Eccentric Rotary Gate Valve for Low-Force Multi-Outlet Sealing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing valve designs face challenges in increasing operational efficiency, lifetime, integration, robustness, and reducing size and weight while optimizing cost.
Innovation Solution
A valve design featuring an actuating gate that rotates eccentrically about a central axis and translates perpendicularly, allowing for efficient switching between outlet openings, with a mechanism that includes a drive mechanism and electronic control unit for precise fluid flow control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a conventional valve design is used, then the basic fluid flow control function is achieved, but the operational efficiency and component lifetime are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The gate is designed to perform a combined motion of rotation and translation during actuation, transforming from a static sealing position to an dynamic opening position. This dynamic movement pattern improves operational efficiency by enabling faster valve actuation while the eccentric rotation mechanism distributes wear across multiple contact points, extending component lifetime
Solution Approach 2:
The valve body is segmented into multiple outlet openings (first outlet opening and second outlet opening) that can be independently controlled by the gate's movement. This segmentation allows selective fluid flow control to different outlets, improving operational efficiency for multi-path flow applications while reducing overall wear on any single sealing surface
2Weight of moving object
If valve size and weight are reduced, then space and weight savings are achieved, but robustness and operational reliability may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The gate's combined rotation-translation motion allows for a more compact valve body design compared to traditional linear movement valves. The eccentric rotation mechanism achieves the same flow control function with reduced travel distance, minimizing valve size and weight while maintaining structural robustness through optimized stress distribution
Solution Approach 2:
The gate is positioned within the valve body such that its movement path is contained within the valve's internal volume. The eccentric rotation mechanism allows the gate to nestle into specific positions that minimize the overall valve envelope, reducing size and weight without compromising the strength of critical sealing and actuation components
3Productivity
If the gate rotates eccentrically and translates, then fluid flow control efficiency is improved, but the actuation force required increases
Solution Approach 1:
The gate's actuation combines rotation in one dimension with translation in another dimension, creating a two-dimensional movement path. This multi-dimensional actuation allows the gate to leverage mechanical advantage through its eccentric rotation, improving fluid flow control efficiency by achieving better sealing contact and flow direction control while the translation component reduces the total force needed compared to pure rotational movement
Data Source
Figure 1A~1C
Figure 2A~2C
AI summary
A valve (100) including a valve body (102) including an inlet opening (112) and a plurality of outlet openings (114); and an actuating gate (130) adapted to seal at least one of the plurality of outlet openings, where the actuating gate is adapted to rotate eccentrically about a central axis (3000) while also translating in a direction perpendicular to the central axis upon actuation.