Segmented Check Valve Flappers for Hinge Failure Tolerance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional check valves are prone to failure if the hinge pin or flapper is damaged, leading to complete valve malfunction, as they rely on a single mechanism for fluid direction control.
Innovation Solution
A check valve design featuring multiple radially extending arms and cross arms that divide the circular opening into multiple primary and secondary openings, each with its own flapper element and hinge pin, allowing the valve to partially function even if one hinge pin fails, with stop bars to control flapper movement and maintain flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single hinge pin and flapper mechanism is used, then the valve structure is simple, but the reliability deteriorates because complete valve malfunction occurs if the hinge pin or flapper is damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The valve is divided into multiple independent flapper elements (at least three) each with its own hinge pin, mounting post, and associated openings. This segmentation allows the valve to be divided into functional modules where failure of one module does not affect the others, thereby improving reliability while maintaining manageable structural complexity through modular design
Solution Approach 2:
Each flapper element is independently mounted on its own mounting post with local hinge pins, allowing each section to have independent functional quality. This local independence ensures that damage to one local section (hinge pin or flapper) does not compromise the entire valve system, resolving the contradiction between reliability and structural complexity
2Reliability
If multiple flapper elements are used to improve reliability, then the valve can partially function if one hinge pin fails, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The valve opening is segmented into multiple primary openings, each associated with a flapper element. This segmentation enables partial functionality where damaged sections are isolated and remaining sections continue to operate, achieving reliability through functional modularity rather than simply increasing component count
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple flapper elements and their associated hinge pins and mounting posts are merged into a single integrated valve body structure. This merging approach allows the system to achieve partial functionality and improved reliability while avoiding the complexity of separate assembled components, as everything is formed as one piece
3Speed
If smaller flapper elements are used, then the opening speed increases and response time improves, but the total open area may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The total valve opening area is segmented into multiple primary openings, each with its own flapper element. This segmentation allows each flapper to be smaller and lighter (improving opening speed) while the cumulative open area of all primary openings maintains or exceeds the flow capacity needed, resolving the contradiction between speed and area through distributed geometry
Solution Approach 2:
The valve transitions from a single large opening to multiple smaller openings arranged in a distributed pattern across the valve body. This dimensional redistribution allows smaller flapper elements (faster response) to collectively provide sufficient total open area by utilizing the two-dimensional valve face more efficiently
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The design enhances reliability by allowing the valve to continue operating partially if a hinge pin fails, reduces flapper element size and weight for quicker opening, and maintains an open area of up to 80% of the total valve area, improving overall performance and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
A hinge pin is mounted between each pair of circumferentially adjacent mounting posts. A primary flapper element and a secondary flapper element are hingedly mounted to each hinge pin for pivoting between a closed position in which they close their respective primary and secondary openings and an open position in which they permit flow through their respective primary and secondary openings.
Data Source
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AI summary
A check valve (2) comprises an annular housing defining a generally circular opening (8). A plurality of radially extending arms (10) extend across the circular opening (6) from the centre (12) of the valve housing (4) to respective nodes (14) at the periphery of the valve housing (4). A plurality of cross arms (16) extend between circumferentially adjacent nodes (14), thereby dividing the circular opening (6) into a plurality of primary, generally triangular radially inner openings (18) and a plurality of secondary, generally segment shaped radially outer openings (20). A plurality of primary, generally triangular flapper elements (22) close the primary openings (18) and a plurality of secondary, generally segment shaped flapper elements close the secondary openings (20). Respective mounting posts (26) are arranged at a respective node (14) and a respective hinge pin (28) is mounted between respective circumferentially adjacent mounting posts (26). A primary flapper element (22) and a secondary flapper element (24) are hingedly mounted to each hinge pin (28) for pivoting between a closed position in which they close their respective primary and secondary openings (18, 20) and an open position in which they permit flow through their respective primary and secondary openings (18, 20).