Internally Cooled Valve Gas-Coolant Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Shaker cooling in sodium-cooled valves is hindered by compressible gases in the cavity, which impede the movement of the coolant, leading to inefficient heat dissipation.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a compensating channel with a tapered diameter transition region and a parallel configuration to allow the coolant to form a larger column, pushing back residual gas and enabling unimpeded coolant movement, thereby enhancing shaker cooling efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a gas is introduced into the cavity to reduce stress on the valve, then the stress reduction benefit is achieved, but the gas impedes coolant movement and hinders shaker cooling efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The cavity is segmented into two functional zones: a gas-filled upper region for stress reduction and a coolant-filled lower region for heat dissipation. The horizontal partition wall separates these zones, allowing the gas to occupy only the upper portion where it provides stress relief without interfering with coolant flow in the lower portion where shaker cooling occurs.
Solution Approach 2:
A horizontal partition wall acts as an intermediary structure between the gas-filled upper cavity region and the coolant-filled lower region. This partition prevents gas from mixing with the coolant while still allowing the gas to provide stress reduction benefits, thus mediating between the conflicting requirements of stress relief and cooling efficiency.
2Strength
If the coolant movement is hindered by compressed gas, then the gas provides stress relief, but the heat dissipation efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The cavity is divided into an upper gas-filled segment for stress relief and a lower coolant-filled segment for heat dissipation. The horizontal partition wall ensures that the gas and coolant remain separated, allowing each to perform its function without interfering with the other's efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The problem is solved by introducing a spatial dimensionality change through the horizontal partition wall, creating distinct vertical zones for gas and coolant. This dimensional separation allows the gas to provide stress relief in the upper zone while the coolant maintains efficient heat dissipation in the lower zone without compression interference.
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 effectively prevents compressible gas from impeding coolant movement, improving the efficiency of heat transfer and shaker cooling in sodium-cooled valves.
Implementation Method 1
heat energy absorbed by the coolant at a valve head is transported to the valve stem by a movement of the coolant
Implementation Method 2
the cavity has a transition region in which the diameter of the cavity tapers from a largest diameter in the valve head to a smaller diameter in the valve stem, and the passage terminates in a third of the transition region in the valve head
Implementation Method 3
remaining compressed residual gas through the channel can escape. Since the residual gas can flow through the channel towards the valve head, it no longer impedes the movement of the coolant
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3C
AI summary
The present invention relates to an internally cooled valve (2), having a valve body (4) which comprises a valve stem (6) and a valve head (8), wherein a cavity (10) in the valve body (4) extends from the valve stem (6) into the valve head (8) and has a greater diameter (D) in the valve head region (12) than in a valve stem region (14). An equalising channel (16) is arranged in the valve (2) and extends between the valve stem region (14) of the cavity into a valve head region (14) of the cavity (10).