Dual-Axis Valve Seat Retainer for Replaceable High-Purity Seals
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional high purity valves used in semiconductor fabrication at elevated temperatures face issues with crimped or welded valve seats, which lead to surface damage and corrosion, and make it difficult to replace the valve seats, resulting in wasted time and scrap.
Innovation Solution
A flexible dual-axis valve seat retainer is used to secure the valve seat, providing both axial and lateral support to prevent extrusion and corrosion, allowing for easy replacement without damaging the valve body surface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a metal body is crimped over soft valve seat material to retain the valve seat, then the valve seat is secured in place, but the valve body material surface is disrupted and chrome oxide layer is broken, leading to corrosion susceptibility
Solution Approach 1:
A separate valve seat retainer component is introduced as an intermediary between the valve body and valve seat. The retainer has a crimped or rolled configuration that secures the valve seat, while the valve body surface remains intact and undisturbed, preserving the chrome oxide corrosion-resistant layer.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve seat retention function is segmented into a separate retainer component rather than being integrated into the valve body itself. This allows the retention mechanism to be applied without disrupting the valve body's corrosion-resistant surface.
2Reliability
If a valve seat is attached by crimping to prevent extrusion, then the valve seat is securely retained, but the valve seat cannot be readily removed and replaced, resulting in wasted time and scrap of expensive welded or crimped valve assemblies
Solution Approach 1:
The valve seat retention system is divided into separable components: the valve seat, the retainer, and the valve body. The retainer can be independently removed from the valve body, allowing the valve seat to be replaced without damaging the valve body or requiring expensive welding operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The retainer is designed as a reusable component that can be removed, reused, or replaced independently. When the valve seat needs replacement, the retainer is removed along with the old valve seat, and a new valve seat is installed on the same retainer, recovering the expensive retainer component while replacing only the consumable valve seat.
3Ease of manufacture
If the valve body material is displaced during crimping to secure the valve seat, then the valve seat is retained, but the material surface is disrupted breaking through the chrome oxide layer, leaving the valve body subject to corrosion
Solution Approach 1:
The retainer acts as an intermediary component that performs the crimping or rolling operation on the valve seat without requiring displacement of the valve body material. This preserves the chrome oxide surface layer on the valve body while still achieving secure valve seat retention.
Solution Approach 2:
The retainer replicates the valve body's crimped or rolled configuration to provide the necessary retention force, allowing the valve body itself to maintain its original smooth, corrosion-resistant surface without being subjected to disruptive forming operations.
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 flexible dual-axis valve seat retainer ensures a well-supported valve seat that can be readily replaced, preventing surface damage and corrosion, and maintaining operational integrity at elevated temperatures.
Implementation Method 1
The flexible valve seat retainer is deflected under load within the valve assembly. In this manner, the flexible valve seat retainer is configured to transmit a force constantly applied from the valve actuator when fully assembled into an axial force for holding the valve seat in place. At the same time, deflection of the valve seat retainer drives the valve seat retainer laterally inward against the valve seat, thereby transmitting a lateral force on the valve seat for laterally supporting the valve seat to prevent extrusion
Data Source
AI summary
A valve assembly includes a valve body defining a valve passage and a valve seat disposed within the valve body. The valve assembly also includes a valve actuator moveable between a closed position in which the valve actuator is sealed against the valve seat to close the valve passage and an open position in which the valve actuator is spaced apart from the valve seat to open the valve passage. The valve assembly includes a valve seat retainer disposed within the valve body in contact with the valve seat. The valve seat retainer is configured to impart both an axial support force and a lateral support force on the valve seat to prevent extrusion of the valve seat when the valve actuator is sealed against the valve seat in the closed position.