Spherical Faucet Valve Pressure Equalization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional valves fail to maintain leaktightness at low and medium pressures and are prone to jamming at high pressures due to insufficient fluid pressure and the presence of springs that either lack sufficient pressing force or hinder the rotation of the plug.
Innovation Solution
A valve design featuring a spherical rotating plug with elastic means to urge the upstream seat against the plug, combined with pressure equalization mechanisms and recesses/projections to minimize friction, allowing the valve to operate seamlessly across a range of pressures without jamming.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If elastic means are provided to urge the upstream seat against the plug to ensure leaktightness at low and medium pressures, then leaktightness is improved, but the plug rotation is hindered and the valve is prone to jamming
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure equalization means equalizes the fluid pressure between the upstream end and downstream end of the upstream seat before the plug needs to rotate. This preliminary pressure equalization removes the high pressure differential that would otherwise create excessive friction between the seat and plug, enabling easy rotation while maintaining leaktightness through the elastic means
2Reliability
If the upstream seat is pressed against the plug by high fluid pressure to ensure leaktightness, then leaktightness is improved, but the friction increases and the valve becomes difficult to operate
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure equalization means performs the action of equalizing pressure before the plug rotation occurs. By equalizing the pressure between upstream and downstream ends of the seat in advance, the system maintains the seating force for leaktightness while eliminating the high friction that would occur during rotation under pressure differential
3Ease of operation
If springs are used to move the upstream seat away from the plug to reduce friction, then ease of operation is improved, but leaktightness deteriorates due to insufficient pressing action
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using springs that continuously reduce the pressing force, the pressure equalization means equalizes pressure in advance, allowing the elastic means to maintain full pressing force for leaktightness throughout operation. This eliminates the need for springs to reduce friction, as the pressure equalization already achieves that goal while preserving the sealing force
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 valve ensures improved leaktightness at low and medium pressures while being easy to open and close, and can function effectively at high pressures without jamming, thanks to the balanced forces and reduced friction between the seat and plug.
Implementation Method 1
elastic means designed to urge the upstream seat toward the plug
Implementation Method 2
means for equalizing the fluid pressure between the upstream end and the downstream end of the upstream seat, prior to the valve being opened
Implementation Method 3
at least one projection formed on the upstream seat and projecting substantially parallel to the axis of the channel of the body in the direction of the plug, and at least one first recess formed in the plug and designed to cooperate with the projection when the plug is in the closed position
Data Source
AI summary
A faucet including: a body having an axis channel; a spherical rotating closure mounted pivotable in the body, between a closed position and an open position, the closure including a through orifice allowing the passage of a fluid from an upstream pipe to a downstream pipe, in open position; an upstream seat having a central passage, mounted in the channel of the body upstream of the closure so as to be mobile in translation along the axis and urged towards the closure by elastic means; a protuberance provided in the upstream seat projecting towards the closure, and a recess provided on the closure, to co-operate with the protuberance in closed position of the closure; and means for equalizing the pressure between upstream and downstream of the upstream seat, prior to the faucet being opened.