Multi-flapper Check Valve Without Housing Ribs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing multi-flapper check valves are unsuitable for low-pressure pneumatic systems due to pressure drops caused by ribs in the housing, which impede air flow and make them inefficient for environmental control systems in aircraft.
Innovation Solution
A multi-flapper check valve design without ribs in the housing, featuring a single circular opening and flappers with overlapping edges and tabs for sealing, allowing air to flow without pressure loss, suitable for low-pressure systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If ribs are added to the housing of multi-flapper check valves, then structural support and stability are improved, but pressure drop increases and air flow is impeded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the ribs from the housing structure entirely, extracting the harmful structural element that caused pressure drop. The housing becomes a simple cylindrical shape without internal ribs, eliminating the source of air flow obstruction while maintaining sufficient structural integrity for the application.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the housing into multiple cylindrical sections that are joined together to form the complete valve body. This segmentation allows the housing to maintain structural stability through proper joining of sections while avoiding the need for internal ribs that would obstruct air flow.
2Ease of manufacture
If ribs are added to the housing, then manufacturing support structures are improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the complex ribbed housing structure entirely, extracting the unnecessary complexity. The simplified cylindrical housing without ribs reduces manufacturing steps, lowers production cost, and decreases device complexity while remaining sufficiently strong for the application.
3Strength
If ribs are added to the housing, then structural strength is improved, but weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the excess material in the form of ribs from the housing, extracting unnecessary weight. The simplified cylindrical housing uses only the minimum material required for structural integrity, significantly reducing the overall weight of the check valve assembly.
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
The new design minimizes pressure loss and is more cost-efficient and lightweight, making it suitable for low-pressure pneumatic systems, including environmental control systems in aircraft.
Implementation Method 1
flappers with overlapping edges and tabs for sealing
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A
Figure 2B
AI summary
A multi-flapper check valve (100) includes a housing (102) with an opening (64) surrounded by a ring-shaped rim (110), a plurality of flappers (104), and a hinge (106) that connects an end of each flapper (104) to the rim of the housing (102). When the multi-flapper check valve (100) is in a closed position, a first edge (122) of each flapper (104) seals against a second edge (124) of an adjacent flapper (104).