Fluid stop valve unit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid stop valves require increased force to further open beyond a threshold opening force, leading to inefficiencies in fluid flow and potential issues like hammering in conduits and sudden pressure drops.
Innovation Solution
A fluid stop valve unit with a pressure-responsive part that transitions from a closed to an open state with a decrease in pressure after a threshold pressure is reached, utilizing components like rubber, elastomer, or metal springs with diaphragm designs to minimize the force required for opening and maintain the open state, reducing pressure drops and flow restrictions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If a conventional fluid stop valve is used with a linear opening/closing characteristic, then the valve can be opened at a threshold pressure, but the required force increases continuously to further open the valve beyond the threshold
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the pressure-force parameter relationship by introducing a non-linear spring characteristic. The spring is designed to have a decreasing spring constant as it compresses, allowing the valve to open at a threshold pressure without requiring continuously increasing force. This parameter change enables the valve to transition from a linear to a non-linear opening characteristic, resolving the contradiction between opening force and flow rate.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the valve opening characteristic dynamic by using a spring whose stiffness changes during compression. Instead of a static linear spring, the dynamic spring constant decreases as the valve opens, allowing the system to adapt the required force based on the opening position. This dynamic behavior enables easy opening at threshold pressure while maintaining adequate flow rates.
2Device complexity
If a conventional valve with linear opening characteristic is used, then the valve structure is simple, but hammering occurs in conduits and sudden pressure drops happen during closure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the closure characteristic by changing the spring's force-pressure parameter relationship. The non-linear spring ensures that during closure, the valve closes gradually rather than suddenly, preventing water hammer effects. The spring constant decreases as compression increases, creating a softer closure that maintains reliability without requiring complex damping mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies beforehand cushioning by designing the spring to provide increasing compliance as it compresses. This pre-designed non-linear characteristic cushions the closure process, preventing sudden impacts and pressure drops. The spring's decreasing stiffness acts as a built-in cushion that protects the system from hammering effects during valve closure.
3Stress or pressure
If a valve requires high threshold pressure to open, then the valve remains closed by default for safety, but the pressure drop across the valve is large when open
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the pressure distribution parameters by using a non-linear spring characteristic. The valve maintains a high threshold pressure for safety but minimizes the pressure drop across the open valve by optimizing the spring's force-pressure relationship. The decreasing spring constant allows the valve to open fully once the threshold is reached, reducing the sustained pressure drop and energy loss during normal operation.
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 minimizes the risk of hammering and sudden closures, allows for higher critical flow rates with lower pressure drops, and ensures the valve remains open with significantly less pressure than required to open it, enhancing fluid distribution system efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
the pressure responsive part comprises a part made of rubber or elastomer
Implementation Method 2
the pressure responsive part is a separate spring. According to one embodiment the spring is made of metal
Implementation Method 3
the spring comprises at least one diaphragm spring
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention concerns a fluid stop valve unit comprising at least one fluid stop valve and a pressure responsive part, integrated or separate, arranged so that the at least one fluid stop valve is kept in a closed state. The pressure responsive part, integrated or separate, has an opening characteristic going from the closed state to an open state with a decrease of pressure after a threshold pressure has been reached.