Nozzle Check Valve Annular Disc Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Check valves often have slow response times and are prone to fatigue or failure due to repeated cycling and slamming, which reduces their performance and reliability.
Innovation Solution
A nozzle check valve with an annular disc design that improves closure time, reduces weight, and increases flow volume, featuring a modular configuration for various applications, including subsea environments, and includes a removable locking mechanism for easy maintenance and inspection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If conventional check valve design is used, then structural simplicity is maintained, but response time is slow and slamming occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The valve disc is segmented into a two-part structure consisting of a main disc body and a separate nose portion. The nose is positioned to engage the valve seat first during closure, guiding the disc onto the seat and preventing slamming. This segmentation allows the disc to close in a controlled manner, improving response time while reducing impact forces that cause fatigue.
Solution Approach 2:
The nose portion acts as an intermediary element between the main disc body and the valve seat. It makes initial contact with the seat during valve closure, serving as a mediator that guides the disc onto the seat surface gradually. This intermediary structure prevents direct impact between the full disc mass and the seat, reducing slamming while maintaining fast response.
2Strength
If heavier valve disc is used, then structural strength is improved, but response time increases and slamming occurs
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the disc into a lighter main body and a separate nose portion, the overall disc weight is reduced while maintaining necessary structural strength. The lighter disc responds faster to pressure changes, improving closure speed. The nose portion provides the necessary engagement feature without adding excessive mass that would slow response or cause slamming.
Solution Approach 2:
The nose portion is designed with specific local qualities - a rounded leading edge and appropriate dimensions - that enable it to engage the valve seat gently first. This local structural optimization allows the disc to maintain strength where needed while reducing overall weight and improving closure dynamics to prevent slamming.
3Strength
If valve components are fixed permanently, then structural integrity is maintained, but maintenance and inspection become difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The valve is segmented into modular components including the valve body, disc assembly, and nose portion that can be independently removed and reinstalled. This modularity maintains structural integrity during operation while enabling easy disassembly for maintenance and inspection, as components can be separated without compromising the overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve employs dynamic sealing through the nose-disc- seat interaction rather than permanent mechanical fastening of all components. The nose engages the seat dynamically during operation to prevent leakage, while allowing components to be easily assembled and disassembled for maintenance, combining structural integrity with maintenance accessibility.
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 nozzle check valve achieves faster opening and closing times, increased flow capacity, and enhanced reliability by minimizing pressure drops and preventing slamming, while being adaptable to different flow conditions and environments.
Implementation Method 1
The check valve is capable of allowing the passage of a fluid (i.e., liquid or gas) in one direction through the conduit (e.g., forward flow) and stopping the flow of the fluid through the conduit in the opposite direction
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosed embodiments include check valves capable of improved dynamic performance (e.g., closing and opening times). The check valves may include an annular disc having an opening. The annular disc may be lightweight and present a reduced surface area to the flow, thus increasing the closure speed of the check valve as well as the opening speed of the check valve. Other components, such as a spacer component, may be reconfigured to modify the check valve for increased performance in a variety of applications, including low flow volume, medium flow volume, and high flow volume applications.