Pressure-Balanced Valve Closure for High-Flow Thermal Actuation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing thermally actuated valves are not designed to enable high flowrates of fluid conduction in response to triggering events, posing a safety hazard due to exposure to high temperature conditions.
Innovation Solution
A valve apparatus with a closure member that moves between open and closed positions, featuring fluid pressure-receiving surfaces and a retractable detent member, allowing for controlled fluid flow and positioning to manage pressure differentials and actuation forces, ensuring safe operation during high temperature conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If existing thermally actuated valves are used, then the valve structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the fluid flow rate is insufficient and cannot handle high flowrate conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The valve body is segmented into an upstream compartment and a downstream compartment separated by the closure member. This segmentation allows independent pressure control on each side of the closure member, enabling the valve to handle higher flow rates by balancing pressures across the closure member while maintaining structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a new dimension of control by adding fluid pressure-receiving surfaces on both sides of the closure member. This creates a pressure-balancing mechanism that operates in the pressure dimension, allowing the valve to manage high flow rates through pressure differential control rather than relying solely on mechanical actuation forces.
2Productivity
If the closure member is designed to open under high pressure differential, then high flowrate conduction is enabled, but the closure member becomes unstable and difficult to control during actuation
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the pressure parameters by introducing pressure-balancing ports that equalize pressure on both sides of the closure member during actuation. This parameter control prevents unstable movement and ensures reliable, controlled opening and closing of the closure member even under high flowrate conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The pressure-balancing ports act as intermediaries between the upstream and downstream compartments, mediating the pressure differential across the closure member. This intermediary mechanism ensures stable and controlled actuation by preventing sudden pressure imbalances that could cause instability.
3Reliability
If the closure member is biased to the closed position under equal pressures, then safety during high temperature conditions is improved, but additional pressure-balancing mechanisms increase device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure-balancing mechanism is designed to automatically equalize pressures on both sides of the closure member through the pressure-balancing ports and fluid passage network. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for external control systems, maintaining safety during high temperature conditions while minimizing additional complexity.
4Productivity
If pressure-balancing ports are provided in the closure member, then fluid communication between compartments is improved, but the closure member structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The closure member is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as a flow control element and as a pressure-balancing component. The pressure-balancing ports are integrated into the closure member structure, allowing it to perform multiple functions (flow control and pressure equalization) without requiring separate components, thus improving fluid communication efficiency while minimizing structural complexity.
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 enables acceptable fluid flow rates and safe operation by biasing the closure member to the closed position under equal fluid pressures, preventing exposure to high temperatures and ensuring safe fluid conduction, even during high flowrate conditions.
Implementation Method 1
a first fluid pressure-receiving surface fraction defined on the closure member and configured for receiving forces being applied by fluid disposed within the upstream compartment; and a second fluid pressure-receiving surface fraction defined on the closure member and configured for receiving forces being applied by fluid disposed within the downstream compartment
Implementation Method 2
a retractable detent member configured for movement between an interference fit position and a retracted portion, wherein, in the interference fit position, the retractable detent member is disposed in an interference fit relationship with the closure member for interfering with movement of the closure member from the closed position to the open position
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided a valve apparatus. The valve apparatus includes a body, a closure member, upstream and downstream compartments, a closure member passage, a first fluid pressure-receiving surface fraction and a second fluid pressure-receiving surface fraction. The body includes an inlet port, a first outlet port, and a second outlet port. The closure member is configured for movement between an open position and a closed position. In the open position, the first outlet port is open. In the closed position, the first outlet port is closed. While the fluid pressure within an upstream compartment is equal to the fluid pressure within a downstream compartment, the closure member is biased to the closed position.