Butterfly Valve Handle and Seal Assembly to Prevent Leak Paths
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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 design includes a body assembly with a disc, cog, and stem, and a handle assembly with a force ring, featuring complementary splines and friction surfaces to securely interlock and rotate, ensuring reliable sealing and simplified assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional butterfly valve designs are used, then flow control function is achieved, but leak paths and sealing integrity risks occur
Solution Approach 1:
The valve body is divided into separate sections with distinct sealing zones. The disc assembly is segmented from the handle assembly, allowing independent optimization of sealing surfaces. Multiple sealing elements are distributed at different locations to prevent single-point failure and eliminate continuous leak paths.
Solution Approach 2:
Sealing elements such as O-rings and gaskets are introduced as intermediary components between mating surfaces. These intermediaries fill micro-gaps and irregularities in the sealing interfaces, preventing direct fluid leakage paths while maintaining sealing integrity under varying pressure conditions.
2Reliability
If complex sealing mechanisms are added to prevent leaks, then sealing integrity improves, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple sealing functions are combined into integrated sealing assemblies. The sealing elements are pre-assembled with the disc and body components in modular units, reducing the number of separate manufacturing steps. This merging approach maintains reliable sealing while simplifying the overall manufacturing process through standardized modules.
Solution Approach 2:
Standardized sealing parameters such as O-ring cross-section dimensions, groove depths, and material hardness are established within optimal ranges. By controlling these parameters within specified tolerances rather than requiring precision customization, reliable sealing is achieved through parameter optimization rather than complex manufacturing processes.
3Reliability
If multiple sealing elements are added to eliminate leak paths, then reliability improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Sealing elements are nested within the valve structure rather than added as external components. O-rings are seated in grooves within the body and disc, gaskets are positioned between internal components, creating a compact nested arrangement. This nesting approach provides multiple sealing barriers without significantly increasing the external dimensions or apparent complexity of the valve 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
The solution reduces the risk of leak paths and part failure, enhances sealing integrity, and simplifies the manufacturing process, providing a more reliable and efficient butterfly valve operation.
Implementation Method 1
at least one of the cog and the force ring includes a friction imparting surface
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.