Bodyless Hydraulic Valve Using an Expandable Plug to Limit Cavitation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing servo-actuated hydraulic valves are heavy, bulky, require two workers for installation, experience significant pressure drop when open, and suffer from cavitation due to a tortuous fluid path.
Innovation Solution
A servo-actuated hydraulic valve design that eliminates the traditional valve body, using a plug that expands or contracts to block or allow fluid flow, with an annular interposition element between pipes and multiple actuating ducts for operation, allowing a single operator installation and reducing pressure drop and cavitation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If a traditional valve body is used in servo-actuated hydraulic valves, then the valve structure is complete and functional, but the weight increases and requires two workers for installation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the traditional valve body from the hydraulic valve design, extracting only the essential functional components (plug, actuator, sealing elements) that can operate directly within the pipeline. This extraction eliminates unnecessary structural weight while maintaining valve functionality, allowing single-operator installation.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve is segmented into modular components that can be assembled in-place within the pipeline. The plug, actuator, and sealing elements are designed as separate assemblies that can be installed independently, reducing the need for heavy pre-assembled valve bodies and enabling easier handling by single operators.
2Loss of energy
If the valve is designed with traditional structure, then it is robust and reliable, but the fluid path becomes tortuous causing significant pressure drop and cavitation
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of forcing fluid through a traditional valve body with inlet/outlet ports, the invention inverts the approach by having the plug expand or contract within the pipeline to control flow. When open, the plug retracts to allow fluid to flow straight through the pipeline, eliminating tortuous paths and reducing pressure drop and cavitation.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve employs a dynamic plug that can change its configuration between expanded (closed) and retracted (open) states. This dynamic adjustment allows the fluid path to transition from blocked to straight-through flow, minimizing energy loss during operation while maintaining structural integrity.
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 a lighter, less expensive valve with minimal pressure drop and reduced cavitation, facilitating single-operator installation and improved fluid flow efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
an elastically deformable membrane made of rubbery material, the edge of which is clamped between the edge of the main opening and the edge of a lid
Implementation Method 2
The fluid, which is brought from the inlet duct into the actuation chamber, exerts a pressure that, combined with the pressure exerted by an elastic element, causes the valve to close
Implementation Method 3
Said elastic element may be, for example, a spring or stiffening ribs or simply a preform that naturally causes the membrane to assume a closed configuration at rest
Implementation Method 4
The pilot is adapted to continuously adjust the opening of the valve, which can also be left partially open
Implementation Method 5
The solenoid electro-valve opens or closes the valve whereas an intermediate position of partial opening of the valve is not possible
Data Source
AI summary
A servo-actuated hydraulic valve adapted to be interposed between an upstream pipe and a downstream pipe of a conduit in which a fluid to be intercepted flows is provided. The valve includes an annular interposition element and a plug which is constrained thereto. The plug has an inner volume and is adapted to change its volume between dilated and contracted configurations and the annular interposition element is adapted to be interposed transversely and tightened between the upstream pipe and the downstream pipe of the conduit so that the plug is introduced at least partially into at least-one of the upstream and downstream pipes.