Valve Plug Assembly Using Flow Openings for Seal-Simplified Locking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional rotary valves require collateral openings for assembly, necessitating additional seals and sealing systems that increase cost and complexity due to added parts and labor.
Innovation Solution
A plug assembly design that secures parts within the flow path openings of the valve, eliminating the need for collateral openings by using a keyed shaft to interlock components, allowing assembly through existing inlet and outlet openings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If collateral openings are added to the valve body for assembly, then ease of assembly is improved, but device complexity and number of seal components increase
Solution Approach 1:
The flow path openings are designed to serve dual purposes: they enable both the primary function of fluid flow and the secondary function of component assembly. The inlet and outlet openings that are necessary for fluid passage are also used as access points for inserting and assembling internal components like the plug, valve stem, and actuator, eliminating the need for separate collateral openings.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts and eliminates the unnecessary collateral openings from the valve body design. By removing these redundant access points, the design reduces the number of seals required and simplifies the overall structure while maintaining assembly capability through the existing flow path openings.
2Ease of operation
If collateral openings are added to the valve body for assembly, then ease of assembly is improved, but number of seal components increases
Solution Approach 1:
The flow path openings are designed to serve dual purposes: they enable both the primary function of fluid flow and the secondary function of component assembly. The inlet and outlet openings that are necessary for fluid passage are also used as access points for inserting and assembling internal components like the plug, valve stem, and actuator, eliminating the need for separate collateral openings.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts and eliminates the unnecessary collateral openings from the valve body design. By removing these redundant access points, the design reduces the number of seals required and simplifies the overall structure while maintaining assembly capability through the existing flow path openings.
3Reliability
If additional seals are added to seal collateral openings, then reliability is improved, but cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the unnecessary collateral openings from the valve body design. By removing these redundant access points, the design reduces the number of seals required and simplifies the overall structure while maintaining assembly capability through the existing flow path openings.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention converts the potential harm of assembly difficulty into a benefit by redesigning the assembly approach. Instead of adding seals and complexity to enable assembly, the design uses the existing flow path openings (which would normally be sealed) as assembly access points, thereby eliminating the need for additional seals while maintaining or improving reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
A plug assembly is configured for use in a valve. These configurations may include a plug with a sealing surface that can interface with a seat to regulate flow of fluid through the valve. A keyed shaft may insert into the plug. The keyed shaft can rotate to change location of key members in the plug. In one implementation, a technician can rotate the keyed shaft from a first position to a second position at which the key members couple the plug with the valve body.