Common-Rotation Flapper Check Valve for Turbulent Airflow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing flapper check valves with pivoting flapper valve portions in opposed rotational directions face challenges with turbulent airflow and dithering issues when returning to a closed position.
Innovation Solution
The design features two flapper valve portions mounted on their own shafts to a valve seat body, pivoting in a common rotational direction between open and closed positions, effectively addressing turbulent flow and dithering by ensuring proper alignment and directional control of airflow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If two flapper valve portions pivot in opposed rotational directions, then the valve can block flow from both directions, but the valve experiences dithering and difficulty returning to closed position under turbulent airflow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the symmetric opposed rotational motion to asymmetric common rotational motion in the same direction. This asymmetry in motion pattern eliminates the dithering effect that occurs with opposed rotation, allowing the valve to reliably return to closed position even under turbulent airflow conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of having flapper valves rotate in opposite directions as in conventional design, the patent inverts this approach by having both flapper valves rotate in the same direction. This inversion of the rotational direction concept resolves the dithering problem while maintaining the check valve function.
2Power
If turbulent airflow reaches the check valve, then high power operation is achieved, but the opposed rotational flapper valves experience dithering and control challenges
Solution Approach 1:
The asymmetric common rotational direction motion eliminates the oscillatory dithering that plagues opposed rotation designs under turbulent flow, making the valve easier to control during high power operation with turbulent airflow.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the motion parameter from opposed rotation to common rotation in the same direction. This parameter change fundamentally alters how the flapper valves respond to turbulent airflow, eliminating dithering and improving controllability during high power operation.
3Reliability
If flapper valve portions pivot in opposed rotational directions, then bidirectional flow blocking is achieved, but alignment and directional control under turbulent flow deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
By inverting the conventional opposed rotation concept to common rotation in the same direction, the patent maintains bidirectional flow blocking capability while significantly improving alignment precision and directional control under turbulent flow conditions.
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 configuration enhances the flapper check valve's ability to handle turbulent airflow and improves the efficiency of gas turbine engine operation by ensuring reliable air flow directionality and efficient pressure management.
Implementation Method 1
When the high pressure source is being delivered to the use it maintains a check valve closed so the low pressure source does not reach the use. However, at high power operation the low pressure source will be at a sufficiently high enough pressure that it may be delivered to the use.
Data Source
Figure 1A~1C
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
A flapper check valve includes a valve seat body (60). Two flapper valve portions (140, 144) are each mounted on their own shaft (42, 46) to the valve seat body, and pivotable between open and closed positions. The flapper valve portions pivot in a common rotational direction to the open position and to the closed position. A fluid systems is also disclosed.