Rotatable Valve Spool Angled Seals Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Quarter turn spool valve manifolds used in filter systems require cumbersome assembly and are unreliable due to the need for multiple O-rings, particularly face sealing O-rings, which complicate the positioning and sealing process.
Innovation Solution
The use of a rotatable valve spool with angled seals, eliminating the need for face sealing O-rings by angling two or more O-rings relative to the longitudinal axis, simplifying assembly and improving reliability by reducing the number of seals required.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If face sealing O-rings are used to isolate inlet and outlet paths in the manifold, then fluid isolation is achieved, but assembly becomes cumbersome and reliability decreases due to the increased number of sealing components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the face sealing O-rings from the system entirely by repositioning the inlet and outlet ports. The ports are moved to locations where they do not require additional sealing components, as they are naturally isolated by the spool valve structure and the remaining O-rings positioned at different locations on the valve body.
2Ease of manufacture
If multiple O-rings including face sealing O-rings are used for sealing, then sealing coverage is improved, but positioning and assembly difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The face sealing O-rings are eliminated from the design. The inlet and outlet ports are repositioned on the spool valve body to locations where sealing is achieved through the standard circumferential O-rings and the valve structure itself, removing the need for additional face sealing components and their associated positioning requirements.
3Device complexity
If inlet and outlet ports are positioned perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the rotatable valve spool, then fluid flow control is effective, but face sealing O-rings are required complicating the design
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the spatial arrangement of the inlet and outlet ports from a perpendicular configuration to one that is angled relative to the longitudinal axis of the spool valve. This dimensional repositioning allows the ports to be located at positions where sealing can be achieved with standard O-rings without requiring additional face sealing components, thus reducing overall system complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A rotatable valve spool for a spool valve manifold. The rotatable valve spool having a longitudinal axis along its length, a cylindrical body, a first end, and a second end. A first angled seal, a second angled seal, an optional central seal, and an outer seal each disposed on the cylindrical body with the optional central seal disposed between the first and second angled seals and the outer seal disposed between the second angled seal and the second end. A first flow port in the cylindrical body disposed outboard of the first angled seal between the first angled seal and the first end or disposed in the first end, and a second flow port disposed outboard of the second angled seal between the second angled seal and the outer seal.