Check Valve Flapper Hinge Pin Sliding Sleeve Lift-Off
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Solution Overview
Problem
Check valves in aircraft air conditioning systems face challenges in achieving good sealing and reducing wear by allowing vertical lift-off of flapper elements from the valve housing during rotation.
Innovation Solution
The check valve design incorporates a pair of pivotably mounted flapper elements with hinge pins that have a sleeve portion slidably mounted on the mounting posts, allowing lift-off movement and alignment, with options for connected or disconnected hinge pins and various interengagement formations to facilitate alignment and prevent contact with the mounting posts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If flapper elements are rigidly mounted to hinge pins fixed to mounting posts, then structural simplicity is maintained, but sealing quality deteriorates and wear increases due to inability to achieve vertical lift-off
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge pin mounting structure is transformed from a fixed rigid connection to a dynamic sliding connection. The hinge pin includes a sleeve portion that can slide vertically along the mounting post, enabling the flapper elements to achieve vertical lift-off movement before rotation. This dynamic mounting structure resolves the contradiction by providing both the needed movement capability for good sealing and maintaining reasonable structural simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge pin is divided into functional segments: a sleeve portion for sliding movement along the mounting post, and a hinge portion for rotational connection to the flapper elements. This segmentation allows the hinge pin to independently perform both vertical translation and rotation, enabling lift-off movement while maintaining structural clarity and avoiding excessive complexity.
2Ease of manufacture
If flapper elements are rigidly mounted without lift-off capability, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but wear on opening increases due to direct contact during rotation
Solution Approach 1:
The sleeve portion of the hinge pin acts as an intermediary element between the mounting post and the flapper elements. It provides a sliding interface that enables vertical lift-off movement, separating the rotational motion of the flapper from direct contact with the mounting post. This intermediary structure reduces wear on the opening while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through the use of basic sliding surfaces.
3Stability of the object's composition
If hinge pins are made fixed and rigid, then structural stability is maintained, but weight increases and alignment flexibility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge pin mounting structure is transformed from a fixed rigid connection to a dynamic sliding connection. The hinge pin includes a sleeve portion that can slide vertically along the mounting post, enabling the flapper elements to achieve vertical lift-off movement before rotation. This dynamic mounting structure resolves the contradiction by providing both the needed movement capability for good sealing and maintaining reasonable structural simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge pin is divided into functional segments: a sleeve portion for sliding movement along the mounting post, and a hinge portion for rotational connection to the flapper elements. This segmentation allows the hinge pin to independently perform both vertical translation and rotation, enabling lift-off movement while maintaining structural clarity and avoiding excessive complexity.
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 enhances sealing, reduces wear, and simplifies manufacturing while reducing the overall weight of the check valve, particularly beneficial for aircraft applications.
Implementation Method 1
An end region of the or each hinge pin is formed with a sleeve portion having a bore which is slidably mounted on a hinge pin mounting portion of a respective mounting post
Data Source
AI summary
A check valve comprises a valve housing defining a valve opening. A pair of mounting posts is arranged on opposite sides of the opening. A pair of flapper elements is pivotably mounted for rotation between an open position and a closed position. The flapper elements are mounted to hinge pins mounted to respective mounting posts. A base portion of the hinge pins is formed with a sleeve having a bore which is slidably mounted on a hinge pin mounting portion of a respective mounting post.