Shuttle Valve Catch-Biased Sealing for Corrosive Fluids

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Solution Overview

Problem

Shuttle valves in hydraulic and pneumatic systems face challenges in maintaining a fluid tight seal without elastomeric seal rings, which are often damaged by corrosive fluids, and require complex reconfiguration based on pressure differences between fluid sources.

Innovation Solution

A shuttle valve design featuring a valve member and catch that uses conical surfaces for sealing, eliminating the need for elastomeric seal rings and allowing fluid communication between different inlet and outlet ports based on pressure differences, with a biasing mechanism that ensures fluid tightness and simplifies the valve's structure by applying biasing force in two directions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If elastomeric seal rings are used to create a fluid tight seal, then sealing effectiveness is improved, but reliability deteriorates because the seal rings are damaged by corrosive fluids

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseal durabilityVSAvoidcorrosive fluid damage

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention removes the elastomeric seal rings from the system entirely, extracting the harmful component that deteriorates in corrosive fluids. The sealing function is achieved through the valve member's conical surface and the inlet mouth geometry alone, eliminating the need for separate sealing elements that would be damaged by corrosive fluids.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention replaces expensive, vulnerable elastomeric seal rings with a simple, durable valve member geometry that can withstand corrosive environments. The conical surface design creates effective sealing without requiring replaceable seal elements, reducing maintenance needs in corrosive fluid applications.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Adaptability or versatility

If a complex reconfiguration mechanism is used to change fluid flow paths, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity worsens

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefluid flow path configurationVSAvoidvalve structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of using a complex mechanism to actively reconfigure fluid paths, the invention inverts the approach by using pressure differences to automatically drive the valve member between positions. The valve member's movement is a direct response to pressure differential, simplifying the structure while maintaining full adaptability to different flow conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The valve member automatically reconfigures the fluid flow paths based on the pressure differential between inlets, without requiring external control mechanisms. The system serves itself by using the inherent pressure differences to drive the valve member to the appropriate position, eliminating the need for complex reconfiguration mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If the valve member is biased to close inlet mouths, then sealing effectiveness is improved, but device complexity worsens due to the biasing mechanism

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefluid tight sealVSAvoidbiasing mechanism structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention introduces a catch as an intermediary component that provides the biasing force to keep the valve member in sealing contact with the inlet mouths. This simple mechanical catch structure replaces complex biasing mechanisms while reliably maintaining the fluid tight seal through the conical surface geometry.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 achieves a fluid tight seal without elastomeric elements, reducing maintenance and risk of failure, and simplifies the valve's construction, making it suitable for use in corrosive fluid environments and various hydraulic or pneumatic systems.

Implementation Method 1

The catch exerts a biasing force against the valve member, and the valve member and catch are so configured that the catch biasing force biases the valve member to close the first inlet mouth when the valve member is in the first position and to close the second inlet mouth when the valve member is in the second position.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

Another contributor to the formation of the fluid tight seal is the pressure difference between the fluids in the first and second inlets.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure difference: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentUS11852253B2Shutter valves

Publication Date: 2023.12.26 GOODRICH CORP

AI summary

A shuttle valve is disclosed. The shuttle valve comprises a valve body, a valve member, and a catch. The valve body comprises a first and a second fluid inlet, a central chamber, and a fluid outlet. The first and second fluid inlets and the fluid outlet open into the central chamber via a first and a second inlet mouth and an outlet mouth. The valve member is configured to move between a first and a second position, the valve member closes the first inlet mouth and allows fluid communication between the second inlet mouth and the outlet mouth when the valve member is in the first position, and the valve member closes the second inlet mouth and allows fluid communication between the first inlet mouth and the outlet mouth when the valve member is in the second position.