Multi-Plane Valve Structure With Integrated Sealing and Low Pressure Drop
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Solution Overview
Problem
Multi-port valves face increased complexity, part count, manufacturing costs, and potential leak paths due to multiple ports and external plumbing, which complicates fluid flow control across multiple planes.
Innovation Solution
A multi-port multi-plane valve design with a single-piece housing and integrated seals reduces part count and leak paths, enabling internal fluid flow control across multiple planes without external plumbing, using a rotatable shell body to manage fluid communication between ports.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple ports are added to the valve to enable multi-planar fluid flow control, then the functionality and versatility of the valve is improved, but the overall complexity and part count of the valve increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple ports (first through fifth ports) into a single integrated valve body structure, allowing multi-planar fluid flow control without requiring separate valves or complex external plumbing. The shell body integrates all port connections and internal flow paths into one unified component, reducing the number of separate parts while maintaining the ability to control flow across multiple planes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a fifth port positioned in a different plane (perpendicular to the first plane) than the traditional four ports, enabling three-dimensional fluid flow control. This dimensional addition allows the valve to manage fluid paths in multiple orientations without proportionally increasing complexity, as all ports are integrated into the single valve body.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple inlets and outlets are welded onto the housing to create multiple ports, then the multi-port functionality is achieved, but the number of potential leak paths and manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The valve body, housing, and port structures are merged into a single integrated component manufactured as one piece. This eliminates the need for separate welding operations between multiple inlet/outlet components and the housing, thereby reducing the number of potential leak paths while maintaining multi-port functionality.
3Reliability
If multiple individual seals are used to seal the various ports, then the sealing effectiveness is improved, but the overall cost and complexity of the valve increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a single seal member that provides sealing for multiple ports simultaneously. This unified seal approach maintains effective sealing across all port connections without requiring multiple separate seal components, thereby reducing the number of parts and simplifying the overall valve structure while preserving sealing reliability.
4Adaptability or versatility
If external plumbing is used to provide fluid flow in multiple planes, then the multi-planar flow capability is achieved, but the required volume or footprint of the overall fluid control system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates all multi-planar fluid flow control functionality into a single compact valve body, eliminating the need for external plumbing components. The first through fifth ports are all connected through internal passages within the valve body itself, allowing multi-planar flow control to be achieved within the valve's own volume rather than requiring additional external space for pipes and fittings.
Data Source
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AI summary
Embodiments of a multi-port multi-plane valve are provided. The multi-port multi-plane valve includes a housing which defines an internal cavity. The housing further includes a plurality of ports in which each port lies within one of two planes that are normal to each other. Each of the plurality of ports is in communication with the internal cavity. A shell body is rotatably disposed within the internal cavity and provides selectable fluid communications between the ports. A seal member is also provided which has a plurality of openings and surrounds the shell body. At least one flow enhancer channel may be included to reduce the pressure drop occurring on one side of the valve when controlling flow paths on the other side of the valve.