Sealing Valve Seat Insert to Prevent Internal Valve Leaks

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing valves face challenges with internal leaks due to the risk of inaccuracies and high tolerances in the manufacturing of separate guiding inserts and valve seats, which can lead to noise and wear during operation.

Innovation Solution

A valve design that incorporates a guiding insert mounted inside the valve housing via a sealing element, which also functions as a valve seat, minimizing internal leaks and reducing the complexity and cost of manufacturing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If the valve seat is formed as an integral part of the valve housing, then manufacturing complexity is reduced, but manufacturing precision and reliability of sealing deteriorate due to difficulties in achieving accurate tolerances

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevalve structure complexityVSAvoidvalve seat tolerance accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The valve assembly is segmented into separate components: the valve housing, the guiding insert, and the sealing element. The guiding insert is mounted separately inside the valve housing, allowing independent manufacturing and assembly. This segmentation enables each component to be manufactured with appropriate tolerances and then assembled, resolving the contradiction between structural simplicity and manufacturing precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of manufacture

If the valve seat is provided as a separate part, then manufacturing flexibility is improved, but device complexity and risk of leaks between parts increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevalve seat manufacturing flexibilityVSAvoidnumber of separate parts
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing element is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it seals between the guiding insert and the valve housing, and it forms the valve seat surface. This merging of sealing and valve seat functions into a single component reduces the number of separate parts needed, while maintaining manufacturing flexibility and sealing reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Manufacturing precision

If a separate guiding insert is mounted inside the valve housing, then manufacturing accuracy of the opening is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to risk of internal leaks at the mounting interface

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveopening size and shape accuracyVSAvoidsealing reliability at mounting interface
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing element acts as an intermediary component between the guiding insert and the valve housing. It provides the sealing interface at the mounting location, allowing the guiding insert to be mounted separately for accurate opening manufacturing while preventing internal leaks through the sealing element's sealing action.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Adaptability or versatility

If the valve seat is made as a separate part, then adaptability is improved, but harmful factors increase due to vibration causing noise and wear

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevalve seat configuration flexibilityVSAvoidnoise and wear from vibration
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing element is designed as a integrated component that combines sealing and valve seat functions. By merging these functions and securing the sealing element at the mounting interface, vibration is reduced compared to loosely mounted separate parts, thereby decreasing noise and wear while maintaining adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP4571155A1A valve with a sealing valve seat
Publication Date: 2025.06.18 DANFOSS AS
  • EP4571155A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4571155A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4571155A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A valve (1) comprising a valve housing (2) with a first port (4) and a second port (5) is disclosed. The valve housing (2) accommodates a guiding insert (12) and a valve element (8) arranged movably inside the guiding insert (12). The guiding insert (12) defines an opening (13) towards the second port (5), and the position of the valve element (8) relative to the guiding insert (12) thereby determines a fluid flow in a fluid connection between the first port (4) and the second port (5). The guiding insert (12) is mounted inside the valve housing (2) via at least one sealing element (18, 19) arranged between the guiding insert (12) and a wall part of the valve housing (2) or of a separate element mounted inside the valve housing (2). The at least one sealing element (18, 19) further forms a valve seat for the valve element (8), the valve element (8) abutting the sealing element (18, 19) when it is arranged at an end position.