Conical Fluid Control Valve for Fast Sealing and Linear Flow

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fluid flow regulation valves, such as butterfly and axial flap valves, face challenges in achieving optimal sealing and rapid variation of fluid passage sections while maintaining high flow rates and pressure, with complex leak management and slow fluid passage section variation.

Innovation Solution

A conical-shaped valve with a movable conical flap and fixed support, featuring fluid passage openings and a seal for axial displacement, allowing for contactless actuation and spontaneous movement to regulate fluid flow, ensuring complete sealing and linear fluid circulation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a butterfly valve with a sealing element is used to control fluid flow, then sealing performance is improved, but the fluid passage cross-section is disrupted and the response speed is slowed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing performanceVSAvoidfluid passage cross-section efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of using a traditional butterfly valve where the sealing element rotates perpendicular to the flow axis, this invention inverts the approach by using a conical sealing element that rotates around an axis aligned with the fluid flow direction. This allows the sealing surface to remain parallel to the flow during rotation, maintaining both sealing performance and fluid passage efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The sealing element is designed with a conical shape rather than a flat butterfly shape. The conical geometry allows for optimized fluid flow patterns while maintaining effective sealing contact with the valve seat, eliminating the crescent-shaped disruption caused by traditional butterfly valves.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

2Quantity of substance

If a butterfly valve is used to allow high flow rates, then fluid passage is improved, but the movement speed is slow and sealing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefluid flow rateVSAvoidresponse speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The conical sealing element is designed to rotate dynamically around an axis aligned with the fluid flow, allowing rapid opening and closing movements. The conical geometry and axial rotation mechanism enable faster response times compared to traditional butterfly valves while maintaining high flow rates when open.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Productivity

If an axial flap valve is used to align the rotation axis with fluid flow, then fluid circulation is improved, but actuation difficulty increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefluid circulation efficiencyVSAvoidactuation ease
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The conical shape of the sealing element provides natural aerodynamic/hydrodynamic characteristics that facilitate rotation around the axial flow direction. The conical geometry reduces resistance to rotation and improves actuation ease compared to flat axial flaps, while maintaining aligned fluid circulation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

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 conical valve provides equivalent fluid passage sections to butterfly valves with improved sealing and rapid flow regulation, maintaining linear fluid circulation and reducing friction and wear, while eliminating the need for direct contact actuation, thus enhancing operational efficiency and reliability.

Implementation Method 1

means for spontaneous axial displacement of the conical flap against the fixed support, comprising at least one spring configured to maintain the conical flap at a distance from the fixed support

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

to be compressed when said shuttering member is in said closed position so as to permit axial displacement of said flap which compresses said sealing gasket

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCompression: Compression

Data Source

PatentEP3693644B1Control valve of a stream of fluid provided with a conical shutter and system comprising such a valve
Publication Date: 2022.08.24 LIEBHERR AEROSPACE TOULOUSE
  • EP3693644B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2a
  • EP3693644B1 patent drawingFigure 2b~3a
  • EP3693644B1 patent drawingFigure 3b~4a

AI summary

Fluid flow control valve (10) comprising: a valve body (20), a shut-off member (30) configured to be able to move from an open position allowing fluid flow, to a closed position preventing fluid flow, said member is characterized in that it comprises: a fixed conical support integral with the valve body (20), a conjugate conical flap movable in rotation relative to the fixed support, and fluid passage ports arranged respectively in said conical flap and in said fixed support, and an actuator (50) of said shut-off member adapted to be able to control the position of said shut-off member (30).