Rotating Diverter Valve for Selective Fluid Flow Diversion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current industrial processes require a valve that can selectively direct fluid flow to multiple locations without the need for frequent disconnection and reconnection of piping networks, particularly in applications like paste backfill of mineshafts, where manual reconstruction is necessary to redirect fluid flow.
Innovation Solution
A rotatable valve design with a housing, end caps, and a body within a chamber, featuring a void space with an intake and exhaust port, and a seal system that allows fluid communication between an inlet and multiple outlets, enabling selective diversion of fluid flow by rotating the body to align the exhaust port with desired outlets, while minimizing wear and maintaining high-pressure resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If manual disconnection and reconstruction of piping networks is used to redirect fluid flow, then the system can change flow destinations, but the productivity is reduced due to repeated construction and deconstruction work
Solution Approach 1:
The valve body is designed to be rotatable about a vertical axis, allowing dynamic switching between multiple outlet paths without physical reconfiguration of the piping network. This dynamic mechanism enables quick adaptation to different flow destinations while maintaining continuous operation and high productivity.
2Productivity
If a valve is used to direct fluid flow to multiple locations, then the productivity is improved by avoiding manual piping reconstruction, but the device complexity increases due to the valve mechanism
Solution Approach 1:
The valve body is segmented into multiple outlet paths (first, second, third outlets) that can be independently selected through rotation. This segmentation allows the single valve to handle multiple destinations, improving productivity while keeping the overall system simpler than manual piping reconfiguration would require.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve body serves multiple functions by directing fluid flow to different outlets (first, second, third outlets) through a single rotating mechanism. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate piping configurations for each destination, thereby improving productivity without proportionally increasing complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the valve handles abrasive particulates, then the valve can be used in mining applications, but the wear increases reducing the valve's lifespan
Solution Approach 1:
The curved flow path with sufficient radius of curvature is designed to minimize turbulence and eddies, converting what would be harmful abrasive action into smoother flow. This reduces wear from abrasive particulates while maintaining the valve's ability to handle mining applications, thereby extending valve lifespan.
4Volume of moving object
If the void space has a small radius of curvature, then the valve size is reduced, but the wear increases due to increased turbulence and eddies
Solution Approach 1:
The design specifies a minimum radius of curvature for the void space to optimize the balance between valve size and wear reduction. By carefully selecting this geometric parameter, the valve achieves compact dimensions while maintaining smooth flow paths that minimize turbulence and abrasive wear, thus reducing harmful effects without excessive size increase.
Data Source
AI summary
A valve for diverting the flow of fluid has a housing with an inlet and a plurality of outlets arranged in spaced relation around the housing. A body is positioned within the housing. The body is rotatable relatively to the housing and has an intake port and an exhaust port joined by a void space. The intake port is aligned with the housing inlet and both the intake port and the housing inlet are coaxially aligned with the axis of rotation of the body. The exhaust port is positioned eccentric to the axis and may be aligned with any one of the plurality of housing outlet ports upon rotation of the body relatively to the housing. A seal is positioned between the body and the housing. The seal surrounds the outlets and the exhaust port to prevent leakage when the exhaust port is aligned with an outlet.