Valve Spindle Lever Return Design for Drive Failure Override
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Solution Overview
Problem
Valve units with fluidic or electromechanical drives face issues with automatic control and maintenance, as they cannot be opened or closed if the drive fails, and manual actuation maintains the last set position until actively changed, which may be undesirable.
Innovation Solution
A valve unit with a housing, a fluidic valve drive, a piston, an elastic restoring element, and manually actuatable levers that counteract the restoring force, allowing manual adjustment and automatic return to the initial position, enabling both fluidic and manual operation, with a stop mechanism for continuous adjustment and easy conversion between drive types.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If a fluidic or electromechanical valve drive is provided, then automatic control capability is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to drive failure risk
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the operational state of the valve by introducing a spring element that stores mechanical energy. The spring can be pre-compressed or pre-tensioned to provide automatic actuation force when the fluidic drive fails, transforming the valve from purely electronically controlled to having a mechanical fallback mode.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring element is pre-loaded during normal operation or installation to store energy in advance. This beforehand cushioning ensures that when the fluidic drive fails, the stored spring energy immediately activates the valve without requiring additional power or control systems.
2Reliability
If manual actuation is provided, then reliability is improved by enabling operation without fluidic drive, but ease of operation deteriorates due to lack of automatic control
Solution Approach 1:
The spring element serves dual functions: it automatically actuates the valve when the fluidic drive fails, and it can also be manually adjusted by operators to change valve positioning. This self-service capability eliminates the need for separate manual actuation mechanisms while maintaining both automatic and manual operation modes.
3Reliability
If a spring element is introduced for automatic actuation, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The spring element is designed to perform multiple functions within the existing valve structure: it provides automatic actuation force, serves as a manual adjustment mechanism, and can be integrated with the existing piston and sealing components. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the spring element with existing valve components such as the piston rod or valve stem, combining the elastic actuation mechanism with the closing body assembly. This integration eliminates the need for separate mounting structures and reduces overall device complexity.
4Reliability
If the lever remains in initial position without actuation, then reliability is improved by maintaining defined position, but productivity deteriorates due to inability to quickly change position
Solution Approach 1:
The lever is designed with dynamic characteristics where the spring element can quickly transition the valve from one stable position to another. The spring's elastic properties enable rapid response to actuation forces, allowing the valve to quickly change position when needed while maintaining stability at defined positions during normal 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
Ensures the valve can be manually actuated if the drive fails, maintains a defined position, and allows easy conversion between fluidic and manual operation, ensuring reliable and flexible valve control.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic restoring element which exerts a force on the valve spindle along the spindle axis
Implementation Method 2
a piston which delimits the fluid chamber on one side and is adjustable by fluid in the fluid chamber
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure relates to a valve unit having a housing, a fluidic valve drive which has a fluid chamber and a piston delimiting the fluid chamber on one side, a valve spindle coupled to the piston, an elastic restoring element which exerts a force on the valve spindle along the spindle axis, and at least one manually actuatable lever provided on the outside of the valve drive for manually adjusting the valve spindle.