Control Valve Seal Arrangement for High-Pressure Thermal Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing control valves face challenges in maintaining an optimal sealing effect under extreme operating conditions, such as large pressure and temperature differences, and require frequent replacement of seals due to incompatibility with aggressive process fluids, leading to potential damage and leaks during assembly and operation.
Innovation Solution
A valve component arrangement featuring a ring-shaped seal with a pressure abutment that is axially slidable and compressible, allowing for a simple assembly process while ensuring reliable sealing by compressing the seal within an annular groove-shaped seal receptacle, and a driver mechanism for safe dismantling to prevent seal damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a seal with axial distances to opposite side flanks is used to maintain movability under thermal expansion, then the seal remains movable within the receptacle, but the sealing effect deteriorates under extreme pressure and temperature differences
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the seal receptacle by adding radially inwardly extending shoulders that create a reduced radial cross-sectional area. This parameter change allows the seal to be compressed radially rather than axially, maintaining sealing effectiveness under extreme conditions while preserving thermal expansion compensation capabilities
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a radially symmetric receptacle design with curved radial walls that converge inwardly, creating a cup-like geometry. This curved configuration enables uniform radial compression of the seal from all directions, improving sealing performance under pressure differentials while accommodating thermal expansion
2Reliability
If a seal is clamped by an expansion ring in the radial direction, then the seal provides reliable sealing, but the assembly becomes more complex and difficult to maintain
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the expansion ring component from the assembly, eliminating the need for separate radial clamping mechanisms. The sealing function is achieved directly through the geometric configuration of the receptacle walls themselves, which provide the necessary radial compression without additional parts
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the functions of the receptacle walls and the sealing mechanism into a single integrated structure. The radially inwardly extending shoulders serve both as structural support and as the sealing surface, eliminating the need for separate clamping components
3Ease of repair
If axial sections are provided between the seal and opposite shoulders to allow tool insertion for seal removal, then the seal can be extracted, but the removal process is difficult and can damage the valve housing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the approach to seal removal by designing the receptacle with radially inwardly extending shoulders that create outwardly directed removal surfaces. Instead of inserting tools axially into the seal, the seal is removed by applying force radially outward against these shoulders, reversing the direction of the removal action
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces radially outwardly directed shoulders as intermediary surfaces between the seal and the external removal tool. These shoulders serve as mediation points that distribute removal forces uniformly across the seal perimeter, preventing concentrated loads that could damage the valve housing
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 solution provides a reliable sealing performance under extreme conditions, simplifies the assembly process, and prevents damage to the valve housing, ensuring a secure and long-lasting seal without leaks.
Implementation Method 1
a radial expanding spring
Implementation Method 2
even with thermal expansion in the axial direction
Data Source
Figure 1a
Figure 1b~1c
Figure 2~4
AI summary
The invention relates to a valve component arrangement for a control valve for adjusting a process fluid flow in a process plant, wherein the control valve has a valve housing with an inlet and an outlet for the process fluid flow, comprising a valve housing section with a passage extending along a longitudinal axis for the process fluid flow, a valve component mountable on the valve housing section, such as a valve seat and/or a valve cage, a seal for circumferential sealing between the valve housing section and the valve component, and a contact abutment which is to be arranged in the axial direction (A) between the seal and the valve housing section and which is movable in a pre-assembly state relative to the valve housing section and relative to the valve component, wherein in an assembly state the seal is inserted into an annular groove-shaped seal receptacle which is provided by the valve component,the valve housing section and the pressure support, wherein the valve housing section, the valve component and the pressure support are aligned such that the seal receptacle is reduced in size when the valve component is mounted on the valve housing section, wherein the pressure support is supported on the valve housing and wherein the pressure support undergoes a relative movement with respect to the valve component.