Check Valve Dual Flapper Impact Force Distribution
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing check valves face challenges in aircraft applications due to the need for robust flapper elements and stop pins to withstand significant impact forces, leading to increased weight and material requirements.
Innovation Solution
The check valve design incorporates primary and secondary flapper elements with mounting lugs, where the secondary flapper elements are thinner and lighter, engaging with the primary flapper elements to distribute impact forces and reduce mass, allowing for a lighter construction and lower cracking pressure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If robust flapper elements and stop pins are used to withstand impact forces, then the structural strength and reliability are improved, but the weight of the valve increases
Solution Approach 1:
The flapper element is divided into a primary flapper element and a secondary flapper element. The secondary flapper element is thinner and lighter, engaging with the primary flapper element to distribute impact forces. This segmentation allows the valve to maintain structural strength while reducing overall weight compared to a single robust flapper design.
2Reliability
If thicker flapper elements are used to reduce impact forces, then the durability is improved, but the cracking pressure increases
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the flapper into primary and secondary elements, the secondary element can be made thinner with lower mass. This reduces the force required to initiate opening (cracking pressure) while the engagement between elements maintains durability during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The secondary flapper element is designed with different thickness and mass parameters compared to traditional single flapper elements. This parameter change allows lower cracking pressure while the engagement mechanism with the primary element maintains durability.
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
This design reduces the impact forces on flapper elements, enabling them to be made lighter while maintaining functionality, and allows for a lower cracking pressure, which is beneficial in applications where weight and robustness are concerns.
Implementation Method 1
The secondary flapper elements are thinner and lighter, engaging with the primary flapper elements to distribute impact forces and reduce mass
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A check valve (2) comprises a valve housing (4) defining a pair of valve openings (6),a pair of flappers (20) pivotably mounted for rotation relative to the housing (4) between an open position in which they permit fluid flow through the respective valve openings (6) and a closed position in which they prevent fluid flow through the valve openings (6), and a stop pin (18) extending across the valve (2) such that the flappers (20) will contact the stop pin (18) in their open positions. Each flapper (20) comprises a primary flapper element (22) and a secondary flapper element (24), each pivotally mounted to a hinge pin (16) extending across the valve (2). The primary flapper element (22) further comprises a flapper opening (34) formed therethrough The secondary flapper element (24) is pivotally mounted to the hinge pin (16) such that it may rotate relative to the primary flapper element (22) for opening or closing the flapper opening (34).