Flexible Wedge Gate Valve Structure for Compact Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional wedge gate valves are large and heavy, requiring multiple bolts for securement and tight dimensional tolerances for reliable sealing, which complicates manufacturing and assembly.
Innovation Solution
A flexible wedge gate valve design with a constant-width gate channel and reduced size, utilizing a valve cover with angled sections and clamping extensions to secure the valve cover with fewer bolts, and a stem with a threaded portion to facilitate smooth gate movement and improved sealing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional wedge gate valve design with a tapered recess and sharp transition from wedge to non-wedge portion is used, then sealing functionality is achieved, but manufacturing complexity increases due to tight dimensional tolerances requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The gate is segmented into a wedge portion and a non-wedge portion with a gradual transition zone rather than a sharp transition. This segmentation allows each portion to be manufactured with more relaxed tolerances while maintaining sealing functionality through the distributed transition zone.
Solution Approach 2:
The transition from wedge to non-wedge portion changes from a sharp geometric discontinuity to a gradual parameter change over a distributed zone. This parameter change approach reduces the stringency of dimensional tolerances required while preserving the sealing mechanism.
2Reliability
If a conventional wedge gate valve with a large-sized gate channel and wedge portion is used, then sealing surface area is increased, but valve weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The gate channel width is optimized locally - it is sufficient to accommodate the wedge portion for sealing functionality but not excessively large. The constant width portion of the gate channel is sized precisely to fit the non-wedge portion, eliminating unnecessary material and reducing overall valve weight while maintaining adequate sealing surface area.
3Strength
If a conventional wedge gate valve with a large flange size is used, then structural strength is improved, but assembly complexity increases due to requiring multiple bolts
Solution Approach 1:
The valve cover design extracts the sealing and protective functions from a large flange structure. The valve cover with its sealing surface and clamping extensions provides the necessary structural strength and sealing capability without requiring a large flange, thereby reducing the number of bolts needed for assembly.
4Reliability
If a conventional wedge gate valve design is used, then flow passage sealing is achieved, but valve size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing mechanism transitions from relying on a large gate channel width to utilizing the constant width portion of the gate that extends beyond the flow passage. This dimensional approach allows sealing to be achieved in a different spatial arrangement, reducing the overall valve size while maintaining effective flow passage sealing.
Data Source
AI summary
A gate valve includes a valve body including a gate channel intersecting a flow passage that extends from a first opening to a second opening. In embodiments, the gate channel has a width constant across a length extending from an intersection of the flow passage and the gate channel away from the flow passage. In embodiments, the flow passage is defined by a perimeter surface, a semi-annular slot through the perimeter surface, and a center axis through a center of the first opening and the second opening, the semi-annular slot extending on both sides of a first plane, the first plane perpendicular to a center longitudinal axis of the gate channel, the first plane parallel to and intersecting the center axis of the flow passage. In embodiments, the flow passage has an outer diameter, and a span of the gate channel containing the diameter is greater than the outer diameter.