Actuated Compressor Valve with Integrated Guide-Cage Sealing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current actuated valves for reciprocating compressors are cumbersome and prone to malfunctioning, which affects the overall efficiency of the machines.

Innovation Solution

The design includes a valve with a seat, cage, and valve closing member, where the cage and guide can be manufactured monolithically or separately and integrated, featuring an actuation stem guided within a tubular structure, and a sealing arrangement to prevent gas leaks, with a replaceable seat plate for improved reliability and reduced weight.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If actuated valves are used to control suction and discharge phases, then flowrate modulation and compression cycle control are improved, but device complexity and susceptibility to malfunction increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflowrate modulation capabilityVSAvoidvalve structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The guide and cage are merged into a single monolithic component manufactured by additive manufacturing, eliminating the need for separate guide and cage parts while maintaining all necessary functions for valve actuation and flow control

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The monolithic guide-cage component serves multiple functions simultaneously: guiding the valve closing member, containing the sealing arrangement, supporting the seat, and enabling flow modulation, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining adaptability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of manufacture

If multiple separate components are used for guide and cage, then manufacturing flexibility is improved, but assembly complexity and potential misalignment increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing flexibilityVSAvoidcomponent alignment precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The guide and cage are combined into one monolithic component manufactured in a single additive manufacturing process, eliminating assembly steps and ensuring perfect alignment between guide and cage features

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The manufacturing method transitions from traditional subtractive manufacturing of separate components to additive manufacturing of a monolithic structure, enabling complex geometries with integrated features that would be difficult or impossible to achieve with separate components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Device complexity

If traditional valve designs are used, then structural simplicity is maintained, but guidance and sealing effectiveness are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevalve structure simplicityVSAvoidvalve operation reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A sealing arrangement is introduced as an intermediary element between the valve closing member and the seat, improving sealing effectiveness and preventing gas leaks while maintaining the overall valve structure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The traditional mechanical guidance system is replaced with a monolithic integrated guide-cage structure manufactured by additive manufacturing, which provides superior guidance and sealing through optimized geometry and material properties

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS11859607B2Fully actuated valve for a reciprocating machine and reciprocating machine including said valve

Publication Date: 2024.01.02 NUOVO PIGNONE TECH SRL

AI summary

A valve for a reciprocating machine is disclosed. The valve includes a seat provided with flow apertures therein. A valve closing member is adapted to co-act with the seat for selectively closing and opening the flow apertures. A cage is connected to the seat and forms a guide, in which the actuation stem of a valve closing member is slidingly engaged and guided.