Filtered Fluid Valve Plug With Chamber to Prevent Occlusion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid valves suffer from inefficient filters that are prone to occlusions, leading to decreased fluid flow rates and potential filter deformation under pressure, compromising their operation and allowing undesirable elements to pass through.
Innovation Solution
A fluid valve design featuring a filtering element with a fluidic chamber that increases the active surface area for filtration, where the filtering element protrudes from the shutter with a significant portion inserted with clearance, allowing for high-efficiency fluid passage and reduced occlusion risk, and includes a filter-holder element for enhanced rigidity and ease of assembly and cleaning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a filter is arranged inside the ball (shutter) to prevent passage of undesired elements, then filtration function is provided, but the filter has limited efficiency and is subject to frequent occlusions
Solution Approach 1:
The filter is repositioned from a completely internal arrangement (inside the shutter only) to a dual-position arrangement where part of the filter remains inside the shutter while another part protrudes externally. This dimensional redistribution increases the active filtration surface area and creates additional flow paths, thereby improving filtration efficiency without causing frequent occlusions that would reduce fluid flow rate.
2Reliability
If the filter surface area is increased to improve filtration efficiency, then occlusion risk increases, but reducing filter area improves flow rate
Solution Approach 1:
By extending part of the filter externally while keeping part inside the shutter, the invention distributes the filtration function across two spatial zones. This configuration increases the total active surface area for filtration while creating multiple flow paths that reduce the risk of complete occlusion, as debris is less likely to block the entire filter surface.
3Ease of manufacture
If the filter is completely inside the shutter, then assembly is simple, but cleaning and maintenance are difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The filter is divided into two distinct segments: an internal portion located inside the shutter and an external portion protruding outside. This segmentation allows the filter to maintain its integrated function during assembly while enabling easy access to the external portion for cleaning and maintenance operations, without requiring disassembly of the entire valve mechanism.
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 enhances filter efficiency, prevents occlusions, and ensures effective fluid passage while maintaining valve hygiene, allowing for simple assembly and maintenance.
Implementation Method 1
a first portion of the filtering element is inserted in the shutter and a second portion of the filtering element protrudes from the shutter. The second portion is inserted, for at least part of its extent, with clearance in the seat, that is typically obtained inside the valve body at the second portion of the filtering element, so that to obtain a fluidic chamber at least between the second portion of the filtering element and the seat.
Data Source
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AI summary
Fluid valve (1) comprising a valve body (2) provided with an inlet section (2a) and an outlet section (2b) for said fluid, and a plug (3) arranged inside a housing (4) obtained inside said valve body and provided with an inner duct (3a) for the passage of said fluid, said plug being at least rotatably constrained inside said housing (4) between a first open position, wherein the passage of fluid between said inlet section and said outlet section through said inner duct (3a) is allowed, and a second closed position, wherein the passage of fluid between said inlet section and said outlet section is prevented, said valve (1) further comprising sealing elements (5) between said plug (3) and said housing (4) of said valve body (2), said valve body (2) being provided with a seat (6) for a filtering element (7, 7a), part of said seat being made inside said plug (3) so that, in use, a first portion (71) of said filtering element (7, 7a) is inserted in said plug (3) and a second portion (72) of said filtering element (7, 7a) protrudes from said plug (3), said second portion (72) being inserted, for at least part of its extent, with clearance in the seat (6) so that to obtain a fluidic chamber (8) at least between said second portion of said filtering element (7, 7a) and said seat (6), said fluidic chamber being fluidically connected to said outlet section (2b).