Remote Valve Failsafe Linkage for Pressure-Driven Position Hold
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing actively actuated valve systems in the aerospace industry lack a failsafe mechanism to maintain the valve system in a desired position if the electronically controllable valve fails, leading to potential operational issues.
Innovation Solution
A redundant valve system with moveable members and a mechanical linkage that allows fluid flow control through a first chamber, utilizing a biasing mechanism and a shuttle valve to ensure the valve system failsafe to a desired position, either passively or actively, regardless of the electronically controllable valve's state.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an electronically controllable valve is used to control fluid flow, then the valve system can be actively actuated and controlled, but the system lacks reliability if the electronically controllable valve fails
Solution Approach 1:
The valve system is segmented into multiple independent components: an electronically controllable valve for active control and a passive actuation mechanism with biasing members for failsafe operation. This segmentation allows the system to maintain reliability through the passive mechanism while keeping the electronic control as an optional active layer, resolving the contradiction between reliability and complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The biasing members are pre-configured to automatically actuate the valve to a safe position when fluid pressure exceeds a predetermined threshold or when the electronically controllable valve fails. This beforehand cushioning ensures reliability by having a pre-prepared backup mechanism that activates automatically without requiring additional control systems
2Reliability
If a redundant passive actuation mechanism is added to ensure failsafe operation, then the valve system reliability improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The passive actuation mechanism is merged with the existing electronically controllable valve system rather than being completely separate. The biasing members and second moveable member share the same valve body and fluid flow path, integrating the reliability enhancement into the existing structure and minimizing additional complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The fluid flow path serves multiple functions: it provides the primary fluid control through the electronically controllable valve and simultaneously acts as the actuation medium for the passive biasing mechanism. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate actuation fluid lines and components, thereby reducing overall system complexity while maintaining reliability
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 system effectively maintains the valve in a desired position, ensuring safe operation by using a mechanical linkage and biasing mechanism to control fluid flow, reducing the risk of undesired valve positions and preventing damage from high temperature/pressure airflow.
Implementation Method 1
a first moveable member disposed in a first chamber configured to move between a first position and a second position of the first moveable member to allow or prevent fluid from passing from an inlet of the first chamber to an outlet of the first chamber
Implementation Method 2
the second moveable member can be configured to move from the first position to the second position of the second moveable member when a pressure of fluid in the first chamber exceeds a predetermined biasing force of the first biasing member
Implementation Method 3
A first biasing member can be disposed on a first side of the second movable member configured to bias the second moveable member to the first position
Implementation Method 4
a third moveable member disposed in the biasing chamber and operatively connected to the first moveable member via a mechanical linkage
Data Source
AI summary
In accordance with at least one aspect of this disclosure, a system includes, a first moveable member disposed in a first chamber configured to move between a first position and a second position of the first moveable member to allow or prevent fluid from passing from an inlet of the first chamber to an outlet of the first chamber. A second moveable member is disposed in a second chamber configured to move between a first position and a second position of the second moveable member to allow or prevent fluid from entering a biasing chamber, the second chamber being fluidly connected to the first chamber.