Concentric Valve Seat Assembly for High Flow in Compact Valves
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Small valve assemblies face challenges in achieving high flow rates and accurate flow control due to restricted plunger stroke length and valve seat cross-sectional area, leading to increased complexity, cost, and unpredictability in manufacturing and performance.
Innovation Solution
A valve assembly design featuring concentric inner and outer valve seats with radial and axial alignment means, including interference fits and annular flow channels, allows for efficient assembly and alignment, enabling improved flow characteristics and reduced manufacturing complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the plunger stroke length and valve seat cross-sectional area are increased to achieve higher flow rates, then the flow rate is improved, but the valve size and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements nested concentric valve seats where an inner valve seat is positioned within an outer valve seat, creating a compact multi-layered structure. This nesting arrangement allows multiple flow paths to coexist in a limited space, achieving high flow rates without increasing overall valve size or complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a single-plane valve seat design to a three-dimensional concentric arrangement with radial and axial dimensions. The inner and outer valve seats are positioned at different radial distances and axial locations, creating multiple flow paths that utilize spatial dimensions efficiently to maximize flow rate within compact boundaries
2Ease of manufacture
If concentric valve seats are manufactured as separate components, then assembly flexibility is improved, but alignment precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dedicated alignment features including radial alignment means with abutting faces and axial alignment means with positioning surfaces. These intermediary elements mediate between separate inner and outer valve seat components, ensuring precise concentric alignment during assembly without requiring complex manufacturing processes
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates pre-formed alignment features such as radial projections, abutting faces, and positioning surfaces that are created during the manufacturing of individual valve seat components. These preliminary alignment structures are built into the components themselves, ensuring accurate concentric alignment is achieved automatically during assembly without requiring post-assembly adjustment
3Ease of manufacture
If the number of valve parts is reduced to simplify manufacturing, then manufacturing cost is improved, but flow control precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses nested concentric valve seats with inner and outer seats positioned at different radial distances, creating multiple controlled flow paths within a compact structure. This nesting allows precise flow control through multiple seating surfaces while maintaining a relatively simple two-component construction that balances manufacturing simplicity with flow control precision
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 design achieves higher flow rates with optimized fluid pathways, reduced turbulence, and lower manufacturing costs, while maintaining precise control over fluid flow in compact valve assemblies.
Implementation Method 1
an electric current passes through an electromagnetic coil, with the coil typically formed around a magnetic core. The energized solenoid generates a magnetic field.
Implementation Method 2
The magnetic field typically operates on a movable armature connected to a plunger which is configured to engage a valve seat
Implementation Method 3
The inner valve member is a separate component from the outer valve member and is mounted in fixed relation to the outer valve member via mounting means
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
There is provided a valve assembly (100). The valve assembly comprises a valve seat comprising an inner concentric valve seat (104) and an outer concentric valve seat (105), the inner concentric valve seat being arranged radially inward of the outer concentric valve seat to provide an annular opening therebetween. The valve assembly also comprises a movable plunger (107), being movable between a closed position and an open position to vary a flow restriction at the inner and outer concentric valve seats, and arranged to simultaneously seal the inner concentric valve seat and the outer concentric valve seat when in the closed position. The valve assembly also comprises an inner valve member (124) comprising the inner concentric valve seat and an outer valve member (125) comprising the outer concentric valve seat. The inner valve member is a separate component from the outer valve member and is mounted in fixed relation to the outer valve member via mounting means. The mounting means comprises radial alignment means configured to maintain concentricity of the inner concentric valve seat relative to the outer concentric valve seat and axial alignment means configured to maintain axial alignment of the inner concentric valve seat relative to the outer concentric valve seat along an axis, the axis being substantially orthogonal to a plane of the concentric valve seats.