Fluid Control Valve Recess Design for High Flow and Pressure
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid control valves face challenges in maintaining improved flow characteristics for forward flow while ensuring a fluid-tight seal in both forward and reverse directions.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of a recess on the sealing element's surface, allowing the sealing end to lift higher from the valve housing seat, enhancing flow capacity and maintaining a higher opening pressure through a stable form, with the recess being a groove of an essentially closed loop shape, and optionally multiple grooves for increased flexibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If the sealing end is made thicker to maintain stability and preload, then the opening pressure increases, but the flow capacity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces a recess in the sealing end, creating a localized dimensional change that allows the sealing surface to lift higher from the seat. This recess acts as a pivot point, enabling the sealing end to deflect upward when differential pressure is applied, thereby increasing flow capacity without compromising the overall stability and preload of the thicker sealing end structure.
2Productivity
If the sealing end is made thinner to increase flow capacity, then the opening pressure decreases, but the stability and preload are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The recess creates a localized dimensional feature that serves as a pivot point, allowing the sealing end to deflect upward when differential pressure is applied. This enables thinner sealing ends to achieve sufficient flow capacity while maintaining overall structural stability through the recess-induced deflection mechanism rather than relying solely on thickness.
3Productivity
If the sealing end is made more flexible to improve flow characteristics, then the opening pressure decreases, but the seal integrity may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The recess effectively segments the sealing end into distinct functional zones: a flexible region at the recess that allows deflection for improved flow characteristics, and a stable peripheral region that maintains seal integrity. This segmentation enables differential behavior within the same component, allowing flexibility where needed while preserving rigidity where required for reliable sealing.
4Reliability
If the sealing end is made more rigid to maintain seal integrity, then the flow capacity decreases, but the opening pressure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The recess introduces a localized dimensional change that creates a pivot point, enabling the sealing end to deflect upward when differential pressure is applied. This allows rigid sealing ends to achieve sufficient flow capacity through deflection at the recess location while maintaining overall structural rigidity and seal integrity in the peripheral regions.
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 achieves improved flow characteristics and higher opening pressure, making the valve suitable for pressure relief applications, with the groove's height influencing the opening pressure and allowing for customizable configurations.
Implementation Method 1
A sealing element is attached to the stem and is deflectable in response to differential pressure to assume an open position permitting forward flow there past
Implementation Method 2
the elastomeric (inverted) umbrella valve because of its preload assumes its normally closed position
Data Source
Figure 1A~2B
Figure 3A~4B
Figure 5A~6B
AI summary
The invention relates to a fluid control valve, such as an umbrella valve (40), to be inserted in a valve housing (140), said valve comprising a sealing element (44) having a sealing surface and projecting in radial direction for sealing one or more fluid openings (145) in said valve housing, which sealing element is responsive to fluid pressure to open and close to control the fluid flow through the fluid openings. The sealing element is provided with at least one recess (47) on the surface of the sealing element such that at least one sealing end (45) is defined on the sealing element extending between the recess and the periphery of the sealing element, said sealing end carrying the sealing surface. The fluid control valve according to the invention is an excellent pressure relieve valve allowing a large flow at a high opening pressure.