Turbomachine Relief Valve Single-Plastic Gate
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing relief valves in turbomachines are heavy and costly due to their complex structure comprising multiple components, including a gate, bearing bushes, a seal, a plate for attaching the seal, rivets, and spacers, which complicates manufacture and assembly.
Innovation Solution
The relief valve is designed with a gate and seal attachment made from a single piece of plastic, either formed in a single piece or welded/bonded together, eliminating the need for additional attachment means like rivets and reducing the number of components by integrating centring and guiding surfaces directly into the gate lugs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the relief valve uses multiple separate components (gate, bearing bushes, seal, plate, rivets, spacers), then the structural integrity and reliability are improved, but the weight and device complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate components (gate, attachment means, and seal) into an integrated assembly where the gate and attachment means are formed as a single piece or welded/bonded together, eliminating the need for rivets and reducing the total component count from 25 to just 2 main components while maintaining structural integrity through the unified design
2Ease of manufacture
If the relief valve uses multiple separate components with rivets and attachment plates, then the ease of manufacture and assembly is improved through modular construction, but the weight and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The gate and attachment means are merged into a single plastic component formed by injection moulding, eliminating the need for separate metal parts, rivets, and attachment plates. This integration reduces the weight from 25 separate metal components to a single lightweight plastic piece while maintaining manufacturability through modern plastic forming techniques
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the material parameter from metal to plastic, which fundamentally alters the weight characteristics. The plastic material provides sufficient strength and durability while being significantly lighter than the metal components it replaces, achieving weight reduction without sacrificing functional performance
3Weight of moving object
If the gate and attachment means are made as a single piece or welded/bonded plastic components, then the weight and cost are reduced, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent leverages the inherent precision capabilities of injection moulding technology to achieve accurate integration of the gate and attachment means in a single plastic forming process. The moulding process naturally provides consistent dimensional accuracy and proper alignment, eliminating the need for post-assembly operations and reducing overall manufacturing complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The single plastic component serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as the gate structure, provides attachment means for the seal, and incorporates centring and guiding surfaces for pivots. This multi-functionality is achieved through the integrated design that combines features that would otherwise require separate components, with each feature precisely formed during the moulding process
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 design significantly reduces the weight and cost of the relief valve, simplifies manufacturing and assembly, and results in a more efficient turbomachine component with fewer parts, enhancing overall performance.
Implementation Method 1
The seal is overmoulded onto the gate
Implementation Method 2
these mounting posts being secured to the gate by their free ends being bonded or welded to the gate
Implementation Method 3
bonded or welded to the gate
Data Source
AI summary
A relief valve in a turbomachine is disclosed. The valve includes a gate designed to be mounted so as to pivot about a shaft for the opening and closing of an orifice for the passage of air, a seal, and an attachment device for attaching the seal to the peripheral edge of the gate. The gate and the attachment device are made of a plastic and formed of a single piece or secured to one another by welding or bonding.