Cask Vehicle Valve with Dual Elastic Sealing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Cask vehicles face issues with material unloading due to pressure differences trapping material in conveying means, and existing gate-like valves are inefficient in sealing, especially with solid bodies, requiring cumbersome and time-consuming mechanical operations, and are costly to construct.

Innovation Solution

A cask vehicle with a valve system featuring a shutter body and dual elastic sealing means for two-way sealing, along with unloading means that automatically equalize pressure to facilitate trapped material release when the valve is closed, reducing the need for manual and stressful unloading procedures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If gate-like valves with elastic outer profile are used for two-way sealing, then sealing capability is improved, but solid bodies can become trapped between the profile and shutter blade causing leakage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing effectivenessVSAvoidmaterial leakage due to trapped solid bodies
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The single elastic outer profile is segmented into two separate elastic sealing elements positioned on opposite sides of the shutter blade. This segmentation prevents solid bodies from becoming trapped between the shutter and sealing surface, as each sealing element independently contacts its respective face without creating escape zones for solid contaminants.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The two elastic sealing elements act as intermediaries between the shutter blade and the valve body bore, providing a compliant sealing interface that accommodates solid bodies in the slurry without creating leakage paths. The elastic material deforms to maintain sealing contact while allowing solid particles to pass through.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of manufacture

If conventional valve designs are used, then construction cost is reduced, but unloading of trapped material requires time-consuming mechanical operations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconstruction costVSAvoidunloading time
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The valve system provides self-service unloading functionality through the dual sealing element design. When the valve closes, the two elastic sealing elements compress the trapped material between them, automatically expelling it without requiring external mechanical intervention. This eliminates the need for time-consuming manual unloading operations while maintaining a relatively simple valve construction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If pressure difference is maintained for sealing, then sealing effectiveness is improved, but material becomes trapped in conveying means

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing effectivenessVSAvoidmaterial trapped in conveying means
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The pressure difference that normally causes material to be trapped in the conveying means is converted into a beneficial force by the dual sealing elements. When the valve closes, the elastic sealing elements compress the trapped material using the existing pressure differential, transforming the harmful trapping effect into a useful self-unloading mechanism that expels material efficiently.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

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 ensures efficient and safe unloading of materials without mechanical stress, prevents material loss, and reduces construction costs by providing a reliable two-way sealing mechanism that handles solid bodies effectively.

Implementation Method 1

first elastic sealing means which are designed to engage a first transversal face of the shutter body

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

second elastic sealing means which are designed to engage a second transversal face of the shutter body

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3162630B1Cask vehicle and valve for use in such a vehicle
Publication Date: 2020.08.19 BATTIONI PAGANI POMPE
  • EP3162630B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3162630B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3162630B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Described is a cask vehicle (10), more specifically a cask wagon or a tank truck, for transporting a fluid or semi-fluid material, preferably in the form of slurry or the like, comprising a tank body (16) defining a chamber for housing the material and means (18) for conveying the material, which connect the housing chamber with the outside environment, more specifically to allow the suction of the material inside the chamber; the conveying means (16) being in the form of respective tubular conveying means of the articulated or mobile type relative to the body of the vehicle, and comprising respective valve means (18), which have an open condition of conveying the material and a closed condition of conveying of the material. There are means (20) for unloading the material that remains trapped in the material conveying means (16).