Check Valve with Segmented Body for Low Pressure Drop
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing check valves are complex, costly to manufacture, and require multi-step assembly processes, often resulting in high pressure drops and inefficient fluid flow due to multiple parts and intricate designs.
Innovation Solution
A simplified check valve design featuring a pre-assembled configuration with a valve seat element, a valve body, and a sleeve, where the valve body is movable between two positions, utilizing a spring element and a pot-shaped opening to guide the spring element along the sleeve's inner wall, allowing for single-step assembly and reduced pressure drop through a larger fluid cross-section.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a check valve consists of multiple parts (adapter elements, sleeve, valve seat element, spring element), then the valve can be assembled in its location of operation, but the manufacturing costs and assembly costs are elevated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the adapter element, sleeve, and valve seat element into a single integrated valve body. This merging eliminates the need for multiple separate parts and their corresponding assembly steps, while maintaining the functionality of being assembled directly in the location of operation. The integrated design reduces manufacturing costs by eliminating multiple machining operations and assembly operations.
2Reliability
If a check valve is screwed into a corresponding bore of the fluid passage, then the valve can be securely retained, but the manufacturing costs and assembly costs are elevated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the retention mechanism from threaded connection to friction-based retention. The valve body is designed with an outer diameter that corresponds to the inner diameter of the fluid passage, creating a friction fit that secures the valve without requiring threads. This parameter change eliminates the need for threading operations and reduces assembly complexity while maintaining secure retention.
3Productivity
If the spherical valve body is at a large distance from the wall of the sleeve, then sufficient flow cross-section is guaranteed, but the valve body is not axially guided or centered and may be deflected to an undefined slanting position
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the valve body into functional zones: a first region with a larger diameter for axial guidance and centering, and a second region with a smaller diameter for the spherical valve body. This segmentation allows the larger diameter portion to provide guidance and centering, while the smaller diameter portion maintains the required flow cross-section when the valve is open.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary guiding structure in the form of the first region of the valve body that acts as a mediator between the sleeve and the spherical valve body. This guiding structure ensures axial alignment and prevents slanting positions, while the spherical valve body in the second region maintains the flow cross-section.
4Reliability
If a pot-shaped closure piece is used instead of a spherical valve body to avoid deflection, then the valve body position is defined, but the pressure drop is substantially higher
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the valve body into two functional regions: a first region with larger diameter for guidance and centering, and a second region with smaller diameter for the spherical valve body. This segmentation allows the spherical shape to be maintained for low pressure drop while the first region provides the necessary positioning and guidance.
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 efficient fluid flow with a significantly lower pressure drop, faster opening, and reduced manufacturing costs by eliminating the need for multiple parts and complex assembly processes, while ensuring precise positioning and secure retention within a fluid passage.
Implementation Method 1
A spring element (4) is arranged between the valve body (2) and the sleeve (3). The valve body (2) is retained by the spring element (4) in the first position
Data Source
AI summary
A check valve (10) for reception in a fluid passage (5) comprises a valve seat element (1), a valve body (2), and a sleeve (3) wherein the valve body (2) is moveable in such a manner in the sleeve (3), that it rests in a first position on the valve seat element (1) and it is arranged a distance with respect to the valve seat element (1) in a second position. The valve seat element (1) contains an opening (11) which can be closed by the valve body (2) in the first position. A spring element (4) is arranged between the valve body (2) and the sleeve (3). The spring element comprises a first end (41) and a second end (42), wherein the valve body (2) is retained by the spring element (4) in the first position as long as the fluid pressure present in the opening (11) is smaller than the closing force of the spring element,(4), wherein the first end (41) of the spring element (4) is connected to the valve body (2). The sleeve (3) comprises a first jacket element (31) which is configured to be retained in the passage (5). The sleeve (3) comprises a second jacket element (32) which is configured to retain the second end (42) of the spring element (4). The spring element (4) is retained in an opening (33) of the second jacket element (32).