Nested Dual Shut-Off Valve Layout for Compact Redundant Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing shut-off valves for nuclear reactors are bulky due to the need for redundant systems, posing challenges in compact spaces like naval vessels, where two standard valves in series are too long and require large actuators that limit further size reduction.
Innovation Solution
A dual shut-off valve design featuring an outer and inner cylinder within a valve body, both rotatable to align or misalign with a flow tube, allowing for compact dual shut-off functionality without increasing width, and utilizing actuator placement to minimize overall length.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If two standard shut-off valves are used in series to provide redundant shut-off capability, then reliability is improved, but the overall length of the valve assembly increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines two independent shut-off valves into a single integrated valve body, allowing both valves to occupy the same spatial envelope. The first and second balls are housed within the same valve body with shared flow passages, eliminating the need for two separate valve assemblies and reducing overall length while maintaining redundant shut-off capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a nested configuration where one valve mechanism is positioned within the same valve body as the other valve mechanism. The first ball and second ball are both contained within the single valve body, with their respective flow passages and sealing surfaces nested together, allowing compact arrangement that reduces the overall length of the assembly.
2Ease of operation
If two shut-off valves are placed in series with actuators on the same side, then ease of operation is improved, but the width of the valve assembly increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions the actuators for the first and second valves at opposite ends of the valve body along the longitudinal axis, utilizing the length dimension rather than spreading them out in width. This dimensional reorganization allows both actuators to be accessible while keeping the valve assembly width compact, as the actuators are distributed along the length rather than arranged side-by-side.
3Volume of moving object
If the valve body is made compact to reduce space requirements, then volume is reduced, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the valve body into distinct sections with separate flow passages for the first and second valves, including dedicated sealing surfaces and ball receptacles for each valve mechanism. This segmentation allows each sealing surface to be independently manufactured and precision-controlled, reducing the cumulative error that would occur in a fully integrated single-pass design while maintaining overall compactness.
Data Source
AI summary
A dual shut-off valve including a valve body defining an interior cavity and a flow tube passing therethrough, an outer cylinder including a body portion defining an interior cavity and a through hole passing therethrough, the outer cylinder being rotatably disposed within the interior cavity of the valve body, and an inner cylinder including a body portion defining a through hole passing therethrough, the inner cylinder being rotatably disposed within the interior cavity of the outer cylinder, wherein the inner cylinder and the outer cylinder are both rotatable between a first position in which the through holes of the outer cylinder and the inner cylinder are aligned with the flow tube and a second position in which the through holes of the outer cylinder and the inner cylinder are transverse to the flow tube.