Shrouded Valve Assembly Load Path Redirection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing shrouded valve assemblies face challenges in protecting the valve from damage due to load transmission, which can occur from aerodynamic forces and internal pipe system pressures, potentially causing stress and leakage.
Innovation Solution
The shrouded valve assembly incorporates a flexible fourth connection that directs load between the first and second shrouded pipe assemblies through the valve shroud, avoiding direct transmission through the valve, and features a spherical valve shroud to prevent liquid accumulation and facilitate efficient load transfer, along with floating connections and spacers to manage tolerances and stress.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the valve is directly connected to rigid pipe assemblies, then structural stability is improved, but the valve becomes vulnerable to damage from load transmission
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs flexible connections (bellows, flexible hoses, or flexible membranes) between the rigid pipe assemblies and the valve. These flexible elements act as shock absorbers and load isolators, allowing the rigid structure to maintain stability while preventing mechanical loads and pressure surges from being transmitted directly to the valve, thus protecting it from damage.
2Force
If rigid connections are used between pipe assemblies and valve, then load transmission is efficient, but the valve is exposed to stress and potential leakage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces flexible connections as intermediary elements between the rigid pipe assemblies and the valve. These intermediaries serve dual purposes: they allow efficient load transmission when needed while simultaneously acting as buffers that reduce stress concentrations and prevent harmful force transmission that could cause valve damage or leakage.
3Ease of manufacture
If the valve shroud chamber has a non-spherical shape, then manufacturing is simpler, but liquid accumulation occurs creating harmful effects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent specifies that the valve shroud chamber should have a spherical or substantially spherical shape. This geometric choice eliminates dead zones where liquid could accumulate, ensuring complete drainage and preventing harmful liquid pockets. While spherical geometry is slightly more complex to manufacture than simple cylindrical shapes, it provides significant operational benefits by preventing liquid accumulation that could cause corrosion, freezing, or interference with valve operation.
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
This design effectively protects the valve from damage by redirecting loads through the valve shroud, minimizing stress and leakage, while ensuring efficient fluid flow and easy maintenance, particularly suitable for aircraft applications.
Implementation Method 1
a resilient O-ring which forms a seal between the first and second tubes and permits the first and second tubes to move axially relative to each other
Data Source
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AI summary
The shrouded valve assembly (100) comprises a valve with a valve pipe (200) and a valve channel (201). A valve member (220) in the valve channel (201) is operable to regulate a flow of fluid through the valve channel (201). A valve shroud (110, 120) shrouds the valve pipe (200) and provides a valve shroud chamber (240) between the valve pipe (200) and the valve shroud (110, 120). First and second shrouded pipe assemblies are arranged on opposite sides of the valve. Each shrouded pipe assembly comprises a pipe (210a, 210b) which is in fluid communication with a respective end of the valve channel (201), and a pipe shroud (211a, 211b) which shrouds the pipe (210a, 210b) and provides a pipe shroud chamber (212a, 212b) between the pipe (210a, 210b) and the pipe shroud (211a, 211b). Each pipe shroud chamber (212a, 212b) is in fluid communication with a respective end of the valve shroud chamber (240). The first and second shrouded pipe assemblies are connected to the valve shroud (110, 120) by respective first and second connections (410, 420) and to the valve by respective third and fourth connections (430, 440). The fourth connection (440) is more flexible than both the first connection (410) and the second connection (420). As a result load passes between the first and second shrouded pipe assemblies via the valve shroud (110, 120) rather than via the valve, thereby protecting the valve from damage.