Valve Diaphragm Inversion for Low-Loss Fluid Pressure Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional diaphragm-type fluid control valves face challenges in ensuring precise fluid flow and pressure control due to complexity and expense in manufacturing, added wear from moving components, and unacceptable pressure loss from biasing devices like springs.
Innovation Solution
A diaphragm with a simple construction featuring a flexible member with a smooth upper surface and reinforced fabric, which naturally inverts to control fluid flow without ribs or springs, using the diaphragm's tension force to maintain a sealed position and compensate for fluid pressure fluctuations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If springs or other biasing devices are used to urge the diaphragm to the closed position, then the diaphragm can be forced to the valve seat, but this creates unacceptable pressure loss in the valve
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes springs and other biasing devices from the valve assembly, extracting the source of pressure loss. Instead of using mechanical biasing elements, the invention relies on the natural elasticity of the diaphragm material and pressure differential control to achieve sealing, thereby eliminating the unacceptable pressure loss caused by biasing devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical spring-based biasing system with a pressure-differential-based control system. By using fluid pressure applied to the diaphragm chamber and the natural elastic recovery of the diaphragm material, the system achieves the same sealing function without the mechanical components that cause pressure loss.
2Reliability
If ribs and rings are added to the diaphragm to urge it towards the seated position, then the diaphragm can be biased to the closed position, but this produces added complexity and expense in manufacture
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the complex rib and ring structures from the diaphragm design. By eliminating these additional components, the invention achieves diaphragm sealing through the natural elasticity of a simple, smooth diaphragm material, thereby reducing manufacturing complexity and expense while maintaining reliable sealing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a simple flexible diaphragm membrane without additional rigid structural elements. The diaphragm's inherent flexibility and elastic properties are sufficient to achieve the required sealing function, eliminating the need for complex rib and ring reinforcements and simplifying both manufacturing and assembly.
3Reliability
If the upper cover of the valve is made larger or includes features to receive the spring, then the spring can be accommodated, but this increases the size and complexity of the valve assembly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the spring component entirely from the valve assembly. By eliminating the need for spring accommodation features, the upper cover can be designed in its minimal required size without additional cavities, mounting features, or structural modifications, thereby reducing overall valve size and complexity.
4Reliability
If separate biasing devices such as springs are used, then the diaphragm can be urged to the closed position, but this complicates the assembly of the valve and adds extra costs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the diaphragm sealing function with the pressure control function by eliminating separate biasing devices. The diaphragm itself, through its elastic properties and response to pressure differential, performs both the sealing and positioning functions that would otherwise require additional components, thereby simplifying assembly and reducing manufacturing costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables the diaphragm to self-regulate its positioning and sealing through its inherent elastic properties and response to pressure differential. The system uses the process fluid's own pressure to control diaphragm position, eliminating the need for external biasing devices and simplifying both assembly and operation.
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 design provides precise control of fluid flow, reduces wear, simplifies assembly and serviceability, and minimizes pressure loss, while eliminating the need for additional biasing devices, resulting in a more reliable and cost-effective valve operation.
Implementation Method 1
the flexible member has an upper surface having a substantially smooth wall portion... the flexible member has a natural-inverted or partially inverted position in which the flexible member is upturned inside-out
Implementation Method 2
the flexible member has an upper surface having a substantially smooth wall portion... provides for a more precise control of the fluid flow and/or pressure in diaphragm-type control valves by employing a diaphragm having a simple construction with minimal stress concentrations during operation
Data Source
AI summary
A fluid control valve includes a cover portion and a body portion. Inner surfaces of the cover and the body portion define a chamber that includes an inlet and an outlet in communication with the chamber. The fluid control valve also includes a diaphragm disposed between the cover portion and the body portion. The diaphragm has a flexible member that is disposed within the chamber for controlling communication between the inlet and the outlet. The upper surface of the flexible member has a substantially smooth wall portion. The flexible member has an inverted position in which the upper surface conforms to at least a portion of the inner surface of the cover portion to define a passageway that permits communication between the inlet and the outlet. The diaphragm is configured such that the lower surface of the flexible member and a seat member on the body portion have corresponding radius of curvatures such that the flexible member conforms to and seals against the seat member when the flexible member is not in the inverted position.