Pilot Valve Assembly With Interlocked Seal and Horizontal Reset
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hydrant valves used in aircraft fueling face issues with seal failure, contamination, and debris accumulation due to high pressure and flow rates, which existing pilot actuator designs fail to adequately address.
Innovation Solution
A pilot valve assembly with a spring-loaded poppet and molded seal, along with a manually operated reset mechanism and lanyard deactuation system, is introduced to enhance sealing performance, reduce contamination, and minimize debris accumulation, while also reducing excessive loads on the pilot valve.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional seal design is used in the pilot valve assembly, then the initial sealing function is provided, but seal failure and debris accumulation occur due to high pressure and flow rates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating a molded seal with an interlock feature specifically at the critical sealing interface. The interlock feature is locally integrated into the seal structure to prevent delamination at the sealing surface, directly addressing the seal failure issue caused by high pressure and flow rates without redesigning the entire seal system.
Solution Approach 2:
The molded seal with interlock feature represents a composite structure combining the seal material with an integrated interlocking mechanism. This composite design enhances the seal's resistance to delamination and failure under high-pressure conditions, improving reliability while preventing debris generation from seal breakdown.
2Ease of operation
If the pilot actuator assembly is designed with sufficient length to accommodate all components, then proper functionality is achieved, but excessive loads are placed on the pilot valve
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves the contradiction by repositioning the reset mechanism from a vertical arrangement to a horizontal arrangement. This dimensional change allows the actuator to maintain sufficient length for proper functionality while redistributing the load path horizontally, thereby reducing excessive vertical loads on the pilot valve stem and improving operational reliability.
3Ease of operation
If the reset mechanism is positioned vertically, then adequate space is provided for operation, but the overall length of the pilot actuator assembly increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dimensionality change by reorienting the reset mechanism from a vertical position to a horizontal position within the actuator assembly. This allows the reset mechanism to have adequate operational space in the horizontal dimension while minimizing the overall vertical length of the pilot actuator assembly, thereby reducing excessive loads on the pilot valve.
4Adaptability or versatility
If a detachable pressure fitting is used to apply pneumatic or hydraulic pressure, then flexibility in connection is provided, but contamination and debris accumulation increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies merging by integrating the pressure fitting connection into a sealed, enclosed pilot actuator assembly. The pneumatic or hydraulic pressure is applied through sealed passages within the actuator body, eliminating detachable external fittings. This maintains the adaptability of pressure application while preventing contamination and debris accumulation that would occur with detachable connections.
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 improved pilot valve assembly effectively reduces seal failure and debris accumulation, enhances sealing performance, and minimizes excessive loads, ensuring reliable operation and extended service life.
Implementation Method 1
The pilot valve assembly includes a spring-loaded poppet
Implementation Method 2
When air pressure is supplied, the pilot valve assembly can open the pilot valve against a biasing force to permit flow of fluid
Data Source
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AI summary
The present disclosure relates to an improved pilot valve assembly (126) for a hydrant pit valve (100). The pilot valve assembly (126) includes a poppet (170) that is movable between an open position and a closed position. The poppet (170) has preferably a molded seal (200) with an interlock feature to hold the seal rigidly. The pilot valve assembly (126) operates as a pilot actuator and also includes a manually reset mechanism (144). The reset mechanism (144) can be horizontally positioned and can function to reset the pilot valve assembly (126) for the next refueling operation. A lanyard (138) can be connected to the poppet (170) to be used as a deactuation mechanism.