Segmented Trapezoidal Flapper Check Valve Impact Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing check valves with hinged flappers suffer from high reaction time due to large, massive flapper elements, resulting in significant impact forces when closing, which can lead to damage and inefficiency in fluid flow control.
Innovation Solution
A check valve design featuring trapezoidal flapper elements with reduced mass and angle of travel, pivotally mounted with hinge pins and bumper elements, and biased towards a closed position using springs, forming a frustoconical seal with a disc-shaped plug element to control fluid flow effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If large semi-circular flapper elements are used, then the valve can effectively seal and control flow, but the reaction time becomes slow and impact forces increase
Solution Approach 1:
The valve is segmented into multiple trapezoidal flapper elements arranged radially around the flow path. Each flapper is a smaller, lighter segment that can respond quickly to pressure changes while collectively providing effective flow control and sealing when positioned appropriately.
Solution Approach 2:
The flapper geometry is changed from large semi-circular shapes to smaller trapezoidal shapes with optimized dimensions. This parameter change reduces the mass and moment of inertia of each flapper, enabling faster response times while the radial arrangement ensures adequate sealing coverage.
2Reliability
If large semi-circular flapper elements are used, then the valve provides adequate flow control, but the impact force against stop pins becomes significant causing damage
Solution Approach 1:
Dividing the valve into multiple smaller trapezoidal flapper segments reduces the mass of each individual flapper. When these lighter flappers close, they generate significantly lower impact forces on the stop pins compared to a single large flapper, reducing wear and damage while maintaining flow control through the coordinated action of multiple elements.
Solution Approach 2:
Changing the flapper geometry to trapezoidal shapes with reduced dimensions decreases the mass and area of each flapper element. This parameter optimization reduces impact forces during closure while the radial arrangement of multiple flappers ensures adequate flow control and sealing effectiveness.
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 impact forces and enhances reaction time, minimizing damage and optimizing fluid flow by using smaller, more efficient flapper elements that maintain a seal and control flow efficiently across varying pressure conditions.
Implementation Method 1
one or more biasing elements may be provided for biasing the flapper elements towards the closed position. The biasing elements may comprise one or more springs, for example torsion springs.
Implementation Method 2
The respective bumper elements may be configured to receive a hinge pin which pivotally mounts the flapper elements to the valve housing.
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2A
AI summary
A check valve (10) comprises a valve housing (2) defining an opening (16) and a plurality of flapper elements (4) each having a proximal end (30) and a distal end (32), the flapper elements (4) being pivotally mounted to the valve housing (2) at their proximal ends (30) for pivotal movement between a closed position, in which they block the flow of fluid through the opening (16) and an open position in which they permit the flow of fluid through the opening (16). Each flapper element (4) is generally triangular or trapezoidal in shape such that the flapper elements (4) create a generally conical or frustoconical shape when in the closed position.