Valve Sealing Member for Maintenance Without Flow Interruption
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing valve systems require interruption of fluid flow or disassembly for inspection and maintenance, which is undesirable and impractical in applications like underground or offshore installations where continuous operation is crucial.
Innovation Solution
A valve system with a moving mechanism and a sealing member that allows for inspection and maintenance without interrupting fluid flow, where the sealing member is mounted on the moving mechanism and automatically moves to separate parts of the valve housing, enabling access to valve elements while maintaining fluid flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of repair
If the valve system requires interruption of fluid flow for inspection and maintenance, then the valve parts can be accessed for maintenance, but the continuous operation of the system is disrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The valve housing is divided into two separate parts: a first part containing the fluid flow path and a second part containing the valve elements. A sealing member creates a movable barrier between these parts, allowing independent access to the valve elements while maintaining fluid flow in the first part.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing member is mounted on the moving mechanism and moves together with the valve elements. When the valve elements move between open and closed positions, the sealing member automatically repositions to maintain separation between the fluid flow path and the valve element access area, enabling dynamic maintenance access without flow interruption.
2Ease of repair
If the valve elements are removed from the valve system for inspection and maintenance, then the valve parts can be accessed, but additional disassembly steps are required
Solution Approach 1:
The valve housing is segmented into a first part for fluid flow and a second part for valve elements. The sealing member creates a movable partition between these segments, allowing the second part to be accessed independently without removing valve elements or interrupting fluid flow in the first part.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing member acts as an intermediary element that separates the fluid flow path from the valve element housing. By moving the sealing member, maintenance personnel can access the second part containing valve elements without disassembling the entire valve system or interrupting fluid flow.
3Reliability
If a damper plate is manually introduced to seal the valve body, then fluid flow can be prevented from escaping, but an additional manual step is required in the process
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing member is automatically positioned by the moving mechanism's motion. As the valve elements move between open and closed positions, the sealing member is carried along and automatically seals the first part of the valve housing, eliminating the need for manual intervention to introduce or position a sealing element.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing member is mounted on the moving mechanism and moves dynamically with the valve elements. This dynamic mounting ensures the sealing member is automatically positioned in the correct location to seal the fluid flow path whenever the valve elements are in the appropriate position, making the sealing operation automatic rather than manual.
Data Source
AI summary
A valve system and a fluid flow system with a valve system are disclosed. The valve system comprises a valve housing defining a fluid inlet for receiving a fluid medium, and a fluid outlet for delivering a fluid medium; at least one valve element arranged in an interior part of the valve housing, the valve element(s) being movable relative to the valve housing, the position of the valve element(s) relative to the valve housing determining a flow rate of fluid medium through the valve system from the fluid inlet towards the fluid outlet; a moving mechanism arranged to cause movements of the valve element(s); and a sealing member arranged in an interior part of the valve housing, the sealing member being capable of separating the interior of the valve housing into a first part comprising the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet, and a second part.