Multi-Lobe Butterfly Valve for Lower Torque Bleed Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional bleed valves in gas turbines, such as bi-static valves and sliding sleeve valves, fail to provide optimal thermal efficiency and control accuracy, leading to increased torque loading and manufacturing costs.
Innovation Solution
A butterfly valve with a unique geometry featuring first, second, and third lobes on its valve body, which reduces torque loading while maintaining minimal flow capacity reduction, allowing for improved control and reduced manufacturing costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional bi-static valves or sliding sleeve valves are used for bleeding the compressor, then the valve can control the compressor bleed, but the torque loading increases and control accuracy decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The valve body is segmented into multiple lobes (first lobe, second lobe, third lobe) that are spaced apart from each other, creating discrete flow paths. This segmentation allows the valve to maintain structural integrity while reducing the effective area that generates torque, thereby reducing overall torque loading while preserving control accuracy through precise lobe positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The lobes are positioned asymmetrically with specific spacing relationships (e.g., the second lobe is spaced from the first lobe by a first distance, and from the third lobe by a second distance). This asymmetric arrangement optimizes flow distribution and reduces torque loading by creating more favorable pressure distributions across the valve body during operation.
2Loss of energy
If conventional valve designs are used, then the structure is simple, but the thermal efficiency of the compressor is not optimal especially during transient operation
Solution Approach 1:
The valve is designed to dynamically adjust flow characteristics during transient operation through its multi-lobe structure. The lobes create varying flow paths that can adapt to changing operating conditions, improving thermal efficiency during transient states while maintaining a relatively simple overall valve structure that rotates as a single unit.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve body extends in multiple dimensions with lobes positioned at different locations and orientations. This three-dimensional lobe arrangement creates complex flow patterns that improve thermal efficiency without requiring multiple separate valves or complex mechanical assemblies, achieving enhanced performance through geometric complexity rather than mechanical complexity.
3Loss of energy
If bi-static valves with two operating states are used, then the valve structure is simple, but the stepped modulation does not allow maximum thermal efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The multi-lobe valve body provides continuous modulation capability as it rotates, allowing the effective flow area to vary smoothly between fully open and fully closed positions. This dynamic adjustment enables optimal thermal efficiency across different operating conditions, eliminating the stepped modulation limitation of bi-static valves while maintaining a simple rotating mechanism.
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 butterfly valve achieves reduced torque loading by up to 50% compared to conventional designs, maintaining minimal flow capacity reduction, thus enhancing the performance and efficiency of gas turbines.
Implementation Method 1
a shaft rotatably mounted to the conduit and defining a longitudinal axis along its length, such that the shaft is rotatable about the longitudinal axis
Implementation Method 2
The perimeter surface is configured to engage with the conduit in the closed position of the valve body
Data Source
AI summary
A butterfly valve for a conduit defining a passage for a flow of a fluid therethrough in a flow direction. The butterfly valve includes a shaft rotatably mounted to the conduit and defining a longitudinal axis along its length. The butterfly valve includes a valve body coupled to the shaft, such that the valve body is rotatable along with the shaft about the longitudinal axis between a closed position and a fully open position. The valve body includes a first major surface, a second major surface opposite to the first major surface, a perimeter surface, a central plane, a first lobe, a second lobe, and a third lobe.