Floating Yoke Clamp Assembly for Knife Gate Valve Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional knife gate valves experience tilting of the gate during loading by process flow, leading to concentrated stress and potential leakage, as the yoke assembly is not effectively secured to the valve body, lacking a mechanism to apply a pressure-containing preload.
Innovation Solution
The knife gate valve incorporates a yoke assembly fastened to the valve body via first and second pinned connections, utilizing clamp assemblies with bolts, bushings, and spring members to apply a pressure-containing preload, securing the yoke and reducing gate tilting by allowing axial translation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the yoke assembly is conventionally secured to the valve body, then the structure is simple, but the gate tilts during loading causing concentrated stress and potential leakage
Solution Approach 1:
The yoke assembly is divided into multiple segments (first yoke portion, second yoke portion) that can move independently relative to the valve body. This segmentation allows each portion to respond to loading forces separately, preventing gate tilting while maintaining structural integrity and enabling the complex motion control needed for reliable sealing.
Solution Approach 2:
The yoke assembly transitions from a static, rigid connection to a dynamic, controlled-motion connection. The first and second yoke portions are enabled to move independently along the gate travel direction through controlled clearance and guiding features, allowing the system to adapt to loading conditions and maintain proper gate alignment for leak-free operation.
2Strength
If the yoke assembly is rigidly secured to the valve body, then the structure is stable, but the gate cannot translate axially leading to concentrated stress
Solution Approach 1:
The connection between the yoke assembly and valve body is made dynamic rather than rigid. The first yoke portion moves relative to the valve body through a controlled clearance arrangement, while the second yoke portion is guided by a reference surface. This dynamic connection enables axial translation of the gate to distribute stress while maintaining structural stability through the guiding mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve body acts as an intermediary between the yoke assembly and the external environment. The controlled clearance and guiding reference surfaces on the valve body mediate the motion between the yoke portions, allowing smooth axial translation that distributes mechanical stress while preventing uncontrolled movement that would compromise structural integrity.
3Strength
If the yoke assembly allows gate movement, then stress is reduced, but leakage may occur without proper preload
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses dynamic motion control to simultaneously achieve stress distribution and sealing reliability. The first yoke portion's controlled clearance movement and the second yoke portion's guided movement work together to maintain optimal gate alignment and contact pressure, distributing stress while ensuring the gate remains properly seated against the valve body for leak-free operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The guiding reference surface on the valve body provides feedback control for the second yoke portion's movement. As the gate moves axially under loading, the reference surface ensures the yoke portion follows a precise path that maintains proper sealing contact, automatically adjusting to distribute stress while preventing leakage through controlled geometric constraints.
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 ensures a leak-free operation, reduces gate tilting, and promotes axial translation of the gate, thereby minimizing stress and enhancing the valve's sealing performance.
Implementation Method 1
The first and second spring members can be compressed by the bolt to apply a resilient spring force to the associated first or second leg of the yoke
Implementation Method 2
The bolt can extend through the first and second bushings, the first and second valve body portions, and the associated first or second leg of the yoke to apply a pressure-containing preload to the first and second valve body portions via the first and second bushings
Data Source
AI summary
A clamp assembly to secure a yoke to a valve body of a knife gate valve is provided. The clamp assembly can include a bolt that is configured to extend through a first bushing, a first spring member, a first side wall of the yoke, the valve body, a second side wall of the yoke, a second spring member, and a second bushing. The clamp assembly can be configured to pin the yoke to the valve body, apply a pressure-containing preload to the valve body via the first and second bushings, and compress the first spring member between the first bushing and the first side wall of the yoke and the second spring member between the second bushing and the second side wall of the yoke.