Gate Valve Internal Equalizing Port Pressure Relief
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Solution Overview
Problem
In large-size, high-pressure applications, gate valves face significant challenges due to excessive friction and force required to open the gate, leading to potential damage from the blasting action of initial equalization flow, and existing solutions like external equalizing conduits are hazardous for operators.
Innovation Solution
The gate valve incorporates an internal equalizing port system with a carrier and equalizer gates, allowing for automatic pressure equalization between the gate and valve body, minimizing the force needed to open the valve and reducing the risk of damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If an external equalizing conduit with a needle valve is used to equalize pressures on the gate prior to opening, then the force required to open the valve is reduced, but the operator safety deteriorates due to the tendency of needle valves to violently fail when operated under pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary equalizing port system integrated into the gate structure itself, rather than using an external needle valve. This intermediary pathway allows pressure equalization to occur through a controlled opening in the gate, eliminating the need for manual operation of a separate needle valve and thus removing the safety hazard while still achieving the force-reduction benefit
Solution Approach 2:
The equalizing function is merged with the gate structure by incorporating the equalizing port directly into the gate body. This integration combines the gate's primary function (flow control) with the secondary function (pressure equalization), eliminating the need for a separate external equalizing conduit and needle valve assembly, thereby improving operator safety while maintaining the force-reduction effect
2Speed
If the gate is opened under high differential pressure, then the valve can be opened quickly, but the blasting action of the initial equalization flow causes severe damage to the valve
Solution Approach 1:
The equalizing port is designed to open before the main gate flow path opens, allowing pressure equalization to occur in advance. This preliminary action reduces the differential pressure across the gate before full opening, preventing the harmful blasting action of high-velocity flow while still enabling quick opening of the valve
3Reliability
If the equalizing port is integrated internally within the gate, then operator safety is improved by eliminating external needle valves, but the device complexity increases due to internal structure requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The equalizing function is merged with the gate structure by incorporating the equalizing port directly into the gate body. This integration combines the gate's primary function (flow control) with the secondary function (pressure equalization) into a single component, which actually reduces overall device complexity compared to having separate external equalizing conduits and needle valves
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 internal equalizing port system reduces the force required to open the valve, ensuring safe operation and minimizing damage from pressure differences, while the use of Teflon seal plates allows for easy and inexpensive maintenance.
Implementation Method 1
an equalizing passage is formed in the gate between the upstream and downstream sides, and an equalizer gate is positioned in the equalizing passage to close the passage when the valve is in the closed position and to open the passage when the valve is in the opened position
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 3~4
AI summary
A gate valve has a gate movable between open and closed positions within a valve body, and walls in the gate defining an equalizer port between opposite sides of the gate. The equalizer port is adapted and arranged to be shiftable by actuation of the gate between closed and opened positions and between opened and closed positions.