Valve Body With Integral Bypass and Flange Identification Tab

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Solution Overview

Problem

High-pressure piping systems with valves face challenges due to unbalanced forces caused by pressure differentials, making it difficult to open valves, and typical bypasses are prone to manufacturing defects and leaking.

Innovation Solution

A valve body with an integral bypass is created through a monolithic casting process, eliminating welds and mechanical connections, and featuring an identification tab for easy assembly and maintenance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If a typical bypass is constructed from common pipe fittings welded or mechanically coupled together, then the bypass can be assembled using standard components, but the connections are prone to fabrication defects and leaking

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveassembly using standard componentsVSAvoidprone to fabrication defects and leaking

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The bypass is merged with the valve body to form a monolithic integral structure through casting. This eliminates the separate bypass component and its connections to the valve body, removing welds and mechanical joints that are prone to defects and leaking. The bypass becomes an inherent part of the valve body, ensuring reliable sealing and structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Area of stationary object

If a large-diameter valve has a smaller bypass attached to the primary valve body portion, then space and equipment clearance are optimized, but the attachment creates additional connection points that may leak

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespace and equipment clearanceVSAvoidconnection points prone to leaking

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The bypass is cast as an integral part of the valve body, eliminating the need for separate attachment and connections. This maintains the space-efficient compact design while removing potential leak paths at connection points, as the bypass and valve body form a single seamless structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Ease of operation

If an identification tab is added to the flange, then assembly and maintenance are facilitated through easy identification, but the valve body structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveassembly and maintenance identificationVSAvoidvalve body structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The identification tab serves multiple functions: it provides visual identification for correct assembly orientation, acts as a structural feature of the flange, and can serve as a mounting point for labels or tags. This multi-functionality justifies the additional structural element while enhancing operational ease.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS11384845B2Valve body with identification tab

Publication Date: 2022.07.12 MUELLER INT LLC

AI summary

A valve body includes a flange; and an identification tab disposed on the flange, the identification tab defining indicia. A pipe system includes a first flange; a second flange fastened to the first flange by a plurality of fasteners; and an identification tab disposed on the first flange, the identification tab defining indicia.