Bidirectional Excess Flow Valve With Dual Shutoff Symmetry
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing excess flow valves are unidirectional, posing challenges in applications requiring bidirectional flow and limiting their applicability and safety in fluid transport systems.
Innovation Solution
A bidirectional excess flow valve design featuring a housing with a valve seat and two shutoff elements, each biased open by springs, that closes when flow exceeds predetermined levels in either direction, allowing seamless installation from either end and ensuring safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If unidirectional valves are used, then the valve structure is simple and manufacturing is easy, but the valve cannot be installed from either end and limits applicability in bidirectional flow systems
Solution Approach 1:
The valve is divided into two symmetrical halves, each with its own shutoff element and spring mechanism. This segmentation allows each half to function independently as a unidirectional valve, while together they provide bidirectional protection. The symmetrical design enables installation from either end without requiring different orientations.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve body and internal components are designed with bilateral symmetry, making the valve universally installable in either direction. Each shutoff element can seal against the valve seat from its respective direction, providing universal protection against excess flow regardless of installation orientation or flow direction.
2Reliability
If two shutoff elements are added for bidirectional protection, then safety is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The valve protection function is segmented into two independent shutoff elements, each responsible for one direction of flow. This segmentation ensures that excess flow protection is provided bidirectionally while maintaining simplicity through symmetry and modularity.
Solution Approach 2:
Two unidirectional valve mechanisms are merged into a single bidirectional valve body. The shutoff elements, springs, and sealing surfaces are combined in a symmetrical arrangement, achieving bidirectional protection without requiring separate valves or complex control systems.
3Ease of operation
If symmetrical design is implemented for bidirectional installation, then ease of installation is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
While the overall valve design is symmetrical, each individual shutoff element and its associated components are designed with clear asymmetry relative to their respective flow directions. This allows each component to be manufactured and assembled independently with standard tolerances, reducing the need for high-precision symmetrical manufacturing.
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
Ensures safety and operational efficiency by automatically stopping fluid flow in excess conditions regardless of installation orientation, facilitating widespread adoption and integration in diverse fluid transport environments.
Implementation Method 1
a first spring extending between the valve seat assembly and the first shutoff element to bias the first shutoff element in the open position, and a second spring extending between the valve seat assembly and the second shutoff element to bias the second shutoff element in the open position
Data Source
AI summary
A bidirectional excess flow valve for automatically stopping delivery of a fluid from a supply in a fluid network. The valve has a housing defining an interior forming a fluid passageway along a flow axis between a first opening and a second opening. The valve also has a valve seat in the interior, the fluid passageway extending through the valve seat, and a first and second shutoff element disposed on opposite sides of the valve seat. The shutoff elements are set apart from the valve seat assembly in an open position to allow flow through the fluid passageway. In a closed position, the first or second shutoff element is configured to move against the valve element assembly to close the fluid passageway when flow through the fluid passageway exceeds a predetermined level.