Elastomeric Valve Gate Hinges for Easier Opening and Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Deformable elastomeric valves, including bite valves, face challenges in responsiveness and ease of opening due to limitations in the design of gate elements and hinges, which affect the size of the flow opening for a given actuation force.
Innovation Solution
Increasing the depth of gate elements along the axis and incorporating hinges formed by a reduced cross-section of material at the interface between gate elements and the barrel, focusing deformation at these hinges to enhance rotation and increase the size of the flow opening.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the depth of gate elements is increased to improve flow opening size, then the responsiveness and ease of opening improve, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent increases the depth of gate elements along the valve axis, transitioning from a shallow gate design to a deep gate design. This dimensional change allows the gate elements to rotate through a larger arc and create a larger flow opening for the same actuation force, directly improving ease of operation while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the geometric parameters of the gate elements, specifically increasing their depth along the valve axis. This parameter change enables the gate elements to achieve greater lateral translation and rotation, thereby improving responsiveness and ease of opening without fundamentally changing the valve's operational mechanism.
2Ease of operation
If hinges are incorporated to focus deformation and enhance rotation, then the responsiveness improves, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates hinges at specific locations where gate elements join the barrel, creating localized regions of reduced cross-section. These hinges concentrate the deformation that would otherwise be distributed throughout the gate elements, focusing the mechanical action at precise points to enhance rotation and responsiveness. The hinges are formed with specific geometric characteristics (reduced cross-section) that differ from the rest of the gate element structure.
3Productivity
If gate elements are designed to separate along gate boundaries, then the fluid flow increases, but the reliability of sealing decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the gate assembly into multiple separate gate elements that interface along gate boundaries. In the closed state, these elements collectively block the fluid pathway. Upon actuation, the gate elements separate from each other along the gate boundaries, creating openings that allow fluid flow. The segmentation allows the valve to transition from a fully closed state to an open state with multiple flow paths.
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
Improves the responsiveness and ease of opening of deformable elastomeric valves by increasing the lateral translation and rotation of gate elements, thereby enhancing fluid flow for a given actuation force.
Implementation Method 1
a flexible valve material that deforms in response to a biting force to open the valve
Implementation Method 2
deformation of the valve caused by an applied actuation force is focused at the hinges, which increases rotation of the gate elements about the hinges
Data Source
AI summary
An elastomeric valve includes a barrel having one or more walls defining an interior fluid pathway. The barrel is deformable between a non-deformed state and a deformed state. The elastomeric valve further includes a gate assembly of two or more gate elements forming a tapering volume projecting into the fluid pathway from the one or more walls of the barrel. In at least some examples, each gate element joins the barrel at a reduced cross-section that forms a hinge of that gate element. The two or more gate elements interface with each other along one or more gate boundaries to collectively block the fluid pathway in the non-deformed state and separate from each other along the one or more gate boundaries in the deformed state to permit fluid flow through the gate assembly.