Vacuum Valve Membrane Actuation for Low-Pressure Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing valves for vacuum apparatuses suffer from extreme wear of the seal due to rotating movements and require compressed air for control, leading to performance drops at low inlet pressures.
Innovation Solution
A valve design comprising a housing with an inner membrane and sealing element, where the membrane moves between closed and open positions using pressure differences between inner and outer chambers, eliminating the need for pressurized air for operation and minimizing wear by using 3-way solenoid valves for control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a butterfly valve with rotating valve disc is used, then the valve can be controlled to open and close, but the seal experiences extreme wear resulting in reduced reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the rotating mechanical valve disc with a membrane actuated by pressure differences. The membrane moves linearly between closed and open positions without rotation, eliminating the rotating seal interface that causes extreme wear in butterfly valves. This substitution of mechanical rotation with pressure-driven linear movement resolves the seal durability issue.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a flexible membrane as the closing element instead of a rigid rotating disc. The membrane can deform and move smoothly under pressure differences, providing a wear-free sealing mechanism. This use of flexible film technology directly addresses the extreme wear problem of traditional butterfly valve seals.
2Ease of operation
If compressed air is used to control the butterfly valve, then the valve can be actuated, but the system complexity increases due to the requirement for pressurized air supply
Solution Approach 1:
The valve membrane actuates itself using the process pressure difference between the inlet and outlet sides. When inlet pressure exceeds outlet pressure, the membrane automatically moves to the open position without requiring external compressed air or complex control systems. This self-actuating mechanism eliminates the need for external pneumatic control infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the process fluid's own pressure differential to actuate the membrane, converting the pressure difference directly into mechanical movement. This eliminates the need for separate compressed air supply systems and complex valve control mechanisms, simplifying the overall system while maintaining ease of operation.
3Reliability
If a return valve is designed to close at low inlet pressures, then vacuum protection is provided, but the valve does not open completely resulting in high pressure drop and performance loss
Solution Approach 1:
The membrane's position is dynamically determined by the real-time pressure difference between inlet and outlet. When inlet pressure exceeds outlet pressure, the membrane moves completely to the open position, maximizing vacuum conductivity. When outlet pressure exceeds inlet pressure, the membrane moves to the closed position for vacuum protection. This dynamic response ensures both complete opening for performance and complete closing for protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve utilizes changes in pressure differential as the controlling parameter to determine membrane position. By monitoring the pressure difference between inlet and outlet, the membrane automatically adjusts its position to optimize either flow conductivity or vacuum protection, eliminating the compromise in traditional designs that only partially open at low pressures.
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 solution reduces valve complexity, eliminates the need for compressed air, and ensures complete opening at low pressures, enhancing performance and ease of service with reduced wear and pressure drop.
Implementation Method 1
the membrane moves between closed and open positions using pressure differences between inner and outer chambers
Data Source
AI summary
A valve for a vacuum apparatus includes a first housing element and a second housing element wherein an outer chamber is defined by the first housing element and the second housing element. The first housing element has a first opening and the second housing element has a second opening in fluid communication with the first opening via the outer chamber. An inner chamber is defined by the first housing element and the second housing element wherein a membrane is disposed in the inner chamber. A sealing element is connected to the membrane and is moveable from a first position to a second position wherein in the first position the sealing element closes the first opening in a leak-tight manner and in the second position the sealing element opens the first opening to allow a gaseous medium to flow through the valve.