Valve Drive Adapter for Precise Spindle Control

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing motor-driven spindle valve drives are structurally complex, making precise control and easy mounting challenging, and they are not versatile enough for various valve types.

Innovation Solution

A torque transmission device with an adapter that allows relative movement between the drive shaft and spindle, enabling easy coupling and precise control, with features like non-rotatable connections and gear mechanisms for axial movement absorption, facilitating easy installation and retrofitting of spindle valves.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a fork engagement mechanism is used to fix the drive against rotation on the valve, then the drive can be mounted on existing valves, but the control precision is insufficient and the structure becomes complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemounting easeVSAvoidcontrol precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The drive system is segmented into modular components: a motor unit, a torque transmission device with adapter, and a drive shaft. The adapter acts as an independent segment that interfaces between the drive shaft and the valve spindle, allowing the mounting function to be separated from the control precision function. This segmentation enables precise control through the adapter's direct connection while maintaining ease of mounting through the modular design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If a fork engagement mechanism is used to fix the drive against rotation, then the drive can be mounted on existing valves, but the structural complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompatibility with existing valvesVSAvoiddrive structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The adapter is designed as a universal interface component that can accommodate different valve types through standardized connection features. The torque transmission device incorporates universal mounting mechanisms that work with various valve configurations without requiring complex valve-specific adaptations. This universality allows a single drive design to be compatible with multiple valve types, reducing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of manufacture

If the adapter allows relative longitudinal movement between drive shaft and spindle, then easy mounting and retrofitting is enabled, but torque transmission precision must be maintained

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemounting easeVSAvoidtorque transmission precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The adapter incorporates dynamic adjustment capabilities that allow it to accommodate longitudinal movements between the drive shaft and valve spindle while maintaining precise torque transmission. The adapter can dynamically adjust its position along the drive shaft axis to compensate for manufacturing tolerances and installation variations, ensuring consistent torque transmission precision across different mounting scenarios.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3070380B1Valve drive
Publication Date: 2019.06.26 R NUSSBAUM & CO
  • EP3070380B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3070380B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3070380B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A drive (100) for a rising spindle (240) of a spindle valve (200) comprises a motor (140) and a drive shaft (120) driven by the motor (140), as well as a torque transmission device for transmitting a torque from the drive shaft (120) to a spindle (240) of the spindle valve (200). The torque transmission device has an adapter (110) that interacts with the drive shaft (120), wherein the adapter (110) is capable of accommodating relative movement between the drive shaft (120) and the spindle (240) of the spindle valve (200) in the direction of a drive shaft axis, and wherein the adapter (110) is capable of transmitting a torque from the drive shaft (120) to the spindle (240) of the spindle valve (200).