Bidirectional Pump Valve With Multi-Material Body for High Pressure

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing automatic double-acting valves for high-pressure pumps are complex and costly due to the need for materials like brass or steel to withstand mechanical strain, leading to high production costs and processing challenges.

Innovation Solution

A valve design featuring a valve body with a central duct and peripheral duct made from materials with varying surface hardness, where the first and second portions are made of hard materials like stainless steel or brass alloys, and the third portion is made of a lower hardness material like aluminum alloys or plastics, allowing for simpler construction and reduced material usage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If the valve body is made of brass or steel to withstand mechanical strain, then the strength and durability are improved, but the manufacturing complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovestrengthVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The valve body is divided into three portions with different material hardnesses. The first and second portions (subject to high mechanical strain) are made of hard materials like brass or steel, while the third portion (less subject to strain) is made of softer, easier-to-manufacture materials. This local differentiation allows each region to have the precise properties needed for its function, reducing overall manufacturing complexity while maintaining necessary strength.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The valve body employs a composite structure combining multiple materials with different hardness levels in a single component. This composite approach allows the valve to withstand mechanical strain in critical areas while simplifying manufacturing in non-critical areas, effectively resolving the contradiction between strength requirements and manufacturing ease.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Strength

If hard materials like brass or steel are used throughout the valve body, then wear resistance is improved, but the overall weight and material cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewear resistanceVSAvoidweight
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of uniformly applying hard materials throughout the entire valve body, the invention applies hard materials (brass or steel) only to the first and second portions that require wear resistance. The third portion uses softer, lighter materials, thereby reducing overall weight and material cost while maintaining wear resistance where it is actually needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Duration of action of stationary object

If the valve body is made from a single hard material, then durability is improved, but the ease of assembly and maintenance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovedurabilityVSAvoidease of assembly and maintenance
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of stationary objectVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The differentiated material structure with three portions of varying hardness creates natural modular zones. The softer third portion can be more easily manufactured, assembled, and maintained, while the harder first and second portions provide durable sealing surfaces. This local quality differentiation improves overall ease of assembly and maintenance while preserving durability in critical areas.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 simplifies the construction process, reduces material costs, and results in a lighter, more efficient valve that is easier to assemble and maintain, while maintaining resistance to wear and pressure.

Implementation Method 1

a first elastic element configured to generate a force adapted to keep the first blocking body in the closed position

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic force: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

a second elastic element configured to generate a force adapted to keep the second blocking body in the closed position

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic force: Elasticity

Implementation Method 3

automatically allow, on the basis of pressure differences, the suction of the liquid to be pumped through the suction duct towards the pumping chamber and the sending of fluid pumped from the pumping chamber to the delivery duct

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure difference: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentEP3816438B1Automatic bidirectional valve and pump provided with said valve
Publication Date: 2022.06.15 ANNOVI REVERBERI
  • EP3816438B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3816438B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3816438B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An automatic double-acting valve (1) for high pressure pumps is described, comprising: a valve body (5), a central duct (10) of the pass-through type, which passes through the valve body (5) and is equipped with a first opening (15) made in a first end (25A) of the valve body (5) and a second opening (20) made in an opposite second end (25B) of the valve body (5), a peripheral duct (75) made in the valve body (5), eccentric with respect to the central duct (10) and equipped with a first opening (80), made in a side surface of the valve body (5) comprised between the first end (25A) and the second end (25B), and a second opening (90) made in the second end (25B) of the valve body (5), a first blocking body (95) movable at least between a closed position, in which it hermetically obstructs the first opening (15) of the central duct (10), and an open position, in which it is spaced from the first opening (15) of the central duct (10) and allows the passage of flow through the first opening itself, a first elastic element (130) configured to generate a force adapted to keep the first blocking body (95) in the closed position, a second blocking body (110) movable at least between a closed position, in which it hermetically obstructs the second opening (90) of the peripheral duct (75), and an open position, in which it is spaced from the second opening (90) of the peripheral duct (75) and allows the passage of flow through the second opening itself, and a second elastic element (135) configured to generate a force adapted to keep the second blocking body (110) in the closed position. Wherein the valve body (5) comprises a first portion (30) equipped with the first opening (15) of the central duct (10), a second portion (35) equipped with the second opening (20) of the central duct (10) and the second opening (90) of the peripheral duct (75), and a third portion (40) interposed between the first portion and the second portion which is equipped with the first opening (80) of the peripheral duct (75) and which is made of a material having a surface hardness lower than the material with which the first portion and second portion are made.