Rotary Valve Elastomeric Seal for Flow Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing valves struggle to provide accurate control of fluid flow over a wide range, often resulting in high torque and premature wear, leading to internal leakages and instability in fluid regulation.
Innovation Solution
A valve design featuring a rigid obturator and an elastomeric valve seal, allowing for precise control of fluid flow by shaping the obturator opening and valve seat to minimize angular position dependence during initial rotation, reducing friction and energy consumption while maintaining a tight seal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a rigid insert is used to control fluid flow through the valve, then the desired regulating characteristic may be provided, but high torques and premature wearing of the gasket occur which lead to internal leakages
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter of the sealing element from rigid (gasket) to elastomeric, which allows the seal to deform and accommodate the rigid obturator while maintaining sealing contact. This eliminates the high torque and premature wear issues while preserving the flow regulation characteristics provided by the rigid insert geometry.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve combines rigid and elastomeric materials in a composite sealing system: the obturator is made of rigid material to provide precise flow control geometry, while the sealing element is made of elastomeric material to provide adaptable sealing contact. This composite approach resolves the contradiction between precise regulation and reliable sealing.
2Device complexity
If the valve moves the closure member between completely open and completely closed positions, then the valve structure is simple, but accurate control of different flow rates over a wide range is difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the flow control dynamic by allowing the obturator to be positioned at any angular position between fully open and fully closed, rather than being limited to discrete positions. The elastomeric sealing element maintains sealing contact throughout this continuous range of motion, enabling accurate flow rate control at any point in the rotation while keeping the valve structure relatively simple.
3Reliability
If plastic gaskets are used for sealing the rotating valve shutoff part, then sealing is provided, but premature wearing occurs which leads to internal leakages
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material properties of the sealing element from rigid plastic to elastomeric material. The elastomeric material provides the necessary flexibility to accommodate rotation and deformation without premature wear, while maintaining effective sealing contact between the rigid obturator and valve body throughout the operational life of the valve.
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 valve achieves accurate and energy-efficient fluid control with reduced wear and instability, enabling precise regulation of fluid flow through controlled leakage in the closed position and efficient operation over a wide range of flow rates.
Implementation Method 1
the valve seal is formed from an elastomeric material; wherein the obturator opening and the valve seat together form a fluid opening and the obturator is rotatable and placeable in any position between a fully open position in which a largest fluid opening is formed and a closed position in which the opening of the housing to be regulated is obstructed by the wall of the plug element
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
A valve (100; 200) comprises an internally hollow housing (102; 202) allowing fluid communication through an opening (108a, 108b; 208a, 208b), wherein the cross-sectional area of the opening (108a, 108b; 208a, 208b) is arranged to be regulated for controlling fluid communication through the valve. The valve (100; 200) comprises a valve seat (110; 210), which defines an edge of the opening (108a, 108b; 208a, 208b) to be regulated; an obturator (113; 213) of rigid material, which comprises a plug element (116; 216) forming an axis-symmetrical shape and an obturator opening (120, 120b; 220), wherein the obturator (113; 213) is rotatable so that the obturator opening (120a, 120b; 220) is rotated in relation to the opening (108a, 108b; 208a, 208b) to be regulated; and a valve seal (122; 234) of an elastomeric material, which is arranged between the valve seat (110; 210) and the obturator (113; 213); wherein the obturator opening (120a, 120b; 220) and the valve seat (110; 210) together form a fluid opening (126) and which is shaped such that fluid flow through the fluid opening (126) is less dependent of angular position of the obturator (113; 213) than a linear characteristic fluid opening during the initial rotation of the obturator (113; 213) from the closed position.