Compact Ultrahigh-Pressure Valve With Lever-Based Throttling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing high-pressure valve systems are impractical due to their large size, requiring significant force to operate and being unsuitable for compact applications, and they lack the ability to provide precise control of fluid flow beyond simple on-off functions.
Innovation Solution
A compact high-pressure valve design utilizing a lever with a force multiplier effect, allowing operation at higher pressures with lower actuation force, and incorporating a variable force generator such as an air piston or electromechanical devices like voice coil actuators or stepper motors for precise control of fluid flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a simple on-off valve design is used, then the device structure is simple, but the valve size becomes large and requires significant actuation force
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a lever mechanism that transforms the actuation force application from a direct linear dimension to a rotational dimension around a pivot point. This dimensional change enables mechanical advantage, where a small force applied at one end of the lever generates a larger force at the pin, resolving the contradiction between simple structure and high actuation force requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The lever acts as an intermediary mechanical element between the actuator and the pin. Instead of directly applying force to the pin, the actuator applies force to the lever, which then amplifies and transmits the force to the pin. This intermediary mechanism reduces the required actuation force while maintaining structural simplicity.
2Ease of operation
If air pressure actuators are used, then the valve can be remotely operated, but the actuator size becomes large (4-5 inches diameter)
Solution Approach 1:
By transitioning from direct linear actuation to rotational lever-based actuation, the system changes the dimensional relationship between force application and force generation. The lever's rotational motion around a pivot creates mechanical advantage, allowing a much smaller air piston (reducing volume from 4-5 inches to a compact size) to generate sufficient closing force on the pin.
Solution Approach 2:
The lever is pre-configured with a specific pivot point position that establishes mechanical advantage before actuation occurs. This preliminary geometric arrangement ensures that even a small actuator force is amplified sufficiently to close the valve, eliminating the need for large actuators while maintaining remote operability.
3Volume of moving object
If hydraulic actuators are used, then the actuator size is reduced, but the system complexity increases and requires messy hydraulic fluid
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the hydraulic fluid system from the design, replacing it with a pneumatic (air) actuation system combined with a lever mechanism. This extraction removes the complexity and messiness of hydraulic fluid while maintaining compact actuator size through the lever's mechanical advantage, rather than relying on high-pressure hydraulic systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes a mechanical lever-based force amplification system for the hydraulic mechanical system. Instead of using hydraulic pressure multiplication, the system uses the lever's geometric mechanical advantage to achieve force amplification, replacing the hydraulic mechanism with a simpler pneumatic-mechanical combination that avoids fluid complexity.
4Volume of moving object
If a fixed pin-hole valve design is used, then the valve is compact, but it lacks throttling capability for precise flow control
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a static pin-hole geometry to a dynamic system where the lever can be positioned at different angles. This dynamic capability allows the pin to be held at various positions relative to the seat, enabling both full open, full closed, and intermediate throttled positions. The compact lever mechanism maintains small valve size while adding versatile flow control capability through its dynamic positioning ability.
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 the operation of high-pressure valves at pressures over 20,000 psi with reduced size and actuation force, providing precise control of fluid flow and pressure, suitable for both constant flow rate and constant pressure applications, and reducing the complexity of hydraulic systems.
Implementation Method 1
A lever having a first end coupled to the pin and a second end, the lever having a pivot point that is pivotally secured to the housing
Implementation Method 2
a variable force generator connected to the second end of the lever and configured to move the pin between the open position and the closed position
Data Source
AI summary
A high pressure valve includes a lever and a variable force generator for facilitating control of opening and closing the valve at high pressures. The high pressure valve includes a housing having a chamber providing fluid communication between a first port and a second port, a pin movable within the chamber between an open position and a closed position. A first end of a lever is coupled to the pin and a second end of the lever is coupled to a variable force generator. The lever pivots about a pivot point. A controller coupled to the variable force generator is configured to adjust a force applied to the second end of the lever by the variable force generator to control the movement of the pin between the open position and the closed position.