Flapper-Mounted Buffer for Check Valve Water Hammer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Check valves in fluid systems experience reverse flow when a pump shuts down, leading to noise and vibration due to pressure spikes known as 'water hammer,' which can damage components over time.
Innovation Solution
A check valve design featuring a flapper or closing member with a buffer mounted on it, which holds a portion of fluid to cushion the movement from the open to closed position, reducing the impact and preventing rapid closure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If the check valve allows rapid closure to quickly stop reverse flow, then the response time is improved, but water hammer and vibration increase causing damage to components
Solution Approach 1:
A buffer assembly is attached to the closing member that provides cushioning force before the closing member completes its closure. The buffer assembly includes a buffer body with a chamber that receives fluid from the valve interior, creating a cushioning effect that reduces water hammer while maintaining rapid closure capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The buffer assembly acts as an intermediary between the closing member and the valve seat. It includes a buffer rod that extends from the closing member and a buffer body that receives fluid, creating a mediating mechanism that absorbs the shock of closure and prevents direct impact damage.
2Device complexity
If the check valve uses a simple closing mechanism, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ability to cushion closure and prevent water hammer is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The buffer assembly is integrated with the closing member as a single unit. The buffer rod is attached to the closing member, and the buffer body is positioned to work in conjunction with the valve interior fluid, merging the cushioning function with the existing closing mechanism without requiring a completely separate system.
Solution Approach 2:
The buffer assembly utilizes the fluid already present in the valve interior to provide cushioning. The buffer body chamber receives fluid from the valve interior during closure, and this fluid itself provides the cushioning force, eliminating the need for external cushioning media or complex additional systems.
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 buffer system effectively reduces or eliminates 'water hammer' by decelerating the closing member, minimizing noise and vibration, and preventing damage to the valve and surrounding components.
Implementation Method 1
a buffer mounted on the closing member, the buffer configured to hold a portion of fluid in the fluid system and cushion movement of the closing member from the open position to the closed position
Data Source
AI summary
A check valve for a fluid system includes: a valve body defining an inlet, an outlet, and an interior cavity; a closing member positioned inside the interior cavity, the closing member movable between an open position, providing fluid communication between the inlet and outlet, and a closed position, isolating the inlet from the outlet; and a buffer mounted on the closing member, the buffer configured to hold a portion of fluid in the fluid system and cushion movement of the closing member from the open position to the closed position.