Three-Valve Fluid Circulation System for Turbulence Reduction
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing valve devices for fluid circulation in the food industry face challenges such as complex construction, high production and maintenance costs, and leakage issues during cleaning, particularly due to the need for double sealing and turbulence at valve locations.
Innovation Solution
A three-valve system is introduced, where a third annular valve moves between the first and second valves, guided by radial contact and actuator means, using a plastic material for sealing without joints, eliminating the need for traditional seals and simplifying construction while minimizing turbulence during cleaning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a double sealing system is implemented between the first and second valves, then sealing security during cleaning is improved, but device complexity and construction cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
A third valve is introduced as an intermediary element between the first and second valves. This third valve provides an additional sealing interface that prevents cleaning fluid from leaking into the leakage chamber when turbulence occurs, thereby enhancing sealing security without requiring complex double sealing mechanisms on the existing valves
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing function is segmented into multiple independent valve elements (first valve, second valve, and third valve). Each valve provides a separate sealing interface, allowing the system to achieve enhanced sealing reliability through distributed sealing points rather than complex sealing structures on individual valves
2Reliability
If traditional seal elements are used between valves, then sealing is achieved, but production and maintenance costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The third valve is designed to provide self-sealing functionality through its positioning and interaction with the first and second valves. The valve body itself creates the sealing interface through its geometry and movement, eliminating the need for additional seal elements and reducing both production and maintenance costs
3Device complexity
If the third valve is freely movable between first and second valves, then construction simplicity is improved, but sealing reliability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The third valve's movement parameters are constrained by its interaction with the first and second valves. The valve moves along a defined path and maintains specific positional relationships with the other valves, ensuring reliable sealing contact while preserving construction simplicity
4Productivity
If cleaning fluid flows directly into the leakage chamber, then cleaning efficiency is improved, but turbulence and leakage problems occur
Solution Approach 1:
The third valve acts as an intermediary barrier between the cleaning fluid flow and the leakage chamber. It controls and regulates the fluid flow, preventing direct uncontrolled entry into the leakage chamber, thereby reducing turbulence and leakage while maintaining cleaning effectiveness
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
The valve device (1) comprises two ports (3a, 3b) connected according to the position of a movable valve (7) which includes a first and a second flapper (9a, 9b), one of which is hollow (11). A third flapper (9c) is freely mounted between the first and second flapper.