Valve Assembly Anti-Tip Flanges for Sealing Ring Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Control valves often experience tipping during installation and removal, which can damage sealing rings due to sharp edges formed by intersecting passages in the receiving bore, potentially compromising their sealing function, especially when space is limited.
Innovation Solution
The valve assembly incorporates a stepped receiving bore and valve housing with annular grooves and anti-tip flanges to minimize tipping, ensuring sealing rings avoid sharp edges and maintain functionality without requiring modifications to the receiving bore.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the control valve is designed with significant differences in diameter between adjacent sealing rings (no axial overlap), then the sealing rings can avoid damage during installation and removal, but radial compactness is eliminated which is undesirable when packaging space is minimal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces anti-tip flanges as intermediary structures that prevent tipping during installation and removal. These flanges act as mediators between the sealing rings and the installation process, eliminating the need for excessive radial spacing while protecting sealing rings from damage by preventing tipping that would cause contact with sharp edges
2Reliability
If the receiving bore is made stepped with passages at different diameters, then sealing rings can pass by passages without contact during installation and removal, but it requires modification to the receiving bore which increases device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of modifying the receiving bore to accommodate the sealing rings (traditional approach), the patent inverts the solution by adding anti-tip flanges to the valve assembly itself. This prevents tipping at the source rather than trying to create a tolerant installation environment, thereby avoiding complex bore modifications
3Reliability
If anti-tip flanges are added to prevent tipping during installation and removal, then sealing ring damage is prevented, but the valve assembly structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The anti-tip flanges are positioned asymmetrically on the valve assembly, extending radially outward at specific locations to prevent tipping in the critical direction during installation and removal. This asymmetric configuration provides maximum protective effect with minimal additional structural complexity
Data Source
AI summary
A valve assembly includes a valve housing having a first port, a second port, and a third port. A valve member within the valve housing is moveable therein to alter fluid communication between the first and second ports. The valve housing includes a first annular groove such that a first sealing ring is provided in the first annular groove, thereby sealing the first port from the second port when installed in a receiving bore. The valve housing also includes a second annular groove such that a second sealing ring is provided in the second annular groove, thereby sealing the second port from the third port in the receiving bore. The valve housing also includes a first anti-tip flange extending radially outward to a greater extent than the first annular groove and a second anti-tip flange extending radially outward to a greater extent than the second annular groove.