Aerospace Cryogenic Electrovalve with Nested Shutter Actuation
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Solution Overview
Problem
High-pressure gas valves with split shutters face challenges in progressive opening movement and pressure peak issues, leading to complex manufacturing and potential equipment damage in aerospace applications.
Innovation Solution
A valve design featuring a main shutter and auxiliary shutter with a drive surface and lugs for progressive opening, where the auxiliary shutter drives the main shutter using a bayonet coupling mechanism, allowing controlled flow regulation and pressure balance to reduce opening force and prevent peak pressures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If a split shutter design with auxiliary shutter is used to reduce opening force, then the opening force is reduced, but the manufacturing complexity increases and the opening movement becomes non-progressive
Solution Approach 1:
The auxiliary shutter is nested inside the main shutter, with the auxiliary shutter rod passing through the main shutter body. The auxiliary shutter operates within the confines of the main shutter structure, creating a compact nested arrangement that reduces overall complexity while maintaining the pressure balance function.
Solution Approach 2:
The auxiliary shutter acts as an intermediary element that mediates between the actuator and the main shutter. It first opens to balance pressures, then drives the main shutter opening, providing a controlled intermediate step that simplifies the overall actuation mechanism while enabling progressive opening.
2Speed
If the auxiliary shutter opens quickly to balance pressure, then the pressure balance is achieved faster, but pressure peaks are generated that can damage equipment
Solution Approach 1:
The valve opening is divided into periodic stages: first the auxiliary shutter opens to balance pressures, then the main shutter opens. This staged periodic action prevents sudden pressure peaks by controlling the sequence and timing of shutter movements, protecting associated equipment from damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The auxiliary shutter opens beforehand to balance pressures before the main shutter opens. This prior action cushions the pressure differential that would otherwise cause damaging pressure peaks during main shutter opening, protecting the system from harmful pressure surges.
3Force
If the auxiliary shutter drives the main shutter directly, then the opening force is reduced, but the opening movement is not progressive
Solution Approach 1:
The valve system transitions from a static direct-drive mechanism to a dynamic staged-opening mechanism. The auxiliary shutter first moves independently to balance pressures, then engages to drive the main shutter. This dynamic sequencing enables progressive opening while maintaining reduced actuation forces throughout the process.
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 achieves a more progressive opening movement, slows down the start of the opening, and reduces the opening force, enhancing the valve's reliability and safety in high-pressure applications while maintaining sealing capabilities above 50 bar.
Implementation Method 1
An electrovalve is generally fitted with an actuator, for example a solenoid which drives a shutter of a valve between a closed position and an open position
Implementation Method 2
the pressure exerts a closing force against the shutter which is proportional to said pressure
Data Source
AI summary
The present application relates to a valve for a cryogenic gas. The valve includes a body with a main inlet, a main outlet, and a main passage. The valve also includes a main shutter for the main passage, the main shutter including an auxiliary inlet, an auxiliary outlet, and an auxiliary passage, in which an auxiliary shutter is arranged, which includes a closing surface configured to close the auxiliary outlet and be able to drive the main shutter in the closing direction, and a drive surface configured to drive the main shutter in the opening direction, while resting on the edge of the auxiliary inlet and blocking the auxiliary inlet partially in order to brake the flow there. The drive surface is formed by drive lugs which are connected to a head of the auxiliary shutter. The lugs form a bayonet coupling between the shutters. The present application also relates to an electrovalve.