Rotating Shutter Hydraulic Valve for Pig-Cleanable Transverse Pipes
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hydraulic valves connecting transverse pipes face challenges in cleaning due to complex geometry, making it difficult for cleaning devices like pigs to circulate effectively.
Innovation Solution
A hydraulic valve design with a rotating shutter that allows independent cleaning of connected pipes by aligning and rotating channels, featuring a passage channel with a changing section and external recess, sealed by multiple seal rings, and actuated externally.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the hydraulic valve connects transverse pipes with complex internal geometry, then the valve can achieve multi-position fluid distribution, but the cleaning devices (pigs) cannot circulate effectively through the valve
Solution Approach 1:
The valve body is divided into separate cleaning chambers and fluid distribution chambers. The cleaning pig can access and clean only the straight channels through dedicated cleaning ports, while the fluid distribution function is handled by the rotating shutter mechanism. This segmentation allows effective cleaning without compromising the complex multi-position distribution capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning function is extracted from the main fluid distribution path. Dedicated cleaning ports and straight channels are provided that allow pigs to circulate and clean the valve body and channel walls without requiring the pig to navigate through the rotating shutter mechanism or complex distribution paths.
2Ease of operation
If the valve geometry is simplified to allow pig circulation, then cleaning becomes easier, but the valve loses its ability to connect transverse pipes efficiently
Solution Approach 1:
The valve structure is segmented into a body with straight cleaning channels and a rotating shutter with angled distribution channels. The body maintains simple geometry for pig access, while the shutter provides the complex transverse connection capability. This segmentation allows both cleaning accessibility and efficient transverse pipe connection.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotating shutter introduces a rotational dimension to the otherwise linear flow path. By rotating the shutter to different angular positions, the valve can connect transverse pipes at various angles while the body maintains simple straight channels for pig circulation. The cleaning pig moves through the body in one dimension while the shutter handles the angular distribution in another dimension.
3Reliability
If the valve uses a rotating shutter mechanism for position change, then the valve achieves reliable and easy position switching, but the internal geometry becomes complex affecting cleaning
Solution Approach 1:
The rotating shutter is segmented with separate straight channels for each position. Each channel is a simple straight path that allows pig passage, while the rotation of the entire shutter assembly provides the position switching functionality. This segmentation maintains simplicity in individual channels while achieving reliable position switching through the rotating mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotating shutter is designed to rotate to specific angular positions (0°, 90°, 180°, 270°) to connect different pipe ports. The dynamic rotation provides reliable position switching, while the static straight channels within the shutter maintain simplicity for pig circulation. The channels are aligned with the actuating axis to facilitate easy pig passage regardless of the shutter's rotational position.
Data Source
AI summary
A hydraulic valve configured to connect a first pipe extending according to a first axis and a second pipe extending according to a second axis, the hydraulic valve comprising a body having two first ports that are aligned and configured to connect two fractions of the first pipe and two second ports that are aligned and configured to connect two fractions of the second pipe; a rotating shutter mounted in the body and configured to rotate according to an actuating axis that is transverse to the first axis and the second axis when the two first ports are connected to the first pipe and the two second ports are connected to the second pipe, the rotating shutter being provided with a first straight channel and a second straight channel, the first straight channel connecting the two first ports and the second straight channel connecting the two second ports in a closed angular position of the rotating shutter; the hydraulic valve further having a passage channel distinct from the first straight channel and the second straight channel and being configured to connect one of the first ports to one of the second ports in an open angular position of the rotating shutter.