Modular Valve Body for Standardized Multi-Valve Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Industrial processing plants face increased production costs and time-consuming installation and maintenance due to the lack of standardized components for pressure regulating valves, slam-shut valves, and flow control valves, each requiring unique configurations and accessories.
Innovation Solution
A modular valve system with a standardized valve body that can assemble any of these valves, featuring through-holes for receiving components of pressure regulating, slam-shut, or flow control valves, and a fluid flow path connecting the inlet and outlet, allowing for interchangeable assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If unique valve bodies are used for each valve type (pressure regulating valve, slam-shut valve, flow control valve), then each valve can be optimized for its specific function, but production costs increase and installation/maintenance time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal valve body design that can accommodate multiple valve types (pressure regulating valve, slam-shut valve, flow control valve) through standardized through-holes and interfaces. This allows a single valve body to serve multiple functions by accepting different valve components, thereby reducing production costs and simplifying installation and maintenance operations while maintaining the specific functional requirements of each valve type
2Productivity
If standardized components are used across different valve types, then production costs decrease and installation/maintenance time reduces, but the ability to optimize each valve type for its specific function may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the valve system into modular components: a standardized valve body containing through-holes for component reception, and separate valve-specific components (pressure regulating elements, slam-shut mechanisms, flow control elements). This segmentation allows the common structural elements to be standardized for cost efficiency while keeping the functional elements specific to each valve type, thus resolving the contradiction between standardization and optimization
Data Source
AI summary
A modular valve system includes a modular valve body having an inlet, an outlet, a through-hole, and a fluid flow path between the inlet and the outlet. The modular valve body is used to assemble any one of a pressure regulating valve, a slam-shut valve, or a flow control valve, and the through-hole is configured to receive a component of any one of the pressure regulating valve, the slam-shut valve, and the flow control valve.