Integral Handle Check Valve for Easier Flange Installation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Check valves for fluid systems are challenging to transport and install due to their size and weight, with a non-centralized center of gravity making carrying, positioning, and installation difficult.
Innovation Solution
A check valve design featuring an integral handle that aids in portability, manipulation, and installation, including a body member with a port and cylindrical exterior surface, a retainer member, and a disc member with a shaft, where the integral handle has vertical and horizontal support members forming a handle aperture to accommodate bolts and prevent axial rotation, allowing for easier handling and secure mounting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If check valves are made larger for industrial applications, then flow control capability is improved, but weight and difficulty of transport increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the lifting handle function with the valve body structure by integrating it into the disc component. The handle is formed as part of the disc assembly, merging two functional elements (valve disc and lifting mechanism) into a single integrated component, thereby addressing the weight issue by eliminating separate handling equipment
2Adaptability or versatility
If check valves have non-centralized center of gravity, then structural design flexibility is improved, but ease of carrying and positioning deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs asymmetric design in the handle configuration, where the handle extends from one side of the disc component rather than being centrally symmetric. This asymmetric placement allows the handle to be positioned optimally for lifting while maintaining the necessary structural flexibility of the valve assembly
3Ease of manufacture
If check valves lack an integral handle, then manufacturing simplicity is improved, but ease of installation and manipulation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The handle is integrated into the disc component as a single molded or formed piece, combining the valve disc and handling feature into one manufacturing step. This integration maintains manufacturing efficiency while dramatically improving installation ease by providing a built-in lifting and positioning aid
4Reliability
If check valves are secured with bolts through flanges, then mounting reliability is improved, but axial rotation during installation occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The handle is designed to engage with the bolt heads before final tightening occurs. This preliminary engagement of the handle with the fastening elements prevents axial rotation during the installation process, ensuring proper alignment before the mounting is fully secured
Data Source
AI summary
A check valve assembly includes a body, a valve assembly configured to engage a port of the check valve assembly, and a handle integrally formed with the body and extending from a substantially cylindrical exterior surface thereof. The handle includes a first vertical support member having a first interior surface, a second vertical support member having a second interior surface, and a horizontal support member that has a third interior surface and extends between the first and second vertical support members. The first, second, and third internal surfaces, and the exterior surface of the body member, define a handle aperture. The first and second interior surfaces of the handle aperture are configured to accommodate first and second bolts of a pipe flange fitting extending through the handle aperture.