Coupler Assembly Spigot Mechanism for Contained Powder Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing coupler assemblies, such as split butterfly valves, are expensive, difficult to maintain, and often fail to provide adequate containment during the transfer of powdered materials, leading to contamination and waste due to powder hang-up on valve surfaces and improper sealing.
Innovation Solution
A coupler assembly comprising an active valve assembly with a spigot that moves between two positions to protect the inner surfaces of the valves from powder exposure, ensuring containment by preventing powder contact with the active valve when closed and allowing passage while maintaining a seal, and a passive valve assembly that can only be opened when locked onto the active valve, preventing material flow until the active valve is open.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a split butterfly valve is used for powder transfer, then containment is provided during operation, but the valve becomes contaminated with powder hang-up on the outer edge of the diaphragm and side gasket areas, causing release when valves are split
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the problematic outer surfaces of the valve diaphragm and side gaskets from the powder transfer path by providing a spigot that extends into the valve body. This spigot creates a clean internal passage that is isolated from the environment, preventing powder contact with the valve components while maintaining containment during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The spigot acts as an intermediary element between the powder flow and the valve components. It provides a protected passage through which powder can be transferred without directly contacting the valve diaphragm or side gaskets, thereby preventing contamination while maintaining the sealing function.
2Reliability
If a single welded ring is used to create a tight seal, then containment is improved, but the attachment process becomes difficult and time consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the sealing function into multiple segments: the spigot provides the primary seal, while the valve diaphragm and side gaskets provide additional sealing points. This segmented approach maintains tight containment while allowing for simpler assembly compared to a single welded ring, as the spigot can be inserted and sealed separately from the valve components.
3Reliability
If the spigot is positioned to allow active valve closure, then containment is maintained, but the spigot must be moved to protect the active valve from powder exposure
Solution Approach 1:
The spigot is designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing it to dynamically adjust its position. It can extend into the valve body to protect the active valve from powder exposure during operation, and be repositioned when needed. This dynamic positioning maintains containment while protecting valve components without requiring complex additional mechanisms.
Data Source
AI summary
A coupler assembly to transfer powdered material from a container includes an active valve with a docking part and a passive valve with a complementary docking part. The two docking parts enable the two valves to be secured together such that both the passive valve and the active valve can be opened. The coupler assembly includes a spigot that is movable between a first position in which the spigot allows the active valve to close with the spigot on the opposite side of the active valve to the docking part which engages the passive valve, and a second position in which the active valve is held in an open position and the spigot provides a passage for material passing through the passive valve to flow through the active valve whilst substantially preventing exposure of part of the active valve to any of the flowing material.