Coupling Device Piston Valve Sealing Seat Actuating Force Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing coupling devices for liquid or gaseous media face challenges in combining the favorable properties of ball valve and axial valve principles, such as high actuating forces, flow losses, and complex designs, which hinder quick and easy operation, especially when handling viscous or hardening media, and require frequent maintenance for cleaning.
Innovation Solution
A coupling device with piston-like valve closing heads that form a sealing seat in all positions, allowing for synchronous and simple operation, featuring a static clutch parting plane and angled valve arrangement to reduce friction and hydrostatic pressure, eliminating the need for check valves and enabling easy sealing and cost-effective production.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If ball valves are used in coupling devices, then actuating forces are small and the flow cross-section is free, but the medium is included in the ball bore when closed causing flow impairment and hardening medium accumulation
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling device is divided into two separate coupling halves, each with its own valve element. This segmentation allows each valve to be independently actuated and cleaned, eliminating the problem of medium accumulation in a single central ball bore while maintaining the low actuating force advantage of ball valves.
Solution Approach 2:
The line connecting channel is oriented at an angle (e.g., 45 degrees) to the line axis, creating a diagonal flow path. This angular arrangement ensures that when the valve closes, the medium flows along the angled channel rather than being trapped in a radial bore, preventing hardening medium accumulation while maintaining easy actuation.
2Ease of operation
If axial valves are used in coupling devices, then synchronous switching is simple and residual quantities are reduced, but relatively large forces are required to adjust the valve and additional pressure relief means are needed
Solution Approach 1:
The invention combines the advantages of both ball valve and axial valve principles into a single hybrid design. The valve elements have axial movement capability for synchronous switching like axial valves, but incorporate angled line connecting channels that reduce the actuating force requirement, eliminating the need for additional pressure relief means.
Solution Approach 2:
The orientation of the line connecting channel is changed from axial (0 degrees) to an angled position (e.g., 45 degrees) relative to the line axis. This parameter change reduces the hydrostatic pressure component that opposes valve actuation, thereby reducing the required actuating force while maintaining synchronous switching capability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If transverse channel valve elements with check valves are used, then some favorable properties are combined, but the design becomes complex and cleaning requires periodic dismantling
Solution Approach 1:
The check valves are completely removed from the design. Instead of using check valves to manage medium flow during cleaning operations, the invention uses the angled line connecting channel geometry itself to control medium flow direction. This extraction of the check valve component simplifies the overall device design while eliminating the need for periodic dismantling for cleaning.
Solution Approach 2:
The angled line connecting channel automatically guides the medium flow during cleaning operations without requiring additional active components like check valves. The geometry of the channel itself provides the flow control function, making the system self-regulating and reducing mechanical complexity.
4Reliability
If conventional coupling devices are used with hardening media, then the medium hardens in the ball bore when valve is closed, but this impairs flow and requires frequent maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The line connecting channel is designed with an angled orientation that dynamically adapts to the valve position. When the valve closes, the angled channel directs any remaining medium away from the sealing area, preventing hardening. This dynamic flow management maintains reliable sealing while minimizing medium accumulation that would require maintenance.
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 reduces actuating forces, minimizes residual media, facilitates easy cleaning and maintenance, and ensures reliable, quick operation while maintaining a free flow cross-section, suitable for miniature sizes and high safety requirements, including emergency quick disconnect functionality.
Implementation Method 1
The valve elements (61, 71) are spring-loaded in the valve side channels (60, 70) in such a way that the closing heads (62, 72) are pressed against one another by a compression spring (64)
Implementation Method 2
angled valve arrangement to reduce friction and hydrostatic pressure
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
A coupling device (1) for sealingly connecting conveying lines transporting liquid or gaseous media comprises two coupling halves (2, 3) with connecting lines (21, 31) forming a coupling line (4). A valve assembly has a crossing valve channel (50) with valve side channels (60, 70), and it intersects the coupling line (4) with a valve channel separation cross-section (51) that coincides with a line separation cross-section (41) in the coupling line (4). Valve elements (61, 71) movable in the crossing valve channel (15) have piston-like valve closing heads (62, 72). These close line separation openings (210, 310) for uncoupling, while in the open position they create a through connection of the connecting lines (21, 31). At least one valve element (71) is equipped with a line connection channel (42) that can be moved back and forth between a closed position and a flow position.The coupling device (1) is equipped with a valve actuating device (8) such that the opposing closing heads (62, 72) are pressed against each other in all positions when the coupling device (1) is coupled, forming a sealing seat. In the locked position, the connecting channel (42) of the valve element (71) is connected via at least one channel opening (421) to the associated coupling connecting line (31) and/or to a flushing connection.