Spherical Pump Valve With Stem Guide and Locking Ring

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional spherical valve designs in reciprocating pumps face issues such as the valve insert rolling out of the groove, incomplete sealing due to lack of guidance, lug-style valve cage wear leading to separation, and sediment/debris accumulation, which results in operational failures and increased maintenance costs.

Innovation Solution

A valve design featuring a valve cage with threads, a locking ring to prevent backoff, and a valve member with a stem for precise guidance, along with a thermoplastic polymer valve insert to prevent rolling, and a locking ring to keep debris out, enhancing sealing and ease of disassembly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a conventional spherical valve design with a groove and valve insert is used, then the valve can be assembled, but the valve insert rolls out of the groove during operation causing failure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevalve operation reliabilityVSAvoidvalve insert position stability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The valve is divided into separate components: a valve body, a valve insert, and a retaining ring. The retaining ring is a separate component that engages with both the valve body and valve insert to prevent the insert from rolling out during operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The retaining ring acts as an intermediary element between the valve body and valve insert. It provides a mechanical connection that prevents the valve insert from rolling out of the groove while allowing the valve to function properly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If a lug-style valve cage is used, then the valve can be assembled, but the lugs wear out over time causing the valve cage to back off and separate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevalve assembly integrityVSAvoidvalve cage service life

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The valve cage is designed with a dynamic retaining ring that can be tightened to secure the valve insert firmly in place. This dynamic adjustment capability ensures that the valve insert remains securely retained throughout the valve's service life, preventing back-off and separation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The traditional lug-style mechanical retention system is replaced with a retaining ring system that uses elastic deformation and friction to secure the valve insert. This substitution provides more reliable and durable retention that resists wear and prevents separation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Ease of operation

If conventional valve designs are used, then the valve can operate, but sediment and debris accumulate between the valve cage and valve seat making disassembly difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevalve disassembly easeVSAvoiddebris accumulation

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The valve insert is extracted as a separate, removable component secured by the retaining ring. This allows the valve insert to be easily removed and cleaned of accumulated sediment and debris, and replaced if necessary, without disassembling the entire valve cage assembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The retaining ring is designed to be tightened to a specific degree during assembly to prevent debris accumulation in the first place. This preliminary action of proper retention prevents the harmful effect of debris buildup between the valve cage and valve seat.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

4Manufacturing precision

If a valve without stem guidance is used, then the valve can be assembled, but the valve member lands cocked on the seating surface preventing complete sealing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevalve member alignment precisionVSAvoidsealing action

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A stem guide is introduced as an intermediary component that guides the valve member stem during operation. This stem guide ensures that the valve member lands centered on the seating surface, preventing cocking and ensuring complete sealing action.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The valve member guidance is extended from a single-point contact system to a multi-point guidance system using the stem guide. This adds dimensional control to ensure proper alignment and centered landing of the valve member on the seating surface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentUS12116995B2Spherical pump valve made of specific materials

Publication Date: 2024.10.15 TRIANGLE PUMP COMPONENTS INC

AI summary

A spherical pump valve. The valve includes a valve cage, a spring, a valve member, a valve seat, and a locking ring. The valve cage has a groove holding the spring and threads. The valve member has a stem and a trench holding the spring. The valve seat has a seating surface, threads that match the valve cage threads and upon threaded engagement secure the valve seat to the valve cage, and a channel. The locking ring is installed in the channel and secures the valve cage to the valve seat. The components of the valve are made of specific materials and, in one embodiment, the valve achieves a volumetric efficiency of about 95% at 250 rpm. Also disclosed is a pump including the valve.