Shut-off Valve with Oversized Disk for Seal Pressure Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional shut-off fittings for liquid or gas lines face issues with high surface pressure on sealing elements due to fluid pressure and dirt accumulation between the shut-off disk and seal, requiring large-area sealing elements and compromising their service life.
Innovation Solution
A shut-off valve design featuring a disk-shaped shut-off element with a significantly larger horizontal width than the flow passage diameter, allowing for improved guidance and reduced surface pressure on guide and seal elements, along with a convexly curved lower edge and flatter seated seal section to facilitate easy dirt removal and prevent germ development.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional shut-off fittings with shut-off disks are used, then the flow passage can be closed, but high surface pressure acts on the sealing elements due to fluid pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extends the shut-off disk horizontally beyond the flow passage boundaries, utilizing the lateral dimension to create guide surfaces. This dimensional extension allows the guide elements to contact the shut-off disk over a much larger area, distributing the fluid pressure-induced forces across this expanded contact zone and thereby reducing the surface pressure on the sealing elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the shut-off disk into functional zones: a central sealing area that contacts the seal and lateral guide surfaces that extend beyond the flow passage. This segmentation allows the guide surfaces to bear the guiding and load-bearing functions separately from the sealing function, enabling the seal to operate under reduced surface pressure while the guide elements handle the pressure distribution.
2Reliability
If conventional shut-off fittings are used, then the flow passage can be closed, but dirt gets caught between the shut-off disc and the seal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies curvature to the lower edge of the shut-off disk and the corresponding seal surface, creating a convexly curved geometry. This curved design prevents dirt and debris from becoming trapped in sharp corners or flat interfaces, as the curved surfaces allow contaminants to be more easily rinsed away by fluid flow, eliminating crevices where dirt could accumulate and compromise the sealing function.
3Reliability
If large-area sealing elements are used to compensate for high surface pressure, then sealing can be maintained, but the device complexity and size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent reduces the required seal area by extending the shut-off disk laterally to provide guide surfaces that distribute loads. This dimensional redistribution of contact areas allows the seal to be smaller while maintaining sealing capability, as the guide elements assume part of the load-bearing function that would otherwise require a larger seal.
4Ease of operation
If the shut-off element is guided laterally, then positioning can be achieved, but the contact area between guide and shut-off element is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent significantly improves the guidance function by extending the shut-off disk horizontally beyond the flow passage boundaries, creating extensive lateral guide surfaces. This dimensional extension transforms the limited point or line contact into a large-area surface contact between the guide elements and the shut-off disk, enhancing guidance stability and load distribution.
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
Shut-off system comprises a plate-like shut-off element (13) having a surface which is larger than the surface of a flow passage (14), in which the horizontal width (B) of the shut-off element is larger than the diameter (D) of the flow passage. An independent claim is also included for a shut-off device with the above shut-off system. Preferred Features: The ratio of the horizontal width of the shut-off element to the diameter of the flow passage is at least 1.1. The shut-off element is made from a high-grade steel.