Relief Valve Seat Assembly With Replaceable Polymeric Ring

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional relief valve seat assemblies require complex installation processes and often necessitate the replacement of metallic components, leading to increased maintenance costs and potential operational failures.

Innovation Solution

A cylindrical member with a non-uniform outer diameter is used in conjunction with a polymeric ring seat and elastomeric seal, allowing for easy installation and adjustment within the relief valve without welding or chemical bonding, thereby simplifying the assembly and reducing the need for replacing metallic parts.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If conventional relief valve seat assemblies are used, then the valve can maintain pressure containment, but the installation process becomes complex and metallic components require frequent replacement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinstallation processVSAvoidassembly complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The seat ring is separated into a first portion and a second portion, with the first portion shaped into a cylindrical member that can be independently installed. This segmentation allows the cylindrical member to be installed separately from the polymeric ring seat, simplifying the installation process and reducing assembly complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The cylindrical member is extracted from the traditional seat ring structure and given a non-uniform outer diameter that complements the polymeric ring seat's inner circumferential profile. This extraction allows the cylindrical member to be installed independently without requiring complex welding or chemical bonding processes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Strength

If metallic components are used in the seat assembly, then the valve maintains structural integrity, but maintenance costs increase due to frequent replacement needs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural integrityVSAvoidmaintenance cost

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The invention combines a cylindrical member (first portion of the seat ring) with a polymeric ring seat to form a composite seat assembly. The cylindrical member provides structural integrity and strength, while the polymeric ring seat provides sealing functionality. This composite structure reduces maintenance costs because the polymeric portion can be replaced without replacing the entire metallic seat assembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The polymeric ring seat serves as a replaceable, cost-effective component that can be replaced independently of the cylindrical member. This allows the expensive metallic cylindrical member to be reused while replacing only the cheaper polymeric sealing portion, significantly reducing maintenance costs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Strength

If welding or chemical bonding is used to install the cylindrical member, then the assembly achieves strong bonding, but the installation process becomes more complex and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebonding strengthVSAvoidinstallation time

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The invention replaces welding or chemical bonding processes with a mechanical interference fit system. The cylindrical member's non-uniform outer diameter complements the polymeric ring seat's inner circumferential profile, creating a mechanical lock that holds the cylindrical member in place without requiring thermal or chemical bonding processes, thereby reducing installation time and complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 solution enhances the operational life of relief valves, reduces maintenance costs, and ensures safe operations by facilitating quicker and easier installation of the seat assembly, while minimizing the need for replacing hard components during normal operations.

Implementation Method 1

The elastomeric seal surrounds the polymeric ring seat. The elastomeric seal is configured to hold a relative position of the cylindrical member with respect to the polymeric ring seat.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS11519510B1Relief valve seal holder

Publication Date: 2022.12.06 SAUDI ARABIAN OIL CO

AI summary

A relief valve includes a polymeric ring seat, a cylindrical member, and an elastomeric seal. The cylindrical member is seated in the polymeric ring seat. The cylindrical member includes a first end, a second end, and a cylindrical wall extending from the first end to the second end. The cylindrical wall defines an inner bore having a uniform inner diameter from the first end to the second end. The cylindrical wall has a non-uniform outer diameter from the first end to the second end. An outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical wall is in contact with an inner circumferential surface of the polymeric ring seat. The elastomeric seal surrounds the polymeric ring seat. The elastomeric seal is configured to hold a relative position of the cylindrical member with respect to the polymeric ring seat.