Repairable Quarter-Turn Stop Valve With Removable Bonnet
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Solution Overview
Problem
Quarter-turn stop valve assemblies cannot be repaired in the field due to the need to remove and replace them, which is complicated by limited pipe length or the need to modify walls or floors, especially in situations with custom finishes.
Innovation Solution
A stop valve assembly with a valve body, bonnet nut, and handle that allows for field repair by enabling the valve to be removed and replaced without disconnecting from the pipe, using a valve rotation limiter and handle to facilitate manipulation and replacement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a quarter-turn stop valve assembly is designed for compact installation, then it can be installed in tight spaces, but it cannot be repaired in the field requiring removal and replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The valve assembly is divided into separable components: the valve body remains fixed in the piping system while the valve mechanism (including the disc, bonnet, and operating elements) can be independently removed and replaced. This segmentation enables field repairability without requiring removal of the entire valve assembly from the pipe.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve mechanism is nested within the valve body housing, allowing the valve components to be contained within a compact structure that can be installed in tight spaces. The bonnet and valve disc are positioned inside the valve body, creating a compact nested arrangement that maintains space efficiency while enabling component removal.
2Ease of repair
If the valve is made removable for repair, then field repair becomes possible, but the connection to the pipe may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The connection system is segmented into a permanent pipe-to-valve-body connection and a removable valve-mechanism connection. The valve body remains firmly connected to the pipe through threaded or flanged joints, while the valve mechanism can be independently removed by unscrewing the bonnet nut, maintaining both connection integrity and repairability.
Solution Approach 2:
The bonnet nut acts as an intermediary connection element that secures the valve mechanism to the valve body while allowing for controlled removal. This intermediary component enables the valve to be detached from the pipe system for repair without compromising the permanent connection between the pipe and valve body.
3Ease of repair
If a bonnet nut is used to retain the valve, then the valve can be removed for repair, but the handle and valve alignment may be problematic
Solution Approach 1:
The handle and valve stem are designed with asymmetric features including a non-circular cross-section or keyway alignment that ensures proper orientation during assembly. This asymmetric design prevents incorrect installation and ensures the handle aligns correctly with the valve stem, facilitating both manufacturing and field repair operations.
Data Source
AI summary
A stop valve assembly includes a valve body including a valve body inlet, a valve body outlet, a valve channel between the valve body inlet and the valve body outlet, and a valve port. The assembly also includes a valve carried in the valve body, wherein the valve is selectively rotatable about a rotational axis in the valve body, between an open position and a closed position, a bonnet nut coupled to the valve port to removably retain the valve, and a handle coupled to the valve through the bonnet nut.