Butterfly Valve Actuator Assembly for Lighter Fire-Resistant Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional butterfly valves have restricted accessibility to internal components, high weight, and increased manufacturing costs due to the need for substantial materials like iron or steel, which also leads to potential damage from excessive operational forces.
Innovation Solution
The butterfly valve actuator assembly features a platform with separate supports and a stem with externally and internally threaded portions, along with a collar nut and pin nut configuration, allowing for improved accessibility and stress management, enabling the use of lighter materials like aluminum while maintaining structural integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the actuator box has four sides integral with the base made from substantial materials like iron or steel, then the valve body meets industry standards for fire resistance and structural integrity, but the weight increases and manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The actuator box is divided into a base made from substantial material (iron or steel) for fire resistance and a top plate made from lighter material (aluminum). This segmentation allows different parts of the same component to have different material properties, achieving fire resistance where needed while reducing overall weight.
Solution Approach 2:
Different materials are used for different parts of the actuator box: the base uses substantial material for structural integrity and fire resistance, while the top plate uses lighter aluminum material. This local quality approach optimizes the weight-to-strength ratio by applying material properties only where specifically needed.
2Strength
If the actuator box has four sides integral with the base, then structural integrity is maintained, but accessibility to internal components is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The actuator box is segmented into a fixed base and a removable top plate. The base remains integral with the valve body to maintain structural integrity, while the top plate can be removed to provide access to internal components for maintenance and inspection.
Solution Approach 2:
The top plate transitions from a fixed state (providing structural enclosure) to a removable state (providing access). This dynamic design allows the same component to serve different functions at different times, maintaining structural integrity when closed and enabling accessibility when open.
3Reliability
If the stem and nuts are designed with multiple threaded portions, then stress management is improved and component protection is enhanced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The stem is divided into multiple sections with different threaded portions (first externally threaded portion, second externally threaded portion) and the pin nut is segmented with both a first internally threaded portion and a second internally threaded portion. This segmentation allows different sections to handle different stress conditions and functional requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
Different threaded portions are designed with different characteristics to handle different stress conditions. The first externally threaded portion and first internally threaded portion handle one set of operational stresses, while the second externally threaded portion and second internally threaded portion handle another set, optimizing stress distribution throughout the assembly.
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 enhances accessibility to internal components, reduces manufacturing costs, and effectively manages stress on mechanical components during operation, meeting industry standards while allowing for the use of lighter materials.
Implementation Method 1
a pin nut having a body and a pin, the body having a first internally threaded portion threadingly engaged with the first externally threaded portion; and a collar nut having a second internally threaded portion threadingly engaged with the second externally threaded portion
Data Source
AI summary
A butterfly valve actuator assembly includes a platform having a first platform support and a second platform support. A stem extends through a first opening of the first platform support and through a second opening of the second platform support. The stem has a first externally threaded portion and a second externally threaded portion, the first externally threaded portion and the second externally threaded portion between the first platform support and the second platform support. A pin nut has a body and a pin, the body having a first internally threaded portion threadingly engaged with the first externally threaded portion. A collar nut can have a second internally threaded portion that can be threadingly engaged with the second externally threaded portion. A lock nut can be coupled to the stem between the pin nut and the first platform support.