Poppet Valve Seat Flow Deflection to Reduce Vortex Pressure Loss

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Solution Overview

Problem

Globe valves experience undesirable pressure drops and flow resistance due to vortex formation around the valve seat, leading to reduced control behavior and Kv values, especially when a tubular guide extends far in the axial direction, causing significant pressure losses and flow disruptions.

Innovation Solution

A valve seat design with radially aligned deflection channels that guide process fluid to divert the main flow direction, counteracting vortex formation by introducing cross-flows, and a lifting valve member with a tapered closing surface and radial passage channels to optimize fluid flow and reduce friction losses.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If a tubular guide for the globe valve member extends far in the axial direction, then guidance stability is improved, but vortex formation increases causing pressure losses

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveguidance stabilityVSAvoidpressure losses
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The harmful tubular guide structure is completely removed from the valve seat. Instead of extending a guide into the flow path, the invention uses the valve member's own geometry (conical shape with annular groove) to provide guidance, thereby eliminating the source of vortex formation while maintaining guidance stability through alternative means.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention converts the potentially harmful flow separation that would occur without a guide into a beneficial controlled flow pattern. The annular groove in the valve member creates a defined flow path that guides fluid smoothly, transforming what would be turbulent flow into laminar flow, thus converting a potential harm into a benefit.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

2Device complexity

If the valve seat has a conventional design without deflection channels, then structural simplicity is maintained, but vortex formation causes reduced Kv values

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural simplicityVSAvoidKv values
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention adds radial deflection channels to the valve seat, introducing a new dimensional element (radial flow component) to the traditionally axial flow system. This dimensional change allows the flow to be redirected radially outward, preventing vortex formation and improving Kv values without significantly complicating the overall structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The deflection channels act as intermediary structures that mediate between the incoming axial flow and the outlet flow. By providing a controlled radial transition path, these channels prevent direct interaction between opposing flow streams that would create vortices, thus maintaining structural simplicity while improving flow characteristics.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of manufacture

If the lifting valve member has a simple conical shape, then manufacturing ease is improved, but flow control precision deteriorates due to vortex formation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing easeVSAvoidflow control precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The valve member incorporates an asymmetric annular groove pattern on its conical surface. This asymmetric feature breaks the symmetry of potential vortex formation and creates a preferred flow direction, improving flow control precision while adding minimal manufacturing complexity to the otherwise simple conical shape.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

Solution Approach 2:

The invention applies local geometric features (annular groove, specific conical angle) to specific regions of the valve member rather than changing the overall simple conical shape. This localized modification maintains manufacturing ease while precisely controlling flow characteristics in the critical sealing and throttling region.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 effectively reduces vortex formation, maximizes Kv values, and improves flow efficiency by redirecting process fluid, resulting in better control behavior and reduced pressure losses across various throttle cross-sections and pressure gradients.

Implementation Method 1

undesirable pressure drop or flow resistance occurs as a result of whirlpools or eddies in the area of the through opening surrounded by the valve seat

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVortex formation: Vortex Ring

Implementation Method 2

the at least one deflection channel is designed and set up to guide process fluid arranged within the inner cavity or to influence a main flow direction of process fluid in the area of the through opening

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFlow deflection:

Implementation Method 3

The lifting valve member comprises a tapered closing surface and radial passage channels to optimize fluid flow and reduce friction losses

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction losses: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP4269844A1Valve seat, poppet valve member, and poppet valve
Publication Date: 2023.11.01 SAMSON AG
  • EP4269844A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4269844A1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4269844A1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A poppet valve (100) for a process plant, such as a chemical plant, in particular a petrochemical plant, a power plant, a brewery or the like, comprising a valve body (101) having an inlet channel (103), an outlet channel (107), a bridge section (105) with a through-opening (150) and a neck section (109), with a valve seat (1, 2) arranged in the bridge section (105) and with a poppet valve element (5, 6) cooperating with the valve seat (1, 2) and comprising a cylindrical inner cavity (50), wherein the poppet valve element (5, 6) is movable in the axial direction (A) relative to the valve seat (1, 2), is equipped with a deflection, such as a deflection profile on the poppet valve element (5, 6) and/or a deflection channel (17) on or in the valve seat (1, 2).for deflecting process fluid arranged within the inner cavity (50) and/or for influencing a main flow direction of the process fluid in the area of ​​the through-opening (150).