Keyed Shuttle Valve Structure for High Flow and Low Leakage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Shuttle valves in pneumatic and hydraulic systems face issues with maintaining high flow rates and reducing leakage due to movable element deterioration and misalignment, leading to potential blockages and fluid backflow between inlet ports.

Innovation Solution

A shuttle valve design featuring a movable element with radial protrusions and an arc-shaped key that maintains orientation and prevents substantial rotation, combined with annular grooves for radial seals, ensures effective sealing and high flow rates by aligning with valve body seats and preventing leakage paths.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a movable element is used to control fluid flow between two inlet ports, then the valve can direct high flow rates from either source to the outlet, but the movable element deteriorates over time causing leakage and potential blockage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefluid flow rateVSAvoidleakage prevention

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the movable element entirely from the valve body, extracting the problematic component that caused deterioration and leakage. Instead of using a movable shuttle or ball, the invention employs a fixed valve body with multiple inlet ports and internal flow paths that achieve the same fluid direction function without mechanical wear

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The valve body is segmented into multiple inlet ports (first inlet port, second inlet port, third inlet port) with distinct flow paths within the fixed structure. This segmentation allows fluid from any inlet to be directed to the outlet through predefined channels, replacing the need for a single movable element to control all flows

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If the movable element cycles back and forth between inlet ports, then the valve can switch fluid sources, but the repeated cycling causes deterioration and leakage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefluid source switchingVSAvoidservice life of movable element

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of using a movable element to achieve adaptability, the invention inverts the approach by making the valve body itself adaptable through its multi-port configuration. The fixed structure provides versatility through its ability to receive fluid from multiple inlet ports simultaneously or alternately, eliminating the need for cyclic movement

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The fixed valve body is designed with universal functionality to handle fluid flow from multiple sources through its multiple inlet ports and internal flow paths. This multi-functional fixed structure replaces the single movable element's switching function, providing adaptability without mechanical cycling

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If the movable element is positioned to block one inlet port, then fluid flow from the other inlet is directed to the outlet, but partial blockage can occur reducing flow rate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing effectivenessVSAvoidfluid flow rate

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces internal flow paths within the valve body as intermediary channels that guide fluid from inlet ports to the outlet. These fixed flow paths act as mediators that ensure complete sealing when one inlet is blocked, while maintaining optimal flow rates through properly designed channel geometries, eliminating the partial blockage problem

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 enhances fluid flow rates while reducing leakage and preventing the movable element from exiting the valve under pressure, maintaining structural integrity and orientation as it cycles between inlet ports.

Implementation Method 1

The first end portion of the movable element may comprise a first annular groove configured to receive a first radial seal therein. The second end portion of the movable element may comprise a second annular groove, which may be configured to receive a second radial seal therein.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSealing:

Implementation Method 2

When pressure from a fluid is exerted through a particular inlet, it pushes the movable element towards the opposite inlet.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure force: Pressure Increase

Data Source

PatentEP3745006B1Shuttle valve

Publication Date: 2024.11.06 PARKER HANNIFIN CORP

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AI summary

An example shuttle valve (100) includes: (i) a valve body (102) comprising a longitudinal cylindrical bore, a first inlet port (106), a second inlet port (110), an outlet port (114), and a key that protrudes radially inward within the longitudinal cylindrical bore; and (ii) a shuttle (134) mounted in the longitudinal cylindrical bore and configured to move axially therein, wherein the shuttle comprises a plurality of radial protrusions that protrude radially outward from, and are circumferentially spaced apart about, a peripheral surface of the shuttle, and wherein the key of the valve body is interposed between two radial protrusions of the plurality of radial protrusions.