Internal Valve Inlet Positioning for Fluid Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Internal valves used in fluid storage containers face challenges in safely managing pressure differentials and excess flow conditions, particularly in applications involving hazardous materials, as existing poppet valves may not effectively control fluid flow to prevent leaks or spills.
Innovation Solution
The internal valve system incorporates a poppet valve and a bleed valve, actuated by a valve stem, which adjusts positions to manage pressure equalization and excess flow, with a shoulder for mounting engagement that adjusts the inlet distance from the container's inner wall, ensuring safe operation and fluid control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the inlet of the internal valve is positioned close to the container feed inlet, then the valve can effectively control fluid flow and prevent leaks, but the valve body may interfere with the mounting flange engagement
Solution Approach 1:
The valve body inlet is positioned in a different spatial dimension relative to the mounting flange, allowing the inlet to be close to the feed inlet while the flange engagement occurs at a different location (the shoulder). This dimensional separation resolves the conflict between effective fluid control and mounting simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve body is segmented into functional zones: the inlet region for fluid control, the shoulder region for mounting engagement, and the outlet region for fluid discharge. This segmentation allows each function to be optimized independently without interference.
2Strength
If a shoulder is added to the valve body for mounting engagement, then the valve can be securely mounted to the flange, but the valve body length increases
Solution Approach 1:
The shoulder structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides mounting engagement with the flange, defines the axial position of the valve body, and maintains the inlet at the optimal distance from the feed inlet. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional components that would increase length.
3Reliability
If the inlet pressure is equalized with outlet pressure before opening the poppet valve, then the valve opens reliably, but the pressure equalization process takes time
Solution Approach 1:
The bleed valve opens first to equalize pressure between the inlet and outlet sides of the poppet valve before the poppet valve opens. This preliminary pressure equalization action ensures reliable poppet valve opening while minimizing the time required for the main valve to activate.
Solution Approach 2:
The bleed valve acts as an intermediary mechanism that facilitates pressure equalization before the main poppet valve opens. This intermediary action enables the main valve to open reliably without requiring prolonged pressure balancing time.
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 configuration effectively controls fluid flow by balancing pressure and restricting excess flow, preventing leaks and spills, thus enhancing safety in handling hazardous materials.
Implementation Method 1
a first spring arranged to bias the poppet valve to the closed position
Implementation Method 2
a second spring coupled to the valve stem and arranged to bias the valve stem to the first position
Implementation Method 3
The poppet valve opens when the inlet pressure is approximately equal to the outlet pressure
Implementation Method 4
The internal valve will typically employ a bleed valve to equalize or balance the pressure across the flow control member before opening the main valve
Data Source
AI summary
An internal valve includes a valve stem disposed in a valve body, a poppet valve coupled to the stem, and a bleed valve coupled to the stem. The valve stem is shiftable from a first position in which the poppet valve and the bleed valve are closed, to a second position in which the bleed valve is open, and a third position in which the bleed valve is closed and the poppet valve is open, and the poppet may shift closed in response to a pressure change. The valve body includes a shoulder that is arranged for sealing engagement with a container flange and is between an inlet and a flange of the valve body and spaced away from the inlet. The shoulder is arranged on the valve body to place the inlet a desired distance away from the inner wall of the fluid container.