Double-Seated Valve Elastic Biasing for Leak-Free Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing valve arrangements in fluid power equipment, such as steam turbines, face challenges in achieving leak-free operation due to manufacturing precision issues, leading to incomplete seating of valve discs and subsequent steam leakage, which fails to meet industry standards like those set by the American Petroleum Institute.
Innovation Solution
A double seated valve arrangement with an elastic member that is biasable by the valve seats for secure closure, ensuring the valve discs maintain contact with the seats, utilizing a housing with a moveable member, valve heads, and elastic members like disc springs to resist compression and maintain sealing, even at high pressures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If a double seated valve arrangement is used to support regulation of large volumes of fluid at lower actuating force, then the actuating force requirement is reduced, but manufacturing precision issues cause valve discs to fail to simultaneously rest on both valve seats, resulting in steam leakage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an elastic member (spring) that changes the force parameters dynamically. The spring provides a biasing force that compensates for manufacturing tolerances and ensures both valve discs make simultaneous contact with their respective seats, maintaining sealing reliability while keeping actuating force requirements low.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic member acts as an intermediary between the valve discs and the actuating mechanism. It mediates the force distribution to ensure both valve seats are engaged properly, solving the precision positioning problem without requiring higher actuating forces or improved manufacturing precision.
2Device complexity
If a single seated valve arrangement is used to control fluid flow, then the design is simpler, but actuators must be operated at high pressures to circulate pressurized fluid, increasing complexity and cost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the single sealing function into two separate valve discs and valve seats. This segmentation allows the use of lower actuating pressures because the force is distributed across two seating surfaces, reducing the pressure requirement while maintaining effective flow control.
3Reliability
If manufacturing precision is increased to ensure simultaneous seating of valve discs, then sealing reliability improves, but manufacturing cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic member changes the force parameters to compensate for manufacturing tolerances. By introducing this spring element, the system can achieve reliable simultaneous seating of valve discs without requiring high-precision manufacturing, as the spring adjusts the positioning dynamically.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic member provides self-adjusting functionality that compensates for manufacturing variations. The spring automatically adjusts to ensure proper seating of both valve discs, eliminating the need for precision manufacturing while maintaining sealing reliability.
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 solution provides a cost-effective, simple design that ensures leak-free operation by maintaining secure contact between valve heads and seats, enhancing the reliability and compliance of fluid power equipment with industry standards.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic member biasable by the valve seats for secure closing of the valve discs bearing against the valve seats
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3
AI summary
A valve arrangement (100) having a housing (101), a moveable member (102), at least one valve head (103, 104) positioned on the moveable member (102), at least one valve seat (105, 106) positioned within the housing (101), and an elastic member (107), at least partially, bearing against the housing (101) is provided. The moveable member (102) is displaceable inside the housing (101), between a closed position when at least one valve head (103, 104) is bearing against at least one valve seat (105, 106) and an open position when at least one valve head (103, 104) is axially cleared from at least one valve seat (105, 106). The elastic member (107) is biasable by at least one valve seat (105, 106) in the closed position. The elastic member (107) establishes a secure contact between at least one valve seat (105, 106) and at least one valve head (103, 104) in the closed position.