Valve Member Stop Design for High-Flow Pressure Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid flow control devices, such as pressure regulators, face challenges in managing high stresses on valve members due to maximum flow rates, leading to potential deformation and increased manufacturing costs, while also requiring robust designs to handle fluctuating pressures effectively.
Innovation Solution
A fluid flow control device featuring a valve member with a cantilevered design, where a smaller end portion projects from the main body portion, reducing stress concentrations and allowing for reduced mass and increased flow capacity, and utilizing multiple apertures for precise control, with a stop mechanism to arrest the valve member's movement and distribute forces effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the valve member is made robust to handle high stresses at maximum flow rates, then the strength and reliability improve, but the mass increases and manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The valve member is segmented into two distinct portions: a body portion and a smaller end portion that projects from it. This segmentation allows each portion to be optimized independently - the body portion provides structural strength to handle high stresses, while the smaller end portion reduces overall mass and enables better flow capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve member exhibits local quality variation where the end portion has different dimensions than the body portion. The body portion is designed with greater mass and structural characteristics to withstand high stresses during full opening, while the end portion is smaller to reduce overall weight and improve flow capacity, creating locally optimized properties throughout the component.
2Strength
If the valve member is made robust to handle high stresses at maximum flow rates, then the strength and reliability improve, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The valve member is segmented into two distinct portions: a body portion and a smaller end portion that projects from it. This segmentation allows each portion to be optimized independently - the body portion provides structural strength to handle high stresses, while the smaller end portion reduces overall mass and enables better flow capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve member exhibits local quality variation where the end portion has different dimensions than the body portion. The body portion is designed with greater mass and structural characteristics to withstand high stresses during full opening, while the end portion is smaller to reduce overall weight and improve flow capacity, creating locally optimized properties throughout the component.
3Ease of manufacture
If the valve member design is simplified to reduce manufacturing costs, then the ease of manufacture improves, but the ability to handle high stresses and fluctuating pressures deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The valve member is segmented into two distinct portions: a body portion and a smaller end portion that projects from it. This segmentation allows each portion to be optimized independently - the body portion provides structural strength to handle high stresses, while the smaller end portion reduces overall mass and enables better flow capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve member exhibits local quality variation where the end portion has different dimensions than the body portion. The body portion is designed with greater mass and structural characteristics to withstand high stresses during full opening, while the end portion is smaller to reduce overall weight and improve flow capacity, creating locally optimized properties throughout the component.
4Speed
If the valve member mass is reduced to improve responsiveness, then the speed and responsiveness improve, but the ability to withstand high stresses deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The valve member is segmented into two distinct portions: a body portion and a smaller end portion that projects from it. This segmentation allows each portion to be optimized independently - the body portion provides structural strength to handle high stresses, while the smaller end portion reduces overall mass and enables better flow capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve member exhibits local quality variation where the end portion has different dimensions than the body portion. The body portion is designed with greater mass and structural characteristics to withstand high stresses during full opening, while the end portion is smaller to reduce overall weight and improve flow capacity, creating locally optimized properties throughout the component.
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 design reduces stress on the valve member by up to 4 times, allowing for a lighter and more responsive device with improved flow capacity and control accuracy, while minimizing manufacturing complexity and costs.
Implementation Method 1
the valve member comes into contact with the stop, which arrests (stops) the movement of the valve member beyond this point
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
A device (1) for controlling the flow of a fluid through a conduit (3) from an upstream side (8) to a downstream side (10). The device includes one or more valve apertures (6) through which the flow of fluid is selectively controlled. A valve member (12) is arranged to move reciprocally to selectively open and close the one or more valve apertures. The device includes a stop (18) for arresting the travel of the valve member arranged at or beyond a position the valve member reaches when at least some of the one or more valve apertures are open. The valve member includes an end portion (13) arranged to come into contact with the stop when the valve member reaches or passes the position at which at least some of the one or more valve apertures are open and a body portion (9).