Fluid Control Valve Adjustable Stem Piston Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing low-flow sanitary fluid valves require recalibration, which involves disassembly and rebuilding due to fixed calibration during manufacturing, making field adjustments and changes in fluid flow characteristics difficult and impractical.
Innovation Solution
A fluid control valve design with a unitary housing that allows self-alignment and field-adjustable calibration through a threaded coupling between the housing and bonnet, enabling precise calibration using an externally accessible screw and a pin to maintain consistent valve stem movement, allowing for different flow profiles and stem shapes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If calibration is performed at manufacture by affixing the piston to the plate with adhesive, then manufacturing precision is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates because field recalibration requires disassembly and rebuilding
Solution Approach 1:
The valve is divided into separable components (piston, plate, bonnet) that can be independently adjusted. The piston is no longer permanently affixed to the plate but can be independently positioned and locked, allowing field recalibration without complete disassembly while maintaining manufacturing precision through controlled positioning mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The calibration system transitions from a static, fixed configuration (adhesive-bonded piston) to a dynamic, adjustable configuration. The piston position can be modified in the field through threaded adjustments and locking mechanisms, enabling recalibration without disassembly while maintaining the precision achieved during manufacturing.
2Manufacturing precision
If the valve stem, plate and piston are held at fixed positions relative to the bonnet during calibration, then manufacturing precision is improved, but adaptability deteriorates because any recalibration requires disassembly and rebuilding
Solution Approach 1:
The fixed positioning system is replaced with adjustable positioning mechanisms. The piston can be independently positioned relative to the bonnet through threaded adjustments and locking mechanisms, allowing field recalibration to different positions while maintaining the precision established during manufacturing. This enables adaptation to different flow characteristics without disassembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The calibration system allows changing of positional parameters (piston position, valve stem position) in the field through adjustable mechanisms. Threaded adjustments and locking nuts enable precise positioning changes without disassembly, providing adaptability for different flow profiles while maintaining manufacturing precision through controlled adjustment procedures.
3Device complexity
If the piston is affixed to the plate with adhesive, then device complexity is reduced, but ease of repair deteriorates because recalibration requires disassembly and rebuilding in manufacturing environment
Solution Approach 1:
The calibration mechanism is segmented into independently adjustable components (piston, plate, bonnet) with standardized interfaces. This segmentation allows field recalibration through simple positioning and locking operations without complete disassembly, improving ease of repair while maintaining relatively simple device architecture through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve incorporates self-contained calibration adjustment mechanisms that can be operated in the field without specialized manufacturing equipment or complete disassembly. Threaded adjustments, locking nuts, and accessible adjustment points enable operators to perform recalibration themselves in the field, improving ease of repair while keeping the overall device complexity manageable.
Data Source
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AI summary
Fluid control valves having adjustable valve stem and piston assembly are described herein. An example fluid control valve includes a piston to control a flow of fluid through a valve body, a bonnet with a threaded bore coupled to a bonnet yoke to be coupled to the valve body and a housing having a first portion to pivotally mount a roller assembly to move the piston and a second elongated portion with a threaded outer surface to couple to the threaded bore of the bonnet. A valve stem moves through the housing to control the movement of the piston.