Low-Mass Check Valve with Interlocking Guide Plates
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional check valves in hydraulic systems face issues with high mass, restricted flow paths, limited back pressure capability, and increased costs due to the use of high-strength lightweight materials, as well as instability oscillations and pressure overshoot.
Innovation Solution
A low-mass check valve system with interlocking guide plates and a tension-biased valve spring that eliminates push buckling loads, allowing the disc to be made of conventional materials like steel, and featuring a design with flat face abutment and mismatched conical angles for improved back pressure handling and reduced leakage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If conventional check valves use high-strength lightweight materials to reduce mass, then pressure overshoot and oscillations are reduced, but material cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the design parameters of the check valve components, specifically optimizing the thickness and geometry of the disc and guide plates to achieve low mass using conventional materials. The disc thickness is controlled at 0.030-0.060 inches and guide plates at 0.015-0.030 inches, allowing steel or stainless steel to be used instead of expensive lightweight materials while maintaining low mass and dynamic performance
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite construction by combining thin conventional materials (steel or stainless steel disc with guide plates) in a multi-component assembly rather than using a single high-strength lightweight material throughout. This allows cost-effective materials to be used while achieving the required performance through proper design and assembly of multiple components
2Stability of the object's composition
If check valve disc mass is reduced to improve stability, then pressure oscillations decrease, but back pressure capability is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the check valve into segmented components: a thin low-mass disc (0.030-0.060 inches thick) for stability, supported by structural guide plates (0.015-0.030 inches thick) that provide back pressure capability. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while working together as a unified system
Solution Approach 2:
The guide plates act as intermediary structural elements between the thin disc and the valve body. These guide plates provide the necessary structural support and back pressure capability while allowing the thin disc to maintain low mass for improved pressure stability and reduced oscillations
3Speed
If guide mechanism mass is reduced for better response, then flow path restriction increases and binding risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses thin guide plates (0.015-0.030 inches thick) that function as flexible yet structurally sufficient components. These thin plates provide the necessary guidance for rapid valve response while maintaining adequate clearance and flow paths, preventing binding through proper thickness control and geometric design
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 reduces pressure overshoot and instability oscillations, enables high back pressure capability, and lowers the overall cost by using conventional materials, while maintaining durability and ease of assembly without additional fittings.
Implementation Method 1
a valve spring positioned between the guide plate retainer and the insert adapter to bias the check valve into a closed position
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for a check valve system is provided including a plurality of interlocking guide plates that are inserted into a guide plate retainer in order to maintain their relative position to one another. A retainer nut is positioned to structurally engage the guide plates. An insert adapter receives a check valve to open and close the valve. A threaded screw engages both the check valve and the retainer nut to form the check valve system. A valve spring is positioned between the guide plate retainer and the insert adapter to bias the check valve into a closed position and to maintain a closed position as desired. The check valve system provides a low mass solution the reduces initial pressure overshoot and instability oscillations as well as providing a good flow path for fluid and high capability for back pressure.