Double Diaphragm Valve for Granular Material Flow Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing valves for granular material are prone to blocking and failure, especially in unmanned systems like atmospheric balloons, due to mechanical failures caused by harsh environmental conditions, and lack resistance to single or multiple failures, making them unsuitable for reliable control of granular material flow.
Innovation Solution
A valve system with multiple diaphragms and rings, where each ring can operate independently, allowing the valve to maintain functionality even if one or more rings fail, and featuring a flexible sleeve design that can be actuated redundantly to ensure continuous operation, with assistance mechanisms like spacer wires to facilitate opening in challenging conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a simple motor-actuated flexible sleeve valve is used, then the device can be manually operated and has simple structure, but it blocks easily and lacks resistance to failure in harsh environmental conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The valve is divided into multiple independent diaphragms (upstream diaphragm with upstream and intermediate rings, downstream diaphragm with downstream ring), where each segment can operate independently. This segmentation ensures that failure of one segment does not cause complete valve failure, thereby improving reliability while maintaining manageable structural complexity through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve is designed with preliminary redundant actuation paths before failure occurs. Multiple rings (upstream, intermediate, downstream) are equipped with independent actuation capabilities, so that if one actuation mechanism fails, alternative paths are already in place to maintain valve operation, preventing blocking and ensuring continuous functionality.
2Reliability
If manual actuation is used for valve operation, then the structure is simple, but it is not suitable for unmanned systems where resistance to single failure is required
Solution Approach 1:
The actuation system is segmented into multiple independent rings (upstream ring, intermediate ring, downstream ring), each capable of independent actuation. This allows the valve to be operated automatically through multiple redundant pathways, making it suitable for unmanned systems where resistance to single failure is critical.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve design changes the actuation parameter from single-point manual operation to multi-point automated actuation. By distributing actuation across multiple rings with independent control capabilities, the system achieves automatic operation with built-in redundancy, enabling unmanned deployment while maintaining high reliability.
3Reliability
If multiple diaphragms and rings are used for redundant control, then the valve resists multiple failures, but the device becomes more complex and larger
Solution Approach 1:
The valve employs a nested arrangement where rings and diaphragms are positioned concentrically along the flow path. The upstream ring, intermediate ring, and downstream ring are arranged in sequence with diaphragms nested between them, creating a compact multi-component structure that achieves resistance to multiple failures without excessive complexity or size.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple functional elements (rings, diaphragms, actuation mechanisms) are merged into an integrated valve assembly where components work together in a coordinated manner. This merging reduces the overall system complexity compared to having separate redundant valves, while maintaining the ability to resist multiple failures through the integrated redundant pathways.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the valve is designed for harsh atmospheric conditions, then it can operate in low temperature and low pressure, but the mechanical components are more prone to failure
Solution Approach 1:
The valve is designed with preliminary redundant actuation paths and flexible diaphragms before exposure to harsh conditions. The flexible material composition and multiple actuation paths are prepared in advance to compensate for the increased susceptibility to mechanical failure in low temperature and low pressure environments, maintaining reliability despite harsh operating conditions.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a device for controlling a flow of granular material, comprising a conduit (21), at least two diaphragms, an upstream ring (23) for moving a first diaphragm between an open and a closed form, a downstream ring for opening or closing a second diaphragm, an intermediate ring (24) for opening or closing the diaphragms, such that a relative rotation between upstream ring (23) and intermediate ring (24) opens or closes the first diaphragm and a relative rotation between intermediate ring (24) and downstream ring (41) opens or closes the second diaphragm.