Valve Lever Pin Coupling With Elastomeric Vibration Damping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Pressure relief valves in industrial and commercial applications face challenges due to vibration-induced damage from loose couplings, which existing vibration damping springs complicate and increase production costs.
Innovation Solution
The use of elastomeric rings as damping materials to reduce vibrations in valve levers, providing a cost-effective and easy-to-install solution that eliminates vibration-induced damage and simplifies manufacturing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing vibration damping springs are used to reduce vibrations in valve levers, then vibration-induced damage is reduced, but device complexity and production cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex vibration damping springs with simple elastomeric rings that are inexpensive, easy to manufacture, and can be easily replaced if needed. The elastomeric rings provide sufficient vibration damping for the application without the complexity of traditional spring mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the material parameter from metal springs to elastomeric materials, fundamentally altering the damping mechanism while simplifying the overall coupling design. This material substitution maintains vibration protection while reducing device complexity.
2Strength
If existing vibration damping springs are used to reduce vibrations, then structural integrity is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The elastomeric rings are significantly cheaper to manufacture than vibration damping springs, while still providing adequate protection against vibration-induced damage. The simplified geometry and material choice reduce manufacturing costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite construction with the elastomeric ring working in conjunction with the pin and lever components. This composite approach distributes stress effectively while using cost-effective materials throughout the assembly.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If damping materials are added to the pin coupling, then vibration damping is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The elastomeric ring is integrated directly into the existing pin coupling structure, merging the damping function with the existing mechanical connection. This eliminates the need for separate damping components and reduces overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The pin coupling structure serves multiple functions: mechanical connection, vibration damping, and potential adjustment capability. The elastomeric ring enables the pin to provide both structural support and vibration protection within a single integrated component.
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
The elastomeric rings effectively dampen vibrations, enhancing the structural integrity of valve levers, reducing production costs, and allowing for bidirectional actuation in limited spaces, maintaining the fluid valve in a disarmed state until manually actuated.
Implementation Method 1
an elastomeric ring disposed on the pin to dampen movement between the valve lever and the valve stem
Implementation Method 2
the elastomeric rings effectively dampen vibrations, enhancing the structural integrity of valve levers
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, apparatus, systems and articles of manufacture are disclosed for valve lever apparatus for use with fluid valves. An example apparatus includes a valve stem for a fluid valve, a pin removably coupled to an end of the valve stem to receive a valve lever to manually actuate the fluid valve, and a damping material to provide a damping effect between the valve stem and the valve lever.