Tapered Annular Tube Gate Valve Sealing Structure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current gate valve sealing structures face challenges in providing a tight seal and ease of installation due to their rigid design, which can lead to increased pressure and potential injury during pipe fitting, and do not effectively adapt to the imperfections of cast iron gate valve boxes.
Innovation Solution
A tapered annular tube structure with a flexible flange design that tapers inwardly or outwardly, featuring a bead or beads for grip, and optional additional features like slits or a flexible membrane, to facilitate a secure and easy installation process by reducing the necessary pressure and improving sealing capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a rigid sealing structure is used, then structural stability is improved, but installation difficulty and potential injury increase due to high pressure required for tight sealing
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing structure transitions from a rigid cylindrical shape to a tapered configuration, changing the geometric parameters to reduce the force required for installation while maintaining sealing effectiveness. The taper angle can be optimized to balance between ease of installation and sealing tightness.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing structure incorporates flexible materials that allow dynamic adaptation to the gate valve box surface imperfections. This flexibility enables the structure to conform to irregular surfaces without requiring excessive installation force, thereby reducing installer injury risk while maintaining structural stability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a flexible sealing structure is used, then adaptability to surface imperfections is improved, but sealing tightness deteriorates due to lack of structural rigidity
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing structure uses composite construction combining flexible sealing elements with a more rigid tapered framework. This composite design allows the structure to adapt to surface imperfections through material flexibility while maintaining enough structural integrity to ensure tight sealing.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the sealing structure have different properties: the contact surfaces are made flexible to adapt to imperfections, while the overall tapered structure maintains rigidity to ensure proper alignment and sealing pressure distribution.
3Ease of manufacture
If a straight cylindrical sealing structure is used, then manufacturing simplicity is improved, but pipe fitting difficulty increases due to high pressure required for secure connection
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing structure transitions from a straight cylindrical shape to a tapered configuration, changing the geometric parameters to reduce the force required for installation while maintaining sealing effectiveness. The taper angle can be optimized to balance between ease of installation and sealing tightness.
4Measurement precision
If internal fingers or extensions are added for centering, then centering capability is improved, but pipe fitting assistance is reduced due to lack of integrated pipefitting features
Solution Approach 1:
The tapered sealing structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides centering alignment through its conical geometry, ensures proper positioning, and facilitates pipe fitting through the self-aligning nature of the taper. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate centering fingers while adding pipe fitting assistance.
Data Source
AI summary
An improved liquid infiltration adapting structure for preventing liquid infiltration around a gate valve box. The structure has an annular tube structure that is tapered to more easily receive a mating pipe. The tube structure may also comprise at least one bead for further securing the mating pipe. The adapting structure is also improved by providing a stepped inner flange for ease of installing the structure around the gate valve box.