Rotary Puck Fluid Valve for Low-Friction Sealing and Flow Diversion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid control valves face challenges in meeting conflicting requirements such as sealing, pressure drop, friction, and size, necessitating a compromise that can be application-specific.
Innovation Solution
A multi-mode fluid control valve with a rotatable puck made from moldable or fabricated materials, featuring modular components and low-friction sealing to optimize fluid redirection and sealing, allowing for customization based on application needs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If sealing components are added to improve sealing performance, then sealing quality is improved, but friction increases
Solution Approach 1:
The puck is divided into multiple segments or passages separated by divider walls, allowing independent optimization of sealing surfaces in different regions. This segmentation enables sealing components to be placed only where needed, reducing overall friction while maintaining sealing quality.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the puck have different surface qualities - some areas have low-friction coatings or polished surfaces for minimal friction, while other areas have enhanced sealing surfaces with sealing components. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction by providing high sealing quality only where required.
2Stress or pressure
If valve size is increased to reduce pressure drop, then pressure drop is reduced, but device size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The valve uses a rotatable puck mechanism that controls fluid flow in multiple dimensions through rotational positioning. This allows complex flow path optimization without increasing the overall valve size, reducing pressure drop while maintaining compact dimensions.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotatable puck provides dynamic flow path adjustment, allowing the valve to optimize fluid channeling in real-time. This dynamic control enables efficient flow with lower pressure drop without requiring a larger valve body.
3Adaptability or versatility
If modular components are used to improve adaptability, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The rotatable puck design serves multiple functions - it provides sealing, flow direction control, and friction reduction in a single integrated component. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate modular components, lowering complexity while maintaining adaptability through rotational positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple functions (sealing, flow control, friction reduction) are merged into the single puck component rather than using separate modular parts. This consolidation simplifies the overall device structure while maintaining the ability to customize performance through puck design variations.
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 provides flexible fluid control that optimizes friction, leak rate, pressure drop, and size, enabling tailored performance for specific applications while maintaining low friction and effective sealing.
Implementation Method 1
On either side of the puck axial surfaces are lined with a low friction element (moving ceramic discs for instance) or highly polished surface. This enables the valve to both seal well while maintaining low friction.
Data Source
AI summary
A multi-mode fluid control valve that has a housing with a fluid control chamber having a first end wall with at least one passage and a second end wall with at least two passages. There is also a puck positioned in the fluid control chamber that is rotatably connected to a drive shaft at a drive shaft connection aperture in the puck. The puck has a first side facing the first end wall of the flow control chamber. The puck has at least two passages separated by divider walls. The puck further includes at least one flow diverter extending between the first side of the puck to the second side of the puck. The flow diverter is adjacent one of the two passages and is configured to divert fluid in the fluid control chamber toward the passage that is adjacent the flow diverter.