Check Valve Separate Spherical Spring Guide Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current outlet check valves in cam-driven, inlet or outlet metered pumps are difficult and expensive to machine, and suffer from reduced durability due to the fixed nature of the perforated disc spring guide, which can lead to misalignment and binding issues.
Innovation Solution
A check valve design featuring a separate spherical spring guide within a central bore, allowing the spring guide to move relative to the body, improving alignment and reducing friction and wear, while being simple and inexpensive to manufacture.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a perforated disc is press-fitted into the valve housing as a spring guide, then the structure is simple and inexpensive to fabricate, but the guide becomes fixed and cannot move during operation, leading to misalignment and binding of the spring and valve ball
Solution Approach 1:
The spring guide is designed as a separate component that can move dynamically within the valve housing during operation. This mobility allows the guide to self-align with the valve ball and spring, preventing binding and misalignment issues while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through modular construction.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring guide is segmented from the valve housing as a separate, movable component rather than being press-fitted as a fixed part. This segmentation enables independent movement of the guide to accommodate operational variations and maintain proper alignment without compromising the overall structural integrity.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the spring guide is fixed in position, then the structure is stable, but misalignment and binding of the spring and valve ball occur, reducing durability
Solution Approach 1:
The spring guide transitions from a fixed to a movable configuration, allowing it to dynamically adjust its position during valve operation. This dynamic capability maintains structural stability while preventing misalignment and binding, thereby improving durability without sacrificing overall structural integrity.
3Reliability
If the spring guide is made movable relative to the body, then alignment is improved and binding is reduced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The spring guide is implemented as a separate, movable segment within the valve assembly. This segmentation provides the necessary mobility for improved alignment and reduced binding while maintaining relatively simple construction through modular components that can be easily assembled and maintained.
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 separate spherical spring guide enhances the durability and reliability of the check valve by minimizing binding and malfunction, facilitating unidirectional fluid flow while being cost-effective to produce.
Implementation Method 1
a spring guide having a spherical portion received by the closed end of the central bore
Implementation Method 2
a spring disposed within the central bore and having a first end operatively engaged with a portion of the spring guide opposite the spherical portion, and a valve element operatively engaged with a second end of the spring and being movable by a pressure differential to compress the spring
Data Source
AI summary
A check valve for use with a pump is disclosed. The check valve may have a body at least partially defining a central bore with an open end and a closed end, and a spring guide separate from the body and disposed within the closed end of the central bore. The check valve may also have a spring located within the central bore and having a first end operatively engaged with the spring guide, and a valve element operatively engaged with a second end of the spring and being movable by a pressure differential to compress the spring. The spring guide may be moveable relative to the body.