Butterfly Valve Locking Cap and Sealing Structure Against 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, which necessitate the development of improved designs that reduce these drawbacks.
Innovation Solution
The butterfly valve design incorporates a body assembly with a disc, cog, and stem, along with a handle assembly featuring a force ring and lever, utilizing complementary splines and friction surfaces to securely interlock and rotate the disc, while a locking cap maintains the rotational position, and a gland prevents stem blowout, ensuring reliable sealing and simplified assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional butterfly valve sealing mechanisms are used, then sealing capability is achieved, but leak paths and sealing integrity risks occur
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing system is divided into multiple independent sealing elements (primary seal, secondary seal, tertiary seal) distributed around the valve body. Each sealing element can independently function to prevent leaks, so if one sealing element fails, others continue to provide sealing protection, eliminating leak paths while maintaining reliable sealing.
2Reliability
If complex manufacturing processes are used to improve valve reliability, then sealing integrity is enhanced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple sealing functions (primary sealing, secondary sealing, tertiary sealing, stem sealing) are integrated into a unified valve structure where sealing elements are positioned at different locations but work together as a cohesive system. This merging approach achieves comprehensive sealing integrity without requiring separate complex manufacturing processes for each sealing function.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve design incorporates sealing elements that serve multiple purposes: the primary seal provides main flow sealing, the secondary seal provides backup sealing, the tertiary seal provides additional protection, and the stem packing seals the stem area. Each component is designed to be multi-functional, reducing the need for specialized complex manufacturing for each sealing function.
3Reliability
If multiple sealing elements are added to prevent leak paths, then sealing integrity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing elements are arranged in a nested configuration where the primary seal, secondary seal, and tertiary seal are positioned concentrically around the valve body opening. This nested arrangement allows multiple sealing functions to be integrated into a compact structure without significantly increasing the overall valve size or complexity, while maintaining reliable sealing integrity.
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 design enhances sealing integrity, reduces the risk of leak paths, and simplifies the manufacturing process by providing a robust and reliable butterfly valve with improved rotational security and ease of assembly.
Implementation Method 1
at least one of the cog and the force ring includes a friction imparting surface
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 4~5
AI summary
A butterfly valve (500) comprising a body assembly (102), the body assembly including a body (106), a disc (112) rotationally disposed inside an opening of the body, a cog (124), and a stem (116) passing through the disc and the body, and a locking cap (504), wherein the locking cap engages the cog to prevent rotation of the disc and the stem relative to the body.