Check Valve Seal Structure for Abrasive Fluid Sampling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sampling devices suffer from seal leakage due to wear, particularly when dealing with fluids containing hard solids or high viscosity, leading to improper sealing and fluid leakage.
Innovation Solution
A check valve design featuring a combination of a first seal element with high wear resistance and a second seal element with high flexibility, positioned to minimize wear by directing solid particles away from the flexible seal, and a pressure-balanced mechanism to control fluid flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single seal element is used in the check valve, then the structure is simple, but the seal performance deteriorates due to wear when handling fluids with hard solids or high viscosity
Solution Approach 1:
The seal element is divided into two distinct parts: a first seal element made of wear-resistant material and a second seal element made of flexible material. This segmentation allows each part to perform its specialized function - the first seal element resists wear from hard solids while the second seal element provides flexible sealing, together resolving the contradiction between seal performance and structural simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The check valve employs a composite sealing structure combining two different materials with complementary properties. The first seal element uses wear-resistant material (such as ceramic or hard alloy) while the second seal element uses flexible material (such as rubber or elastomer). This composite approach maintains reliable sealing performance while managing the complexity through functional specialization.
2Reliability
If a flexible seal element is used to ensure proper sealing, then the sealing performance is good, but the wear resistance is poor when dealing with hard solids
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing function is segmented between two elements: the first seal element made of wear-resistant material handles the wear from hard solids, while the second seal element made of flexible material ensures proper sealing. This segmentation allows the flexible seal to perform its sealing function without suffering excessive wear, thereby extending its service life while maintaining sealing effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The first wear-resistant seal element acts as an intermediary between the harsh fluid environment (with hard solids) and the second flexible seal element. It protects the flexible seal from direct contact with abrasive particles, allowing the flexible material to maintain its sealing effectiveness without rapid wear degradation.
3Duration of action of moving object
If a wear-resistant seal element is used to handle hard solids, then the wear resistance is high, but the flexibility and sealing capability are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing system is segmented into two specialized components: the first seal element made of wear-resistant material provides high wear resistance for handling hard solids, while the second seal element made of flexible material provides the necessary sealing capability. Each segment is optimized for its specific function, resolving the contradiction between wear resistance and sealing capability.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the check valve seal is exposed to solid particles in the fluid, then the valve can handle dirty fluids, but the seal wear increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The seal system is segmented into a first wear-resistant seal element and a second flexible seal element. The first element is specifically designed to handle the wear from solid particles in dirty fluids, while the second element maintains sealing effectiveness. This segmentation allows the valve to adapt to dirty fluid conditions while protecting the flexible seal from excessive wear, extending its lifespan.
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 significantly reduces seal wear, ensuring proper sealing and extended lifespan by preventing solid particles from contacting the flexible seal, thus maintaining effective fluid isolation.
Implementation Method 1
The first seal element has a relatively large wear resistance compared to the second seal element
Implementation Method 2
the second seal element has a relatively large flexibility compared to the first seal element
Implementation Method 3
positioned to minimize wear by directing solid particles away from the flexible seal
Implementation Method 4
a pressure-balanced mechanism to control fluid flow
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 2~3
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a sampling device configured to extract a sample from a fluid flow, in particular an oil flow, comprising: a sample extraction channel to extract the sample from the fluid flow, a check valve in the sample extraction channel, and a sample extraction device configured to press a sample into the sample extraction channel, wherein the check valve comprises a valve seat and a sealing device movable with respect to the valve seat between a closed position, in which the sealing device sealingly engages the valve seat and an open position, in which the sealing device is spaced from the valve seat to allow fluid flow between the valve seat and the sealing device, characterized in that one of the sealing device and the valve seat comprises a first seal element and a second seal element to engage in the closed position with the other of the sealing device and the valve seat, wherein the first seal element has a first wear resistance and a first flexibility and wherein the second seal element has a second wear resistance and a second flexibility, wherein the first wear resistance is substantially larger than the second wear resistance and wherein the second flexibility is substantially larger than the first flexibility, wherein the first seal element and the second seal element are arranged adjacent to other, and wherein the first seal element is arranged upstream of the second seal element.