Monocoque Hydraulic Shuttle Valve to Eliminate Leak Paths

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing shuttle valves in hydraulic systems require multiple seals and components, leading to leakage issues, increased assembly time, and higher manufacturing costs.

Innovation Solution

A monocoque body shuttle valve is designed using additive manufacturing, integrating the manifold housing with end-fittings, reducing component count, and eliminating leakage paths.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional multi-component shuttle valves are used, then sealing and connection functions are provided, but assembly time increases and leakage paths increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveleakage preventionVSAvoidassembly time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the manifold housing and end-fittings into a single integrally formed monocoque body. This consolidation eliminates the need for separate sealing components and multiple assembly steps, directly reducing assembly time while maintaining leakage prevention through the integral structure that eliminates potential leak paths at joints.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Ease of manufacture

If traditional multi-component shuttle valves are used, then structural functionality is provided, but manufacturing costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing costVSAvoidcomponent count

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The manifold housing and end-fittings are combined into one integrally formed component, reducing the total part count from multiple separate pieces to a single monocoque body. This simplification directly reduces manufacturing cost by eliminating multiple manufacturing operations, material handling, and quality inspection steps while maintaining all required structural functions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Productivity

If integrally formed monocoque body is used, then assembly time is reduced and leakage paths are eliminated, but manufacturing process complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveassembly speedVSAvoidmanufacturing process

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from traditional subtractive manufacturing or assembly of multiple parts to additive manufacturing of the integrally formed monocoque body. This parameter change in the manufacturing process enables the creation of complex integral structures that would be difficult or expensive to produce through conventional methods, thereby achieving assembly time reduction and leakage elimination without prohibitive manufacturing complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS12331837B2Additive manufacturing and generative design hydraulic shuttle valve

Publication Date: 2025.06.17 THE BOEING CO

AI summary

A shuttle valve including a first inlet having a first, substantially uniform fluid line and a second inlet having a second, substantially uniform fluid line. A manifold chamber is in communication with the first and second fluid lines, and an outlet having a third fluid line between the first and second inlets. The third fluid line has a third inner radius substantially uniform along a third length of the third fluid line. A spool is disposed in the manifold chamber. A retention feature is disposed in the manifold chamber and configured to retain the spool at one of a first position and a second position. At the first position the spool blocks the first inlet; at the second position the spool blocks the second inlet, but the outlet remains open. The first inlet, the second inlet, the outlet, and the manifold chamber are integrally formed as a monocoque body.