Irrigation Valve Assembly Linear Sealing Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing large-scale irrigation valves face challenges with debris getting caught in hinges, compromising the seal, and requiring high force to maintain sealing contact surfaces, especially under varying water pressure conditions.
Innovation Solution
A non-planar valve assembly with a valve head that travels along a longitudinal axis, featuring a peripheral sealing contact surface and a skirt-like wall that forms a thin edge for sealing, combined with a resiliently deformable valve seat, allowing for efficient sealing across different water pressure applications without breaching the seal integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If broad sealing contact surfaces are used in prior art valves, then sealing reliability is improved, but high heads or substantial force are required to maintain the seal
Solution Approach 1:
The valve head features a localized narrow terminal edge at its periphery that contacts the valve seat, rather than using a broad sealing surface. This localized contact point concentrates the sealing function at a specific location, allowing the seal to form effectively with minimal force while the rest of the valve head structure remains lightweight and easy to actuate.
2Ease of operation
If hinges are used in prior art valves, then valve operation is enabled, but debris gets caught in and around the hinge compromising the seal
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge mechanism is completely removed from the valve design. Instead of being hinged at the periphery, the valve head is centrally mounted on the shaft and moves linearly along the longitudinal axis. This extraction of the hinge eliminates the debris collection problem while maintaining full valve operation capability through direct linear motion.
3Reliability
If valve head is forced against flow to maintain seal, then sealing contact is maintained, but excessive force is required and wear increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of forcing the valve head against the flow direction to maintain sealing contact, the design allows the valve head to move freely with the flow during operation. The seal is formed by the narrow terminal edge geometry and central mounting, not by forcing the valve against the water flow, thereby reducing excessive force requirements and wear.
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 solution provides a reliable and efficient seal across a range of water pressures, reducing wear and tear and maintaining structural integrity, even under high axial forces, while minimizing the need for excessive force and preventing debris accumulation.
Implementation Method 1
Large scale irrigation applications may involve heads of pressure in the range 1- 20m
Implementation Method 2
combined with a resiliently deformable valve seat, allowing for efficient sealing across different water pressure applications without breaching the seal integrity
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 2
Figure 3a~3b
AI summary
A valve assembly (10) for large scale irrigation including a valve body (20) and a valve head (40). The valve head is adapted to reciprocally travel along a longitudinal axis, supported by a longitudinally aligned shaft (60) inside the valve body. The valve head includes a wall (41) terminating in a peripheral sealing contact surface (42), the wall extending inwardly from the peripheral contacting surface.