Valve Spindle Sealing That Follows Lateral Movement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional valves with conical rotary bodies experience uncontrolled emissions due to lateral movements of the spindle, leading to leakage of hazardous media, as the sealing device is not designed to follow spindle movements, resulting in uneven loading and unloading, which can cause environmental and safety issues.
Innovation Solution
A dynamically sealed spindle system where the sealing device follows the spindle's movements relative to the housing and cover, maintaining contact and preventing lateral loads, using a combination of anti-extrusion rings, spring devices, and membranes to ensure continuous sealing pressure and protection against asymmetric thrusts and vibrations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the sealing device is fixedly connected to the cover, then the sealing device can maintain its position, but it cannot follow lateral movements of the spindle, causing uncontrolled emissions and leakage
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing device is designed to be movable relative to the cover, allowing it to dynamically follow lateral movements of the spindle while maintaining sealing contact. The sealing device can move in the lateral direction (arrow F) to accommodate spindle displacement, preventing leakage while adapting to position changes.
Solution Approach 2:
A movable connection element (such as a gland or packing mechanism) is introduced as an intermediary between the fixed cover and the moving sealing device. This intermediary allows the sealing device to follow spindle movements while the cover remains stationary, resolving the conflict between fixed positioning and movement adaptation.
2Reliability
If the sealing device follows lateral movements of the spindle, then leakage is prevented, but the sealing device may be exposed to uneven pressure loading and unloading
Solution Approach 1:
A spring element is introduced to provide a counteracting force that compensates for uneven pressure loading on the sealing device. The spring maintains constant contact pressure between the sealing device and the spindle, ensuring reliable sealing while compensating for lateral movements and pressure variations.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing device is designed with adjustable geometric parameters, such as the angle of the sealing surface, to optimize the distribution of pressure loads. By carefully selecting the sealing angle and other geometric parameters, the device can follow lateral movements while maintaining uniform pressure distribution and preventing excessive stress concentration.
3Reliability
If the sealing device is designed to follow spindle movements, then sealing contact is maintained, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing device is divided into separate functional components: a movable sealing element that follows spindle movements, a spring element that provides contact force, and a guiding structure that constrains movement. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, simplifying the overall design while maintaining sealing reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing device is designed to automatically follow spindle movements through its own elastic deformation or guided motion, without requiring external actuation or complex control mechanisms. The spring element self-adjusts to maintain contact pressure, and the sealing device naturally adapts to lateral displacements, reducing the need for additional complex components.
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 provides a high-operability valve with enhanced sealing efficiency, preventing leaks and ensuring tightness against lateral displacements and asymmetric loads, maintaining sealing integrity under various operational conditions.
Implementation Method 1
a spring device (11) acting on a gland ring (10)
Implementation Method 2
two anti-extrusion rings (7, 8) which receive the outer circumferential face (2a) of the spindle (2)
Data Source
AI summary
A valve includes a housing and a rotary body arranged notably therein with a through opening for a fluid, wherein a flow path is shut off or is at least partially opened in accordance with the rotational angle position of the rotary body about an axis of rotation, wherein the rotary body is connected to a spindle by which the rotary body is rotatable, wherein the housing is provided with a covering, and wherein the spindle reaches through the covering. The spindle is dynamically sealed by a sealing device which follows movements of the spindle relative to the housing and/or to the covering.