Flat-Circular Plate Valve for Steam Turbine Safety Jamming Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional high-flow valves in steam turbine safety systems are prone to jamming due to their higher displacement and elongated profiles, requiring significant guidance, which complicates precise steam flow regulation and emergency trip functions.
Innovation Solution
A high-flow valve arrangement featuring a flat-circular plate cartridge with spherical edges and a low stroke/diameter ratio, integrated into an electro-hydraulic safety control unit, reduces jamming risks by allowing for a short stroke and minimal guidance requirements, enabling efficient fluid flow control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional valve with higher displacement and elongated cartridge profile is used, then the valve can achieve desired flow control, but it increases the risk of jamming and requires significant guidance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies spheroidality by providing spherical edges on the flat-circular plate cartridge. These spherical edges enable the cartridge to self-align and reduce guidance requirements while minimizing jamming risks during movement between open and closed positions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the cartridge by adopting a flat-circular plate design with low stroke-to-diameter ratio instead of a conventional elongated profile. This parameter change reduces the guidance requirement and jamming risk while maintaining flow control capability.
2Device complexity
If a valve with larger cartridge diameter and shorter stroke is used, then guidance requirements are reduced, but the valve may not achieve adequate flow control
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the flow control function by providing multiple spaced-apart through holes in the flat-circular plate cartridge. This segmentation allows adequate flow control through multiple pathways while maintaining a compact cartridge design with reduced guidance requirements.
3Ease of manufacture
If an elongated valve cartridge profile is used, then the valve structure is established, but the risk of jamming increases due to higher displacement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies spheroidality by providing spherical edges on the flat-circular plate cartridge. These spherical edges enable the cartridge to self-align and reduce guidance requirements while minimizing jamming risks during movement between open and closed positions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the cartridge by adopting a flat-circular plate design with low stroke-to-diameter ratio instead of a conventional elongated profile. This parameter change reduces the guidance requirement and jamming risk while maintaining flow control 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
The improved valve design enhances reliability and reduces the risk of jamming while maintaining economical feasibility, ensuring precise steam flow regulation and rapid response during emergency conditions.
Implementation Method 1
The valve 10 further includes a solenoid valve 300, which may control a flow of oil to be entered into or exited from the chamber 14a
Implementation Method 2
The high-flow valve 100 may also include a spring member 150, which may activate the plate cartridge 130, when hydraulic energy is off
Implementation Method 3
the solenoid valve 300, pumps the oil to be entered via the port 13a, it exerts the pressure on the chamber 14a so as to close the valve 10
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
A high-flow valve arrangement in an electro-hydraulic safety control unit to discharge oil volume on instructions from a steam turbine safety system to actuate actuators to stop steam flow in steam turbines to shut-off, is provided. The valve includes a valve body with a flange having a plurality of spaced-apart through holes, a flat-circular plate cartridge and a valve housing configured to each other. The housing includes a chamber to accommodate oil volume; an inlet/outlet port to enable the oil volume to enter and exit therefrom, and a peripheral seat where the cartridge seats. The plate cartridge is capable of being moved upward, defining a very small stroke 'S', upon the increase or decrease of the oil volume in the chamber to open and close the outlets defined via the plurality of spaced-apart through holes to enable and stop the fluid flow therefrom.