Diverter Valve Bypass for Piggable Paint Flow Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing piggable paint systems face challenges in efficiently isolating main paint lines from flow control devices, allowing pigs to travel during reclaim and cleaning, while also enabling paint flow to the flow control device as needed.
Innovation Solution
A diverter valve with a bypass member featuring a passage through its axis and multiple notches, allowing it to switch between open and flow control positions, thereby facilitating the diversion of paint flow from the main line to the flow control device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a traditional valve design is used to isolate main paint lines from flow control devices, then flow control can be achieved, but the system complexity increases and downtime for maintenance increases
Solution Approach 1:
The valve body is segmented into multiple ports (inlet, main line outlet, flow control outlet) with a bypass member that can independently control different flow paths. This segmentation allows simultaneous isolation of main paint lines from flow control devices while maintaining simpler overall system architecture through modular flow control.
2Productivity
If pigs are allowed to travel during reclaim and cleaning, then maintenance efficiency improves, but flow control capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The bypass member is designed to be dynamically positionable between different orientations, allowing it to switch between blocking the flow control outlet (enabling pig travel during maintenance) and allowing flow control operation. This dynamic reconfiguration maintains both maintenance efficiency and flow control capability at different operational phases.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the bypass member has multiple notches and a central passage, then flow control versatility improves, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The bypass member is designed as a universal component with a central passage and multiple notches that can perform multiple functions: controlling main line flow, controlling flow control outlet flow, and allowing pig passage during maintenance. This multi-functionality in a single component achieves flow control versatility without requiring multiple separate parts, thereby reducing overall manufacturing complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A diverter valve can include an inlet; a main line outlet; a flow control outlet; and a bypass member, wherein the bypass member comprises a passage extending through an axis of the bypass member and a plurality of notches. In some embodiments, the diverter valve can provide that the bypass member is configured to be switchable between an open position that allows a flow from the inlet to the main line outlet and a flow control position that allows flow from the inlet to the flow control outlet.