Centrifugal Pump Non-Return Valve Centered Closure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Multi-stage submersible pumps face issues with non-return valve sealedness due to non-centered valve plate alignment under gravity, especially when operated horizontally, and the entire valve assembly is difficult to disassemble for maintenance.
Innovation Solution
A non-return valve design with a movably arranged shut-off body within a guide that tapers inwardly counter to the main flow direction, ensuring centered closure and easy disassembly, featuring a guide with inwardly tapering contours and part-circle-shaped regions for optimal play and low-friction movement, allowing for efficient fluid flow and defined positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the non-return valve is designed as a closed welded construction, then the structural integrity and sealedness are improved, but the ease of repair and maintenance deteriorates as the entire valve assembly cannot be disassembled
Solution Approach 1:
The non-return valve is divided into separate components: a valve body, a shut-off body, and a guide. The shut-off body can be removed from the guide, allowing maintenance of sealing surfaces without replacing the entire welded construction. This segmentation maintains structural integrity while enabling repair access.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the pump is operated in a lying manner, then the operational versatility is improved, but the sealedness deteriorates due to non-centered valve plate alignment under gravity
Solution Approach 1:
The guide is pre-formed with an inwardly tapering contour that automatically centers the shut-off body on the sealing surface before closure occurs. This preliminary centering action eliminates the need for gravity-dependent alignment, ensuring sealedness regardless of pump orientation.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide features an asymmetric inwardly tapering contour rather than a symmetric cylindrical shape. This asymmetric geometry provides directional guidance that naturally centers the shut-off body during movement, compensating for gravitational effects in any operational position.
3Manufacturing precision
If the guide provides tight clearance for precise positioning, then the positioning precision is improved, but the friction increases and movement smoothness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The guide exhibits varying clearance characteristics at different locations: a smaller clearance near the sealing surface for precise positioning, and a larger clearance in the upper region for smooth movement. This local variation in quality optimizes both positioning precision and movement smoothness.
Solution Approach 2:
The solution transitions from a uniform radial clearance to a dimensionally varying clearance that changes along the axial direction. The inwardly tapering contour creates a gradient in clearance size, utilizing the axial dimension to resolve the contradiction between tight positioning and smooth movement.
Data Source
AI summary
The multi-stage submersible pump at the exit side is provided with a non-return valve (9) including a valve seat (19) and a shut-off body (15) which is movably arranged thereto in a limited manner and which is arranged with a positive fit and in a movable manner within a guide (16) surrounding the shut-off body (15) with play. The inner contour of the guide (16) tapers inwards towards the valve seat (19), counter to the main flow direction (13).