Diaphragm Valve Cradle Support for Overpressure Fatigue

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing valves for pressurized fluid devices, particularly those used in coating products, face issues with diaphragm deterioration or tearing due to fatigue and sudden pressure variations, leading to potential damage and leakage, especially when the coating product hardens upon drying.

Innovation Solution

A valve design featuring a diaphragm with an annular membrane that is supported by an annular cradle, which distributes the mechanical stress of overpressure, reducing the risk of tearing and allowing controlled deformation to prevent excessive stretching or folding, thus enhancing the diaphragm's lifespan.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the diaphragm is made flexible to allow deformation under pressure, then the valve can accommodate pressure variations, but the diaphragm becomes susceptible to fatigue and tearing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepressure accommodationVSAvoiddiaphragm durability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a diaphragm as a flexible membrane to seal around the piston stem, allowing the valve to accommodate pressure variations. The diaphragm's flexibility enables it to deform under pressure while maintaining the seal, directly addressing the adaptability requirement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a support structure (such as a rigid backing or reinforcement) behind the diaphragm to prevent excessive deformation and tearing. This support structure acts as a cushion that limits the diaphragm's deformation under pressure, thereby preventing fatigue and tearing while still allowing necessary flexibility for pressure accommodation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

2Reliability

If the diaphragm material is made more resistant to chemical aggression and drying, then the lifespan is extended, but the material becomes less flexible and more prone to cracking

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvechemical resistanceVSAvoidflexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes composite material construction for the diaphragm, combining materials with complementary properties. The composite structure provides both chemical resistance and flexibility, allowing the diaphragm to withstand aggressive pressurized fluids and drying conditions while maintaining the necessary elasticity to deform under pressure without cracking.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Reliability

If the diaphragm is designed to withstand sudden pressure variations, then the valve reliability improves, but the mechanical stress on the diaphragm increases leading to fatigue

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepressure shock resistanceVSAvoiddiaphragm service life

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent modifies the diaphragm's physical parameters, such as thickness, material composition, or structural configuration, to optimize its response to pressure variations. By adjusting these parameters, the diaphragm can better withstand sudden pressure shocks while minimizing the mechanical stress that leads to fatigue, thus extending its service life.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 effectively reduces the risk of diaphragm deterioration and improves the control over the membrane's geometry under pressure, preventing accidental folding and extending the valve's operational lifespan by distributing the mechanical stress of overpressure.

Implementation Method 1

The diaphragm is configured to be elastically deformed between: an initial shape, where the annular membrane is distant from the annular cradle... and stretching shapes, where the annular membrane comes into contact with, and conforms to, the annular cradle

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP4502440A1Valve and pressurized fluid apparatus

Publication Date: 2025.02.05 EXEL INDUSTRIES

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AI summary

The present invention relates to a valve (3), comprising a body (30) having a central conduit (33) receiving a sliding piston (50), and a diaphragm (80) connecting the body to the piston by surrounding the piston. The diaphragm includes an annular membrane (83) for separating the central conduit from a pressurized fluid chamber (25). The body (30) includes an annular cradle (43) extending radially between the central conduit and a peripheral annular ring (81) of the diaphragm. The diaphragm adopts an initial shape, where the annular membrane is distant from the annular cradle, when the piston is in a distal position and no overpressure occurs. The diaphragm is elastically deformed to stretched shapes, where the annular membrane comes into contact with, and conforms to, the annular cradle, under the effect of an overpressure occurring in the pressurized fluid chamber.