Membrane Valve Assembly for Linear Flow and Lower Diaphragm Wear
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Solution Overview
Problem
Diaphragm valves exhibit non-linear valve characteristics, leading to inefficient flow control and membrane wear due to uneven loading, which complicates long-term operation and increases production costs.
Innovation Solution
A membrane valve design featuring elastomer layers with integrated reinforcement elements, such as lamella, crescent, or kidney-shaped protrusions on the fluid contact surface, which adjust flow resistance to achieve a linear relationship between membrane stroke and flow, allowing for customizable valve characteristics and extended durability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a conventional diaphragm valve design is used, then the valve can be manufactured simply, but the valve characteristic curve becomes extremely non-linear, resulting in poor flow control efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by adding flow guidance elements (such as guide walls or flow straighteners) at specific locations within the valve body, particularly in the flow path between the diaphragm and valve seat. These localized structural modifications redirect the fluid flow to follow a more linear path, improving the valve characteristic curve without requiring a complete redesign of the entire valve structure, thus maintaining manufacturing simplicity while enhancing flow control efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces three-dimensional flow guidance structures that extend into the flow path from the valve body walls. By adding these elements in the spatial dimension, the flow pattern is transformed from a highly turbulent, non-linear path to a more controlled, linear path, thereby improving the valve characteristic curve while keeping the diaphragm and basic valve structure unchanged
2Quantity of substance
If the diaphragm is designed for high flow rate at low opening degrees, then the valve can handle high flow demands, but the valve characteristic becomes non-linear and flow rate changes minimally in the 80-100% opening range
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the flow path into multiple zones using flow guidance elements, creating distinct regions for high-flow capability and linear control. The flow guidance structures divide the turbulent flow into more uniform flow patterns, allowing the valve to maintain high flow rate capability while achieving linear control characteristics across the full opening range, including the 80-100% range
3Reliability
If the membrane is subjected to constant stress to maintain control capability, then the valve can operate reliably, but the service life of the membrane is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces counterbalancing structural elements within the valve body that help distribute and reduce the stress concentration on the diaphragm. Flow guidance elements and structural supports are positioned to create more uniform stress distribution across the diaphragm surface, reducing peak stresses while maintaining the diaphragm's control capability and extending its service life
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 4~5
AI summary
The invention relates to an arrangement with a membrane (5). The membrane (5) has a sealing surface (17) which interacts with a seat (4) to separate spaces (27, 28). The membrane (5) comprises a fluid contact surface (29) on which at least one element (19) is arranged that projects into a space (27, 28).