Check Valve Housing With Segmented Contact Surfaces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Check valves in bleed systems face challenges in withstanding high opening velocities and impacts between flappers and the housing, as the existing linear compliant stops are limited in size and unable to effectively absorb these forces, leading to structural vulnerabilities.
Innovation Solution
The check valve design incorporates a housing with linear and additional contact surfaces, including arcuate and linear structural members, to distribute the impact forces more effectively, allowing the flappers to pivot at high speeds without damaging the housing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If the flappers are designed to pivot at high angular velocity to respond quickly to pressure differential, then the responsiveness and flow control capability is improved, but the impact force on the housing increases beyond what the linear compliant stop can withstand
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is segmented into multiple structural members (first structural member, second structural member, third structural member) that collectively form the contact surfaces. This segmentation distributes the impact forces across multiple discrete structural elements rather than concentrating them on a single linear stop, allowing the housing to withstand higher impact forces from fast-pivoting flappers.
Solution Approach 2:
The contact surfaces are designed with both linear and arcuate geometries, transitioning from a simple linear stop to a multi-dimensional contact system. The arcuate contact surfaces provide rotational guidance and distribute impacts along curved paths, while the linear contact surfaces provide stable stopping positions. This dimensional complexity allows the housing to absorb and distribute the high-energy impacts from rapid flapper pivoting.
2Strength
If the linear compliant stop is made larger to absorb more impact, then the ability to withstand flapper impacts is improved, but the device complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
Rather than creating one large complex stop, the solution segments the stopping function across multiple smaller structural members (first, second, and third structural members). Each member provides a portion of the total contact surface area, collectively achieving the required impact absorption capability while keeping each individual component simple and manageable in size.
Solution Approach 2:
The multiple structural members serve dual functions: they provide impact absorption capability and simultaneously form the contact surfaces that guide flapper motion. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate guidance mechanisms, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining robust impact absorption.
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 enhanced contact surfaces enable the check valve to withstand high opening velocities and pressures, preventing backflow effectively while maintaining structural integrity, even at pressures exceeding 20 psi and angular speeds of 150 radians per second or more.
Implementation Method 1
flappers pivot in response to a pressure differential across the seat
Implementation Method 2
distribute the impact forces more effectively, allowing the flappers to pivot at high speeds without damaging the housing
Data Source
AI summary
A check valve housing is provided and includes a base having opposite sides which are configured to form linear contact surfaces with check valve flappers pivotably disposed on either side of the base, respectively, and an additional structural member having opposite sides which are configured to form additional contact surfaces with each of the check valve flappers, respectively.