Valve Servo Coupling With Centering Sleeve for Retrofit Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing valve robot hands cannot adapt to ball valves of different specifications due to misalignment caused by varying screw cap dimensions, leading to malfunctioning due to loosening and shifting of the actuator clamp.
Innovation Solution
The electro mechanic valve servo apparatus features a driving device, transmitting sleeve, centering sleeves, and a ring-like stopper with elastic return springs, allowing the valve robot hand to align and securely couple with screw caps of different dimensions, ensuring coaxial rotation axes and stable operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a single-sided metal hoop ring hose clamp is used to mount the valve actuator, then installation is simplified, but the counter force from the valve causes loosening and shifting of the clamp, leading to misalignment and malfunctioning
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting system is divided into two separate clamps positioned on opposite sides of the valve body. Each clamp independently secures the actuator housing, distributing the mounting function across multiple locations rather than relying on a single clamp. This segmentation prevents the misalignment and loosening problems caused by single-point mounting while maintaining installation simplicity.
2Loss of time
If the actuator is mounted with a clamp on one side only, then installation time is reduced, but the counter force causes the clamp to loosen and shift, resulting in loss of alignment
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting function is segmented into two clamps positioned at opposite sides of the valve, creating a balanced distribution of mounting points. This allows quick installation similar to single-clamp systems while preventing the position instability and loosening that occur with single-sided mounting.
Solution Approach 2:
The second clamp acts as a counterbalancing element to the first clamp, with both clamps positioned on opposite sides of the valve body. This counterweight arrangement balances the forces exerted during operation, preventing the clamp from loosening or shifting under counter force while maintaining simple installation procedures.
3Manufacturing precision
If the valve actuator is designed for specific screw cap dimensions, then precise alignment is achieved, but adaptability to different valve specifications is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The actuator housing incorporates a universal mounting interface with adjustable positioning features that can accommodate multiple screw cap dimensions and valve specifications. The two-clamp mounting system with adjustable positions allows the same actuator design to be precisely aligned across different valve types, achieving both precision and versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting system includes adjustable and movable components that allow adaptation to different valve configurations. The clamps can be positioned at different locations and the actuator housing can be adjusted during installation to achieve precise alignment with various screw cap dimensions, transforming a static fixed-design approach into a dynamic adaptable system.
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
Enables reliable control of ball valves with varying specifications by maintaining alignment and stability, improving installation efficiency and preventing actuator malfunctions.
Implementation Method 1
The first return spring is configured to exert a downward elastic force on the first centering sleeve
Data Source
AI summary
A valve robot hand includes a driving device, a transmitting sleeve, a first return spring, a first centering sleeve configured to sleeve on a screw cap of a valve handle, a driving fork configured to couple with the valve handle, and a ring-like stopper. The driving fork is provided on an outer face of a lower end portion of the transmitting sleeve. The ring-like stopper is mounted on an inner face of the lower end portion of the transmitting sleeve. The ring-like stopper defines a first through-hole configured to sleeve on the screw cap of the valve handle. The ring-like stopper is sleeved on the first centering sleeve through the first through-hole such that the first centering sleeve is capable of moving in the transmitting sleeve along its axial direction. The first return spring is configured to exert a downward elastic force on the first centering sleeve.