Butterfly Valve Assembly for Leak-Safe Bidirectional Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing butterfly valves face issues with potential leak paths and risks of losing sealing integrity, along with complex manufacturing processes.
Innovation Solution
The butterfly valve design includes a body assembly with a disc, cog, and stem, featuring complementary splines and a force ring for rotational security, along with a locking cap to maintain position, and a gland to prevent stem blowout, utilizing materials like polyvinyl chloride and glass-filled polypropylene for strength and stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional butterfly valve sealing structures are used, then sealing function is provided, but potential leak paths and risks of losing sealing integrity occur
Solution Approach 1:
The valve body is divided into two separate bodies (first valve body and second valve body) that are joined together. The sealable passage is segmented into first and second portions, with the sealing element positioned at the interface between the two valve bodies. This segmentation eliminates potential leak paths that could exist in traditional single-body structures by creating a controlled sealing interface.
Solution Approach 2:
A sealing element acts as an intermediary component between the first and second valve bodies. This sealing element (which may be an O-ring, gasket, or other sealing component) creates a reliable seal at the interface, preventing fluid leakage while allowing the two valve bodies to be securely joined. The intermediary sealing element isolates the sealing function from the structural function.
2Ease of manufacture
If traditional butterfly valve designs are used, then basic flow control is achieved, but manufacturing processes become overly complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The butterfly valve is segmented into modular components: first valve body, second valve body, disc, stem, sealable passage, and sealing element. Each component can be manufactured independently using standard processes, then assembled together. This modular segmentation simplifies manufacturing by allowing specialized production of each part while reducing overall assembly complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve body design incorporates multiple functions into unified structures. The first and second valve bodies each contain portions of the sealable passage and are designed to join together, providing both structural support and sealing functionality. The disc serves both as a flow control element and as a component that rotates within the sealable passage, eliminating the need for separate guiding structures.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the valve provides bidirectional sealing capability, then flow control flexibility is improved, but the risk of leak paths increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sealable passage is divided into first and second portions, with the sealing element positioned at the interface between the two valve bodies. This segmentation creates a centralized sealing point that effectively seals in both flow directions. The first valve body provides sealing surface for one direction while the second valve body provides sealing surface for the opposite direction, with the sealing element bridging both functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing element is positioned at the critical interface between the two valve bodies where bidirectional sealing is most needed. The local geometry of the valve bodies is designed with specific sealing surfaces (first and second valve body portions) that work together with the sealing element to provide reliable bidirectional sealing. The quality of the sealing interface is enhanced locally at the join between valve bodies.
Data Source
AI summary
Exemplary embodiments are directed to butterfly valves, generally including a body assembly and handle assembly. The body assembly generally includes a body, a disc rotationally disposed inside an opening of the body, a cog, and a stem passing through the disc and the body. The handle assembly generally includes a handle body and a force ring. The stem can be rotationally interlocked relative to the disc and the handle assembly. The cog and the force ring can engage to rotationally secure the disc relative to the body. The handle assembly can include a lever and a grip, the force ring, the lever and the grip being pivotally secured relative to each other. The body can include a male radial protrusion and the body assembly can include a liner with a female radial groove. Methods of assembling and positioning a butterfly valve are also provided.