Sectioned Valve Cage Assembly for Large-Diameter Fabrication

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional single-piece valve cages face challenges in large size fabrication due to complex and costly tooling, as well as limitations in additive manufacturing build envelopes, making it difficult to produce valves with diameters exceeding eighteen inches.

Innovation Solution

The development of circumferentially-sectioned valve cages, comprising removably coupled cage sections with joints spaced about the circumference, allowing for larger diameters and overcoming fabrication constraints by using additive manufacturing or other processes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If a single-piece valve cage is used, then the structural integrity and simplicity are maintained, but the fabrication becomes complex and costly for large sizes exceeding eighteen inches

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefabrication complexityVSAvoidstructural simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The valve cage is divided into multiple circumferential sections that can be manufactured separately using additive manufacturing or other processes, then assembled together. This segmentation allows each section to be fabricated within the constraints of manufacturing equipment build envelopes while achieving a final valve cage larger than eighteen inches in diameter, thereby reducing fabrication complexity for large-sized valves.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of manufacture

If additive manufacturing is used for large valve cages, then the build envelope limitations are encountered, but traditional tooling becomes equally complex and costly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetooling complexityVSAvoidvalve cage diameter

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The valve cage is divided into multiple circumferential sections that can be manufactured separately using additive manufacturing or other processes, then assembled together. This segmentation allows each section to be fabricated within the constraints of manufacturing equipment build envelopes while achieving a final valve cage larger than eighteen inches in diameter, thereby reducing fabrication complexity for large-sized valves.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of operation

If the valve cage is divided into multiple sections, then the assembly becomes easier and fabrication constraints are overcome, but joints are introduced into the structure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveassembly easeVSAvoidnumber of joints

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The valve cage is divided into multiple circumferential sections that can be manufactured separately and assembled together, enabling production of large-diameter valves while managing fabrication constraints through modular construction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple cage sections are joined together using coupling mechanisms such as pins, bolts, or interference fits to form a complete circumferential valve cage. The joints are designed to provide sufficient structural integrity and fluid sealing while allowing for thermal expansion and contraction during valve operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS11035479B2Circumferentially-sectioned valve cages

Publication Date: 2021.06.15 EMERSON PROCESS MANAGEMENT REGULATOR TECHNOLOGIES INC

AI summary

Circumferentially-sectioned valve cages are disclosed. An example apparatus comprises a plurality of cage sections collectively configured to be removably coupled together to form a valve cage having a circumference and a plurality of joints. The joints correspond in number to the cage sections and are spaced apart from one another about the circumference. Respective ones of the joints are defined by neighboring ones of the cage sections.