Valve System with Pre-Tensioned Plates for Exhaust Reductant Pumping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional exhaust gas aftertreatment systems require pumps that are compact, robust, and resistant to corrosion, particularly for diesel engines, as they need to handle ammonia-based reductants effectively.
Innovation Solution
A valve and pump system utilizing a metal plate design with pre-tensioned plates that move via suction and pressure, minimizing moving parts and incorporating a membrane to facilitate fluid communication between suction and pressure portions, allowing for efficient fluid pumping and sealing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If conventional pump designs are used, then pumping function is achieved, but device complexity and size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the suction valve and pressure valve into a single integrated valve assembly with a common body, shared sealing surfaces, and coordinated plate movement. This merging eliminates the need for separate valve housings and reduces the overall number of components while maintaining effective pumping function.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve body serves multiple functions simultaneously: it houses both suction and pressure valves, provides sealing surfaces for both plates, defines fluid passages for both suction and pressure sides, and supports the membrane structure. This multi-functionality reduces device complexity while maintaining productivity.
2Reliability
If more moving parts are added to improve sealing, then sealing performance improves, but reliability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The biasing portions of the suction and pressure plates automatically flex to maintain sealing contact with the valve body surfaces during plate movement. This self-adjusting mechanism ensures continuous sealing without requiring additional sealing components or complex control systems, thereby improving reliability while keeping the design simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses flexible membrane portions on the plates that can deform to maintain contact with sealing surfaces. These thin flexible elements provide effective sealing while adding minimal structural complexity and reducing the need for rigid, complex sealing mechanisms.
3Ease of manufacture
If pre-tensioned metal plates are used, then manufacturing cost decreases, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent specifies pre-tensioning the metal plates to particular force ranges (e.g., 10-50 pounds of force) to achieve optimal sealing and operational characteristics. By defining specific parameter ranges for plate tension, the design balances ease of manufacture with acceptable precision requirements, allowing standard manufacturing processes to produce functional 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 system provides a compact, cost-effective, and long-lasting solution for pumping exhaust reductants, maintaining performance even after extended use and exposure to corrosive conditions, with enhanced self-priming capabilities and energy efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
the movement of the first sealing portion and the second sealing portion between the first configuration and the second configuration results in a flexing of the first biasing portion about the first anchoring portion, and a flexing of the second biasing portion about the second anchoring portion
Implementation Method 2
A membrane is disposed on the cover plate such that the membrane and the cover plate define a chamber therebetween. The pressure portion and the suction portion are in fluidic communication through the first channel and the second channel via the chamber.
Data Source
AI summary
A valve comprising a base plate defining an inlet and outlet passageway. A cover plate is disposed on the base plate and defines a first and second channel. A pressure plate is disposed on the base plate and includes a first anchoring portion, a first sealing portion, and a first biasing portion connecting the first anchoring portion and the first sealing portion. Furthermore, a suction plate is disposed on the base plate and includes a second anchoring portion, a second sealing portion, and a second biasing portion connecting the second anchoring portion to the second sealing portion. The valve is movable between a first configuration, where the first sealing portion is distal to first channel and the second sealing portion is proximal to inlet passageway, and a second configuration, in which the first sealing portion is proximal to first channel, and second sealing portion is distal to inlet passageway.