Modular Valve Actuator Layout for NC and NO Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
The production of NC valves and NO valves is hindered by the need for a large variety of components, leading to high production and stock-keeping costs due to different drive unit configurations.
Innovation Solution
A valve design with a pneumatic or hydraulic drive unit featuring a cylinder, piston, and housing cover, where the piston divides the cylinder into two spaces, and a branching pressure fluid duct allows operation as either an NC or NO valve by controlling fluid flow through closure bodies, enabling the use of identical components for both variants.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If different drive unit configurations are used for NC valves and NO valves, then the valves can meet different customer requirements, but the number of components increases and production costs rise
Solution Approach 1:
The drive unit is designed with a branching pressure fluid duct that can supply pressure fluid to either the valve seat-side space or the cover-side space, enabling the same drive unit to operate both as NC valve and NO valve configurations
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows dynamic configuration during assembly by selectively positioning closure bodies in different partial ducts, enabling the valve to be adapted to different operation modes (NC or NO) based on customer requirements without changing the fundamental drive unit structure
2Adaptability or versatility
If different drive unit configurations are used for NC valves and NO valves, then the valves can meet different customer requirements, but stock-keeping costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
A single universal drive unit design with branching ducts can serve both NC and NO valve configurations, eliminating the need to maintain separate inventories of different drive unit components for different valve types
Solution Approach 2:
The pressure fluid duct is segmented into partial ducts that can be selectively closed by closure bodies, allowing the same drive unit to be configured for different valve types without requiring different physical components
3Adaptability or versatility
If a branching pressure fluid duct with closure bodies is used, then the valve can operate as both NC and NO valve, but the duct structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure fluid duct is divided into partial ducts that can be independently controlled by closure bodies, allowing selective fluid flow paths to be established or blocked based on the desired valve configuration
Solution Approach 2:
Closure bodies act as intermediaries that selectively block specific partial ducts, enabling the branching pressure fluid duct to serve multiple functions without requiring multiple separate duct systems
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 cost-effective production of both NC and NO valves with a high degree of variability, reducing production and stock-keeping costs by utilizing a modular system with only piston differences, and enabling the decision between valve types during assembly.
Implementation Method 1
a closure body being provided which seals either the first partial duct or the second partial duct in a fluid-tight manner
Implementation Method 2
a pneumatic or hydraulic drive unit, which includes a cylinder, a piston, a spindle unit mounted for axial movement in the cylinder
Implementation Method 3
pressure fluid duct branches into two partial ducts, a first partial duct extending through the spindle unit into the valve seat-side space and opening out there, and a second partial duct opening out into the cover-side space
Data Source
AI summary
In a valve (10) having a pneumatic or hydraulic drive unit (20), the drive unit (20) includes a cylinder (22), a piston (24), a spindle unit (26) mounted for axial movement in the cylinder (22), and a housing cover (28), the piston (24) dividing the interior of the cylinder (22) into a cover-side space (42) and a valve seat-side space (40), and a duct (66) within the spindle unit (26) leading to the valve seat-side space (40). Formed in the housing cover (28) are a fluid intake (44) and a fluid exit (46) as well as a pressure fluid duct (48) in fluid communication with the fluid intake (44) and an outlet duct (50) in fluid communication with the fluid exit (46). The pressure fluid duct (48) branches into two partial ducts (54, 56), a first partial duct (54) extending through the spindle unit (26) into the valve seat-side space (40) and opening out there, and a second partial duct (56) opening out into the cover-side space (42), and a closure body (68) being provided which seals either the first partial duct (54) or the second partial duct (56) in a fluid-tight manner. Furthermore, a modular system (70) and a method for manufacturing valves (10) are indicated.