Valve Sealing Element Spring Mounting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing valves face reliability issues due to temperature-dependent expansion differences between elastomer sealing elements and adjustment bodies, leading to jamming, lateral or radial displacement, and leaks, especially at low temperatures, affecting their operational consistency and sealing effectiveness.

Innovation Solution

The sealing element is mounted on the adjustment body via a separate spring element, allowing defined mobility relative to the contact body, which ensures precise positioning and reduces temperature-dependent resilience issues, preventing lateral or radial displacement and wear, and optimizing both mobility and sealing functions independently.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If the sealing element is mounted with a sliding fit in the adjustment body, then the structure is simple, but the sealing element jams relative to the adjustment body in extreme temperatures

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemounting structureVSAvoidsealing function
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A separate spring element is introduced as an intermediary component between the sealing element and the adjustment body. The spring element provides a defined guiding path and mounting connection, mediating the interaction between the sealing element and adjustment body to prevent direct sliding contact that causes jamming in extreme temperatures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Temperature

If greater play is provided between the sealing element and its guide, then the valve operates in a larger temperature range, but the sealing element tilts and displaces laterally or radially

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperating temperature rangeVSAvoidsealing element positioning
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The spring element serves as a guiding intermediary that provides lateral and radial guidance for the sealing element. This defined guidance path prevents tilting and displacement while still allowing sufficient play for temperature compensation, resolving the contradiction between temperature range and positioning precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Duration of action of moving object

If the sealing element has poor resilience at low temperatures, then the relaxation time exceeds the mean cycle time, but increasing radial play causes lateral or radial offset and leaks

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverelaxation timeVSAvoidsealing effectiveness
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The spring element acts as a mechanical intermediary that ensures proper positioning and guidance of the sealing element regardless of the elastomer's temperature-dependent resilience. By providing defined mobility and lateral guidance through the spring element, the system maintains sealing effectiveness even when the sealing element's own resilience is poor at low temperatures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

This configuration enhances the valve's reliability and consistency by maintaining precise axial and radial positioning of the sealing element, improving flow control and reducing wear, thus ensuring reliable operation across a wide temperature range without relying on elastomer resilience.

Implementation Method 1

the sealing element being mounted on the adjusting body via a spring element and being movable relative thereto

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

The sealing element often consists of an elastomer, which has a different coefficient of expansion than the material of the adjustment body

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal expansion: Thermal Expansion

Data Source

PatentEP2664832B1Valve
Publication Date: 2015.09.09 SVM SCHULTZ VERWALTUNGS GMBH & CO KG
  • EP2664832B1 patent drawingFigure 1a
  • EP2664832B1 patent drawingFigure 1b
  • EP2664832B1 patent drawingFigure 1c

AI summary

The invention comprises a valve actuated by a drive, wherein the drive positions an adjusting element relative to a nozzle for opening and closing the nozzle. The adjusting element has a sealing element on its side facing the nozzle, which rests on the nozzle seat in the closed position of the valve and is lifted from the nozzle seat in the open position of the valve.