the outlet passage of the first in series unitary housing is aligned with the inlet passageway of the further, next in series, unitary housing. In such a circumstance, the inlet piping connection discussed with respect to reference number 32 would connect to the inlet passageway of the unitary housing, and the outlet piping connection discussed with respect to reference number 32 would connect to the outlet passageway of the further unitary housing.

[0031] FIGS. 11-14 provide another example of a modularvalve assembly using a left housing member 36’, a middle housing member 66’, and a right housing member 38’. Each of the housing members is joined together using a dovetail arrangement and mechanical fasteners. Each of the housing members has a valve member for controlling flow through a respective passageway of the housing member and the modular valve assembly as a whole.

[0032] In view of the foregoing, it should be appreciated that the invention has several advantages over the prior art.

[0033] It should also be understood that when introducing elements of the present invention in the claims or in the above description of exemplary embodiments of the invention, the terms "comprising," "including," and "having" are intended to be open-ended and mean that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements. Additionally, the term "portion" should be construed as meaning some or all of the item or element that it qualifies. Moreover, use of identifiers such as first, second, and third should not be construed in a manner imposing any relative position or time sequence between limitations.

[0034] As various modifications could be made in the constructions and methods herein described and illustrated without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the foregoing description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative rather than limiting. Thus, the breadth and scope of the present invention should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments, but should be defined only in accordance with the following claims appended hereto and their equivalents.