Dual-Flapper Check Valve Layout for Vibration Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing check valve designs experience vibration and potential damage due to the transfer of forces between flappers when they open and close, particularly when impacting the stop pin or valve housing, which can lead to issues like cracking.
Innovation Solution
The design features two flappers with separate pivot axes that are laterally spaced and generally parallel, each mounted on opposed mounts with flapper spindles, and a stop element to control their movement, reducing vibration transmission and impact forces by distributing forces symmetrically and using secondary flapper elements to reduce the moment of inertia.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If flappers are hingedly supported on a common hinge pin, then the structure is simple and compact, but vibrations are transferred between flappers during opening and closing causing impact damage
Solution Approach 1:
The common hinge pin structure is segmented into separate hinge pins for each flapper. Each flapper is now supported by its own independent hinge pin rather than sharing a common hinge, which isolates the vibration and impact forces to individual flappers and prevents transfer between them.
2Volume of moving object
If flappers are mounted close to the valve opening for compact design, then the device size is reduced, but impact forces with the stop pin or housing increase causing cracking
Solution Approach 1:
A stop element is introduced to provide a controlled stopping point for the flappers. This stop element absorbs and distributes the impact forces that would otherwise be concentrated on the flappers during closing, reducing the risk of cracking while maintaining compact dimensions.
Data Source
AI summary
A check valve has a valve housing defining a first valve opening and a second valve opening. A first flapper is pivotably mounted around a first axis for rotation relative to the housing between an open position at which it permits fluid flow through the first valve opening and a closed position at which it prevents fluid flow through the first valve opening. A second flapper is pivotably mounted around a second axis for rotation relative to the housing between an open position at which it permits fluid flow through the second valve opening and a closed position at which it prevents fluid flow through the second valve opening. The first axis is spaced laterally from the second axis. A method is also disclosed.