Check Valve Flow Routing Vanes Reduce Pressure Drop
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing check valve designs face issues such as pressure drop, noise, erosion, corrosion, vibration, and cavitation due to turbulent flow, which can lead to uneven wearing and energy losses, and require significant piping constraints to achieve uniform flow.
Innovation Solution
A check valve apparatus with a flow control device featuring a valve seat with flow routing vanes and a movable disk, where the vanes alter turbulent flow to laminar flow, reducing pressure drop and energy losses, and allowing for closer installation of other piping elements without performance detriment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a minimum length of straight pipe is provided before the valve inlet to ensure uniform flow, then turbulent flow is reduced and valve operation is improved, but the space required becomes burdensome
Solution Approach 1:
Flow conditioning vanes are introduced as an intermediary component between the turbulent flow source and the valve inlet. These vanes actively condition the flow by reducing turbulence and promoting uniform flow patterns, eliminating the need for long straight pipe sections while achieving the same flow conditioning effect
Solution Approach 2:
The flow regime parameters are changed by introducing flow conditioning vanes that modify the flow velocity distribution and turbulence intensity. This transforms the flow from highly turbulent to more uniform, achieving reliable valve operation without requiring extended straight pipe lengths
2Device complexity
If turbulent flow enters the valve inlet, then the valve structure is simple, but uneven wearing and energy losses occur
Solution Approach 1:
Flow conditioning vanes are positioned upstream to preliminarily condition the flow before it reaches the valve inlet. This preliminary action reduces turbulence and creates more uniform flow, preventing energy losses and uneven wearing downstream without complicating the main valve structure
3Device complexity
If turbulent flow enters the valve inlet, then the valve structure is simple, but noise and vibration increase
Solution Approach 1:
Flow conditioning vanes serve as an intermediary element that reduces turbulence intensity before flow enters the valve. This mediation decreases the harmful effects of turbulent flow such as noise and vibration while maintaining the simplicity of the overall valve structure
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 solution improves valve efficiency and longevity by smoothing fluid flow, reducing noise and wear, and eliminating the need for lengthy straight pipes, thus enhancing the valve's flow coefficient and preventing premature failure.
Implementation Method 1
the vanes alter turbulent flow to laminar flow, reducing pressure drop and energy losses
Data Source
AI summary
The present subject matter relates to check valve apparatuses and methods. In particular, the present subject matter relates to a flow control device that can be incorporated into a check valve. The flow control device can include a valve seat configured for positioning within an inlet of a check valve, the valve seat defining an opening, a plurality of flow routing vanes at least partially traversing the opening, and a disk movable between a first position and a second position in response to a fluid pressure. When the disk is in the first position, the disk blocks the opening of the valve seat, and when the disk is in the second position, the opening is substantially unobstructed. The flow routing vanes can function to smooth the flow of fluid into the valve, thereby reducing pressure drop, noise, erosion, corrosion, vibration, and cavitations.