Valve Plug and Seat Ring Geometry for Sealing Disk Wear

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional fluid control devices experience premature wear and erosion of sealing disks due to high pressure forces, leading to frequent servicing and reduced service life.

Innovation Solution

A valve plug assembly with a retainer and sealing disk configuration, where the sealing disk is positioned within an annular flange and secured by a retainer with angled sides, reducing stress on the sealing surface by optimizing the angle of the seating surface and retainer configuration to minimize shear stress.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the sealing disk is exposed to high pressure fluid forces, then the sealing function is maintained, but the sealing disk experiences erosion and chunking leading to reduced service life

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing functionVSAvoidservice life of sealing disk
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies this principle by redirecting the harmful high pressure fluid forces away from the sealing disk. The modified valve body geometry creates a flow path that directs fluid forces against the valve plug body instead of exposing the sealing disk to direct high pressure forces, thereby converting the harmful effect into a beneficial force that maintains sealing without causing erosion

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The valve plug body acts as an intermediary between the high pressure fluid and the sealing disk. By modifying the valve body geometry, the patent creates a protective structure that mediates the interaction between fluid forces and the sealing surface, preventing direct exposure of the sealing disk to erosive forces while maintaining the sealing function

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Duration of action of stationary object

If the sealing disk is made more robust to resist erosion, then service life is extended, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice life of sealing diskVSAvoidvalve plug assembly complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies this principle by modifying the geometric parameters of the valve body, specifically the angles and contours of the flow path. These parameter changes redirect fluid forces without requiring more complex materials or additional components, thereby extending service life while maintaining simple device architecture

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the force distribution by creating distinct zones in the valve body geometry. The modified geometry separates the high pressure fluid force path from the sealing disk location, directing forces against different portions of the valve plug assembly that are better suited to withstand erosion

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3601856B1Valve plug assembly and seat ring for regulator
Publication Date: 2021.10.06 EMERSON PROCESS MANAGEMENT REGULATOR TECHNOLOGIES INC
  • EP3601856B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3601856B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3601856B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

A valve plug assembly (110) adapted for sealing engagement with a seat ring (126). The valve plug assembly includes a valve plug (140) having a sealing disk (150) adapted to engage a seating surface (154) the seat ring. The seating surface of the seat ring has a primary portion with a primary angle of any one of about 20 degrees to about 45 degrees and a secondary portion extending from the primary portion with a secondary angle of about 10 degrees. A retainer (160) is coupled to the valve plug and includes a body (166) having a first portion, a second portion, and a side extending from the first portion to the second portion at one of an angle of about 30 degrees to about 45 degrees. So configured, the stress acting on the sealing surface is reduced, increasing the service life of the sealing disk.