Gate Valve Plate Detachment Using Screw-Driven Axial Release
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gate valves require significant effort and time to replace the sealing member due to the difficulty in detaching the valve plate from the valve rod, especially when the connecting portion is tightly inserted.
Innovation Solution
A gate valve design where the valve plate and valve rod are detachably connected by a connecting screw with a contact portion that allows the valve plate to move along the rod axis when the screw is loosened, facilitated by a helical groove and counterbore configuration, enabling easy detachment even when the valve rod is tightly inserted.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the valve rod is tightly inserted in the valve-plate attaching hole to prevent relative rotation, then the connection reliability is improved, but the valve plate cannot be detached by lifting with a tool
Solution Approach 1:
A wedge-shaped guide portion is introduced as an intermediary element between the valve rod and valve plate. This guide portion has a tapered surface that converts the lifting force into both upward motion and rotational motion, enabling the valve plate to detach while maintaining tight connection during operation. The guide portion mediates between the conflicting requirements of tight insertion for reliability and ease of detachment for maintenance.
2Ease of operation
If the connecting screw is used to detach the valve plate, then the valve plate can be removed, but significant time and effort are required for the detachment process
Solution Approach 1:
The wedge-shaped guide portion is pre-installed and positioned within the connecting hole before the detachment process begins. This preliminary arrangement allows the lifting tool to immediately engage and convert upward force into the necessary combined motion, eliminating the need for time-consuming manual manipulation of connecting screws or other fastening mechanisms.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the valve plate is detachably connected with a connecting screw, then the sealing member can be replaced, but the detachment process requires tools and multiple steps
Solution Approach 1:
The complex multi-step detachment process involving connecting screws and multiple tools is extracted and replaced by a single lifting action. The wedge-shaped guide portion enables the valve plate to be removed by simply lifting it with a tool, taking out the unnecessary complexity of screw loosening, tool insertion, and coordinated manipulation while maintaining the ability to replace the sealing member.
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
Enables easy and reliable detachment of the valve plate from the valve rod, reducing maintenance time and effort by utilizing the impellent force of the connecting screw through a contact portion, allowing for quick replacement of the sealing member without needing to detach the gate valve from the vacuum chamber.
Implementation Method 1
a valve plate and a valve rod are detachably connected along a rod axis by screwing a connecting screw in a screw hole formed at an end of a valve rod along the rod axis
Implementation Method 2
the valve plate is displaced along the rod axis together with the connecting screw by an impellent force of the connecting screw acting on the valve plate via the contact portion
Data Source
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AI summary
[Object] To provide a gate valve in which a valve plate can be detached from a valve rod easily and reliably even if the valve rod is tightly inserted in a valve-plate mounting hole. [Solution] In a gate valve in which a valve plate 3 and a valve rod 4 are detachably connected along a rod axis L by screwing a connecting screw 14 in a screw hole 21 formed at an end of a valve rod 4 along the rod axis L through a screw insertion hole 18 formed in a valve plate 3, the valve plate 3 includes a contact portion 25 that is in contact with the connecting screw 14, and when the connecting screw 14 is loosened to detach the valve plate 3 from the valve rod 4, the valve plate 3 is displaced along the rod axis L together with the connecting screw 14 by an impellent force of the connecting screw 14 via the contact portion 25 to move to a valve-plate detaching position at which the connecting screw 14 comes out of the screw hole 21 of the valve rod 4 completely.