Adjustable Trunnion Valve Seating Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ball valves require disassembly for adjusting the seating, which is inconvenient and time-consuming, and often rely on springs that add complexity and potential failure points.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable trunnion valve design that allows the vertical position of the obturator to be varied by lengthening or shortening the trunnion or engaging more threads, enabling adjustments without disassembly and eliminating the need for springs, using a trunnion with a fixed base and a threaded extension to support the obturator for precise positioning and sealing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of repair
If traditional ball valve design with fixed trunnion is used, then manufacturing is simpler, but adjustment of seating requires full disassembly and is time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The trunnion is divided into a fixed base portion and an adjustable extension portion with external threads. This segmentation allows the extension to be independently adjusted by rotating the obturator, enabling seating adjustment without full disassembly of the valve.
Solution Approach 2:
The trunnion extension is made dynamically adjustable during operation. By rotating the obturator, the extension engages or disengages threads on the fixed base, changing the support position of the obturator and thereby adjusting the seating pressure without requiring valve disassembly.
2Reliability
If springs are used to bias valve seals against valve balls, then sealing is maintained after wear, but device complexity increases and potential failure points are added
Solution Approach 1:
The spring component is completely removed from the sealing mechanism. Instead of using elastic force from a spring, the design relies on the adjustable geometric configuration of the threaded trunnion extension to maintain direct mechanical contact and sealing pressure between the obturator and valve seals.
Solution Approach 2:
The obturator serves dual functions: it rotates to control flow and simultaneously adjusts the seating pressure by engaging threads on the fixed base. This self-adjusting mechanism eliminates the need for separate spring components or manual adjustment procedures.
3Manufacturing precision
If full disassembly is required for adjusting seating, then precise adjustment is possible, but maintenance costs and time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The threaded extension is pre-configured with precise thread pitch and geometry during manufacturing. This preliminary precision engineering allows the operator to achieve accurate seating adjustment through simple rotational movement during maintenance, without requiring complex disassembly or specialized tools.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the obturator position is fixed, then valve structure is simpler, but sealing pressure cannot be adjusted after installation
Solution Approach 1:
The trunnion structure transitions from a fixed to a dynamically adjustable configuration. The external threads on the extension allow the obturator support position to be changed during operation by rotating the obturator, enabling sealing pressure adjustment without increasing the number of separate components.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables adjustments to be made without removing the valve from service or diverting fluid flow, reducing maintenance costs and time, and providing a more reliable sealing mechanism by maintaining support for the obturator throughout its operational range.
Implementation Method 1
The extension 120 is configured with external threads 121 and is engaged with threads 121' formed within a cavity 128' of the obturator 104'. Rotation of the extension 120 raises or lowers the obturator 104' along an axis 130 of rotation of the extension 120 and the obturator 104'.
Implementation Method 2
The seals and seats, in conjunction with the valve member and the valve receiving chamber, define a cavity around the valve member. To prevent leakage of the valve, the seals and seats are pressed against the valve member with a sealing pressure based, at least in part, on the maximum pressure environment in which the valve may be installed.
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 2B
AI summary
An adjustable trunnion valve includes an obturator, a valve stem, at least one valve seal, and a trunnion. The trunnion and obturator are configured to translate the obturator along a longitudinal axis extending through the trunnion and the obturator upon rotation of the valve stem beyond one or both of its open position and its closed position. A method of operating an adjustable trunnion valve having an obturator coupled to a trunnion and a valve stem includes passing a fluid through the adjustable trunnion valve and rotating the valve stem to rotate the obturator about an axis of rotation and to simultaneously translate the obturator in a direction along the axis of rotation while the obturator is supported by the trunnion and while the fluid flows through the adjustable trunnion valve.