Check Valve Sealing Element Chatter Prevention
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Check valves experience vibration or 'chattering' due to low fluid pressure, which can damage the valve and its components, as the pressure increase and subsequent drop cause the sealing element to oscillate between sealing and non-sealing positions.
Innovation Solution
A system that forces the sealing element to remain open at a predefined opening degree once the valve opens by a certain threshold, preventing pressure drops and vibrations, using a controller to manage the rotation of the shaft and its actuator to maintain an optimal opening degree, especially when the fluid flow is low.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the sealing element is allowed to open freely based on fluid pressure, then the valve can regulate flow automatically, but the sealing element vibrates and chatters when pressure is low
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the operational parameter of the sealing element by introducing a minimum opening degree constraint. The sealing element is prevented from closing completely and is maintained at least partially open, transforming the traditional binary open/closed operation into a controlled partial opening state that eliminates pressure fluctuations causing chattering
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback through sensors that detect the opening degree of the valve and the pressure conditions. This feedback information is used by the control unit to actively adjust the sealing element position, maintaining it in a stable partial opening state rather than allowing free oscillation between fully open and closed positions
2Productivity
If the sealing element oscillates between sealing and non-sealing positions due to pressure changes, then the valve responds to flow conditions, but the continuous vibration damages the valve components
Solution Approach 1:
The control system takes preliminary action by actively maintaining the sealing element in a partial opening position before pressure conditions can cause it to close and rebound. This preemptive control prevents the oscillatory motion that leads to mechanical damage of the sealing element and seat
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit acts as an intermediary between the fluid pressure forces and the sealing element position. Rather than allowing direct interaction between pressure fluctuations and the sealing element that causes chattering, the control system mediates this interaction by actively positioning the sealing element to break the feedback loop causing vibration
3Reliability
If a controller system is added to maintain the sealing element in a fixed position, then vibration is prevented, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates self-service features where the control unit automatically adjusts the sealing element position based on sensor feedback without requiring external intervention. The valve essentially regulates itself by maintaining the sealing element in the optimal partial opening position, eliminating the need for complex external control mechanisms
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
A system and a method for actuating a sealing element (101) of a check valve (100) are shown wherein the sealing element (101) is forced to a non-sealing position corresponding to an opening degree of the valve (100) equal to or higher than a first predefined opening degree when the increase of the opening degree with respect to the sealing position (T) is equal to or higher than a predefined threshold. In this way, the problem of vibration or "chattering" of the sealing element of the valve is efficiently prevented.