Angled Cleaning Valve for Double-Seat Valve Residue Removal

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Solution Overview

Problem

In food and beverage handling, double seat and double seal valves face issues with residue deposition and bellows stress due to perpendicular flushing valve arrangements, leading to reduced service life and difficulty in cleaning.

Innovation Solution

A valve device with a cleaning valve axis angled between 1° and 89° relative to the double seat or double seal valve axis, allowing for efficient drainage of cleaning agents and reducing stress on the bellows by directing cleaning agents to drain into the leakage space without direct flow against the bellows.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the flushing valve is arranged perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the main valve, then the flushing valve can effectively clean the leakage chamber, but cleaning agent residues and condensate deposit in the flushing valve or at its outlet

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning efficiencyVSAvoidresidue deposition
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the spatial arrangement of the flushing valve from a perpendicular arrangement to an angled arrangement (1°-89°) relative to the main valve axis. This dimensional change in orientation allows cleaning agents to drain effectively into the leakage chamber by gravity, preventing residue deposition while maintaining cleaning effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Ease of operation

If the flushing valve is positioned perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the main valve, then the flushing valve can access the leakage chamber, but the bellows is subjected to direct flow which reduces its service life

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccess to leakage chamberVSAvoidbellows service life
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention angles the flushing valve (1°-89° relative to the main valve axis) to change the flow direction. This angular arrangement allows the flushing valve to access and clean the leakage chamber while directing the cleaning agent flow away from the bellows, preventing direct flow impact and extending bellows service life.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention creates different flow conditions in different regions of the leakage chamber. The angled flushing valve directs cleaning agents to drain into the leakage chamber without directly impacting the bellows area, providing localized protection to the bellows while maintaining effective cleaning in other areas.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Device complexity

If the flushing valve is arranged perpendicular to the main valve axis, then the structure is simple, but cleaning agents cannot drain effectively leading to residue accumulation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevalve arrangement simplicityVSAvoidcleaning agent residue
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention introduces an angular arrangement (1°-89°) of the flushing valve relative to the main valve axis, changing the drainage orientation. This angular configuration enables effective gravity-driven drainage of cleaning agents into the leakage chamber while maintaining relatively simple valve structure, preventing residue accumulation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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

This design enhances the service life of the bellows and improves cleaning efficiency by ensuring cleaning agents drain effectively into the leakage space, reducing residue accumulation and stress on the bellows.

Implementation Method 1

the axis of the cleaning valve encloses an angle of between 1° and 89° with the axis of the double seat and/or double sealing valve... directing cleaning agents to drain into the leakage space without direct flow against the bellows

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentEP2592312B1Double-seat valve with flushing valve
Publication Date: 2017.04.19 KRONES AG
  • EP2592312B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2592312B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The device has a cleaning valve (2) cleaning a leakage space (6) of a double-seat and double seal valve (1), where an axis (3) of the cleaning valve forms angle between 1degree and 89 degrees with an axis (4) of the double-seat and double seal valve, and the axes intersect with each other. An opening of the cleaning valve is formed as a single part with the double-seat and double seal valve. An exit orientation of the cleaning valve is arranged in a manner that cleaning agents are directed from the cleaning valve in direction of a valve plate (9) of the double-seat and double seal valve. An independent claim is also included for a machine for filling a container.