Back Pressure Flap Valve Deformation Stopper

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing back pressure flap valve arrangements in ducting systems fail to ensure immediate and sustained closure during explosions, allowing potential rebound and inadequate indication of system exposure to personnel, which can lead to unsafe conditions.

Innovation Solution

A back pressure flap valve arrangement featuring a pivotably hinged flap with a lever and stopper having deformation zones, where the lever's kinetic energy is absorbed by the stopper's deformation zones, preventing rebound and clearly indicating system exposure through physical deformation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a traditional locking mechanism is used to prevent flap rebound, then the flap can be locked during normal operation, but the mechanism cannot provide clear indication of system exposure to personnel

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflap closure reliabilityVSAvoidsystem exposure indication

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The stopper uses physical deformation (change in shape/structure) to indicate system exposure. When the lever engages the deformation zones, the stopper deforms permanently, providing clear visual evidence that the system has been exposed to an explosion event, requiring inspection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #32Color changes

2Reliability

If the flap closes quickly during explosion to prevent flame transmission, then safety is improved, but the high forces cause rebound that may re-open the valve

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveexplosion isolation effectivenessVSAvoidflap position stability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The deformation zones are pre-designed to absorb kinetic energy through controlled deformation. When the lever strikes the stopper during explosion, the deformation zones progressively deform to cushion the impact and absorb energy, preventing rebound and ensuring the flap remains closed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Solution Approach 2:

The harmful high forces from explosion are converted into beneficial energy absorption through the deformation zones. The kinetic energy that would cause harmful rebound is instead used to deform the stopper in a controlled manner, locking the system in the closed position.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Strength

If a rigid locking mechanism is used to prevent rebound, then the mechanism can withstand high forces, but it cannot absorb the kinetic energy of the lever effectively

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemechanism force resistanceVSAvoidkinetic energy absorption

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The stopper transitions from a rigid structure to a deformable structure with specific deformation zones. This parameter change allows the stopper to absorb kinetic energy through controlled deformation while still providing sufficient strength to prevent rebound and maintain system integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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

Ensures immediate and sustained closure of the ducting during explosions, absorbing high forces and preventing re-opening, while providing clear visual evidence of system exposure for necessary inspections, enhancing safety and reliability.

Implementation Method 1

a first deformation zone along a first side of the slot and a second deformation zone along a second side of the slot, opposite the first side of the slot, and that the slot is arranged to receive the stop face and allow the stop face to move in the slot in the longitudinal extension thereof while engaging said first and second deformation zones

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDeformation: Deformation

Data Source

PatentUS10480666B2Back pressure flap valve arrangement and the use thereof

Publication Date: 2019.11.19 NEDERMAN HLDG

AI summary

The present invention relates to a back pressure flap valve arrangement (1) comprising a housing (2) having an inlet opening (3) and an outlet opening (4). A flap (7) is pivotably hinged about a shaft (8) extending transverse a flow direction through the housing (2). A lever (10) is rigidly connectable to the shaft (8) and forming an angle thereto. The lever (10) has a stop face (11) arranged at a distance from the connection between the lever (10) and the shaft (8) such that the stop face (11) is arranged to move along an arc shaped path when the flap (7) pivots about said shaft (8). The arrangement (1) further comprises a stopper (12) having a slot (14) having an open end (16) and a longitudinal extension along a center line (CL) of the slot (14). The stopper has a first deformation zone (19) along a first side of the slot and a second deformation zone (20) along a second side of the slot, opposite the first side of the slot. The slot (14) is arranged to receive the stop face (11) and allow the stop face (11) to move in the slot (14) in the longitudinal extension thereof while engaging said first and second deformation zones (19, 20).