Valve Seat and Seal Retainer Layout for Lower-Cost Flow Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid flow control devices face challenges in maintaining effective sealing and reducing manufacturing costs due to the need for fine tolerances in the casing, which can be expensive and complex to achieve, especially when using corrosion-resistant materials.
Innovation Solution
The device employs a separate valve seat and seal retaining member, machined to finer tolerances, allowing the casing to be fabricated with a looser tolerance and potentially less expensive materials like ductile iron, with a compliant seal retained within a groove defined by these smaller components, and a control pressure system to manage valve movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the casing is machined to fine tolerances to retain the seal, then sealing effectiveness is improved, but manufacturing cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The seal retaining groove is segmented into two parts: a first groove defined by the casing and a second groove defined by a separate retaining member. This segmentation allows the retaining member to be machined to fine tolerances independently, while the larger casing can be manufactured with looser tolerances, reducing overall manufacturing cost and complexity while maintaining sealing effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
A separate seal retaining member is introduced as an intermediary component between the casing and the seal. This retaining member carries the fine tolerance groove that directly retains the seal, while the casing only needs to provide a coarser first groove. The intermediary retaining member thus mediates between the casing and seal, allowing tolerance requirements to be distributed appropriately.
2Duration of action of stationary object
If corrosion-resistant materials are used for the casing, then durability is improved, but manufacturing cost increases due to difficulty in achieving fine tolerances
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the seal retaining structure into a casing portion and a separate retaining member portion, the patent allows the casing to be made from corrosion-resistant material with looser tolerances, while the retaining member (which requires fine tolerances) can be made from different materials optimized for sealing function, reducing overall manufacturing cost.
3Productivity
If the valve member directly contacts the valve seat to close the aperture, then flow control is improved, but seal damage risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The compliant seal acts as an intermediary between the valve member and valve seat. When the valve member closes the aperture, it contacts the seal rather than directly contacting the seat, allowing effective flow control while protecting the seal from damage through the cushioning effect of the compliant 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
This approach reduces manufacturing costs by allowing the use of less expensive materials for the casing while maintaining effective sealing and reducing the risk of seal damage, thereby improving the device's operational reliability and longevity.
Implementation Method 1
a compliant (e.g. deformable) seal is located in the seal retaining groove... the compliant seal is arranged, and acts, to substantially seal the valve aperture when the valve member is moved to close the valve aperture
Data Source
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AI summary
A device (2) for controlling the flow of fluid through a conduit (1) from an upstream side (6) of the device (2) to a downstream side (8) of the device (2). The device (2) includes a valve seat (26) mounted on a casing (10) that defines a valve aperture (20), a mounting member (14) arranged on the downstream side (8) of the valve aperture (20); a valve member (16) mounted on the mounting member (14). The valve member (16) is arranged to selectively open and close the valve aperture (20) thereby controlling the flow of the fluid through the valve aperture (20). A seal retaining member (28) is arranged adjacent the valve seat (26) and, with the valve seat (26), defines a seal retaining groove (26a). A compliant seal (30) within the seal retaining groove (26a) seals the valve aperture (20) when the valve member (16) is moved to close the valve aperture (20).