Multi-Orifice Back Pressure Regulator With Positive Shut-Off Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Direct sealing diaphragm valves lack effective shut-off capabilities, resulting in significant leakage at low flow rates, especially at higher pressures, with shut-off ratios often exceeding 1/100,000 of maximum Cv, which is not practical for industrial applications.
Innovation Solution
A pressure regulating valve design incorporating a direct-sealing diaphragm with a resilient shut-off seal that enhances shut-off performance without compromising the precision of multi-orifice flow control, utilizing a diaphragm constrained between a body and a reference housing, with the shut-off seal positioned to separate inlet and outlet orifices, allowing precise pressure regulation and shut-off.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a direct sealing diaphragm valve is used for pressure regulation, then precise pressure control is achieved, but effective shut-off capability is lost resulting in significant leakage at low flow rates
Solution Approach 1:
The valve is segmented into two distinct sealing systems: a diaphragm for pressure control and a separate resilient shut-off seal for effective shut-off. The diaphragm maintains precise pressure regulation through multiple outlet orifices, while the resilient seal provides positive shut-off by forming a tight seal around the inlet orifice when engaged, eliminating leakage paths that exist in conventional single-system valves
Solution Approach 2:
A resilient shut-off seal acts as an intermediary component between the diaphragm system and the valve body. This seal is engaged by the diaphragm under certain pressure conditions to provide enhanced shut-off capability, while not interfering with the precision pressure control function of the multi-orifice diaphragm system during normal operation
2Reliability
If diaphragm thickness is increased to improve shut-off at higher pressures, then shut-off ratio improves, but pressure control precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing function is segmented between the diaphragm and a separate resilient shut-off seal. This allows the diaphragm to remain thin for precise pressure control while the resilient seal provides the necessary shut-off capability at higher pressures without compromising diaphragm responsiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the sealing mechanism parameter based on operating conditions. At normal pressures, the thin diaphragm provides precise control. At higher pressures requiring shut-off, the resilient seal is engaged to provide the necessary sealing force, effectively changing the active sealing parameter without altering diaphragm thickness
3Reliability
If a resilient shut-off seal is added to enhance shut-off performance, then shut-off ratio improves to better than 1/100,000 of maximum Cv, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The resilient shut-off seal serves multiple functions: it provides positive shut-off capability, seals around the inlet orifice, and is engaged/disengaged by the diaphragm based on pressure conditions. This multi-functionality justifies the added component by consolidating several critical functions into a single element rather than requiring multiple separate mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The resilient shut-off seal is positioned within the valve body structure, nested around the inlet orifice. The seal is engaged by the diaphragm which moves within the valve assembly, creating a nested arrangement where components are integrated within each other's spaces rather than adding external complexity
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 achieves precise pressure regulation and effective shut-off at low flow rates, with shut-off ratios improved to better than 1/100,000 of maximum Cv, maintaining precision and accuracy across a wide range of pressures, even with harder diaphragm materials.
Implementation Method 1
a resilient shut-off seal positioned in the process surface, defining a closed perimeter surrounding the at least one inlet orifice and separating the at least one inlet orifice from the plurality of outlet orifices
Implementation Method 2
a diaphragm having opposed reference and process sides, the diaphragm constrained between the body and the reference housing such that the process side faces the process surface, and arranged such that, when the reference pressure is higher than the process pressure the diaphragm is engaged with the outlet orifices, and when the process pressure is higher than the reference pressure, the diaphragm is not engaged with at least one of the outlet orifices
Data Source
AI summary
A pressure regulating valve includes: a body, including: a process surface; at least one inlet orifice in the process surface; In outlet orifices disposed in the process surface separate from the at least one inlet orifice; a resilient shut-off seal positioned in the process surface, defining a closed perimeter surrounding the at least one inlet orifice and separating the at least one inlet orifice from the plurality of outlet orifices; an inlet port communicating with the at least one inlet orifice; and an outlet port communicating with the plurality of outlet orifices; a reference housing; and a diaphragm constrained between the body and the reference housing, and arranged such that, when a reference pressure is higher than a process pressure the diaphragm is engaged with the outlet orifices, and when the process pressure is higher than the reference pressure, the diaphragm is disengaged from at least one outlet orifice.