Flat-Face Female Hydraulic Coupling With Force-Balanced Valve Sleeve
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing flat face female hydraulic couplings require shutdown and depressurization to manually couple with a flat face male hydraulic coupling due to the force generated by the difference in size of the frontal axial surfaces.
Innovation Solution
The inner surface of the valve sleeve is designed with a stepped configuration, where the part bordering the fluid chamber has a surface integrated normal vector perpendicular to the axial direction or equal to zero, ensuring equal frontal axial surfaces in both directions, thus canceling the resulting axial force.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the valve sleeve has different sized frontal axial surfaces in opposite axial directions, then the valve sleeve can be sealed to both the valve stem and the valve guide, but the difference in sizes generates an axial force that prevents manual coupling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the counterweight principle by designing the valve sleeve with equal sized frontal axial surfaces in both axial directions. The larger frontal axial surface in the first axial direction counterbalances the force generated by the smaller frontal axial surface in the second axial direction, eliminating the net axial force that previously prevented manual coupling. This allows the valve sleeve to remain sealed to both the valve stem and valve guide while enabling effortless manual coupling even under hydraulic pressure.
2Productivity
If the hydraulic system remains pressurized, then the hydraulic system can operate continuously, but the force on the valve sleeve prevents manual coupling
Solution Approach 1:
The equal sized frontal axial surfaces create counterbalancing forces that neutralize the axial force generated by hydraulic pressure. This counterweight mechanism allows operators to manually couple the flat face male hydraulic coupling with the female coupling even while the hydraulic system remains pressurized and operational, eliminating the need for shutdown and depressurization procedures.
3Ease of operation
If the valve sleeve is designed with equal frontal axial surfaces, then manual coupling becomes effortless, but the sealing configuration becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry in a controlled manner by making the frontal axial surfaces equal in size while allowing the lateral surfaces to have different diameters (first diameter larger than second diameter). This asymmetric design with equal frontal surfaces eliminates the axial force imbalance while maintaining the necessary sealing surfaces for both the valve stem and valve guide, achieving a balance between operational ease and structural functionality.
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 allows for effortless manual coupling of the flat face female hydraulic coupling with a male coupling, independent of the hydraulic pressure, and ensures the valve sleeve can be slid between positions without resistance.
Implementation Method 1
the valve guide is sealed against the surface of the continuous passage and wherein the valve guide comprises a central passage; a valve sleeve arranged slidingly in axial direction between a first and a second position relative to the valve guide, wherein the valve sleeve is guided by the valve guide and wherein the valve sleeve is sealed to the valve guide in both first and second position and is sealed to the valve stem in the first position
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a flat face female hydraulic coupling comprising: - a body (2) with a continuous passage (3) extending in axial direction (4); - a valve stem (6) coaxially arranged in the continuous passage of the body; - a valve guide (5) coaxially arranged in the continuous passage of the body, wherein the valve guide is sealed against the surface of the continuous passage and wherein the valve guide comprises a central passage (13); - a valve sleeve (7) arranged slidingly in axial direction between a first and a second position, wherein the valve sleeve is guided by the valve guide and wherein the valve sleeve is sealed to the valve guide in both first and second position and is sealed to the valve stem only in the first position and a passage is provided between the valve stem and the valve sleeve in the second position; wherein in the first position of the valve sleeve (7) a fluid chamber (12) is formed by the central passage (13), the inner surface of the valve sleeve (7) and the valve stem (6); characterized in that the part of the inner surface of the valve sleeve (7) bordering the fluid chamber (12) has a surface integrated normal vector perpendicular to the axial direction or equal to zero.