Concave-Slot Gate Valve Structure for Sealing With Fewer Bolts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional wedge gate valves are large and heavy, requiring multiple bolts for securement and tight dimensional tolerances for reliable sealing, which complicates manufacturing and assembly.
Innovation Solution
A flexible wedge gate valve design with a concave slot and convex ridge system reduces size and weight, allowing for improved sealing functionality with fewer bolts and less stringent manufacturing tolerances, utilizing a valve cover with angled sections for clamping force distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a rigid wedge portion with sharp transition to non-wedge portion is used for sealing, then sealing reliability is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase and device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The gate transitions from a rigid wedge shape with sharp transitions to a flexible shape that can change parameters (curvature, width) continuously. The flexible gate material allows the sealing surface to conform to the valve body sealing surface through elastic deformation, eliminating the need for tight dimensional tolerances while maintaining sealing reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a flexible gate made of elastomeric material that can deform to match the sealing surface geometry. This flexible membrane approach replaces the rigid wedge structure, allowing the gate to adapt to manufacturing variations and maintain reliable sealing without requiring high precision manufacturing.
2Reliability
If a large wedge portion and gate channel are used to accommodate the wedge shape, then sealing functionality is improved, but device size and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible gate eliminates the need for a large rigid wedge portion. The thin elastomeric gate can be contained within a smaller gate channel while still providing effective sealing through its ability to deform and conform to the sealing surface, significantly reducing valve weight.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible gate introduces curvature and rounded transitions instead of sharp wedge angles. The curved flexible surface can achieve sealing with a more compact gate channel design, reducing the overall valve size and weight while maintaining sealing functionality.
3Strength
If four or more bolts are used to secure the valve cover, then structural strength is improved, but device complexity and assembly difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple fastening functions into a single integrated valve cover design. The valve cover incorporates features that distribute clamping force across multiple points while using fewer bolts, merging the functions of multiple fasteners into a unified structural solution.
4Reliability
If a sharp transition from wedge portion to non-wedge portion is used, then sealing contact area is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible gate replaces sharp transitions with curved, continuous surfaces. The elastomeric material naturally forms smooth transitions between different gate sections, eliminating geometric discontinuities while maintaining adequate sealing contact area through elastic deformation.
Solution Approach 2:
The gate geometry changes from fixed sharp transitions to variable continuous curves. The flexible gate can adjust its shape parameters (width, curvature, angle) continuously along its length, providing sealing contact without requiring complex geometric transitions that would increase manufacturing difficulty.
Data Source
AI summary
In an embodiment, a gate valve includes a valve body including a first opening, a second opening, a flow passage from the first opening to the second opening, and a gate channel intersecting the flow passage. The gate channel is defined in part by two side walls facing parallel to a center axis of the flow passage, and wherein at least one of the side walls has a concave slot extending lengthwise along a center of the side wall. In an embodiment, gate for a gate valve includes a first disc-shaped side and a second disc-shaped side. The first disc-shaped side includes a first center guide and a first diameter, the first center guide being a convex ridge extending across the first diameter.