Concentric Dual-Seat Valve Assembly for Compact Flow Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Small valve assemblies face challenges in achieving high flow rates and accurate flow control due to restricted plunger stroke length and valve seat cross-sectional area, leading to complex designs, increased costs, and unpredictable manufacturability.
Innovation Solution
A valve assembly with concentric inner and outer valve seats, where the inner valve member is a separate component from the outer valve member, aligned using radial and axial alignment means, allowing for efficient manufacturing and improved flow characteristics by providing dual fluid pathways through the moveable plunger.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the plunger stroke length and valve seat cross-sectional area are increased to achieve high flow rates, then the flow rate improves, but the valve size and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The valve is divided into multiple segments: an inner valve member with an inner valve seat and an outer valve member with an outer valve seat. This segmentation allows the creation of multiple flow paths (inner flow path and outer annular flow path) without increasing the overall valve size, thereby maintaining high productivity while controlling device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The inner valve member is nested within the outer valve member, with the inner valve seat positioned concentrically inside the outer valve seat. This nesting arrangement enables dual flow paths to coexist within a compact valve body, achieving high flow rates without proportionally increasing valve dimensions or structural complexity.
2Manufacturing precision
If multiple valve parts are used to achieve accurate flow control, then the flow control precision improves, but the manufacturing cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The valve is segmented into functional components (inner valve member, outer valve member, moveable plunger) that can be manufactured separately with standard tolerances and then assembled. This segmentation achieves accurate flow control through the coordinated action of multiple parts while avoiding the need for extremely complex single-piece designs that would be difficult and expensive to manufacture.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve utilizes a concentric, multi-layered spatial arrangement with inner and outer flow paths operating in parallel. This dimensional organization allows independent control of flow characteristics through each path while maintaining a compact overall structure, achieving precise flow control without linearly increasing the number of parts.
3Volume of moving object
If the valve is designed with a compact size, then the weight and space requirements are reduced, but the flow rate capability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The inner valve member is nested within the outer valve member, creating a compact concentric structure. This nesting allows dual flow paths to be packed into a small volume, maintaining high flow rate capability while minimizing the overall valve size and weight.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve flow path is segmented into an inner flow path and an outer annular flow path that operate in parallel. This segmentation effectively doubles the flow capacity within a compact valve body, as both paths contribute to the total flow rate without requiring a proportional increase in valve dimensions.
4Manufacturing precision
If tight tolerances are applied to control flow characteristics, then the flow control accuracy improves, but the manufacturability and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The valve is divided into separate manufacturable components (inner valve member, outer valve member, plunger) that can be produced using standard manufacturing processes with conventional tolerances. The assembly of these segmented parts achieves the required flow control accuracy without requiring extremely tight tolerances on individual components, thereby improving ease of manufacture and reducing cost.
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
This design enhances flow rates and reduces turbulence for small valves, achieving better control over fluid volume and pressure sensitivity while simplifying the manufacturing process and reducing costs.
Implementation Method 1
The energized solenoid generates a magnetic field. The strength of the magnetic field is proportional to the number of turns as well as the electrical current provided to the wire.
Implementation Method 2
an electric current passes through an electromagnetic coil, with the coil typically formed around a magnetic core
Implementation Method 3
the valve also includes a spring or other biasing member that generates a biasing force in opposition to the magnetic field
Data Source
AI summary
A valve assembly having an inner and outer concentric valve seat. The inner valve seat is arranged radially inward of the outer valve seat to provide an annular opening therebetween. A movable plunger moves between a closed position and an open position to vary a flow restriction at the inner and outer valve seats and simultaneously seal the inner and outer valve seats in the closed position. An inner and outer valve member comprise the inner and outer valve seats and are separate components mounted in fixed relation to one another. The inner and outer valves seats are radially aligned to maintain concentricity of the inner valve seat relative to the outer valve seat and axially aligned to maintain axial alignment of the inner valve seat relative to the outer valve along an axis, wherein the axis is substantially orthogonal to a plane of the inner and outer valve seats.