Biased Bushing Check Valve for Chatter-Free Flow Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Check valves experience valve chatter and instability due to balanced closing and opening forces, leading to reduced flow capability and undesirable backflow.
Innovation Solution
A check valve design incorporating a valve element, valve body, annular valve seat insert, and bushing with a biasing member, allowing for controlled movement and sealing, and featuring a bushing with a tapered flow guide surface and annular seal cavity to manage fluid flow and prevent over-compression of the valve seat insert.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the opening force is made measurably greater than the closing force to prevent valve chatter, then valve stability is improved, but the full stroke of the valve element is reduced and overall flow capability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a biasing member that allows the valve element to dynamically adjust its position and stroke length. The valve element can move between a first position with full stroke for high flow capability and a second position with reduced stroke for stability, enabling the system to adapt to different operating conditions and resolve the contradiction between flow capability and stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of valve element stroke length from fixed to variable. By allowing the valve element to operate at different stroke positions (full stroke vs. reduced stroke), the system can optimize between flow capability and stability depending on operating conditions, preventing valve chatter while maintaining adequate flow when needed.
2Productivity
If the valve element is allowed to move freely to maintain full stroke for flow capability, then flow capability is improved, but valve chatter and instability occur
Solution Approach 1:
The biasing member provides a dynamic restoring force that stabilizes the valve element during operation. This allows the valve to maintain full stroke when flow capability is needed while preventing excessive movement and chatter, creating a balanced system that adapts to flow conditions without sacrificing stability.
3Reliability
If the closing force is increased to prevent backflow, then reliability is improved, but the opening force requirement increases and flow capability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by using a biasing member that provides just enough closing force to prevent backflow and stabilize the valve, rather than excessive closing force. This allows the valve element to maintain adequate stroke length for flow capability while still achieving reliable backflow prevention through the biased positioning.
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
Enhances fluid flow stability and prevents valve chatter, ensuring consistent sealing and improved flow capacity while minimizing wear and damage to valve components.
Implementation Method 1
The biasing member is disposed between a bearing portion of the body housing and an inboard end of the bushing to allow for axial movement of the bushing with respect to the body seat surface
Implementation Method 2
The bushing further comprises a tapered flow guide surface opposite the outboard end surface and angled to substantially match an angled conical surface of the valve element head portion, to guide flow toward the valve element flow passage
Data Source
AI summary
A check valve includes a valve element and a valve body having a body housing, an annular valve seat insert, a bushing, and a biasing member. The body housing includes an outer circumferential wall extending between an inlet port and an outlet port to define a valve cavity therebetween. The valve seat insert is seated in a body seat surface surrounding the inlet port. The bushing is disposed in the valve cavity and defines a central bore, with the bushing including an outboard end surface axially engageable with the valve seat insert. The biasing member is disposed between a bearing portion of the body housing and an inboard end of the bushing to allow for axial movement of the bushing with respect to the body seat surface. The valve element extends through the bushing central bore and is movable between a closed position and an open position.