Cryogenic Tank Valve Seat Design for Lower Opening Force

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Solution Overview

Problem

Tank valves for liquefied gases face challenges due to high hydrostatic pressure, which requires strong forces to open and close, leading to design complexities and costs in the traction system, especially at low temperatures.

Innovation Solution

The tank valve design features a valve seat with two contact areas and a tubular casing for the valve disc, reducing the surface area exposed to hydrostatic pressure, with a u-shaped cross-section and elastic elements to counterbalance pressure and ensure sealing at low temperatures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a plate-shaped valve disc is used to close the discharge pipe, then sealing is achieved, but the surface area exposed to hydrostatic pressure is large, requiring strong forces to open and close the valve

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesealingVSAvoidforce required to open valve

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The valve disc is segmented into a plate-shaped part and a tubular part, where the plate-shaped part provides sealing contact with the valve seat while the tubular part reduces the surface area exposed to hydrostatic pressure. This segmentation allows the valve to maintain reliable sealing while reducing the force required to open it.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Strength

If the valve disc is designed to withstand impact from hydrostatic pressure, then durability is improved, but the traction device must overcome several tons of force to open the valve

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevalve disc durabilityVSAvoidtraction device complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the valve disc into plate-shaped and tubular parts, the sealing function is separated from the pressure-bearing function. The plate-shaped part ensures durability through direct contact with the valve seat, while the tubular part minimizes pressure exposure, reducing the force the traction device must overcome.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The plate-shaped sealing surface is extracted from the main valve disc body and positioned to contact the valve seat, while the tubular part remains to minimize hydrostatic pressure exposure. This extraction allows the sealing function to be fulfilled with minimal pressure-bearing surface area.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Reliability

If a large surface area valve disc is used, then sealing contact is improved, but the tank roof must be designed to support very stable high forces

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing contactVSAvoidtank roof structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSWeight of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The valve disc is segmented so that only the necessary plate-shaped portion contacts the valve seat for sealing, while the tubular portion minimizes the overall surface area. This reduces the total force transmitted to the tank roof, allowing for a lighter structural design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

4Reliability

If the valve works at low temperatures in liquefied gas, then storage functionality is achieved, but soft seal elements cannot be used

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelow temperature functionalityVSAvoidsealing element selection

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The invention uses a metal-to-metal sealing contact between the plate-shaped part of the valve disc and the valve seat, eliminating the need for soft seal elements that cannot withstand low temperatures. This metal sealing interface is durable and suitable for cryogenic applications.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

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 design reduces the force required to open and close the valve, allowing for a lighter and cheaper tank roof structure while maintaining functionality at extreme temperatures without soft seal elements.

Implementation Method 1

elastic elements to counterbalance pressure

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

tubular casing for the valve disc, reducing the surface area exposed to hydrostatic pressure, with a u-shaped cross-section

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGeometry: Geometry

Implementation Method 3

due to the gravity and hydrostatic pressure of the liquid gas acting on it, the valve disc moves downwards and into the closed position

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravitation: Gravitation

Implementation Method 4

due to the gravity and hydrostatic pressure of the liquid gas acting on it

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydrostatic pressure: Pressure Increase

Data Source

PatentUS11112013B2Tank valve and tank with such a valve

Publication Date: 2021.09.07 LEINEMANN

AI summary

A tank valve with a valve seat and a valve disc can be displaced relative to the valve seat along a displacement direction into either a closed position or a through-flow position. The valve seat includes a plate shaped part and a ring-shaped part. The valve disc has a first contact area which contacts the first plate shaped part of the valve seat when the tank valve is in the closed position. The valve disc also has a second contact area which is in contact with a second part of the valve seat when it is in the closed position.