Flap Valve Seal Reinforcement for Pull-Out Resistance
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing butterfly valves experience operational unreliability due to the seal being pulled out of the groove or damaged when transitioning from open to closed positions, especially under high pressure conditions, and require additional costly components like split metal rings for reinforcement.
Innovation Solution
The seal is reinforced with stiffer materials only in the radially outer wall section, preventing the seal from being pulled out during static vacuum conditions, while maintaining elastomeric material in the radially inner section for sealing effectiveness, and can be retrofitted without structural changes to the flanges.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the seal is made from a soft elastomeric material to ensure sealing effectiveness, then the sealing effect is improved, but the seal can be pulled out of the groove or damaged under high pressure conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The seal body is made from composite material consisting of an elastomeric base material with reinforcing elements (such as metal wires, mesh, or rings) embedded within it. This composite structure combines the sealing effectiveness of soft elastomeric material with the structural strength of the reinforcing elements, preventing the seal from being pulled out of the groove under high pressure while maintaining its sealing capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The seal body has different structural properties in different regions: the radially inner wall section (sealing surface area) is made of soft elastomeric material for effective sealing contact, while the radially outer wall section is reinforced with stiffer material to resist pull-out forces. This local differentiation of material properties allows the seal to simultaneously achieve both sealing effectiveness and resistance to displacement.
2Strength
If the seal is made from a stiff material to prevent pull-out, then the resistance to pull-out force is improved, but the sealing effectiveness is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The seal body has different structural properties in different regions: the radially inner wall section (sealing surface area) is made of soft elastomeric material for effective sealing contact, while the radially outer wall section is reinforced with stiffer material to resist pull-out forces. This local differentiation of material properties allows the seal to simultaneously achieve both sealing effectiveness and resistance to displacement.
Solution Approach 2:
The seal body is made from composite material consisting of an elastomeric base material with reinforcing elements (such as metal wires, mesh, or rings) embedded within it. This composite structure combines the sealing effectiveness of soft elastomeric material with the structural strength of the reinforcing elements, preventing the seal from being pulled out of the groove under high pressure while maintaining its sealing capability.
3Strength
If a split metal ring is added to reinforce the seal, then the resistance to pull-out force is improved, but the production costs increase due to additional housing parts
Solution Approach 1:
The reinforcing elements are integrated directly into the seal body structure, merging the sealing function and the reinforcement function into a single component. The reinforcing elements (wires, mesh, or rings) are embedded within the elastomeric material during seal manufacturing, eliminating the need for separate metal rings or additional housing parts, thereby reducing device complexity and production costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The seal body is made from composite material consisting of an elastomeric base material with reinforcing elements (such as metal wires, mesh, or rings) embedded within it. This composite structure combines the sealing effectiveness of soft elastomeric material with the structural strength of the reinforcing elements, preventing the seal from being pulled out of the groove under high pressure while maintaining its sealing capability.
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
This design enhances operational reliability by preventing seal displacement and damage, maintaining sealing effectiveness, and reducing production costs by eliminating the need for additional housing parts.
Implementation Method 1
the static vacuum which occurs when the flap valve is opened or closed
Implementation Method 2
the peripheral edge of the flap performs frictional flexing work on the sealing surface of the radially inner wall section
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a flap valve comprising a seal (34) that has an annular seal body made of an elastomeric material and comprising an annular groove (26) for receiving the seal (34). The seal body has a radially inner wall section (36) relative to a longitudinal axis (16) of the seal body, said inner wall section having a seal surface (46), and a radially outer wall section (38) that has a greater longitudinal extension in the direction of the longitudinal axis (16) than the radially inner wall section (36), said radially outer wall section (38) forming a step (40) with the radially inner wall section (36). The radially outer wall section (38) is received in a radially outer groove section (28) of the groove (26) in a formfitting manner such that the longitudinal ends (42, 44) of the radially outer wall section (38) are held in the radially outer groove section (28). The radially outer wall section (38) has a reinforcement (50) made of a material that is more rigid than the elastomeric material, said reinforcement (50) axially supporting the radially outer wall section (38).