Bladder Surge Suppressor Assembly to Prevent Valve Stem Rotation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bladder surge tanks face issues during installation, where the bladder can be twisted or damaged, affecting its operation and service life, and there is a need for retrofitability without exotic materials or techniques.
Innovation Solution
A bladder and attachment member assembly with a valve stem and specially configured attachment members, including an anti-extrusion ring and gas end plate, that fix the valve stem's position to prevent rotation during tightening, ensuring proper torque application without damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the bladder is installed using conventional attachment members, then the installation process is simple, but the bladder can be twisted or turned during tightening, causing damage
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment member is divided into multiple functional sections: a first attachment member with internal threading for securing to the valve stem, a second attachment member with external threading for engagement with the container, and an anti-extrusion ring positioned between them. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function while working together to prevent bladder twisting during installation.
2Ease of operation
If the valve stem is allowed to rotate during tightening, then the tightening process is easier, but the bladder becomes twisted or damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The anti-extrusion ring is pre-positioned between the first and second attachment members before tightening occurs. This ring creates a mechanical barrier that prevents the valve stem from rotating during the tightening process, thereby protecting the bladder from twisting while still allowing the tightening operation to proceed.
3Reliability
If exotic materials or techniques are used to manufacture the bladder and attachment members, then the bladder can be protected from damage, but manufacturing becomes more complex and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The anti-extrusion ring acts as an intermediary component between the attachment members and the bladder. This simple mechanical element provides protection against bladder damage during installation without requiring exotic materials or complex manufacturing techniques for the bladder itself, maintaining ease of manufacture while improving reliability.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the bladder is designed for retrofitting into existing surge tanks, then compatibility with existing systems is improved, but the installation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment members are designed with universal features that allow them to interface with both existing surge tank configurations and the bladder valve stem. The first attachment member engages with the valve stem internally, while the second attachment member engages with the container externally, creating a universal interface that works with existing surge tanks without requiring custom installation procedures.
Data Source
AI summary
A bladder and attachment member assembly for use with a container comprises an elastomeric gas-filled bladder comprising a valve stem. A first attachment member is disposed over the valve stem within the container with the bladder. A second attachment member is disposed over the valve stem and over the first attachment member. The second attachment member is outside of the container interposed between the valve stem and a container opening. Rotational movement of the valve stem is fixed relative to one or both of the first and second attachment members. In an example, the valve stem comprises one or more surface features that register with one or more surface features of the first and/or second attachment member to thereby fix relative valve stem rotational movement. In an example, the valve stem surface feature is a flat surface that registers with a flat surface of the second attachment member inside diameter.