Check Valve Support Recesses for Low-Loss Secure Opening
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Solution Overview
Problem
Check-valves with large flow capacities face issues with pressure loss and wear due to incomplete opening and rapid closing, especially when mounted against gravity, leading to increased flow losses and mechanical stress.
Innovation Solution
The valve element support features recesses that form vortices, reducing pressure and enhancing the valve element's movement towards the support, ensuring full opening and reliable closure, with a concave valve element design and a spring system for controlled movement, and a plastic or 3D-printed construction for cost-effectiveness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If the valve element is allowed to move freely to contact the valve element support, then the opening speed increases, but the valve element may not rest securely against the support due to opposing closing forces
Solution Approach 1:
A spring element is introduced as an intermediary between the valve element and the valve element support. This spring mediates the interaction by providing a controlled closing force that ensures the valve element rests securely against the support while allowing rapid opening movement when flow direction reverses.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring element changes the force parameter dynamically - providing sufficient closing force when the valve is open to ensure secure contact with the support, but allowing rapid displacement when reverse flow occurs, thus achieving both secure closure and fast opening response.
2Reliability
If the valve element rests against the valve element support, then secure closure is achieved, but flow losses increase due to incomplete opening
Solution Approach 1:
The spring element acts as a counterweight to the closing forces, balancing them in such a way that the valve element can achieve complete opening without being held back by residual closing forces, thereby minimizing flow losses while maintaining secure closure capability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the valve element has to be moved against gravity, then mounting flexibility increases, but the force producing means must overcome both gravity and spring forces
Solution Approach 1:
The spring element provides self-service by automatically adjusting its force to counterbalance gravity in any mounting orientation. The spring's elastic properties allow it to adapt to different gravitational directions, eliminating the need for orientation-specific force calculations or adjustments.
4Loss of time
If the valve closes rapidly when flow direction reverses, then response time improves, but wear increases due to high impact forces
Solution Approach 1:
The spring element provides beforehand cushioning by being pre-compressed or pre-positioned to absorb the impact forces during rapid closure. This cushioning effect reduces the mechanical shock and wear on the valve element and support while maintaining fast closure response.
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
This design minimizes pressure loss and wear by ensuring rapid opening and secure closure, maintaining low operational costs and improved performance even against gravity, suitable for high-volume applications like desalination and wastewater treatment.
Implementation Method 1
Fluid flowing through the section of the flow path produces a vortex formation in the recess which in turn lowers the pressure in the recess
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
A check-valve (1) comprising a housing (2, 3) having an inlet (5), an outlet (6), a fluid flow path between the inlet (5) and the outlet (6) and a valve seat (7) in the fluid path, the valve seat (7) having a valve seat axis (8), a valve element (9), a valve element support (12) arranged in the housing (2, 3) and supporting the valve element (9), is described, wherein the section (19) of the fluid flow path is formed between the housing (2, 3) and the valve element support (12) and the valve element (9) is moveable between a position in which it rests against the valve seat (7) and a position in which contacts against the valve element support (12). Such a check-valve should have a simple construction keeping low noise and wear. To this end, the valve element support (12) comprises at least one recess (12) having an open side to the section (19) of the fluid flow path and connecting the section (19) of the fluid flow path to a space between the valve element (9) and the valve element support (12.)