Sliding Shuttle Valve for Fast Large-Diameter Opening

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional valves, such as gate and ball valves, face challenges in rapidly opening large diameter valves with reduced external force, particularly in fire suppression systems and pipelines, where rapid operation is desirable but often requires significant force.

Innovation Solution

A valve design featuring an internal shuttle that shifts between closed and open configurations using pressurized fluid forces, allowing for quick operation with reduced external force, including the use of biasing elements like springs and imbalanced shuttle surfaces to maintain the closed configuration until actuated.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a gate valve is used to block fluid flow, then the valve can be simply constructed, but opening the valve requires a motor and is a slow process

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevalve constructionVSAvoidvalve opening speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The valve uses a dynamic shuttle mechanism that can rapidly transition between blocked and open positions. The shuttle is biased by spring force to the closed position and can be quickly actuated to the open position, enabling rapid valve operation without complex motorized mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The valve employs spring biasing force to maintain the shuttle in the closed position and enable rapid opening when actuated. The spring mechanism provides the necessary force to move the shuttle quickly, achieving fast valve operation with simple construction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

2Speed

If a ball valve is used to control fluid flow, then the valve can open quickly, but significant external force is required to rotate the ball in large diameter and high-pressure applications

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevalve opening speedVSAvoidexternal force required

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The valve uses spring biasing force to maintain the shuttle in the closed position and enable rapid opening when actuated. The spring mechanism provides the necessary force to move the shuttle quickly, achieving fast valve operation with simple construction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

Solution Approach 2:

The valve design changes the operating parameters by using a sliding shuttle mechanism instead of a rotating ball. This allows the valve to open quickly with reduced external force through linear motion assisted by spring biasing, rather than requiring high torque for rotational movement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Quantity of substance

If a large diameter valve is used in fire suppression systems, then the valve can control sufficient fluid flow, but rapid opening with reduced external force becomes difficult to achieve

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefluid flow capacityVSAvoidvalve operation effort

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The valve uses a dynamic shuttle mechanism that can rapidly transition between blocked and open positions. The shuttle is biased by spring force to the closed position and can be quickly actuated to the open position, enabling rapid valve operation without complex motorized mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The valve design changes the operating parameters by using a sliding shuttle mechanism instead of a rotating ball. This allows the valve to open quickly with reduced external force through linear motion assisted by spring biasing, rather than requiring high torque for rotational movement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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

Enables rapid and efficient control of fluid flow in large diameter applications with minimal external force required, ensuring quick valve opening and safe operation in fire suppression and pipeline systems.

Implementation Method 1

The shuttle bore defines a shuttle chamber having interior surfaces upon which the pressurized fluid acts to produce a first force acting upon the shuttle biasing the shuttle toward the valve closed configuration

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid pressure: Pressure Increase

Implementation Method 2

The shuttle bore defines a shuttle chamber having interior surfaces upon which the pressurized fluid acts to produce a second force acting upon the shuttle biasing the shuttle toward the valve open configuration

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid pressure: Pressure Increase

Implementation Method 3

A valve design featuring an internal shuttle that shifts between closed and open configurations using pressurized fluid forces, allowing for quick operation with reduced external force, including the use of biasing elements like springs

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSpring force: Spring

Data Source

PatentUS12038097B2Slide valve

Publication Date: 2024.07.16 FIKE CORP

AI summary

A valve comprising a slidable internal shuttle that is shiftable between a valve closed and a valve open configuration is provided. The valve can be configured so that minimal force is required to effect shifting of the shuttle, even though the valve can be of a large diameter. In the valve closed configuration, the shuttle blocks communication between the valve inlet and outlet. Sliding of the shuttle to the valve open configuration permits fluid to flow through the valve. The shuttle can be configured with internal surfaces that provide some or no biasing forces acting upon the shuttle in the valve closed direction.