Barrier-Piston Valve for Solid Particle Pressure Balancing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Cone valves used in pressure exchange chamber pumping systems face issues with solid particles settling in the valve cavity, interfering with proper functioning.
Innovation Solution
A valve design featuring a barrier piston with a downward sloping top and bleed passages to inhibit solid particle flow into the cavity, reducing pressure differential, and a sleeve to support the piston and prevent lateral movement, ensuring smooth operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional cone valve is used to handle medium containing solid particles, then the valve can regulate flow, but solid particles settle in the cavity and interfere with proper functioning
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the harmful function of the cavity by introducing a barrier piston that prevents solid particles from entering the cavity space. The barrier piston effectively separates the cavity from the flow path, removing the cavity's ability to accumulate particles while preserving its pressure balancing function.
Solution Approach 2:
The barrier piston acts as an intermediary element between the medium containing solid particles and the cavity. It mediates the interaction by blocking particle transport while allowing pressure equalization through bleed passages, thus protecting the cavity from particle contamination.
2Device complexity
If the closure unit is received in the cavity, then the valve structure is compact, but solid particles interfere with the closure unit's movement
Solution Approach 1:
The barrier piston extracts particles from the potential path of the closure unit by creating a physical barrier. This prevents particles from interfering with closure unit movement while maintaining the compact structure where the closure unit is received in the cavity.
Solution Approach 2:
The barrier piston serves as a protective intermediary between the medium and the closure unit, preventing direct contact between particles and the closure unit surfaces. This ensures smooth operation of the closure unit while preserving the compact valve design.
3Stress or pressure
If there is a large pressure differential across the closure unit, then the valve can handle high pressure, but it increases wear and complicates the pressure management
Solution Approach 1:
The bleed passages act as intermediaries that gradually equalize pressure between the cavity and the downstream side. This reduces the pressure differential across the closure unit, decreasing wear and improving operational smoothness while maintaining the valve's high pressure handling capability through the barrier piston.
Solution Approach 2:
The barrier piston and bleed passages provide beforehand cushioning by preventing sudden pressure changes and particle impacts on the closure unit. The bleed passages gradually release pressure, cushioning the closure unit against shock loads and reducing wear.
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 design effectively prevents solid particle accumulation, maintaining valve functionality and reducing wear by managing pressure differentials and particle impact, enhancing the reliability of the pumping system.
Implementation Method 1
a downwards sloping top extending from a central portion of the barrier piston to the outer surface of the barrier piston to permit fine particles in the cavity to settle through the one or more bleed passages towards the second port
Implementation Method 2
one or more bleed passages connecting the cavity with the second port in flow communication to provide a pressure balancing arrangement that reduces a pressure differential therebetween
Data Source
AI summary
A valve (18.1) includes a first and second port (50, 52) connected by a flow path to allow medium containing solid particles to pass therethrough. The valve also includes a valve seat (61), a closure unit (62), and a cavity (85) configured to receive at least part of the closure unit. The closure unit further comprises (i) a barrier piston (74) inhibiting the flow of solid particles from the second port when the closure unit is in its closed position; (ii) a bleed passage connecting the cavity with the second port to provide a pressure balancing arrangement that reduces a pressure therebetween, and (iii) a downwards sloping top extending from a central portion of the barrier piston to the outer surface of the barrier piston to permit fine particles in the cavity to settle through the bleed passage towards the second port.