Shuttle Valve Sealing With Conical Faces and No Elastomer Rings
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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, especially when exposed to corrosive fluids, and require complex configurations to switch between fluid sources based on pressure differences.
Innovation Solution
A shuttle valve design featuring a valve body with conical seal faces and a catch mechanism using a biasing means and pressure ring, which creates a fluid tight seal by accurately machining surfaces to ensure continuous contact, eliminating the need for elastomeric seal rings and simplifying the valve structure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If elastomeric seal rings are used to maintain fluid tight seal, then sealing reliability is improved, but maintenance requirements increase and compatibility with corrosive fluids decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes elastomeric seal rings from the valve structure entirely, replacing them with a fluid tight seal formed by precisely machined conical surfaces on the valve member and valve body. This extraction eliminates the maintenance issues associated with elastomeric seals while maintaining sealing reliability through metal-to-metal contact.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the sealing mechanism from elastomeric material deformation to precise geometric surface contact. By machining conical surfaces with specific angles and tolerances, the seal is achieved through controlled surface geometry rather than material compliance, improving compatibility with corrosive fluids and reducing maintenance.
2Reliability
If complex configurations are used to switch between fluid sources, then switching reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the sealing function and the switching function into a single integrated valve member design. The conical surfaces that provide fluid tight sealing are formed directly on the valve member that moves to switch between fluid sources, eliminating the need for separate sealing mechanisms and reducing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve member serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as the switching element that directs fluid flow between sources and provides the sealing surfaces through its conical geometry. This multi-functionality reduces the number of components needed while maintaining reliable switching 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
The design achieves a reliable fluid tight seal and reduces maintenance requirements by eliminating elastomeric seal rings, while allowing efficient switching between fluid sources based on pressure differences without compromising performance.
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.
Implementation Method 2
Fluid pressure is accessible to one portion of the gasket for distorting the same into still tighter sealing engagement with the valve seat.
Data Source
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Figure 6A~7
AI summary
A shuttle valve (2) is disclosed. The shuttle valve (2) comprises a valve body (18, 20), a valve member (6), and a catch (8). The valve body (18, 20) comprises a first and a second fluid inlet (10, 12), a central chamber (14), and a fluid outlet (16). The first and second fluid inlets (10, 12) and the fluid outlet (16) open into the central chamber (14) via a first and a second inlet mouth (28, 44) and an outlet mouth. The valve member (6) is configured to move between a first and a second position, the valve member (6) closes the first inlet mouth (28) and allows fluid communication between the second inlet mouth (44) and the outlet mouth when the valve member (6) is in the first position, and the valve member (6) closes the second inlet mouth (44) and allows fluid communication between the first inlet mouth (28) and the outlet mouth when the valve member (6) is in the second position. The catch (8) exerts a biasing force against the valve member (6) and the valve member (6) and catch (8) are so configured that the catch biasing force biases the valve member (6) to close the first inlet mouth (28) when the valve member (6) is in the first position and to close the second inlet mouth (44) when the valve member (6) is in the second position.