Valve Seal Assembly Pressure Equalization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Cistern drain valves require an undesirably high amount of force to open due to the water pressure acting on the annular surface of the valve closure member, leading to operational inefficiency.
Innovation Solution
A valve sealing arrangement with a ring-shaped sealing element between upper and lower disks, where a projecting element on the lower disk deforms the sealing element when lifted, creating a channel with a larger flow cross-section than the annular gap downstream, resulting in hydrostatic pressure equalization and reduced force requirements for opening.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the valve closure member is lifted to open the drain valve, then water flow is enabled, but an undesirably high amount of force is required due to water pressure acting on the annular surface
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing element is divided into multiple segments that can be lifted independently. The projecting element on the lower disk lifts specific segments first, creating channels that allow water to enter the pressure equalization space, thereby reducing the force needed to fully open the valve.
Solution Approach 2:
The projecting element performs a preliminary lifting action on the sealing element segments before the main opening occurs. This preliminary action creates channels for water flow and initiates pressure equalization, reducing the force required for the subsequent full opening of the valve.
2Force
If additional overflow channels are added to the valve closure member, then force requirements are reduced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The valve structure uses its own components (the sealing element and projecting element) to create the overflow channels during operation. No separate channels need to be pre-formed in the valve closure member, as the lifting action of the sealing element segments automatically creates the necessary flow paths.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the state of the sealing element from a continuous ring to segmented portions that can be independently lifted. This parameter change allows the sealing element itself to create flow channels through its movement, eliminating the need for additional structural channels.
3Reliability
If the sealing element is made of softer material, then sealing reliability improves, but the force required to lift it increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing element is divided into segments that can be lifted independently by the projecting element. This segmentation allows the softer material to maintain good sealing contact while requiring less force to lift, as only portions need to be elevated at each stage.
Solution Approach 2:
The projecting element performs preliminary lifting of the sealing element segments, creating channels and initiating pressure equalization before the main opening force is applied. This reduces the total force needed while maintaining the benefits of softer sealing material.
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 solution significantly reduces the actuation force needed to open the valve while maintaining operational reliability and simplicity, allowing for efficient water flow management.
Implementation Method 1
there is also hydrostatic water pressure in the pressure equalization space below the sealing element, so that the forces acting on the sealing element cancel each other out
Implementation Method 2
the sealing element is made of an elastomeric material with a hardness of 20 to 45 Shore, preferably 40 Shore
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
AI summary
The valve sealing assembly has a sealing element (1). A ring-shaped sealing element (2) is arranged radially between an upper and a lower disc (12, 13). A blocking position is provided in which the valve and the facility are arranged on a circular sealing edge (32). At the bottom disc (13), a cantilevered element (14) is arranged so that the valve closure member (1) can be positioned to a height H1 of the annular seal (2) and between sealing element (2) and sealing edge (32) a channel (4) is released. The connection produces a pressure area (5) below the sealing element (2).