Control Valve Flange Assembly for Lower-Torque Force Transmission
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing control valve designs face challenges in efficiently transmitting force from the valve rod to the valve piston, particularly requiring high torque for assembly and necessitating lifting equipment for large valves, which complicates the connection process.
Innovation Solution
A control valve design featuring a flange mounted on the valve rod with multiple threaded connecting elements distributed on a bolt circle, allowing for improved force transmission and reduced torque requirements, enabling assembly with standard tools without lifting the valve components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a single threaded connection is used to connect the valve rod to the valve piston, then the structure is simple, but the force transmission is insufficient and the connection is susceptible to failure
Solution Approach 1:
The single threaded connection is segmented into multiple threaded connecting elements (bolts) distributed on a bolt circle. This divides the force transmission task across multiple connection points, increasing overall strength and reliability while maintaining manageable structural complexity through standardized bolt patterns.
2Ease of operation
If a single threaded connection is used, then the structure is simple, but the torque required for tightening is excessively high requiring lifting equipment
Solution Approach 1:
The single high-torque connection is segmented into multiple lower-torque bolt connections. Each bolt requires less tightening torque, making assembly feasible with standard tools rather than requiring lifting equipment, while the collective strength of all bolts provides the necessary connection strength.
3Strength
If multiple threaded connecting elements are used distributed on a bolt circle, then the force transmission is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The bolt circle pattern is a universal design feature that can be applied to various valve sizes and configurations. Standardized bolt circle diameters and spacing allow for modular manufacturing and assembly, reducing the impact of increased connection数量 on overall manufacturing complexity.
4Ease of operation
If multiple threaded connecting elements are used, then the torque requirement is reduced, but the number of components increases
Solution Approach 1:
The single high-torque connection is segmented into multiple lower-torque bolt connections. This segmentation reduces the torque requirement for each individual component, making assembly easier, while the standardized and reduced number of bolts (typically 4-8) keeps the overall component count manageable.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a control valve for adjusting a process fluid flow of a process plant, comprising a valve housing (4) with a valve seat (10) and a valve piston (12) connected to a valve rod (14), which valve piston (12) interacts with the valve seat (10) for opening and closing the control valve (2). The invention is characterized in that, for connecting the valve rod (14) to the valve piston (12), a flange (22) is mounted on the valve rod (14), which flange (22) is screwed to the valve piston (12) via plural threaded connecting elements (34; 48).