Transparent Casing Pneumatic Actuator Diaphragm Inspection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Pneumatic actuators in power plants often have diaphragms that are damaged due to frequent operation and cannot be inspected until they fail, and they require separate manufacturing for different orientations, making on-site fail position changes difficult.

Innovation Solution

A control valve pneumatic actuator with a transparent casing and a double-ring diaphragm structure, allowing for visual inspection and continuous grease supply between two rubber rings to reduce friction and extend diaphragm lifespan, along with a spring extension for flexible fail position adjustment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a transparent casing is used, then the inner state of the diaphragm can be checked, but the manufacturing cost and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvediaphragm integrity detectionVSAvoidcasing structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies transparency as a visual property change to the casing material, allowing the inner state of the diaphragm to be observed directly through the transparent casing wall, eliminating the need for separate inspection mechanisms while maintaining structural integrity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #32Color changes

2Ease of operation

If a double-ring diaphragm structure is used, then grease can be injected between rubber rings to reduce friction, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefriction reductionVSAvoiddiaphragm structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The diaphragm is segmented into a double-ring structure with two separate rubber rings that can be independently lubricated through grease injection channels, allowing friction reduction at critical interfaces without requiring complete disassembly

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Grease is introduced as an intermediary substance through injection channels between the two rubber rings, mediating the friction between moving parts and extending diaphragm lifespan without mechanical modification

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If separate manufacturing is done for different fail positions, then reliability is improved, but adaptability decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefail position controlVSAvoidon-site configuration flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The spring extension mechanism provides dynamic adjustability, allowing the fail position to be changed on-site by modifying the spring extension length rather than requiring separate manufactured units for each configuration

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS10697559B2Control valve pneumatic actuator using transparent casing and double-ring diaphragm

Publication Date: 2020.06.30 KEPCO ENG & CONSTR CO INC

AI summary

A control valve pneumatic actuator using a transparent casing includes a casing having a cylindrical shape and made of a transparent material to enable an inside of the casing to be observed from outside, a driveshaft penetrating the inside of the casing, a diaphragm fixedly connected to the driveshaft inside the casing and vertically moving in the casing according to a movement of the driveshaft, a ring holder attached to an outer circumferential of the diaphragm and having a groove having a C-shape, a rubber ring inserted into the groove of the ring holder, a control valve connected to a lower portion of the drive shaft extending below the casing, and a yoke arranged below the casing and connecting the casing to the control valve.