Threaded Seat Slab Gate Valve for High-Pressure Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gate valve designs are complex, heavy, and require multiple moving parts, making them difficult to assemble and maintain, especially in high-pressure subsea environments.
Innovation Solution
A compact slab gate valve assembly with an articulated connection between the gate slabs and the gate-carrying shaft, featuring threadedly disposed valve seats and a peripheral seal configuration that allows for splaying and optimal sealing without relying on additional seal materials.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional gate valve designs are used, then reliable high-pressure sealing is achieved, but the assembly becomes complex and heavy with multiple moving parts
Solution Approach 1:
The valve seat is integrated directly into the gate structure, merging two previously separate components (valve seat and gate) into a single unit. This integration eliminates the need for separate valve seat assemblies and reduces the number of moving parts while maintaining the sealing function through the gate's own structure
Solution Approach 2:
The gate structure is designed to serve multiple functions: it acts as both the closing element and the valve seat, providing both flow control and sealing functions. The gate's contacting face serves dual purposes as both a structural component and a sealing surface
2Reliability
If traditional gate valve designs are used, then reliable high-pressure sealing is achieved, but the overall weight of the assembly increases
Solution Approach 1:
By integrating the valve seat into the gate structure, the design eliminates redundant materials and components. The single integrated structure reduces overall material usage and assembly weight compared to traditional designs with separate valve seats and gates
Solution Approach 2:
The design removes unnecessary components from the traditional gate valve assembly, extracting only the essential sealing function and integrating it directly into the gate, thereby reducing overall assembly weight
3Reliability
If traditional gate valve designs are used, then sealing function is maintained, but the number of moving parts increases
Solution Approach 1:
The valve seat and gate are merged into a single integrated component, reducing the number of moving parts from two separate components to one. This integration maintains the sealing function while simplifying the overall assembly
4Reliability
If traditional gate valve designs are used, then sealing capability is maintained, but assembly difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated gate structure with built-in valve seat reduces the number of assembly steps by eliminating the need to assemble separate valve seat and gate components. The single integrated piece requires fewer alignment and fastening operations
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 design reduces the number of moving parts, weight, and assembly complexity, while maintaining high-pressure sealing efficiency and reducing maintenance requirements, making it suitable for subsea installations.
Implementation Method 1
the peripheral seal may exhibit a degree of deformation, for instance in the form of splaying, which may be an elastic deformation, wherein the extent of deformation is limited by the abutment of the seating surface against the abutment surface
Data Source
AI summary
A slab gate valve assembly having a housing (12) with an inlet (22), an outlet (24), and a gated fluid passage between the inlet (22) and the outlet (24), at least one valve seat (42, 44) disposed in a seat pocket (70) of the housing (12), a gate-carrying shaft (30), and a slab gate plate arrangement (32, 34) in slidable engagement with the at least one valve seat (42, 44) and to be operated via the gate-carrying shaft (30) between an open condition and a shut condition, wherein at least one valve seat (42, 44) is threadedly disposed in its seat pocket (70). The threaded engagement allows a torque preload to be applied within a high degree of accuracy.