Check Valve Seal Assembly for Compression Fitting Integrity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing check valves are unsuitable for corrosive and high-temperature/high-pressure systems due to material limitations and are prone to damage in compression fitting systems, and they fail to provide precise control over reverse fluid flow.
Innovation Solution
A check valve design featuring a single-piece housing with an integral valve member and seal, biased towards a closed position using a spring, allowing for assembly with conventional compression fittings and reduced component count, which enhances durability and seal integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the valve body is made slightly larger in diameter than the conduit to form a seal, then sealing effectiveness is improved, but the valve becomes vulnerable to damage in compression fitting systems and the conduit deforms significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The valve is divided into separate components: a valve body, a valve member, and a seal. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently - the valve body can be made robust for compression fittings while the seal provides the sealing function without requiring the entire valve to be oversized.
Solution Approach 2:
A separate seal component acts as an intermediary between the valve body and the conduit. This seal provides the necessary sealing effectiveness without requiring the valve body itself to be larger in diameter, thereby preventing damage to the valve during compression fitting installation.
2Reliability
If the valve is positioned at the end of the conduit to ensure sealing, then sealing effectiveness is improved, but the valve is damaged when the ferrule is compressed
Solution Approach 1:
By separating the sealing function from the structural valve body through the use of a distinct seal component, the valve can be positioned appropriately in the conduit without the sealing surface being vulnerable to compression damage. The seal is positioned to contact the conduit while the valve body remains protected.
3Strength
If the conduit is significantly deformed when the ferrule is tightened, then the connection strength is improved, but the seal effectiveness is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The separate seal component serves as a mediator that maintains sealing effectiveness even when the conduit deforms during ferrule tightening. The seal can accommodate the deformation while maintaining contact with the valve body, ensuring the seal remains effective despite conduit shape changes.
4Ease of operation
If a ball valve design is used for easier adaptation with compression fittings, then ease of installation is improved, but protection against reverse flow is insufficient for precise control applications
Solution Approach 1:
The valve member is designed to be movable between a closed position (for precise reverse flow control) and an open position (for full flow). This dynamic capability allows the valve to provide both the installation ease of a ball valve and the precise reverse flow control needed for gas manifolds and chemical reactor systems.
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 design enables reliable fluid tight seals against reverse flow in harsh conditions, reduces manufacturing costs, and prevents valve damage during assembly, while maintaining compactness and ease of integration into various piping systems.
Implementation Method 1
the check valve comprises means to bias the valve member towards the closed position
Implementation Method 2
a seal to form a fluid tight seal between the valve member and the valve seat
Data Source
AI summary
An improved valve assembly having an integral single piece housing (1) having an inlet (15), an outlet and defining an inwardly extending wall forming a valve seat (3); a valve member (4) moveable within the housing (1) between a closed position and an open position and a seal (11) to form a fluid tight seal between the valve member (4) and the valve seat (3) when the valve member is in the closed position. The seal (11) also acting to retain the valve member (4) within the housing (1) and in which the housing defining end portions which extend axially away from the valve member (4) at any position of the valve member between the open and closed positions.