O-ring Seal Pressure Relief Valve with Tapered Bore
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional liquid pressure control valves require significant space and are costly due to the use of springs for pressure relief, and they can malfunction from excessive pressure build-up, which can lead to component fracture or malfunction.
Innovation Solution
A liquid pressure control valve design that incorporates an O-ring seal and an annular impingement element with a tapered bore to compress and decompress the O-ring seal, allowing it to move from a sealing to a non-sealing position under excessive pressure, providing pressure relief without the need for a spring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a spring is used to hold the pressure relief valve closed against pressure, then the valve can reliably control pressure relief, but the valve requires significant space to accommodate the spring and associated parts, increasing manufacturing cost and device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the spring component from the pressure relief valve system. Instead of using a spring to hold the valve closed, the invention uses a resilient seal element (O-ring) that can be compressed between a reduced diameter section and an impingement element with a tapered bore. This extraction of the spring simplifies the device structure while maintaining pressure relief functionality through the elastic deformation of the O-ring seal element.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of pressure control from spring-based mechanical force to O-ring elastic deformation. The O-ring seal element's ability to deform elastically under pressure allows it to perform the function previously requiring a spring, but with a more compact structure. The tapered bore of the impingement element provides a progressive compression path that replaces the spring's progressive resistance.
2Reliability
If a spring-based pressure relief valve is used, then pressure relief can be achieved, but manufacturing and material costs increase due to multiple components including springs and associated parts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the spring component and associated hardware from the pressure relief valve assembly. The pressure relief function is achieved using only the O-ring seal element, the reduced diameter section, and the impingement element with tapered bore. This reduction in component count directly lowers manufacturing complexity and material costs while maintaining the essential pressure relief function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a simple O-ring seal element as the primary pressure-responsive component. O-rings are inexpensive, easily manufactured rubber or elastomeric components that can be readily replaced if needed. This substitution of an expensive spring mechanism with a simple, low-cost O-ring significantly reduces manufacturing costs while maintaining functional reliability.
3Reliability
If traditional O-ring seals are used to seal junctions between components, then sealing can be achieved, but excessive pressure build-up can deform the O-ring further, potentially leading to fracture or malfunction of valve components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an impingement element with a tapered bore as an intermediary between the O-ring seal and the excessive pressure. When excessive pressure occurs, the O-ring is compressed into the tapered bore of the impingement element rather than being forced against rigid valve components. This intermediary structure provides a controlled deformation path that protects the valve's critical components from pressure-induced fracture or malfunction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent provides beforehand cushioning by designing the impingement element with a tapered bore that can accommodate O-ring deformation before excessive pressure causes damage. The tapered bore acts as a pre-designed deformation zone that absorbs excess pressure energy, protecting the valve's structural components from the harmful effects of pressure surges or blockages.
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 design offers a compact, cost-effective solution that relieves excess pressure without spring energization, using few internal parts and ensuring robust construction, suitable for various control valves, with the O-ring able to move inwardly or outwardly, and the impingement element's inclined surface allowing pressure relief.
Implementation Method 1
the O-ring being compressed at least partly into the bore of the impingement element and away from its first sealing position to take up a second non-sealing position
Implementation Method 2
with a pressure in excess of the required pressure acting on the O-ring it will be compressed at least partly into the bore of the impingement element
Implementation Method 3
the impingement element including a bore that tapers away from the O-ring seal, whereby with a pressure in excess of the required pressure acting on the O-ring it will be compressed at least partly into the bore of the impingement element
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid pressure control valve includes at least one O-ring seal mounted, in a first sealing position, on a sealing section of a first component thereof to seal a junction between that first component and a second component which junction controls a bleed passage between. The first component is threadingly engaged within the second component. The valve includes a chamber intended to contain liquid up to a required pressure during operation of the valve. The valve includes at least one annular impingement element mounted about a reduced diameter section, relative to the sealing section, of the first component and adjacent thereto with the impingement element. The impingement element includes a bore that tapers away from the O-ring seal, whereby with a pressure in excess of the required pressure acting on the O-ring it will be compressed at least partly into the bore of the impingement element and away from the O ring's first sealing position to take up a second non-sealing position and, with release of the excess pressure, return to its first sealing position.