Double-Piston-Effect Valve Sealing via Hydrostatic Pressure Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional trunnion ball valves have complex valve seat designs, making assembly, replacement, and maintenance difficult, and are costly, while they rely on a single upstream seat for sealing, which can be inadequate.
Innovation Solution
A double-piston-effect valve with a central valve body, valve ball, and two valve endcaps, featuring piston rings with embedded O-rings and a hydrostatic pressure adjustment mechanism for bidirectional sealing, simplifying the design and improving sealing efficacy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single upstream valve seat is used for sealing, then the valve structure is simple, but the sealing effect is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the functions of upstream and downstream valve seats into a unified double-piston sealing structure. The piston ring integrates multiple sealing surfaces and O-ring grooves, merging the sealing functions that were previously distributed across separate upstream and downstream seats, thereby improving reliability without proportionally increasing complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The piston ring serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides sealing surfaces for both upstream and downstream directions, accommodates O-rings for additional sealing, and creates pressure differential zones. This multi-functionality improves the sealing effect while avoiding the need for separate dedicated components for each function
2Reliability
If a double piston effect structure is used to improve sealing, then the sealing effect is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses O-rings (flexible sealing elements) embedded in the piston ring to achieve sealing. This approach is more cost-effective than traditional metal-to-metal sealing surfaces, as O-rings are inexpensive, easy to manufacture, and provide reliable sealing with lower manufacturing costs compared to precision-machined complementary sealing surfaces
Solution Approach 2:
The piston ring acts as an intermediary component that simplifies the overall structure. Instead of requiring complex upstream and downstream valve seats with multiple sealing surfaces, the piston ring mediates the sealing function with a single integrated component, reducing the number of parts and assembly steps, thereby lowering manufacturing cost
3Reliability
If a complex valve seat design is used for double piston effect, then the sealing effect is improved, but the assembly and replacement difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The piston ring is designed as a separable component that can be independently installed and removed from the valve body. The O-rings are also separate elements that can be replaced without removing the entire piston ring. This segmentation allows for easy maintenance and replacement, improving ease of operation while maintaining the double-piston sealing effect
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 double-piston-effect valve achieves improved sealing and reduced manufacturing and maintenance costs, with automatic adjustment to high-pressure sides for effective sealing in both directions, suitable for petroleum and exploration industries.
Implementation Method 1
a sealing effect can be realized by a hydrostatic force induced from this differential pressure
Implementation Method 2
Two O-rings, including an inner O-ring and an outer O-ring, are embedded in the piston ring, which can realize a close cooperation between the piston ring and a valve seat insert
Data Source
AI summary
A double-piston-effect valve includes two valve seats symmetrically arranged in two valve endcaps at two sides, respectively. A piston ring is arranged on a rear of each of the valve seats, an inner O-ring groove is provided in the piston ring along an inner circumferential direction, an outer O-ring groove is arranged in the piston ring along an outer circumferential direction, an O-ring is fitted in each of the inner O-ring groove and the outer O-ring groove, and two semi-circular notches are symmetrically provided in a protruding portion of the piston ring.