Portable Valve Torque Amplifier Gear Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Field personnel face difficulties in controlling rotary valves, especially in remote locations, harsh environmental conditions, and tight spaces, requiring significant energy to rotate the valve wheel, often necessitating assistance or makeshift tools which can be impractical or unsafe.
Innovation Solution
A portable apparatus with a gear assembly that amplifies input torque, allowing for easier rotation of valve control members by providing selectable output torques greater than the input torque, featuring a main body, anchoring portion, contacting member, and gear assembly that can be securely attached to the valve, enabling efficient operation in various configurations and environments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If field personnel manually rotate the valve wheel directly, then the operation is simple and direct, but significant energy is required and assistance may be needed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a portable apparatus with a gear assembly as an intermediary device between the operator and the valve wheel. The gear assembly amplifies the operator's input torque through mechanical advantage, reducing the effort needed to rotate the valve wheel while maintaining direct mechanical control. This mediator enables single-person operation of large valves without requiring additional personnel or complex automated systems.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the valve is installed in tight spaces or remote locations, then the valve serves its function in difficult-to-reach areas, but field personnel have difficulty accessing and operating it
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the valve operation function into two separate components: the valve itself (which remains installed in the tight or remote location) and the portable apparatus (which can be brought to the operator). The portable apparatus includes a main body, gear assembly, and contacting member that can be positioned near the valve wheel and coupled to it, allowing the operator to work from a more accessible position while the apparatus bridges the gap to the hard-to-reach valve.
3Quantity of substance
If the valve wheel is large in diameter or has specific configuration, then the valve can control large flow rates, but it requires more energy to rotate
Solution Approach 1:
The gear assembly acts as a torque amplifying intermediary that enables operators to rotate large-diameter valve wheels with reduced effort. The mechanical advantage provided by the gear assembly allows the operator's small input torque to be transformed into the large output torque needed to overcome the inertia and friction of large valve wheels, making it feasible to manually operate valves designed for high flow rates.
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 portable apparatus reduces the required input torque for rotating valve control members, allowing for easier operation in challenging conditions, enhancing safety and efficiency by providing a mechanical advantage that simplifies valve control without the need for additional assistance or tools.
Implementation Method 1
The gear assembly may be configurable to provide, from the output portion, one or more of a plurality of selectable output torques to the control member via the contacting member based on an input torque received from the input portion. The magnitude of each selectable output torque may be greater than or equal to the magnitude of the input torque.
Data Source
AI summary
Example embodiments relate generally to portable devices for controlling operation of a valve. The apparatus may comprise a main body, an anchoring portion, a contacting member, and a gear assembly. The anchoring portion may be securable to the main body and operable to restrict a movement of the main body relative to the valve body. The contacting member may be securable to the main body and rotatable relative to the main body. The contacting member may be operable to contact with a portion of the control member. The gear assembly may be configurable to provide, from an output portion, one or more of a plurality of selectable output torques to the control member via the contacting member based on an input torque received from an input portion. The magnitude of each selectable output torque may be greater than or equal to the magnitude of the input torque.