NC Valve Actuator Servicing Tool for Tight-Space Maintenance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Servicing Normally Closed (NC) fluid control valve assemblies in tight spaces is challenging due to the need for simultaneous actuator activation and torque application, which complicates maintenance and increases the risk of damage to the valve and actuator.
Innovation Solution
A servicing tool set comprising a ratchet and sockets that can engage with the actuator body, allowing disengagement of the actuator from the valve while providing pressurized fluid to open the NC valve, facilitating maintenance by applying torque and ensuring correct alignment through guides and resilient engagement mechanisms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the valve assembly is placed in a tight space to meet spatial constraints, then the machine can achieve compact design, but servicing the actuator and valve becomes difficult without disassembling surrounding parts
Solution Approach 1:
The valve assembly is divided into separable components - the actuator can be disengaged from the valve body independently. This allows the actuator to be removed for servicing while leaving the valve body in place, facilitating maintenance in tight spaces without requiring complete disassembly of surrounding parts.
Solution Approach 2:
The actuator is designed to be extractable from the valve assembly. A removal tool can engage with the actuator and apply torque to disengage it from the valve body, allowing the actuator to be taken out for servicing while the valve remains installed in its compact location.
2Reliability
If an NC valve assembly requires actuator activation to hold the valve in fully open position during servicing, then the valve can be protected from damage, but the need to simultaneously maintain actuator activation with pressurized fluid while servicing complicates the maintenance process
Solution Approach 1:
Before servicing begins, the actuator is activated to open the valve and held in that position. This preliminary action ensures the valve is in a safe state for servicing. The actuator remains activated throughout the servicing process, maintaining the valve in the open position to prevent damage.
Solution Approach 2:
A fluid connection is established between the pressurized fluid source and the actuator through a service port. This intermediary connection allows pressurized fluid to be supplied to maintain actuator activation without requiring complex piping or additional activation mechanisms during servicing.
3Manufacturing precision
If a precision actuator is controlled by air pressure to adjust the internal space cross-section, then precise fluid flow control is achieved, but the actuator requires complex activation mechanisms that complicate servicing
Solution Approach 1:
The actuator is designed as a separate, extractable component from the valve assembly. This allows the precision actuator to be removed for servicing or replacement without affecting the valve body or the precise flow control capabilities of the assembled unit.
Solution Approach 2:
The actuator includes a service port that allows direct connection to pressurized fluid sources for activation and servicing. This self-service capability enables the actuator to be activated and maintained without requiring external complex activation mechanisms or disassembly of surrounding components.
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
Enables safe and efficient maintenance of NC valve assemblies in confined spaces by allowing the actuator to be disengaged and re-engaged without damaging the valve, reducing maintenance complexity and risk of damage.
Implementation Method 1
the NC valve is configured to allow activating an actuator engaged therewith with pressurized fluid and thereby opening the NC valve
Implementation Method 2
applying torque to an actuator body engaged with a valve body and thereby disengaging the actuator body from the valve body
Data Source
Figure 1a
Figure 1b
Figure 2a~2b
AI summary
According to one aspect, a fluid control system is provided comprising a servicing tool set and at least one valve assembly comprising an actuator and a valve operationally engageable therewith; each valve comprising a valve body; each actuator comprising an actuator body having an upper base and side walls; wherein each actuator body is engageable with a valve body, and wherein the system is configured to allow: engaging the servicing tool set with an actuator and subsequently applying torque to an actuator body engaged with a valve body and thereby disengaging the actuator body from the valve body; the at least one valve assembly comprising at least one Normally Closed (NC) valve; wherein the NC valve is configured to allow activating an actuator engaged therewith with pressurized fluid and thereby opening the NC valve, wherein the actuator comprises a nipple and the servicing tool set comprises a ratchet and at least one socket engageable with the actuator body, and wherein the at least one socket is sized and shaped to accommodate the nipple, and wherein the servicing tool set is further configured to allow operationally coupling the pressurized fluid to the actuator.