Check Valve Tilt Angle Sensing Without Rotating Shaft Seals
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for monitoring the tilt angle of swing or tilting disk check valves are impractical due to the risk of leakage associated with rotating shaft seals and are often cost-prohibitive or impractical, especially in applications involving dangerous fluids, and they fail to provide continuous, linear measurements without custom sensors or imaging devices.
Innovation Solution
A sensing apparatus using a hinge pin extension coupled with a mechanical converter to convert rotational motion into linear translation, integrated with a Linear Variable Differential Transformer (LVDT) that measures the tilt angle without penetrating the valve housing through a rotating shaft seal, utilizing commercially available LVDT components and a non-magnetic housing extension.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a rotating shaft seal is used to extend the hinge pin through the valve housing for angle indication, then the tilt angle can be monitored, but the risk of leakage increases
Solution Approach 1:
A non-magnetic housing extension acts as an intermediary component, allowing the hinge pin to be extended for angle indication without penetrating the sealed valve housing. The extension provides a mechanical interface for attaching angle indicators while maintaining the integrity of the original housing seal, thus preventing leakage while enabling tilt angle monitoring.
2Measurement precision
If electronic sensors or imaging devices are used to monitor the disk tilt angle, then continuous measurement can be achieved, but the cost becomes prohibitive
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses simple, inexpensive mechanical angle indicators (such as pointer-dial gauge assemblies) instead of expensive electronic sensors or imaging devices. These mechanical indicators can be attached to the extended hinge pin or housing extension, providing continuous tilt angle measurement at a fraction of the cost of electronic alternatives, making the solution economically viable for industrial applications.
3Measurement precision
If the hinge pin is extended through the housing for angle indication, then tilt angle can be measured, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The valve structure is segmented into distinct functional modules: the original sealed valve housing, an add-on non-magnetic housing extension, and an external angle indication mechanism. This segmentation allows the angle indication functionality to be added without modifying the core valve structure, maintaining simplicity of the original design while enabling measurement capabilities through a separate, attachable extension component.
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
Enables continuous, linear measurement of the tilt angle without custom sensors or seals, providing reliable monitoring and condition verification of the check valve, suitable for various industrial applications, including those with hazardous fluids.
Implementation Method 1
an LVDT coil set arranged external to the housing extension and located such that the core magnet is translated within the LVDT coil set when the closure element is rotated... The core magnet and LVDT coil set thereby operating together as a linear variable differential transformer that produces an LVDT output signal indicating a tilt angle of the closure element
Data Source
AI summary
A sensing apparatus measures the disk tilt angle of a swing or tilting disk check valve without requiring penetration of the valve housing through a rotating shaft seal. A hinge pin extension is rotationally coupled to the valve disk, and a mechanical converter converts rotation thereof into translation of a magnet carrier within a non-magnetic extension of the valve housing. An LVDT core magnet is translated by the magnet carrier within the housing extension while surrounded by LVDT sensor coils mounted to the exterior of the housing extension. The LVDT core magnet and sensor coils thereby provide an LVDT output signal that indicates the tip angle of the valve disk. Embodiments include threaded coupling of the hinge pin extension to the magnet carrier, or coupling therebetween by a converter pin fixed to one of them into angled helical slot of a cylinder fixed to the other of them.