Non-return Valve Membrane Support for Flow Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing non-return valves in medical applications face issues with unintended closure due to high pressures, deformation reducing flow area, and compromised sealing function after pressure relief, leading to inadequate performance under varying pressure conditions.
Innovation Solution
The non-return valve design incorporates support surfaces separated by narrow, deep grooves connecting recesses to the outlet channel, with projections and additional surfaces to absorb pressure movements and maintain flow area, and concave surfaces to gently support the membrane, ensuring consistent sealing and flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the membrane disk is provided with openings leading to an outlet space, then flow to the outlet side is enabled, but under overpressure the openings can contact the opposite wall and cause unintended closure
Solution Approach 1:
An annular channel is introduced as an intermediary flow path between the membrane disk openings and the outlet passage. This channel provides an alternative route for fluid flow that remains open even when the membrane disk contacts the outlet space wall under overpressure, preventing unintended valve closure while maintaining productivity.
2Reliability
If the membrane disk is allowed to deform under high pressure to maintain sealing, then sealing function is improved, but the available flow cross section is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The flow path is segmented into multiple independent channels: the original openings in the membrane disk and the separate annular channel. This segmentation allows the membrane to deform for sealing while the annular channel maintains open flow path, preventing reduction in available flow cross section.
3Reliability
If the membrane disk is prestressed to ensure secure closing, then sealing reliability is improved, but the cracking pressure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The prestressing force is applied locally at the outer peripheral area of the membrane disk where the bead is accommodated in annular grooves, rather than uniformly across the entire membrane. This localized prestressing ensures secure sealing at the critical valve seat interface while minimizing the overall cracking pressure required to open the valve.
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
This design prevents reduction in flow cross-section and maintains effective sealing across pressure variations, allowing for higher opening pressures with minimal mold changes and maintaining flow integrity.
Implementation Method 1
a membrane disk (6) made of flexible material which is arranged between the two hose connection housings (2, 4) and which, in the event of excess pressure in an inlet channel (8) of the first hose connection housing (2), is released from an annular inlet chamber (10) connected to the inlet channel (8) surrounding valve seat (12) can be lifted
Implementation Method 2
the grooves accommodating the annular bead on the peripheral area of the diaphragm disk are designed in such a way that when the two hose connection housings are assembled, radially directed tensile forces are applied to the diaphragm disk, so that the Tensile stress can take place in the membrane
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
Nonreturn valve comprising a flexible membrane disc on a valve seat between two tube connectors, where the membrane disc has openings leading to an outlet chamber and one connector has recesses communicating with an outlet channel. The recesses (28) are separated by membrane support surfaces (30) and are connected to the outlet channel (24) via narrow deep grooves.