Linear Shut-Off Valve for Dead-Space-Free Viscous Melt Flow
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing valves are inadequate for handling highly viscous liquids and hot plastic liquid melts, as they often require high processing temperatures and are prone to instability, dead space formation, and stagnation, which complicates their use in manufacturing processes like cellulose solution production.
Innovation Solution
A valve design featuring a shut-off element with a prism-shaped guide body and recesses that allow for linear movement, enabling continuous control of fluid flow between inlet and outlet openings, reducing cross-sectional area to seal or open the flow path, and incorporating a further recess for sampling and pressure relief.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional valve designs are used for highly viscous liquids, then the valve structure is simple, but dead spaces and stagnation occur leading to fluid instability
Solution Approach 1:
The valve interior is segmented into distinct flow zones using a centrally positioned shut-off element with radially extending flow channels. This segmentation eliminates dead spaces by ensuring every region is accessible to flowing fluid, preventing stagnation of highly viscous liquids while maintaining a relatively simple overall valve structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from conventional linear flow paths to a radial/dimensional flow pattern by positioning flow channels perpendicular to the valve closure direction. This dimensional change allows fluid to access all valve regions simultaneously, eliminating stagnant zones without requiring complex multi-component structures.
2Reliability
If conventional valve designs are used for hot plastic liquid melts, then the processing temperature requirements are met, but instability and stagnation occur
Solution Approach 1:
The radial flow channel design ensures continuous fluid movement through all valve regions during operation. This continuous action prevents stagnation of hot plastic melts, maintaining process stability without requiring excessive temperatures that would otherwise be needed to prevent material degradation.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention optimizes flow parameters (velocity distribution, flow path length) through its geometric design, allowing stable processing at lower temperatures by eliminating stagnant zones where thermal degradation would occur, thus changing the thermal parameter requirements favorably.
3Ease of operation
If a shut-off element blocks the flow path, then fluid flow is controlled, but dead spaces are created
Solution Approach 1:
The shut-off element serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides flow control through axial movement while its radially extending flow channels ensure all valve regions remain accessible to fluid. This multi-functionality allows effective flow control without creating dead spaces, as the element's geometry inherently prevents stagnation zones.
4Productivity
If the recess is large for fluid flow, then flow capacity is improved, but sealing effectiveness is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing effectiveness is dynamically adjusted through the axial position of the shut-off element. When sealing is required, the element moves to block the inlet opening, utilizing the annular recess geometry to maintain both sealing contact and flow capacity. The dynamic positioning allows the system to optimize between sealing and flow capacity based on operational requirements.
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 design allows for efficient, dead-space-free handling of highly viscous liquids and melts, enabling continuous control of fluid flow and preventing stagnation, making it suitable for processes like cellulose solution production and extrusion of thermoplastics.
Implementation Method 1
the shut-off element is arranged to be linearly movable at least partially in the cavity of the valve housing between the inlet opening and the outlet opening
Implementation Method 2
the shut-off element has at least one recess for fluid to flow from the inlet opening via the recess to the outlet opening
Implementation Method 3
the further recess is a prismatic opening in the guide body of the shut-off element
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a valve (1) comprising a valve housing (2) and a blocking element (3), wherein the valve housing (2) has a hollow space (4) for receiving the blocking element (3), an inlet opening (5) for allowing a fluid to flow into the hollow space (4) and an outlet opening (6) for allowing the fluid to flow out of the hollow space (4), wherein the blocking element (3) has a guide body (7) and is arranged linearly moveably and at least partially in the hollow space (4) of the valve housing (2) between the inlet opening (5) and the outlet opening (6), wherein the blocking element (3) has at least one opening (8) for allowing the fluid to flow from the inlet opening (5) to the outlet opening (6) via the opening (8).