Recessed Multiple-Orifice Valve Disc for Low-Torque Sealing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Multiple orifice valves face high torque requirements, especially under high differential pressure conditions, making it challenging to rotate the disc from a closed to an open position efficiently.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a first disc with a recessed portion and channels that reduce contact area and facilitate fluid flow, allowing for reduced torque rotation by enabling partial alignment and throttling of orifices, enabling larger discs and operation in high-pressure applications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a traditional disc design is used in a multiple orifice valve, then the valve can block fluid flow effectively, but the torque required to rotate the disc from closed to open position becomes excessively high, particularly under high differential pressure conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The disc is segmented into multiple functional zones: a peripheral sealing region that contacts the seat to block flow, and a central recessed portion that reduces torque. The segmentation allows the sealing function to be localized to specific contact areas rather than requiring the entire disc surface to maintain full contact, thereby reducing rotational resistance while preserving sealing effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the disc are given different geometric properties: the peripheral region maintains a flat or slightly tapered surface for optimal sealing contact with the valve seat, while the central region incorporates a recessed portion with reduced contact area. This local differentiation enables the disc to achieve both high sealing reliability at the perimeter and low torque requirements in the central operating area.
2Ease of operation
If the disc contact area with the valve seat is reduced to lower torque, then rotation becomes easier, but the sealing effectiveness may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing function is segmented to occur only at the peripheral region where the disc contacts the valve seat, while the central region is freed from sealing requirements through the recessed design. This segmentation allows minimal contact area for sealing while maximizing rotation ease in the central operational zone.
Solution Approach 2:
The recessed portion, which initially appears to reduce sealing area, actually benefits the system by creating a pressure relief zone that reduces differential pressure on the disc during operation. This converts the potential harm of reduced contact area into a benefit by lowering the force resisting disc rotation, thereby easing operation without compromising seal integrity at the peripheral contact region.
3Productivity
If larger orifice sizes are used to increase flow capacity, then the valve handles more fluid, but the disc size increases leading to higher torque requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The disc design segments the functional areas: large orifices are positioned in the central recessed region where they contribute to high flow capacity without adding to the peripheral sealing contact area. The torque-resisting force is localized to the smaller peripheral sealing region, allowing large orifices to increase productivity without proportionally increasing rotation torque.
Solution Approach 2:
The recessed portion introduces a vertical dimension to the disc design, creating depth variation that reduces the effective contact area with the valve seat. This dimensional change allows the disc to maintain large horizontal orifice dimensions for high flow capacity while reducing the vertical contact footprint that generates torque during rotation.
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
This configuration reduces the torque needed to open the valve, allowing for larger orifice sizes and effective operation in high differential pressure environments, enhancing the valve's efficiency and versatility.
Implementation Method 1
The first disc may include a recessed portion in a surface that faces a surface of the second disc. The recessed portion may reduce a contact area between the first disc and the second disc, which may reduce a torque used to rotate the first disc
Implementation Method 2
However, the torque used to rotate the disc from the second position to the first position may be high, particularly in cases of high differential pressure across the multiple orifice valve
Data Source
AI summary
A disc for a multiple orifice valve includes a disc body and a disc orifice extending through the disc body. A disc surface of the disc body includes a recessed portion and a raised portion that at least partially circumferentially surrounds the recessed portion. The recessed portion is configured not to contact an opposed disc when the disc is assembled within a housing of the multiple orifice valve, and the raised portion is configured to contact the opposed disc when the disc is assembled within the housing of the multiple orifice valve.