Shuttle Valve Manifold Geometry for Low Flow Loss and Material Use
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing shuttle valves experience significant flow losses due to oversized manifolds, leading to increased material usage and costs, particularly when made of stainless steel, as they are designed to prevent pressure relief of toxic gases from being released into the environment.
Innovation Solution
The shuttle valve design features two exhaust manifolds connected by an intake manifold with a deflection angle between 60° and 90°, where the cross-section changes from almost round or oval to flattened sectors, maintaining a consistent cross-sectional contour and minimizing flow losses by creating a 'bun' shape in the elbow area.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If the manifold is made oversized to reduce flow losses, then flow losses are minimized and safety valve response is ensured, but material usage increases and manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies curved transitions and rounded corners in the manifold geometry, particularly in the elbow sections connecting different manifold sections. This curvature design reduces flow separation and turbulence, minimizing flow losses while allowing for a more compact overall manifold size compared to sharp-angled designs
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes specific geometric parameters of the manifold, including the deflection angle (60°-90°), cross-sectional dimensions, and passage curvature radius. By carefully selecting these parameters, the manifold achieves low flow losses with reduced material volume, resolving the contradiction between flow efficiency and material usage
2Loss of energy
If the manifold is made oversized to reduce flow losses, then flow losses are minimized and safety valve response is ensured, but manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The curved transitions and rounded corners in the manifold design reduce flow losses through minimized turbulence, while the geometry is optimized to be manufacturable using standard fabrication processes, avoiding excessive complexity that would drive up manufacturing costs
Solution Approach 2:
The patent selects specific parameter ranges (deflection angle 60°-90°, optimized passage dimensions) that achieve low flow losses while remaining within practical manufacturing constraints, balancing performance and cost-effectiveness
3Quantity of substance
If the cross-section is reduced in the center of the passage to minimize material usage, then material usage decreases, but flow losses increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent maintains consistent cross-sectional area throughout the passage by using curved transitions instead of tapered sections. This prevents flow acceleration and pressure losses that would occur with cross-sectional reductions, while still achieving material savings through optimized overall manifold dimensions and deflection angles
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a~2c
Figure 3a~3d
AI summary
The manifold (1) e.g. inlet manifold (100), has a manifold body including passage whose cross-sectional contour is merged in a deflection region close to an inlet through a set of round or oval cross-sectional contours in a set of sequential sectors that is flattened on an inner manifold side of the passage. The cross-sectional contour of the passage is merged with the round or oval cross-sectional contours close to an outlet (3). Each round or oval cross sectional contour includes a set of reciprocally run arc-shaped sections in a region of flattened cross-sectional contours.