Valve Arrangement for Liquid Ring Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid ring systems require high precision manufacturing, making them costly and inaccessible to price-conscious markets, and are prone to durability issues due to multiple high precision interfaces, which fail when one interface fails.
Innovation Solution
A valve arrangement with plates and vanes that allow for rotational movement without relying on leakproof seals between moving surfaces, reducing manufacturing tolerances and increasing durability by using non-overlapping valves and a sealing fluid to prevent backflow and enhance pressure change efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If high precision manufacturing techniques are used to ensure leakproof seals between moving surfaces, then sealing effectiveness is improved, but manufacturing cost increases and manufacturing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the requirement for leakproof seals between moving surfaces by extracting the sealing function from the mechanical interface. The valve arrangement uses stationary valves on plates that work with a sealing fluid to achieve sealing without requiring precision seals between rotating and stationary components, thereby eliminating the need for high precision manufacturing
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a sealing fluid (liquid ring) to create seals dynamically during operation. The sealing fluid fills the chamber and prevents backflow through the use of non-overlapping valves, replacing the need for mechanical seals with a hydraulic sealing mechanism that tolerates larger manufacturing gaps
2Reliability
If high precision interfaces are used between containers and vaned impellers, then sealing effectiveness is improved, but system durability decreases due to multiple failure points
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the vulnerable high precision interfaces between rotating vaned impellers and stationary containers by removing the rotating impeller component entirely. Instead, it uses a stationary valve arrangement with plates and vanes that work together with a sealing fluid to achieve the same compression function without creating wear points at precision interfaces
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces expensive, fragile high precision interfaces with simpler, more durable components that can tolerate larger tolerances. The valve arrangement uses robust plates and vanes that are less susceptible to failure, trading the precision requirement for increased durability and reduced maintenance needs
3Ease of manufacture
If relaxed manufacturing tolerances are used, then manufacturing cost decreases and ease of manufacture improves, but sealing effectiveness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a sealing fluid (liquid ring) to dynamically seal the chamber during operation. The sealing fluid fills the space between the plates and vanes, creating effective seals even with larger manufacturing tolerances. The non-overlapping valve arrangement ensures that the sealing fluid prevents backflow without requiring precision clearance control
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the sealing mechanism from relying on mechanical contact with tight tolerances to using fluid pressure and the presence of sealing liquid to maintain seals. This parameter change allows the system to operate effectively with relaxed manufacturing tolerances while maintaining 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
This solution reduces manufacturing costs, increases system durability, and makes liquid ring systems more accessible to domestic markets by eliminating the need for high precision interfaces and preventing backflow, thereby enhancing the efficiency and versatility of the system.
Implementation Method 1
a sealing fluid to prevent backflow
Implementation Method 2
the volume of the chamber between the vanes of the vaned impeller changes based on an amount of sealing liquid that fills the space between the vanes. The nature of the change between the inlet and the outlet varies depending on the type of liquid ring system. For example, the volume of the chamber in a compressor decreases between the inlet and the outlet, thereby compressing the gas in the chamber.
Data Source
AI summary
Liquid ring systems are known for compressing gasses. However, known systems include moving surfaces that require high precision manufacturing. A valve arrangement for a liquid ring system comprising: a plurality of plates; a vane set; and a chamber set that comprises at least one chamber, wherein a first chamber of the chamber set comprises: a first valve, disposed on a first plate of the plurality of plates, which is configured to be closer to the first face of a first vane of the vane set than the second face of the second vane of the vane set; and a second valve, disposed on a second plate, which is configured to be closer to the second face of the second vane than the first face of the first vane.