Diaphragm Valve Dynamic Clamping for Membrane Aging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Diaphragm valves experience use-related aging due to entropy-elastic deformation and temperature changes, leading to impaired tightness and the need for frequent retightening or membrane replacement.
Innovation Solution
A diaphragm valve design where a first section of the membrane is statically clamped between two sections with a prestressing device, and a second section is dynamically clamped radially, allowing for material flow and self-adjustment to compensate for temperature changes and pressure fluctuations, while maintaining constant geometric conditions and improving sealing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the membrane is rigidly clamped between housing parts to prevent migration, then the membrane position stability is improved, but the membrane service life deteriorates due to entropy-elastic deformation and permanent stress
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a dynamic clamping mechanism using spring elements that allow the membrane to be held in position while accommodating entropy-elastic deformation. The spring elements provide constant pressing force that adapts to membrane thickness variations and material flow, replacing rigid clamping with a dynamic system that maintains both position stability and membrane service life.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the clamping parameters from fixed rigid contact to variable spring-based contact. The spring elements can adjust their compression level based on membrane properties, allowing the same clamping mechanism to work with different membrane materials and thicknesses while preventing both migration and permanent deformation.
2Reliability
If the membrane is rigidly clamped to prevent material flow, then the tightness is improved, but the adaptability to temperature changes and pressure fluctuations deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The dynamic clamping system with spring elements allows the membrane to expand and contract in response to temperature changes and pressure fluctuations while maintaining tightness. The spring elements adjust their force dynamically, providing constant pressing without rigid constraints that would prevent thermal expansion.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different clamping characteristics to different regions of the membrane. The spring elements provide localized dynamic clamping at specific points, allowing the membrane to flow and adapt in other areas while maintaining tightness where needed.
3Reliability
If the clamping force is increased to maintain tightness, then the sealing is improved, but the drive mechanism complexity and required spring force increase
Solution Approach 1:
The spring elements automatically adjust their compression level to maintain optimal clamping force based on membrane properties and operating conditions. This self-adjusting mechanism eliminates the need for complex control systems or high initial spring forces, as the springs naturally adapt to maintain tightness throughout the membrane's service life.
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 extends the membrane's service life, enhances sealing, and allows for a weaker drive mechanism with lower spring force, while maintaining tightness and adaptability to different membrane properties.
Implementation Method 1
The second clamping section 32 is supported by means of a pretensioning device 38 on a counter bearing section 26 which is rigidly connected to the first clamping section 30. The biasing means 38 presses the second clamping section 32 toward the first clamping section 30.
Implementation Method 2
Diaphragms for diaphragm valves are subject to use-related aging, which is influenced, among other things, by the number of switching cycles and temperature changes. This aging is accompanied, for example, by permanent, entropy-elastic deformation of the membrane
Data Source
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AI summary
A diaphragm valve (2) is proposed, comprising a diaphragm (16) which is movable along an actuation axis (14) to open and close a fluid channel (8). A first section of the diaphragm (16), facing away from the actuation axis (14), is clamped between a first clamping section (30) and a second clamping section (32).