Valve-Actuator Adapter Seal for Leak-Free Valve Maintenance

Solution Overview

Problem

Electrically actuated valves in hydronic systems often experience seal failures, requiring time-consuming and disruptive repairs that involve disassembling the valve and depressurizing the fluidic system, especially inconvenient in winter months when heating systems are being restored.

Innovation Solution

An adapter is inserted between the valve and actuator, providing a transmission element with its own seal to extend the actuation input and maintain the actuator's functionality, preventing further leakage and allowing continued operation without the need for internal valve part replacement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the valve seal is replaced by disassembling the valve, then the leaking seal is repaired, but the system requires depressurization, draining, and refilling which is time-consuming and disruptive

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseal leakage preventionVSAvoidrepair time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The valve assembly is segmented into modular components: the valve body, the actuator, and the adapter. The adapter acts as an independent segment that interfaces between the actuator and valve body, allowing the seal replacement function to be isolated from the main valve disassembly process. This segmentation enables seal replacement without requiring complete valve disassembly or system depressurization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The adapter serves as an intermediary component between the actuator and the valve body. It contains the seal that interfaces with the valve stem, replacing the function of the original valve seal without requiring access to the internal valve components. This intermediary approach allows seal replacement to be performed externally on the adapter rather than internally within the valve.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the valve is disassembled for seal replacement, then the failing seal is replaced, but the valve must be accessed internally which is difficult and time-intensive

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseal leakage preventionVSAvoidvalve accessibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The adapter serves as an intermediary component between the actuator and the valve body. It contains the seal that interfaces with the valve stem, replacing the function of the original valve seal without requiring access to the internal valve components. This intermediary approach allows seal replacement to be performed externally on the adapter rather than internally within the valve.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The seal replacement function is extracted from the valve body and relocated to the adapter component. The adapter contains its own seal that performs the sealing function externally, eliminating the need to access and replace seals inside the valve housing. This extraction simplifies maintenance by moving the seal replacement task to an externally accessible component.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Ease of operation

If the actuator is removed from the valve, then internal valve parts can be accessed, but the fluidic system must be depressurized and drained

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevalve accessVSAvoidsystem depressurization and draining

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The adapter serves as an intermediary component between the actuator and the valve body. It contains the seal that interfaces with the valve stem, replacing the function of the original valve seal without requiring access to the internal valve components. This intermediary approach allows seal replacement to be performed externally on the adapter rather than internally within the valve.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The adapter is pre-installed on the valve body before the actuator is attached. The adapter contains the seal that will interface with the valve stem, preparing the sealing function in advance. This preliminary installation of the adapter with its seal allows the actuator to be attached or removed without requiring seal replacement or system depressurization, as the sealing function is already in place on the adapter.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS12078260B2Valve-actuator interface to simplify valve repair and maintenance

Publication Date: 2024.09.03 MCMAHON THOMAS

AI summary

An adapter connects to a mechanical interface of valve on one side of the adapter and connects to an actuator mechanical interface of a valve actuator on another side of the adapter. A transmission element in the housing of the adapter transmits an actuator force developed by the valve actuator to the valve via the valve mechanical interface. The valve mechanical interface on the adapter fluidically seals to a leaking portion of the valve. Consequently, in a system in which a valve is leaking, rather than replacing or repairing the valve, the adapter may simply be interposed between the valve and the valve actuator.