Inline Pneumatic Valve Bushing for Wear and Heat Resistance

Solution Overview

Problem

Modern gas turbine engines and other systems face challenges in providing a valve piston that can withstand increasing pressures and temperatures, as materials with high strength limits for high temperatures often lack wear resistance when sliding along support tubes.

Innovation Solution

The inline valve design incorporates a radially inner sliding portion with a bushing made of a wear-resistant material, such as Stellite, and a radially outer stop portion made of a high-temperature, high-pressure resistant material like Nickel-based alloys, with the bushing located in a low-stress area to minimize tensile loads and maximize wear resistance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If a valve piston is made of high-temperature, high-pressure resistant material, then it can withstand demanding operating conditions, but wear resistance deteriorates when sliding along the support tube

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehigh-temperature and high-pressure resistanceVSAvoidwear resistance

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The valve piston is designed with different materials for different portions: the radially inner sliding portion that contacts the support tube is made of wear-resistant material, while the radially outer stop portion is made of high-temperature, high-pressure resistant material. This local differentiation allows each portion to have the specific material properties needed for its function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The valve piston combines multiple materials with complementary properties - a wear-resistant material for the sliding portion and a high-temperature, high-pressure resistant material for the stop portion. This composite construction allows the single component to exhibit both wear resistance and high-temperature strength simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If the entire piston is made of wear-resistant material, then sliding durability improves, but resistance to high temperature and pressure deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewear resistanceVSAvoidhigh-temperature and high-pressure resistance

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The valve piston is designed with different materials for different portions: the radially inner sliding portion that contacts the support tube is made of wear-resistant material, while the radially outer stop portion is made of high-temperature, high-pressure resistant material. This local differentiation allows each portion to have the specific material properties needed for its function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The valve piston combines multiple materials with complementary properties - a wear-resistant material for the sliding portion and a high-temperature, high-pressure resistant material for the stop portion. This composite construction allows the single component to exhibit both wear resistance and high-temperature strength simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Ease of manufacture

If a single material is used for the entire piston, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but performance under combined wear and high-temperature conditions deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidcombined wear and high-temperature performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The valve piston is designed with different materials for different portions: the radially inner sliding portion that contacts the support tube is made of wear-resistant material, while the radially outer stop portion is made of high-temperature, high-pressure resistant material. This local differentiation allows each portion to have the specific material properties needed for its function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The valve piston combines multiple materials with complementary properties - a wear-resistant material for the sliding portion and a high-temperature, high-pressure resistant material for the stop portion. This composite construction allows the single component to exhibit both wear resistance and high-temperature strength simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Data Source

PatentUS11982358B2Inline pneumatic valve with internal bushing

Publication Date: 2024.05.14 HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND CORP

AI summary

An inline valve includes a sliding piston having a radially outer stop portion with a forward end. A radially inner sliding portion is connected to the radially outer stop portion by an arm. A housing includes an outer housing body surrounding the piston. The housing has a stop surface selectively in contact with the forward end of the radially outer stop portion of the piston to block flow for a housing inlet to a housing outlet. The radially inner sliding portion slides on a support tube. At least a portion of the radially inner sliding portion is formed of a first material having better wear resistance than a second material forming the outer stop portion of the piston. The second material has a greater resistance to high temperature and pressure than the first material. A vent valve for a compressor is also disclosed.