Air Release Valve Spring Disc Sealing at Low Pressure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air release valves struggle to seal and prevent air from exiting at low pressures, as the very low pressure in the water line is insufficient to close the seal in prior art designs.
Innovation Solution
An air release valve with a spring disc seal and a weight mechanism, where the seal is pressed against a valve seat to block air exit passageways during low pressure, utilizing a Belleville washer or umbrella seal design and arcuate arms for attachment, ensuring air is sealed even at zero relative pressure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a float-based sealing mechanism is used in air release valves, then the valve can effectively seal at normal pressure conditions, but the seal fails to close properly at very low pressure conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the sealing mechanism from float-based (pressure-dependent) to spring-based (force-dependent). The spring disc seal applies a predetermined force against the valve seat that is sufficient to overcome very low pressure differentials, ensuring reliable sealing across all pressure conditions including near-zero pressure. This transforms the sealing parameter from being pressure-reactive to being force-driven.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the float-based mechanical sealing system with a spring disc seal mechanism. Instead of relying on floating components and gravity-dependent buoyancy forces, the invention uses a spring-loaded disc that applies consistent sealing force through elastic deformation, providing more reliable sealing performance across varying pressure conditions.
2Ease of manufacture
If a float-based sealing mechanism is used, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the sealing performance is insufficient at low pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the fundamental operating parameter of the seal from buoyancy-based (float) to elasticity-based (spring disc). The spring disc seal is designed with specific material properties and geometric parameters that enable it to maintain sealing force under very low pressure conditions, achieving both manufacturing feasibility and improved reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring disc seal is made from elastomeric material that combines flexibility for sealing with sufficient elastic recovery for maintaining sealing force. This composite material approach allows the seal to deform under pressure while maintaining its sealing effectiveness, bridging the gap between simple construction and reliable performance.
3Ease of operation
If the seal is designed to close at normal pressure, then it functions correctly under typical conditions, but it cannot seal when pressure approaches zero
Solution Approach 1:
The spring disc seal is designed to be self-actuating, automatically applying the necessary sealing force through its inherent elastic properties without requiring external control mechanisms. The spring force is predetermined during manufacturing to ensure the seal closes reliably across all operating conditions, making the valve operationally effective and consistent.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring disc seal is pre-loaded with a predetermined force during manufacturing that is sufficient to overcome very low pressure differentials. This preliminary action ensures that the seal is already in a closed position under normal and low pressure conditions, requiring only that the pressure differential exceeds the spring force to open the valve.
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
The valve effectively seals and stops air flow outward, maintaining reliability even at very low pressures, ensuring consistent operation across varying pressure conditions.
Implementation Method 1
the float moves downwards under its own weight
Implementation Method 2
The seal is formed as a spring disc
Data Source
AI summary
An air release valve (10) includes a housing (11) fluidly connectable to a water line, a valve seat (12) secured to a portion of the housing (11) and formed with one or more air exit passageways (14), a seal (18) formed as a spring disc and including a stem (28) slidingly engaged with the valve seat (12), and a weight (20) coupled to the seal (18). In a sealed configuration the seal (18) presses against the valve seat (12) and seals the one or more air exit passageways (14) from air passing therethrough and in an open configuration the seal (18) is moved by the weight (20) so that the seal (18) is not pressed against the valve seat (12) and allows passage of air through the one or more air exit passageways (14).