Check Valve Speed-Sensitive Damper for Flapper Impact
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Solution Overview
Problem
Check valves experience damage due to high-speed closure rates when the flapper member collides with the valve seat, leading to increased maintenance and operational costs, as existing solutions do not adequately address the issue of reducing flapper closure speed effectively.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a speed-sensitive damper mechanism into the check valve, where the damper provides increased damping at high closure speeds to slow down the flapper member's closure, reducing the risk of damage while allowing proper valve closure at lower speeds.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If the flapper member closes quickly to prevent reverse flow, then the valve responds faster to pressure changes, but the high-speed impact damages the valve seat, hinge, or housing
Solution Approach 1:
A damper assembly is integrated into the hinge mechanism to provide beforehand cushioning during flapper closure. The damper includes a damper vane that rotates within a housing containing viscous fluid, creating drag force that cushions the flapper's impact against the valve seat before the impact occurs, thereby reducing damage while maintaining closure speed
Solution Approach 2:
The damper vane acts as an intermediary between the flapper member and the valve seat. As the flapper closes, the damper vane rotates within the viscous fluid, mediating the closure motion by converting kinetic energy into fluid drag, which reduces the impact force transmitted to the valve seat and housing
2Reliability
If a damper is added to reduce flapper closure speed, then damage to valve components is reduced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The damper assembly is merged with the existing hinge mechanism of the check valve. The damper housing is integrated into the hinge structure, and the damper vane is connected to the flapper member through the hinge, combining the damping function with the existing rotational support function to minimize additional complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge mechanism serves multiple functions: it provides rotational support for the flapper member and simultaneously houses the damper assembly. The damper housing acts as both a structural component of the hinge and a containment vessel for the viscous fluid, reducing the need for separate components
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 damper effectively reduces the risk of damage to the valve components by controlling the flapper member's closure speed, enhancing the reliability and longevity of the check valve while maintaining functionality.
Implementation Method 1
a speed sensitive damper (40) integrated into the hinge (38). The damper (40) includes a damper vane (60) that rotates within a housing (50) filled with a viscous fluid
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
A valve (20) is provided. The valve includes a flapper member (36). A barrel (44;72) is coupled to the flapper member, the barrel having an interior volume (50;82) and at least one movable vane (58,60;74,76) within the interior volume. A shaft member (62;79) is rotationally coupled to the barrel, the barrel having at least one stationary vane (64,66;78,80) disposed within the interior volume.