Multi-Seat Gate Valve Locking Structure for Reliable Sealing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing multi-seat gate valves face challenges in achieving an adequate seal, particularly when dealing with fluids containing solids, due to premature wear and increased emissions in 2-piece designs and excessive thrust or premature engagement in 3-piece designs.

Innovation Solution

A multi-seat gate valve design featuring a pair of sealing members secured between a bottom edge surface on the gate and a pair of locking members until the fully closed position, balancing loads and preventing premature engagement, using opposing non-parallel and parallel surfaces with slideable engagement and detachable coupling via pins or ball bearings.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a 2-piece gate valve design is used, then the sealing capability is improved, but the stem experiences bending load causing premature wear on packing and increased emissions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing capabilityVSAvoidstem load capacity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The gate valve is divided into three separate pieces: two gates that act as sealing members and a wedge-shaped gate positioned between them. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, with the outer gates providing sealing against the valve body while the inner wedge-shaped gate maintains their positioning without subjecting the stem to bending loads.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The wedge-shaped gate acts as an intermediary component between the two outer gates. It maintains the relative position of the sealing members and transfers forces in a way that prevents bending loads on the stem, while still allowing the outer gates to effectively seal against the valve body surfaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Stability of the object's composition

If a rocker arm mechanism is used in a 3-piece gate valve, then the relative position between sealing members and gate is maintained, but the rocker arm cannot be used because it requires two gates to move against one another

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverelative position stabilityVSAvoidmechanism compatibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of using a rocker arm that requires gates to move against one another, the invention inverts the approach by using a wedge-shaped gate that moves with the sealing members in the same direction, maintaining their relative positions through parallel movement rather than opposing movement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Reliability

If springs are used to maintain sealing member position, then the sealing capability is improved, but the required thrust to seat the valve increases and can lead to premature engagement when there is an obstruction

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing capabilityVSAvoidthrust to seat valve

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The springs that would normally be used to maintain sealing member position are extracted from the design. Instead, the wedge-shaped gate and locking members provide the necessary force transmission and positioning, eliminating the need for springs and their associated drawbacks of increased thrust requirements and premature engagement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentUS11209087B2Multi-seat gate valve

Publication Date: 2021.12.28 FRANKLIN VALVE LP

AI summary

A multi-seat gate valve with a pair of sealing members separated by a gate wherein each sealing member is secured between a bottom edge surface on the gate and a pair of locking members until the gate valve is at a fully closed position and proper seating is achieved.