Passive Stop Valve With Magnetic Position Indication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing stop valves in pipelines, particularly in nuclear facilities, may fail to reliably close in a passive manner and provide a reliable indication of their position due to power supply failures and the reliance on electrical position sensors.
Innovation Solution
A stop valve with a non-electrically driven actuator mechanism and a magnetically coupled position indicator that allows the valve to automatically close in response to excessive temperature or flow rate, and provides a reliable visual indication of its position without requiring external power.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If electrical position sensors (capacitive or inductive) are used to determine valve position, then measurement precision is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to power supply dependency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces electrical position sensors with a magnetic coupling mechanism. A magnetic indicator member is magnetically coupled to the closure member, providing visual position indication without requiring electrical power. This mechanical-magnetic system eliminates the power supply dependency of electrical sensors while maintaining position detection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The magnetic indicator member is passively driven by the magnetic field of the closure member, requiring no external power source. The system uses the inherent magnetic properties of the materials to automatically indicate valve position, making the indication system self-sufficient and independent of facility power supply.
2Ease of operation
If actively controlled stop valves are used, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates when power supply fails
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the electrical actuation system with a passive mechanical actuator mechanism. The actuator uses the kinetic energy of the fluid flow itself to drive the closure member, eliminating the need for external power supply while ensuring reliable closure during power failures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful high-velocity fluid flow (which causes the operational failure requiring valve closure) into a beneficial driving force. The fluid's kinetic energy is captured by the actuator mechanism to automatically close the valve, turning the problem condition into the solution mechanism.
3Measurement precision
If data processing means are added to convert and display sensor signals, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the complex electrical data processing system with a simple magnetic visual indication system. The magnetic indicator member directly displays valve position through its orientation, eliminating the need for signal conversion, processing, and electronic display components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses visual indication through magnetic orientation, where the indicator member's position or orientation (potentially with color-coded markers) directly shows valve status. This provides intuitive position information without requiring electronic processing or display systems.
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 solution ensures reliable and failure-free operation of the stop valve, maintaining the pipeline's integrity even during power outages, by using a passive, temperature- and pressure-sensitive mechanism and a magnetic position indicator.
Implementation Method 1
The indicator member is magnetically coupled to the closure member such that the indicator member is magnetically transferred into the first position when the closure member is transferred into the open position and into the second position when the closure member is transferred into the closed position
Implementation Method 2
The actuator mechanism is configured to be activated by a fluid flow through the flow channel reaching or exceeding a switching temperature and/or switching flow rate during operation
Data Source
Figure 1~2
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Figure 5~7
AI summary
The present invention relates to a stop valve (1) for installation in a pipeline (50), in particular in a pipeline of a nuclear facility, such as a nuclear power plant, or in a conventional chemical reactor and in a conventional power plant, to stop a fluid flow through the pipeline (50) in the event of an operational failure. The valve (1) comprises a valve housing (3) including a flow channel (5) passing through the valve housing (3), and a closure member (10) arranged at least partially in the flow channel (5) and reversibly transferrable between an open position and a closed position such as to open or close the flow channel (5) through the valve housing (3). The valve (1) further comprises a non-electrically driven actuator mechanism (20) operatively coupled to the closure member (10) for transferring the closure member (10) at least from the open position in the closed position. The actuator mechanism (20) is configured to be activated by a fluid flow through the flow channel (5) reaching or exceeding a switching temperature and/or switching flow rate during operation. In addition, the valve (1) comprises at least one position indicator (30, 34) to indicate whether the closure member (10) is in the open position or in the closed position. The position indicator (30, 34) comprises at least one indicator member (31, 32) movably arranged in or at the valve housing (3) between a first position and a second position, wherein the indicator member (31, 32) is magnetically coupled to the closure member (10) such that the indicator member (31, 32) is magnetically transferred into the first position when the closure member (10) is transferred into the open position, and into the second position when the closure member (10) is transferred into the closed position.