Integrated Valve Manifold Reducing Leakage and Connection Load
Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional valve manifolds for fluid flow conduits are bulky, difficult to install, and prone to leakage due to multiple connections, which can impose significant load and increase the risk of leaks when used with heavy sensors or gauges.
Innovation Solution
A compact, modular valve manifold design with a main passage for in-line connection to the fluid flow conduit, featuring isolation valves and a bleed passage to reduce leak paths and stabilize the assembly, allowing for easy assembly and reduced strain on connections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional valve manifolds with multiple branch pipes and reducers are used, then fluid flow characteristics can be sensed, but the manifold becomes bulky and difficult to install
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple branch pipes, reducers, and connection components into a single integrated manifold body with multiple ports. The manifold body directly provides both main flow passages and branch flow passages, eliminating the need for separate T-pieces, elbow connectors, and reducers, thus simplifying the overall structure while maintaining sensing capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The manifold body serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a flow distributor, a support structure for sensors and gauges, a pressure containment vessel, and a mounting platform for valves. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional components and simplifies the system architecture.
2Reliability
If traditional valve manifolds with multiple connections are used, then fluid flow characteristics can be sensed, but the risk of leakage increases
Solution Approach 1:
By integrating multiple connections into a single welded manifold body, the patent reduces the number of external connections and potential leak paths. The internal passages are formed as continuous welded structures rather than assembled joints, significantly reducing leakage risk.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the leakage-prone assembled connections (threaded joints, flanged connections, sealed interfaces) and replaces them with a monolithic welded structure. Only the essential external connections to sensors and gauges remain, minimizing exposure to harmful leakage effects.
3Reliability
If traditional valve manifolds with heavy sensors and gauges are used, then fluid flow characteristics can be sensed, but significant load is imposed on the connection between branch pipes and main conduit
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the support function into the main manifold body, which is directly connected to the process pipeline. This integrated structure distributes the weight of sensors and gauges across the robust manifold body and its connection to the main conduit, rather than concentrating loads on separate branch pipes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the heavy sensing components (sensors and gauges) from the flow control function, mounting them on the manifold body rather than on branch pipes. This segmentation allows the main conduit connection to bear the total load through its direct connection to the manifold body, improving structural integrity.
4Adaptability or versatility
If multiple branch pipes and reducers are disposed along the main flow conduit, then multiple sensing points can be achieved, but the arrangement becomes bulky and difficult to install
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple sensing ports and their associated flow passages into a single manifold assembly that can be installed at one location on the main conduit. This eliminates the need to install separate T-pieces and reducers at multiple locations along the pipeline, significantly reducing installation complexity while maintaining multiple sensing capabilities.
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 8~11
AI summary
A valve manifold for connection into a fluid flow conduit and for connection to a sensor for sensing a fluid flow characteristic. The manifold has at least one body penetrated by a main passage having an inlet and an outlet for connection in-line with a main process flow conduit. The body has a sensor outlet port to which the sensor is connectable and a bleed port. A branch conduit in the body extends between the main passage, the sensor outlet port and the bleed port. The branch conduit has a bleed passage with the outlet bleed port. A first isolation valve in the branch conduit is disposed between the main passage and the sensor outlet port. A bleed isolation valve is disposed in the bleed passage between the main passage and the outlet bleed port.