Double Valve Seat Cleaning with Single-Actuator Flow Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing valve arrangements with double valves and seats are often complex and costly, requiring separate control mechanisms for cleaning, which complicates the design and increases costs.
Innovation Solution
A flow control arrangement with a first and second valve member, each movable into sealing engagement with respective seats, featuring a mixing opening and circumferentially extending gaskets that allow efficient cleaning by fluid flow during the transition from a closed to an open state, utilizing a single actuator for both valve members.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate control mechanisms are used for cleaning each valve member, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the control of both valve members into a single actuator that moves them together in a coordinated manner. The actuator simultaneously controls the first valve member relative to the first valve seat and the second valve member relative to the second valve seat, eliminating the need for separate control mechanisms while maintaining effective cleaning capability through the integrated cleaning fluid flow path.
Solution Approach 2:
The single actuator serves multiple functions: it controls both valve members for normal operation and simultaneously positions both valve members for cleaning operations. The cleaning fluid flow path also serves dual purposes by cleaning both valve members and their respective seats during the transition phase, reducing the need for dedicated cleaning mechanisms.
2Device complexity
If a single actuator is used for both valve members, then device complexity is reduced, but cleaning capability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically utilizes the transition phase between closed and open states for cleaning operations. During the brief period when valve members are moving and sealing positions are changing, cleaning fluid is directed through gaps to clean both valve members and seats. This dynamic approach converts a potentially problematic intermediate state into a useful cleaning opportunity without requiring additional actuators or complex control mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve arrangement performs self-cleaning during its normal operation cycle. The cleaning function is integrated into the transition between operational states, using the existing movement of valve members and the natural flow path of cleaning fluid to clean all sealing surfaces without requiring separate dedicated cleaning mechanisms or additional energy input beyond what is already used for valve operation.
3Speed
If valve members are moved simultaneously, then operation speed is improved, but cleaning time window is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system accepts that complete cleaning of all surfaces cannot occur simultaneously with full-speed valve operation. Instead, cleaning is performed partially during the transition phase, utilizing the brief period when valve members are moving. The cleaning fluid flow is optimized to maximize cleaning effectiveness during this limited time window, and the system design ensures that critical sealing surfaces are cleaned adequately even with the reduced time available.
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 enables efficient cleaning in a short time interval during the transition phase, reducing complexity and cost by using a single actuator and minimizing fluid stagnation between valve members.
Implementation Method 1
the first valve member is movable along a longitudinal direction into sealing engagement with a first valve seat and being movable along a direction opposite the longitudinal direction from said sealing engagement with a first valve seat, a second valve member being movable along the longitudinal direction into sealing engagement with a second valve seat
Implementation Method 2
cleaning fluid may flow through the gap between the lower valve member and the lower seat and thereby clean these surfaces
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 2a~2b
Figure 3~5
AI summary
A flow control arrangement (60) comprising a first and a second valve member (61, 62), wherein the second valve member (62) is, at an end facing the first valve member (61), formed with a circumferentially extending ringshaped surface (62b) facing with a major component in a longitudinal direction (L), a recess (62c) being surrounded by the ring-shaped surface (62b) and being configured to receive a portion of the first valve member (61), and a circumferentially extending edge (62d) formed in a transition between the ring-shaped surface (62b) and the recess (62c), wherein a second circumferentially extending gasket (61b) of the first valve member (61) is configured to sealingly interact with the circumferentially extending edge (62d) of the second valve member (62) when the double valve is in the open state. Also disclosed is a method of cleaning such a flow control arrangement (60).