Valve Body Primary Secondary Stem Guides Excess Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Internal valves used for controlling fluid flow in hazardous environments, such as propane and anhydrous ammonia, face challenges in safely managing sudden excess flow conditions due to compromised flow paths, requiring effective pressure equalization and automatic cutoff mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A valve body design incorporating primary and secondary stem guides, a poppet valve, and a bleed valve, with thickened portions and inclined secondary stem struts, allows for secure mounting and efficient fluid flow management, including a strainer for securement, to address excess flow conditions and ensure safe operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single stem guide is used in conventional valve bodies, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the valve stem becomes unstable under high pressure differential conditions, leading to potential leakage and failure
Solution Approach 1:
The single stem guide is divided into multiple stem guides (first stem guide and second stem guide) positioned at different axial locations. This segmentation provides distributed support for the valve stem, improving stability under pressure differential conditions while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure that integrates well with the valve body design.
Solution Approach 2:
The stem guides are positioned at different axial locations along the valve stem, adding an axial dimension to the support structure. This multi-level axial positioning creates a more stable support system compared to a single guide, effectively distributing the mechanical loads and preventing stem instability without significantly increasing complexity.
2Strength
If the valve body is designed for secure mounting with flange fasteners and internal support structures, then the mounting reliability and structural integrity are improved, but the manufacturing complexity and material usage increase
Solution Approach 1:
The flange and the valve body are merged into a single integrated component rather than separate parts. The flange is formed as an integral part of the valve body, eliminating the need for separate flange fabrication and assembly operations. This reduces manufacturing steps while maintaining strong structural integrity for secure mounting with flange fasteners.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve body serves multiple functions: it provides the main fluid passage, supports the stem guides, incorporates the flange for mounting, and includes internal structural features for strength. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional components and simplifies the overall manufacturing process while maintaining structural integrity.
Data Source
AI summary
An internal valve including a body having a first end configured to be disposed within a tank and a second end configured to be disposed outside of the tank. The body includes a shoulder configured to be positioned adjacent to a mounting surface of the tank, a single flange positioned between the shoulder and the second end, a plurality of primary struts connecting an interior of the body to an internal primary stem guide, and a plurality of secondary struts connecting the interior of the body to an internal secondary stem guide. The primary struts and the primary stem guide are positioned between the flange and the shoulder, and the secondary struts and the secondary stem guide are positioned between the shoulder and the first end.