Modular Piston Valve Assembly for Quick Maintenance Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid transfer equipment in the automotive and energy sectors faces challenges in maintenance accessibility and component replacement, leading to increased operational time and potential loss of small parts during assembly and disassembly.
Innovation Solution
The equipment features a piston valve with a pneumatic or hydraulic piloting system and a modular design allowing easy extraction and replacement of valves, with seals compressing in specific directions to maintain sealing and functionality, enabling simplified access and maintenance without disassembling the frame.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If valves are assembled directly in the frame, then the equipment structure is compact, but maintenance and accessibility of components become difficult requiring frame disassembly
Solution Approach 1:
The equipment is divided into distinct modular components: the frame, the module containing the cavity and evacuation passage, and the piston valve. This segmentation allows the module to be moved relative to the frame, enabling valve access without frame disassembly while maintaining a compact overall structure when assembled.
Solution Approach 2:
The module is designed to be movable relative to the frame between open and closed positions. This dynamic configuration allows the system to transition from a compact closed state to an open state for maintenance, providing both structural compactness and component accessibility.
2Reliability
If frame disassembly is required for valve maintenance, then component protection is improved, but operational time increases due to frequent assembly and disassembly
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the equipment into movable modules, the invention enables direct access to valves through module movement rather than frame disassembly. This reduces maintenance time while the sealed cavity and evacuation passage design maintain component protection during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The module containing the valve is extracted as a separate movable unit from the frame. This allows the valve to be accessed and maintained by simply moving the module to an open position, eliminating the time-consuming frame disassembly process while keeping the valve protected within its module during normal operation.
3Reliability
If valves are accessed through frame disassembly, then component security is improved, but risk of small parts loss increases during assembly and disassembly
Solution Approach 1:
The modular design segments the valve-containing module as a complete unit that moves relative to the frame. This eliminates the need for frame disassembly and reassembly operations that could cause small parts to be lost, while the module itself provides secure containment of all its components during movement and maintenance operations.
4Productivity
If equipment is optimized for large volume transfer, then filling performance improves, but loading time increases affecting productivity
Solution Approach 1:
The piston valve mechanism enables continuous fluid transfer operation with efficient sealing and flow control. The valve can operate continuously for large volume transfers while the quick-access modular design reduces non-productive loading time between operations, maintaining high filling performance without excessive downtime.
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
Facilitates quick and efficient valve replacement and maintenance, reducing operational time and minimizing the risk of part loss, while maintaining high fluid transfer performance and safety.
Implementation Method 1
two seals seal the supply orifice with the frame. two seals form closed laces around the axial direction D1 and are respectively compressed substantially along the direction of insertion D1 between the piston valve and the frame
Implementation Method 2
two seals form closed laces around the axial direction D1 and are respectively compressed substantially along the direction of insertion D1 between the piston valve and the frame, and between the piston valve and the module
Implementation Method 3
the piston valve is movable in translation along an insertion direction D1, between an uninserted position in which the piston valve is located outside the housing, and an inserted position in which the piston valve is located in the housing
Implementation Method 4
the module is movable relative to the frame between an open position, allowing the insertion of the piston valve into the housing, and a closed position in which the module is fixed to the chassis
Data Source
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AI summary
Equipment (1) for transferring a fluid into a reservoir (102) or a downstream conduit (102), the equipment comprising: - a piston valve (4) having a body (40) and a piston rod (41) provided with its end with a shutter (42), - a frame (2) defining on the one hand a housing (21) to receive the piston valve (4), and on the other hand an upstream passage (22) for the fluid intended to be fluidly connected to a source of fluid (101), the piston valve (4) is movable in translation, in an insertion direction (D1), between a non-inserted position in which the piston valve (4) is located at outside the housing (21), and an inserted position in which the piston valve (4) is located in the housing (21), - a module (3) defining a cavity (31) to receive the fluid from the upstream passage ( 22) and a downstream discharge passage (33) intended to be fluidically connected to the reservoir or downstream pipe (102), the inlet of the discharge passage (33) defining a valve seat (32) intended for born to receive the shutter (42) of the piston valve (4) in the extended position, the module (3) being movable relative to the frame (4) between an open position, allowing the insertion of the piston valve (4) in the housing (21), and a closed position in which the module (3) is fixed to the frame (2).