Double Poppet Coupling With Low-Pressure-Drop Serviceable Valve
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Solution Overview
Problem
Double poppet valve couplings in prior art suffer from high pressure drops and complex service procedures, requiring replacement or retrieval of the entire coupling.
Innovation Solution
A double poppet valve coupling design featuring two coupling halves with poppet valve assemblies, an anchoring element, a poppet element, and a spring, where the poppet element is preloaded to close the bore and can be easily replaced via a releasable valve seat ring, and the use of additive manufacturing for the anchoring element and plate elements to minimize pressure drop and facilitate service.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the entire coupling is replaced during service, then reliability is maintained, but device complexity and service time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling is divided into modular components: coupling halves, valve seat rings, and poppet elements. This segmentation allows selective replacement of only the defective poppet element rather than the entire coupling, reducing service complexity while maintaining reliability through targeted component replacement.
Solution Approach 2:
The design enables recovery and replacement of specific wear-prone components (poppet elements) while retaining functional components (coupling halves, valve seat rings). This selective replacement strategy reduces waste and service time compared to replacing the entire coupling assembly.
2Reliability
If the through-going bore is closed by the poppet element, then sealing is achieved, but pressure drop increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing function is localized to the poppet seal surface and poppet seat interface, while the through-going bore maintains its full diameter for fluid flow. This local quality approach ensures sealing where needed without restricting overall flow capacity, minimizing pressure drop.
Solution Approach 2:
The conical poppet seal surface and matching poppet seat create a curved sealing interface that provides reliable sealing through surface conformity. The curved geometry ensures consistent contact under pressure while maintaining an open flow path through the cylindrical bore.
3Reliability
If the poppet element is fixed in position, then sealing reliability is improved, but ease of repair deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The poppet element is designed with dynamic characteristics - preloaded by a spring to ensure sealing reliability during operation, but capable of being easily extracted when needed for replacement. The valve seat ring provides a releasable connection that maintains operational reliability while enabling simplified maintenance.
Solution Approach 2:
The poppet element is designed to be extractable from the coupling half through the valve seat ring interface. This extraction capability allows removal and replacement of the sealing component without disassembling the entire coupling, improving ease of repair while maintaining sealing reliability through proper installation procedures.
4Manufacturing precision
If traditional manufacturing methods are used for the anchoring element, then manufacturing precision is achieved, but pressure drop increases
Solution Approach 1:
Additive manufacturing changes the manufacturing parameters and process methodology for the anchoring element, allowing complex internal geometries and optimized flow paths that reduce pressure drop while maintaining or improving manufacturing precision through digital modeling and controlled deposition processes.
Solution Approach 2:
Additive manufacturing enables three-dimensional construction of the anchoring element with internal features and flow path optimizations that are difficult or impossible to achieve with traditional subtractive manufacturing methods. This dimensional freedom allows design of flow paths that minimize pressure drop while maintaining precise dimensional tolerances.
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 design reduces pressure drop and simplifies service procedures by allowing for easy replacement of the poppet element and maintaining fluid tightness, while additive manufacturing enables a compact and efficient fluid flow path.
Implementation Method 1
the spring is arranged between the poppet element and the anchoring element and preloads the poppet element to abut against the poppet seat, closing the through-going bore
Implementation Method 2
the end section comprises a poppet seal surface for interaction with the poppet seat
Implementation Method 3
the first and the second coupling halves are coupled together by an intermediate connecting element forming a seal between the first connecting ends of the coupling halves
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
The present invention provides a double poppet valve coupling comprising a first coupling half (1) and a second coupling half (2), wherein each of the first and second coupling halves comprises a housing (3) and a poppet valve assembly (7) with a spring biased poppel element (9), wherein the housing comprises a through-going bore (4), a first connecting end (5), a second connecting end (6) and a poppet seat (11), and the first and the second coupling halves may be coupled together via their respective first connecting ends (5) such that the respective poppet valve assemblies are opened providing a continuous flow path through the coupling; the end section of the poppet element comprises a pressure equalizing fluid channel (36a,36b).