Counter-biased Valve Actuator Assembly
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional valve actuator assemblies require high spring pre-load to counteract fluid or gas pressure, leading to reduced responsiveness and over-design due to the need to withstand high pressures.
Innovation Solution
A valve actuator assembly that utilizes a fluid or gas working pressure to counter-bias the valve by communicating pressure to a counter-biasing chamber, reducing the need for high spring pre-loads and improving responsiveness by using a pneumatic/hydraulic piston actuator with a port system that directs pressure to a substrate with a resultant force vector opposite the valve face.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If high spring pre-load is used to counteract fluid pressure, then the valve can remain closed against working pressure, but the responsiveness of the actuator is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies counterweight principle by introducing a counter-biasing chamber that receives working fluid pressure to generate a force opposing the spring pre-load force on the valve. This counteracts the high spring force without requiring the actuator to overcome it during operation, thereby maintaining valve closed stability while improving actuator responsiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The counter-biasing chamber acts as an intermediary mechanism between the working fluid and the valve. It translates working fluid pressure into a counter-biasing force that reduces the net spring pre-load on the valve, enabling the actuator to respond more quickly while the valve remains reliably closed during normal operation.
2Reliability
If high spring pre-load is used to counteract fluid pressure, then the valve can withstand working pressure, but the valve and actuator must be over-designed to be more robust
Solution Approach 1:
By introducing the counter-biasing chamber that generates an opposing force using working fluid pressure, the patent reduces the net force that the valve and actuator components must withstand. This allows for less robust (simpler, lighter) design while maintaining the capability to withstand working pressure.
Solution Approach 2:
The working fluid itself is utilized to generate the counter-biasing force in the counter-biasing chamber. The system uses its own operating resource (working fluid pressure) to reduce the design requirements, eliminating the need for external counterbalancing mechanisms or over-engineered components.
3Reliability
If high spring pre-load is used to counteract fluid pressure, then the valve can seal against pressure, but energy is consumed by the spring
Solution Approach 1:
The working fluid provides the counter-biasing force needed to reduce spring pre-load requirements. The system uses its own operating resource (fluid pressure) to offset the energy-consuming spring force, thereby reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining sealing capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the working fluid pressure, which normally represents energy input for operation, into a beneficial counter-biasing force that reduces spring energy requirements. The working fluid serves a dual purpose: driving the process and reducing energy consumption through counter-biasing.
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
This solution reduces the need for high spring pre-loads, enhances responsiveness by allowing higher frequency operation, and optimizes the design of valve and actuator assemblies by leveraging working fluid pressure to counteract forces on the valve face.
Implementation Method 1
uses a fluid (or gas) working pressure to eliminate, reduce, or overcome a force acting on the face of a valve by communicating a common working pressure of the fluid (or gas) to a substrate with a resultant force vector opposite of the valve face
Implementation Method 2
The general purpose of the embodiments described herein, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a new valve and valve actuator assembly, counter-biased by a working fluid (or gas) pressure
Data Source
AI summary
Methods for controlling flow are described herein that include a valve assembly provided and operated to control the flow from a first conduit to a second conduit. The valve assembly includes an actuator housing enclosing an actuator piston and defining a counter-biasing chamber and a first control chamber on the same side of the actuator piston, and a first pressure control port in fluid communication with the first control chamber. A valve is connected to the actuator piston and a bore passes through both the actuator piston and the valve thereby placing a face of the valve in fluid communication with the counter-biasing chamber. The actuator piston includes a first substrate area that defines a portion of the counter-biasing chamber and a second substrate area that defines a portion of the first control chamber where the surface area of the first substrate area is less than the surface area of the valve face.