Dynamic Piston Sealing Valve for Gas Switching

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing pressure-relieved valves for gases suffer from seal wear and reduced dynamic switching properties due to high friction and lack of lubrication, leading to decreased tightness and switching frequencies over time, especially when used with pure gases.

Innovation Solution

A valve design featuring a dynamic piston sealing device with increased sealing force in the shut-off position, utilizing radial and axial contact surfaces and an elastic sealing element, which reduces stress on the seal and maintains tightness across multiple switching cycles, and includes a spring element to compensate for tolerances and ensure sealing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a piston seal is provided to ensure tightness between piston and piston guide, then sealing performance is improved, but friction increases and wear occurs reducing switching frequency

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing performanceVSAvoidswitching frequency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the sealing mechanism from continuous contact sealing to intermittent contact sealing. The elastic sealing element only contacts the piston guide surface when the piston is in the shut-off position, and separates when the piston moves to the open position. This parameter change in contact state reduces cumulative friction and wear while maintaining sealing performance when needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a dynamic sealing mechanism where the sealing element's contact state changes dynamically with piston position. The elastic sealing element deforms to contact the piston guide at shut-off position and relaxes to separate during open position, creating a dynamic sealing system that adapts to operational requirements and reduces wear.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If a tight sealing ring is used to ensure valve tightness, then sealing force increases, but frictional forces increase reducing piston speed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevalve tightnessVSAvoidpiston speed
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements periodic sealing action where the sealing element engages only during the shut-off position and disengages during the open position. This periodic engagement provides necessary sealing force when required while eliminating continuous friction that would reduce piston speed, allowing high-speed switching when tightness is not required.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies sealing force locally only at the piston guide interface when the piston is in the shut-off position, rather than applying frictional force along the entire piston stroke. The elastic sealing element concentrates sealing action at the specific location and time when tightness is needed, minimizing overall friction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If material particles accumulate in the piston seal area, then wear on the seal increases, but this cannot be prevented without compromising sealing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveseal tightnessVSAvoidseal lifespan
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the sealing element skip or separate from the piston guide surface during the open position, avoiding continuous contact that would allow material particles to accumulate and cause wear. The elastic sealing element rapidly engages and disengages, rushing through the sealing action in the shut-off position without prolonged contact that leads to particle accumulation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #21Skipping (Rushing through)

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 achieves high tightness and reduced wear, allowing for a large number of switching cycles with improved piston speed and reduced friction, enhancing the valve's dynamic switching properties and extending its operational lifespan.

Implementation Method 1

the piston sealing device can have an elastic sealing element which is inserted into a concentric gap formed between the piston of the piston guide device

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

If the piston sealing device has a spring element acting in the longitudinal direction of the piston, by means of which a compressive force can be exerted on the sealing element

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpring force: Spring

Implementation Method 3

with friction of the sealing element on the contact surfaces decreasing when the piston moves from the shut-off position to the open position

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP2192336B8Valve
Publication Date: 2012.08.08 INNOVATHERM PROF DR LEISENBERG GMBH & CO KG

AI summary

The invention relates to a valve (10), in particular for gases, wherein the valve has a valve housing (11) and a movable piston (13) arranged in the valve housing, wherein the piston is movable relative to a valve seat (26) of the valve housing in such a way that two chambers (19, 20) can be shut off from each other, wherein a line (30) is assigned to one chamber, which permanently connects two working spaces (31, 32) of the piston, wherein the working spaces are designed in such a way that the piston is pressure relieved, wherein a piston sealing device (36) for sealing the chambers is formed between the piston and a piston guide device (14), and wherein the piston sealing device is designed as a dynamic piston sealing device, such that in a closed position of the piston a sealing force is greater than in an open position.