Portable Valve Operator With Planetary Gearbox for Torque Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Municipal water system valves often experience uneven torque due to contamination and deterioration, leading to violent shaking and tossing of valve turning machines, which can cause the key to be pulled free from the valve stem, interrupting operation and potentially causing damage.
Innovation Solution
A portable valve operating machine with a planetary gearbox, motor, and gear system that provides a stable and efficient mechanism for turning valves, featuring a compact design with handles for operator stability and a high-efficiency gearing system to minimize torque variations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a motorized valve turning machine is used to exercise underground valves, then the valve can be opened and closed despite contamination and deterioration, but the machine shakes and tosses violently due to uneven torque, causing the key to be pulled free from the valve stem
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies counterweight principles through the planetary gearbox design, where multiple gears work in conjunction to balance and smooth out torque fluctuations. The planetary gear system distributes the load across multiple contact points, effectively counteracting the uneven torque that causes machine instability and key disengagement during valve operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the mechanical parameters of the torque transmission system by introducing a planetary gearbox with specific gear ratios. This transforms the input torque from the motor into a more stable output torque, modifying the torque characteristics to reduce vibrations and prevent key pull-free while maintaining the ability to operate contaminated valves.
2Stability of the object's composition
If a planetary gearbox with motor and gear system is used to reduce torque variations, then the machine stability improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the motor, planetary gearbox, and output socket into a single integrated assembly. This combination reduces the number of separate components and connections needed, simplifying the overall device while maintaining the stability benefits of the planetary gear system. The integrated design minimizes the complexity increase that would otherwise result from adding the gearbox.
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 portable valve operating machine effectively reduces the impact of torque variations, allowing for smooth and controlled valve operation, reducing the risk of machine or valve damage and enhancing operator safety by maintaining the key's alignment with the valve stem.
Implementation Method 1
A motor, and a planetary gearbox are mounted within cavities in the housing. A motor gear, a planetary input gear and an idler gear are mounted within a separate cavity.
Implementation Method 2
The planetary input gear is mounted for rotation with a planetary gear spindle of the planetary input gear. The idler gear is engaged with the motor and planetary input gears.
Data Source
AI summary
A valve operating machine includes a base having a housing thereon. A motor, and a planetary gearbox are mounted within cavities in the housing. A motor gear, a planetary input gear and an idler gear are mounted within a separate cavity. The motor gear is mounted for rotation with a motor shaft of the motor and the planetary input gear is mounted for rotation with a planetary gear spindle of the planetary input gear. The idler gear is engaged with the motor and planetary input gears. An output socket is connected to the planetary gearbox for connection to a key that is used to exercise a valve.