Convolution Valve Seat Structure for Consistent High-Pressure Sealing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional valve seat configurations in control valves often result in inadequate sealing due to the valve seat remaining stationary relative to the control member, leading to leakage issues, especially in high-pressure applications, which can compromise the lifespan of the valve and surrounding environment.
Innovation Solution
A valve seat design featuring a resiliently flexible convolution section that allows the valve seat to move radially and axially, maintaining contact with the control member through a convolution section with at least one bend, which is compressible to accommodate movement and provide a consistent seal, and optionally formed using additive manufacturing with multiple materials for enhanced strength and reduced leakage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the valve seat is made stationary relative to the valve body, then the structural complexity is reduced and ease of manufacture is improved, but sealing reliability deteriorates due to inadequate contact with the moving control member
Solution Approach 1:
The valve seat is divided into two functional segments: a stationary anchor portion secured to the valve body, and a movable sealing portion that can move radially relative to the anchor portion. This segmentation allows the sealing portion to follow the control member's movement while the anchor portion remains fixed, resolving the contradiction between sealing reliability and structural simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve seat transitions from a completely stationary structure to a dynamic structure where the sealing portion can move radially in response to control member movement. This dynamic capability ensures continuous contact between the valve seat and control member, maintaining sealing reliability without requiring the entire valve seat structure to be complex and movable.
2Reliability
If the valve seat is made resiliently flexible to follow control member movement, then sealing consistency is improved, but the structural complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing portion of the valve seat is designed with resiliently flexible material and geometry, allowing it to deform and move radially to maintain contact with the control member. This flexibility ensures consistent sealing without requiring complex active control mechanisms, simplifying manufacturing compared to fully articulated movable seats.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve seat's radial position parameter is made variable through the resiliently flexible design, allowing automatic adjustment to maintain optimal sealing contact. This passive parameter adjustment through material flexibility avoids complex manufacturing while achieving sealing consistency.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the convolution section is made highly flexible to accommodate large movements, then adaptability to control member movement is improved, but structural strength and leakage resistance may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
Different portions of the valve seat are assigned different mechanical properties: the anchor portion is made rigid for structural strength and secure mounting, while the sealing portion is made resiliently flexible for adaptability. This local differentiation of material properties allows the convolution section to achieve both flexibility for movement accommodation and sufficient strength for leakage resistance.
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 effectively reduces leakage and enhances the consistency and effectiveness of the control member seal, improving the performance and lifespan of the valve assembly by ensuring continuous contact and adaptability to the control member's movement.
Implementation Method 1
a convolution section arranged between the first seat portion and the anchor section and including at least one bend that is resiliently compressible in the second direction so that the first seat portion moves in the second direction when the convolution section of the anchor portion is compressed in the second direction
Data Source
AI summary
A sealing arrangement for a valve can include a first seat portion, a second seat portion extending from the first seat portion in a first direction, and an anchor portion extending from the first seat portion in a second direction transverse to the first direction. The anchor portion can include an anchor section having a first sealing surface to provide a first seal within the valve and a convolution section arranged between the first seat portion and the anchor section and including at least one bend that is resiliently compressible in the second direction so that the first seat portion moves in the second direction when the convolution section of the anchor portion is compressed in the second direction.