Spring Ring Valve Seat for Butterfly Valve Sealing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Large industrial butterfly valves face challenges in achieving a tight seal under high pressure due to the limitations of traditional valve seats, which often require movable components to ensure complete closure, leading to potential fatigue and inefficiency.
Innovation Solution
A metal spring ring valve seat that radially deforms under hoop stress when seated, creating a 360-degree annular contact with the valve seat, allowing for articulation and enhanced sealing by pivoting within an annular recess, thereby preventing fluid flow when closed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional valve seats are used in large industrial butterfly valves, then the structure is simpler, but the sealing reliability deteriorates under high pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The valve seat is designed with a spring ring structure that dynamically deforms under hoop stress to maintain sealing contact. The spring ring can articulate and adjust its shape to conform to the sealing surface, ensuring reliable sealing under high pressure conditions while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring ring valve seat changes its geometric parameters (radius, cross-sectional area) in response to applied pressure. The ring deforms radially inward under hoop stress, increasing the contact pressure with the sealing surface to maintain a tight seal under varying pressure conditions.
2Reliability
If movable valve seat components are added to ensure complete sealing, then the sealing reliability improves, but the device complexity and potential for fatigue increase
Solution Approach 1:
The spring ring valve seat performs multiple functions: it provides the sealing surface, accommodates pressure variations through elastic deformation, and maintains consistent contact pressure without requiring separate actuating mechanisms. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for additional movable components while ensuring complete sealing.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring ring structure is self-adjusting and self-regulating. It automatically deforms to maintain sealing contact under varying pressure conditions without requiring external control systems or additional movable components, thereby ensuring complete sealing while minimizing device complexity.
3Strength
If the valve seat is made rigid to maintain structural integrity, then the strength improves, but the sealing capability deteriorates under high pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The valve seat employs a flexible spring ring structure instead of a rigid component. The spring ring can elastically deform to conform to the sealing surface and maintain contact under high pressure, while still providing sufficient structural integrity through its spring design and material properties.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring ring valve seat can be constructed from composite materials or heat-treated metals that combine high strength with adequate elasticity. This allows the component to maintain structural integrity while possessing the necessary flexibility to deform and seal effectively under varying pressure conditions.
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 solution provides a reliable and efficient sealing mechanism that minimizes bending stress and ensures a tight seal under high pressure, maintaining valve integrity and performance over time.
Implementation Method 1
The engagement portion is configured to contact the other of the valve seats and resiliently deform radially under hoop stress caused by the contact as the butterfly disk moves to the closed position
Implementation Method 2
The engagement portion is configured to contact the other of the valve seats and resiliently deform radially under hoop stress
Data Source
AI summary
A butterfly valve has a housing that has an annular valve seat and a butterfly disk that has an annular valve seat. At least one of the valve seats is a spring seat that has an annular mounting portion and an axially opposite annular engagement portion. The engagement portion is configured to contact the other valve seat and resiliently deform radially under hoop stress caused by the contact as the butterfly disk moves to the closed position. The engagement portion is connected to the main body of the respective one of housing or the butterfly disk by the mounting portion. The mounting portion is attached to the main body of the respective one of housing or the butterfly disk in a manner such that the mounting portion can articulate relative to the main body of the respective one of housing or the butterfly disk as the engagement portion resiliently deforms radially.