Valve Fitting Assembly to Lock Butterfly Valves Closed
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Butterfly valves often result in unintentional dispensing of materials from containers due to improper positioning or adjustment, leading to contamination and wastage of valuable materials like metal powder, especially in additive manufacturing.
Innovation Solution
An assembly comprising a fitting that locks the flow control element in a closed configuration, preventing rotation and potential discharge, and can be detachably secured to the valve housing, with a design that includes a cylindrical tube and a plate to obstruct rotation and collect any escaped material, ensuring the valve remains closed even when the actuator is adjusted improperly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a valve cap is used to close the opening of the butterfly valve, then the opening is sealed, but the operative cannot check whether the valve is open or closed leading to potential material loss
Solution Approach 1:
The fitting acts as an intermediary device that provides visual indication of valve position. The indicator on the fitting shows whether the flow control element is in open or closed configuration, allowing operatives to check valve status without removing the sealing cap, thus maintaining both reliability and ease of operation
Solution Approach 2:
The fitting incorporates visual indicators that change appearance or position based on valve state, enabling operatives to determine whether the valve is open or closed while the fitting remains installed and sealed
2Reliability
If the fitting obstructs rotation of the flow control element, then unintentional material discharge is prevented, but the fitting structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The anti-rotation function is extracted as a separate feature of the fitting that engages with the flow control element shaft. The fitting includes a specific structure that interfaces with the shaft to prevent rotation while allowing the rest of the fitting to maintain its sealing and indicating functions independently
Solution Approach 2:
The fitting is designed with distinct functional segments: a sealing portion that closes the opening, an indicator portion that shows valve position, and an anti-rotation portion that prevents unintended movement. This segmentation allows each function to be optimized independently while maintaining overall simplicity
3Adaptability or versatility
If the fitting is detachably secured to the housing, then the fitting can be removed and reinstalled, but the sealing effectiveness may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The fitting includes pre-formed sealing surfaces and engagement features that ensure proper alignment and sealing when installed. The detachable connection mechanism is designed with built-in alignment guides and sealing grooves that automatically position the fitting correctly upon installation, maintaining sealing effectiveness while allowing removal and reinstallation
Data Source
AI summary
A fitting prevents the unintentional flow of flowable material out of a container through a valve. The valve comprises a housing, a flow control element rotatable between an open configuration and a closed configuration, and an actuator for moving the flow control element, wherein the fitting is adapted for insertion into the housing which in use locks the flow control element in a closed configuration by preventing rotation of the flow control element.