Cryogenic Control Valve Cage Assembly for Single-Fastener Maintenance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Maintenance of cryogenic control valves is complex and time-consuming due to the need to loosen two threaded sleeves for replacing the valve seat, which increases labor and costs.
Innovation Solution
A control valve design where the circulation barrier and valve cage are jointly fixed via contact pressure surfaces and a single fastening means, allowing the valve seat and cage to be removed as a unit for simplified maintenance, with the fastening means being a threaded sleeve that can be easily loosened.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If two threaded sleeves are used to separately brace the circulation barrier and valve cage assembly, then the components are securely fixed in the valve housing, but maintenance becomes complex and time-consuming requiring loosening of multiple fastenings
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the fixation of the circulation barrier and valve cage assembly into a single threaded sleeve structure. This single fastening means simultaneously secures both components that were previously required separate fastenings, thereby reducing maintenance complexity while maintaining secure fixation.
2Strength
If two threaded sleeves are used for bracing components, then adequate support is provided, but the number of fastening means increases making maintenance more expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the function of two separate threaded sleeves into a single threaded sleeve that provides support for both the circulation barrier and valve cage assembly. This reduces the number of fastening means from two to one while maintaining adequate component support.
3Stability of the object's composition
If multiple fastening means are used to secure valve components, then the components are firmly held in place, but access to internal components requires loosening multiple fastenings
Solution Approach 1:
The patent consolidates multiple fastening operations into a single fastening operation by using one threaded sleeve to secure both the circulation barrier and valve cage assembly. This reduces maintenance time by eliminating the need to loosen multiple separate fastenings while preserving stable component positioning.
Data Source
AI summary
A control valve incorporates a valve housing with a main body having a valve inlet and valve outlet, a valve seat in the flow duct between the valve inlet and valve outlet, a valve cage in the flow duct between the valve inlet and valve outlet, and a valve member which is movable in the axial direction (a) relative to the valve seat and valve cage and connectable to an actuator rod of a drive via a drive rod. The valve housing has an extension body extending the main body in the axial direction (a) and a valve cover which closes the extension body and through which the actuator rod can sealably pass. The control valve further includes a circulation barrier in the valve housing which prevents circulation of a process medium in the extension body. The circulation barrier and the valve cage are in contact with each other via contact pressure surfaces opposite one another in the axial direction (a). The circulation barrier and valve cage components are jointly fixed in the valve housing via a fastening means.