Compact Pressure Reducing Valve with Oblique Axis and Spiral Spring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional pressure-reducing valves for water systems are large, costly, and prone to leakage due to the use of large springs and diaphragms, leading to high pressure losses and wear, especially when low pressure is applied to the high-pressure side, resulting in inefficient water flow and potential leaks.
Innovation Solution
A compact pressure-reducing valve design featuring a housing with an oblique axis configuration, a spiral spring, and a diaphragm supported by a wing portion, which separates high and low-pressure sides using a gasket and seat assembly, allowing for precise linear movement and minimizing wear, and incorporating a stop tap function to override the pressure-reducing function, using suitable materials like brass and elastomeric materials to reduce furring and enhance reliability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stress or pressure
If a large spring and large diaphragm are used to reduce high incoming pressure, then the valve can effectively reduce pressure, but the valve becomes large, costly, and space-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The valve is divided into two separate chambers: a first chamber for high-pressure water and a second chamber for low-pressure water. The diaphragm separates these chambers, allowing the spring to act only on the low-pressure side without needing to counteract the full incoming high pressure. This segmentation enables the use of a smaller spring and diaphragm while maintaining effective pressure reduction.
Solution Approach 2:
The diaphragm acts as an intermediary element between the high-pressure and low-pressure sides. It transmits the force from the small spring on the low-pressure side to control the valve opening, eliminating the need for a large spring that would otherwise be required to directly counteract the high incoming pressure.
2Stress or pressure
If a movable shaft with O-rings is used to separate high and low pressure, then pressure separation is achieved, but the O-rings become worn and cause leakages
Solution Approach 1:
The movable shaft with O-rings is completely removed from the design. Instead, a stationary diaphragm is used to separate the high-pressure and low-pressure chambers. This extraction of the problematic moving sealing component eliminates the wear and leakage issues associated with O-rings on movable shafts.
Solution Approach 2:
The diaphragm is designed as a simple, replaceable component that can be easily replaced when worn, unlike the complex movable shaft assembly with O-rings. The diaphragm provides reliable separation without the maintenance issues of moving seals.
3Stress or pressure
If the valve is designed with traditional components, then pressure reduction is achieved, but large pressure losses occur when low pressure is applied to the high-pressure side
Solution Approach 1:
The valve opening is dynamically controlled by the balance between the spring force on the low-pressure side and the pressure differential across the diaphragm. When incoming pressure is low, the spring maintains a larger opening to minimize pressure loss and maximize water flow, whereas traditional valves maintain a fixed or less adaptive opening.
4Volume of stationary object
If a compact valve design is used, then space is saved, but manufacturing complexity may increase
Solution Approach 1:
The diaphragm serves multiple functions simultaneously: it separates the high-pressure and low-pressure chambers, transmits the spring force to control the valve opening, and acts as a sealing element. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed, simplifying manufacturing despite the compact design.
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 achieves minimal pressure loss and extended valve reliability by ensuring precise contact and reduced wear, maintaining almost constant low pressure while accommodating varying high pressures, and is more compact and cost-effective than traditional valves.
Implementation Method 1
a spiral spring (5) arranged between the guide and supporting member (6) and the spring housing (4)
Implementation Method 2
a diaphragm (8) having a centrically arranged opening fixed in the junction between the stem (9) and the guide and supporting member (6)
Implementation Method 3
a gasket (10) which can be brought into contact with the seat (16) for closing the opening (21) between the two chambers (17 and 18)
Implementation Method 4
the valve spring, via its attached diaphragm, is actuated by the pressure acting on the low-pressure side of the valve
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
According to the invention there is provided a pressure reducing valve for reducing water pressure in homes, comprising a valve housing (1) with a high-pressure side (2, 17) and a low-pressure side (3, 18). The high-pressure side (2, 17) and the low-pressure side (3, 18) are separated by an opening (21) which can be closed against the force of a spring (5) actuated by the pressure in the valve, the spring (5) being actuated by the pressure acting on the high-pressure side (2, 17) of the valve. In an especially preferred embodiment of the invention, there is provided a combination valve comprising a pressure reducing valve and a stop tap.