Spring Holder Ring for Uniform Biasing in Automatic Valves
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Solution Overview
Problem
Automatic ring valves in reciprocating compressors face challenges with high-speed opening and closing of shutter rings, leading to mechanical stress and uneven biasing, which affects the smooth operation and durability of the valves.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of a spring holder ring that connects and guides compression spring members, providing a uniform biasing action on shutter members through a combination of primary and secondary spring members, and utilizing damping materials like reinforced thermoplastic for the spring holder rings to absorb kinetic energy and reduce stress.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If compression springs directly act on shutter members without guidance structure, then the valve structure is simpler, but the biasing action on shutter members becomes uneven causing mechanical stress
Solution Approach 1:
A spring holder ring is introduced as an intermediary component between the compression springs and the shutter member. This ring receives the compression springs and provides a guided interface to the shutter member, ensuring that the biasing force is distributed evenly around the shutter member's circumference. The intermediary structure eliminates direct point-contact stress concentrations while maintaining structural simplicity.
2Device complexity
If compression springs directly act on shutter members, then the device is simpler, but mechanical stress and impact stresses increase during opening and closing
Solution Approach 1:
The spring holder ring serves as a stress-distributing intermediary that receives axial compression spring forces and transforms them into distributed radial biasing forces on the shutter member. This mediation prevents stress concentrations at single contact points, reducing impact stresses during high-speed opening and closing operations while maintaining device simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring holder ring can be constructed from composite materials or materials with specific damping properties to absorb impact stresses during valve operation. This material selection enhances durability by dissipating mechanical energy from repeated high-speed opening and closing cycles without compromising the overall simple device structure.
3Device complexity
If spring members are not guided, then the structure is simpler, but the biasing action becomes uneven affecting valve performance
Solution Approach 1:
The spring holder ring provides a guiding function by featuring a circumferential contact surface that interfaces with the shutter member. As compression springs apply force through this ring, the ring's geometry ensures uniform radial distribution of the biasing force around the shutter member, guaranteeing smooth and even operation without complex guiding mechanisms.
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
This configuration enhances the smoothness and durability of the valve operation by reducing mechanical and impact stresses during opening and closing, ensuring consistent biasing and improved performance under varying pressure conditions.
Implementation Method 1
A plurality of compression spring members acting upon the shutter member (60) of the valve are connected by a spring holder ring (68), interposed between the spring members and the shutter member, to provide guidance of the spring members and a more uniform biasing action on the shutter member
Implementation Method 2
utilizing damping materials like reinforced thermoplastic for the spring holder rings to absorb kinetic energy and reduce stress
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~3A
AI summary
The automatic valve comprises a valve seat (52) having first gas flow passages (58) extending there through and a valve guard (54) having second gas flow passages (61) extending there through. The valve further comprises at least one shutter member (60) movably arranged between the valve guard and the valve seat. The shutter member is biased by a set of spring members (62) towards a closed position in sealing engagement with the valve seat (52), for closing the first gas flow passages (58). A spring holder ring (68) with a plurality of spring retention seats (66) is also provided. Each spring member is partially housed in a respective spring pocket (64) formed in the valve guard (54) and retained in a respective spring retention seat (66).