Centreline Flow Valve with Pivoting Head and Lever Spring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing non-return valves, such as duckbill check valves, require high differential pressure for opening, are susceptible to leakage at low pressures, and have limited flow throughput due to throat restrictions.
Innovation Solution
A non-return valve with a cylindrical valve body and a moveable valve head connected to a lever arm by a tension spring, which reduces the opening force as the valve opens, allowing for effective closure at low pressures and minimal resistance, and features a valve seat inclined to increase the effective throat area for enhanced flow capacity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the valve is designed with a slit or collapsible aperture that is tensioned to open under fluid pressure, then the valve can provide one-way flow control, but the differential pressure required to open the valve is relatively high
Solution Approach 1:
The valve head is designed to pivot from a closed position against the valve seat to an open position, transitioning from a static sealed state to a dynamic flow state. This pivoting mechanism allows the valve to remain tightly closed at low pressures while opening smoothly when differential pressure exceeds the spring bias, resolving the contradiction between reliable sealing and low-pressure opening.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring constant of the tension spring is optimized to provide sufficient biasing force for sealing at low pressures while allowing the valve to open when differential pressure exceeds this bias. By carefully selecting the spring parameter, the valve achieves both reliable closure and responsive opening at appropriate pressure differentials.
2Stress or pressure
If the valve is designed to reduce the differential pressure for opening, then the valve can open at lower pressures, but it becomes susceptible to opening and leakage at relatively low differential pressures
Solution Approach 1:
The tension spring provides a counteracting biasing force that opposes the opening tendency of the valve head. This spring force acts as a counterweight to the differential pressure, ensuring the valve remains closed unless the pressure differential sufficiently overcomes the spring bias, thereby preventing premature opening and leakage.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve design uses the differential pressure itself to overcome the spring bias and open the valve when needed. The system is self-regulating, automatically balancing the spring force against the pressure differential to maintain reliable closure at low pressures while enabling opening when the pressure differential justifies flow.
3Device complexity
If the valve uses a slit or collapsible opening for flow, then the valve structure is simple, but the flow throughput is limited due to throat restriction
Solution Approach 1:
The valve separates the sealing function (valve head against valve seat) from the flow function (outlet aperture). This segmentation allows the valve to maintain a simple overall structure while providing an adequately sized outlet aperture for high flow throughput, as the sealing is achieved through the pivoting valve head rather than a restricted slit.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using a slit that opens to create flow (as in conventional duckbill valves), this invention uses a pivoting valve head that opens to reveal a full-aperture outlet. The flow path is inverted from a restricted opening mechanism to a full-bore passage that is either sealed or fully open, maximizing throughput while maintaining structural simplicity.
4Productivity
If the valve provides a large opening for high flow throughput, then the flow capacity increases, but the valve becomes more susceptible to opening at low differential pressures
Solution Approach 1:
The tension spring provides a robust counteracting force that balances against the differential pressure acting on the large valve head area. This spring bias ensures that even with a large opening area that would otherwise be sensitive to low pressures, the valve remains securely closed until the differential pressure sufficiently overcomes the spring force.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve head is positioned asymmetrically relative to the outlet aperture, with the sealing surface oriented to maximize the lever arm effect. This asymmetric positioning creates a mechanical advantage where the spring force applied at one location effectively counters the pressure force distributed across the large valve head area, enabling high flow capacity with stable low-pressure closure.
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 valve remains closed at low differential pressures, provides high backflow resistance, and achieves significant flow capacity with reduced pressure drop, enabling the use of smaller, more efficient pumps and valves.
Implementation Method 1
connected to a lever arm by a tension spring, which reduces the opening force as the valve opens
Implementation Method 2
a moveable valve head connected to a lever arm by a tension spring
Data Source
Figure 1(a)~1(c)
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A valve (10) is disclosed. The valve (10) has an inclined valve seat (14) defining a fluid aperture (18), and a valve head (20) for contact with the valve seat (14) for closure of the fluid aperture (18). A lever arm (22) is attached to the valve head (20). There are biasing means (32) operatively coupled to the lever (22) arm for urging the valve head (20) into contact with the valve seat (14), the biasing means (32) being arranged to provide decreased biasing on opening of the valve head (20) relative to the fluid aperture (18).