Gate Valve Elastomeric Lattice Seal for Leakage Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing orifice valves face challenges in providing an adequate seal around the gate to prevent leakage and contamination while maintaining the reciprocal movement of the gate, especially when handling materials like powders and granules with particle sizes up to 5mm.
Innovation Solution
The use of an elastomeric mat with a lattice-like configuration as a loading member to urge a bearing member against the gate, providing a balanced seal and accommodating the gate's movement, along with a symmetrical arrangement of bearing and loading members, and a two-part valve body design allowing for different materials in the aperture-defining and main body parts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a seal is provided around the gate to prevent leakage and contamination, then sealing effectiveness is improved, but the reciprocal movement of the gate is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs flexible seal members including an elastomeric mat and flexible bearing plates that can deform elastically. These flexible components maintain sealing contact with the gate while accommodating its reciprocal movement, resolving the contradiction between sealing effectiveness and gate mobility through elastic deformation rather than rigid constraint
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing system is designed to be dynamic rather than static. The elastomeric mat and bearing plates are configured to adapt their shape and position in response to gate movement, maintaining sealing pressure throughout the gate's travel range. This dynamic adaptation allows the seal to follow the gate's motion while preserving sealing effectiveness
2Reliability
If a rigid seal structure is used to prevent leakage, then sealing reliability is improved, but the valve becomes more complex and harder to manufacture
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the sealing components by using elastomeric materials with specific durometer ratings and configuring them with lattice-like structures. These parameter changes allow the seals to achieve the required reliability through material properties and geometric configuration rather than complex mechanical structures, simplifying the overall valve design
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing system utilizes composite construction combining elastomeric materials with lattice frameworks and bearing plate structures. This composite approach achieves high sealing reliability through the complementary properties of different materials - the elastomeric provides compliance and sealing pressure while the lattice structure provides structural support, avoiding the need for complex single-material solutions
3Adaptability or versatility
If different materials are used for aperture-defining and main body parts, then functional requirements are better met, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The valve body is segmented into distinct components - the main body and the aperture-defining portion - that can be manufactured separately from different materials and then assembled. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function (e.g., main body in cast aluminum for structural requirements, aperture portion in stainless steel for product contact) while simplifying the manufacturing of each individual part before final assembly
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
The elastomeric mat with a lattice-like configuration ensures an even seal and effective gate movement, preventing contamination and leakage, while the two-part design and flexible bearing plates allow for efficient operation in various flow environments, including gravity-fed and vacuum conditions.
Implementation Method 1
The mat may be formed from a material having a Shore hardness in the range A5 to A25, for example approximately 10. Materials such as silicon may be used.
Data Source
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AI summary
A gate valve (10) is provided and comprises: a valve body (12,14) including an aperture (20, 22); a gate (42) reciprocally movable within the body between a first position in which the aperture is occluded to a second position in which the aperture is open; a bearing member (36a, 36b) over which the gate moves in the body; and a loading member (30a, 30b) for urging the bearing member against the gate. The loading member comprises a lattice-like elastomeric mat (30a, 30b).