Crossover Switching Valve Linear Occluders High-Pressure Wear
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Solution Overview
Problem
Rotating crossover valves in fluid pumping systems face challenges when operating under high pressures and with fluids containing coarse particles, leading to wear and tear, leakage, and frequent replacement due to the inability to maintain continuous operation.
Innovation Solution
A crossover switching valve design with linearly translating occluders and actuators that provide continuous fluid flow and direction control, allowing for fluid communication between different ports of a double-acting pump, reducing wear by minimizing particle accumulation and enhancing longevity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a rotating crossover valve is used to control fluid flow in a double-acting pump, then fluid direction control and continuous flow are achieved, but the valve experiences significant wear and tear from coarse particles, leading to frequent replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The valve is divided into separate functional components: a stationary valve body, movable occluders, and actuators. This segmentation allows the occluders to be replaced independently without replacing the entire valve assembly, addressing the reliability issue while maintaining continuous flow capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve uses dynamically movable occluders that translate linearly to switch fluid flow paths, replacing the static rotating design. This dynamic mechanism provides continuous flow control while reducing wear from particle accumulation in the flow paths.
2Stress or pressure
If a rotating crossover valve operates under high pressure (exceeding 3,000 psi), then the pump can handle high-pressure applications, but the valve performance degrades due to wear and leakage
Solution Approach 1:
The design extracts the wear-prone rotating fluid director and replaces it with stationary valve walls and movable occluders. This separation removes the harmful rotating interface from high-pressure operation, allowing the valve to maintain performance stability under 3,000 psi while handling the pressure load.
3Adaptability or versatility
If coarse particles are present in the pumped fluid, then the pump can handle abrasive fluids, but the particles are drawn into the valve and cause significant wear on the fluid director and housing
Solution Approach 1:
The occluders act as intermediaries between the high-pressure fluid paths and the valve housing. These movable components can be made of wear-resistant materials and replaced independently, protecting the stationary housing from particle-induced wear while maintaining fluid compatibility with abrasive substances.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention involves several different embodiments related to a crossover switching valve. The crossover switching valve is preferably designed to receive fluid from a reservoir, or other fluid source, and direct the inflow and outflow of the fluid between the valve and one or more pumps. In one embodiment, the valve is configured to provide a substantially continuous flow rate when used in connection with a double acting pump. In another embodiment, the valve preferably includes an inflow port, an outflow port, and first and second ports configured to be fluidly connected to at least one pump. Another embodiment of the present invention is a conduit that preferably provides fluid communication between the first and second ports. Yet another embodiment is a fluid director that is preferably configured to alter flow of fluid through the conduit. In some embodiments, the inflow port is in fluid communication with the first port while the outflow port is in fluid communication with the second port. In other embodiments, the inflow port is in fluid communication with the second port while the outflow port is in fluid communication with the first port. Also disclosed is a pumping system that incorporates the crossover switching valve and a pump.