Valve Contoured Bore Deflects Particles From Seals
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Solution Overview
Problem
Valves used in fluid flow control, such as ball and gate valves, face issues with sealing effectiveness due to particle accumulation and damage from harsh operating conditions, leading to premature wear and potential leaks.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a contoured bore with deflection features like lips or diverters that deflect particles away from sealing surfaces, creating a low-pressure region to flush particles and reduce wear, and includes a floating closure member to adapt to conduit deflection, maintaining sealing engagement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If sealing surfaces are used to prevent leaking, then sealing effectiveness is improved, but particles accumulate on sealing surfaces causing premature wear and reduced longevity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts harmful particles from the fluid stream by introducing a separate particle removal system. A particle removal device with a particle capture surface is positioned to intercept particles before they reach the sealing surfaces, effectively separating the particle removal function from the sealing function and protecting the sealing surfaces from particle accumulation and wear.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary particle capture surface between the fluid stream containing particles and the sealing surfaces. This intermediary component captures particles through fluid dynamics (creating eddies and low-pressure regions) and prevents them from contacting the sealing surfaces, thus mediating the interaction between particles and seals.
2Stress or pressure
If valves are operated in harsh conditions (high pressure, external forces), then flow control capability is improved, but valves may separate from conduits and leak
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a floating closure member that can dynamically adjust its position in response to pressure changes and external forces. The closure member is not rigidly fixed but floats on the fluid pressure, allowing it to automatically compensate for conduit deflection or separation, maintaining sealing contact under varying operating conditions including high pressure and external mechanical forces.
3Productivity
If sealing surfaces are exposed to particle-laden fluid streams, then flow control function is maintained, but damage to seals and sealing surfaces occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the internal flow path into separate zones: a particle-laden main flow channel that maintains productivity, and a protected sealing zone where particles are excluded. The particle removal device creates a separate particle capture surface and fluid circulation pattern that isolates the sealing surfaces from direct exposure to harmful particles while maintaining overall flow control function.
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 enhances sealing longevity, increases pressure tolerance, and reduces leakage by effectively deflecting particles and compensating for conduit deflection, resulting in improved valve performance.
Implementation Method 1
the contour of the bore creates a low-pressure region within the fluid stream that draws particles away from the sealing surface
Implementation Method 2
a lip of the bore also creates a Venturi effect that cleans a sealing surface by flushing particles away from the sealing surface
Data Source
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AI summary
A valve having a flow control assembly with a bore having particle-deflecting features is provided. In one embodiment, the bore of a flow control assembly of a valve includes a contour shaped to deflect particles in a fluid stream through the valve toward the center of the fluid stream and away from a sealing surface of the flow control assembly. The bore may also, in some embodiments, create a Venturi effect that cleans sealing surfaces by drawing particles away from the sealing surfaces. Additional valve systems, devices, and methods are also disclosed.