Steam Valve Apparatus Circular Arc Flow Channel Pressure Loss

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional steam valve apparatuses with integrated main throttle and steam control valves experience significant pressure loss due to the centrifugal force acting on steam flowing through an elbow-shaped intermediate flow channel, leading to inefficient steam flow and energy loss.

Innovation Solution

The steam valve apparatus is designed with a longitudinal configuration where the main throttle valve and steam control valve are connected via a circular arcuate intermediate flow-channel part, with the second outlet directed upward to reduce pressure loss, and the inner surfaces of the flow-channel parts are configured to ensure smooth flow, minimizing energy loss by reducing secondary flow and maintaining uniform pressure distribution.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If an elbow-shaped intermediate flow channel is used to connect the main throttle valve and steam control valve, then the valves can be integrated in a compact arrangement, but centrifugal force causes steam to collide with inner walls resulting in significant pressure loss and energy loss

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompact arrangementVSAvoidpressure loss
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies curvature principle by designing the intermediate flow channel with a circular arc shape instead of an elbow shape. The circular arc intermediate flow channel allows steam to flow smoothly from the main throttle valve to the steam control valve without abrupt directional changes, eliminating the collision of steam with inner walls and reducing pressure loss while maintaining compact integration of the valves

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

2Force

If the steam control valve discharges steam on the outside of the curvature side of the intermediate flow path, then centrifugal force acts in the discharge direction, but this causes steam to jet and collide into inner walls of the valve cap and casing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecentrifugal force utilizationVSAvoidsteam collision
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional discharge arrangement by positioning the steam control valve and its discharge outlet on the inside of the circular arc curvature rather than on the outside. This inversion allows steam to flow along the curved path without jetting out and colliding with the valve cap or casing walls, eliminating the harmful collision effect while still utilizing centrifugal force beneficially

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

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 achieves a smoother steam flow and reduces pressure loss within the steam valve apparatus, enhancing operational efficiency by minimizing energy loss and facilitating a more compact design.

Implementation Method 1

In a steam valve apparatus as described above in which a main throttle valve and a steam control valve are integrated through an elbow-shaped intermediate flow channel, centrifugal force acts to drive steam toward the outside of elbow-shaped curvature when steam coming out of the main throttle valve flows inside the intermediate flow channel.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCentrifugal force: Centrifugal Force

Data Source

PatentEP2796669B1Steam valve apparatus
Publication Date: 2017.08.16 KK TOSHIBA
  • EP2796669B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2796669B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2796669B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

According to one embodiment, there is provided a steam valve apparatus (21) including a main throttle valve (1), a steam control valve (2) arranged on a downstream side of the main throttle valve (1), and an intermediate flow-channel part (30) which connects the main throttle valve (1) and the steam control valve (2). The intermediate flow-channel part (30) is a circular pipe flow channel forming a circular arcuate shape so as to change a flow of steam, which has flowed out of the main throttle valve (1), from a perpendicular direction into a direction of flowing out into the inlet part (43). An outlet part (44) is open upward, and a valve rod (47) penetrates a lower part of a casing (41) downward.