Labyrinth-type valve seat and a moving piston with V-notch openings reduce the fluid velocity and thus, the erosion rate of regulator valves

Hicks, J. E.

English

NASA Technical Reports Server

Fluid Flow 
September 1966	 Brief 66-10424 
NASA TECH BRIEF 
NASA Tech Briefs are issued to summarize specific innovations derived from the U. S. space 
program and to encourage their commercial application. Copies are available to the public from 
the Clearinghouse for Federal Scientific and Technical Information, Springfield, Virginia 22151. 
Labyrinth-Type Valve Seat Increases Valve Life by Decreasing Fluid Velocity 
The problem: 
To decrease the fluid velocity through regulator 
valve seats and seals in an effort to reduce erosion 
which causes valve failures. 
The solution: 
Reduce the fluid velocity by the use of (1) a laby-
rinth-type valve seat in the regulating valve and (2) 
a moving piston with V-notch openings. 
How it's done: 
The fluid flow is regulated by the position of the 
moving piston. When the V-notch openings on the 
piston are below the labyrinth-type seat there is no 
fluid flow. As the piston moves upward and the
V-notches are directly in front of the labyrinth open-
ings, fluid will begin to flow. The rate of flow is a 
function of the position of the V-notch. The flow will 
be least at the apex of the V-notch and greatest at the 
widest part. Controlling the rate of flow controls the 
erosion rate. 
Note: 
Inquiries concerning this invention may be di-
rected to:
Technology Utilization Officer 
Marshall Space Flight Center 
Huntsville, Alabama 35812 
Reference: B66-10424
(continued overleaf) 
This document was prepared under the sponsorship of the National 
Aeronautics and Space Administration. Neither the United States 
Government nor any person acting on behalf of the United States
Government assumes any liability resulting from the use of the 
information contained in this document, or warrants that such use 
will be free from privately owned rights.
https://ntrs.nasa.gov/search.jsp?R=19660000423 2020-03-11T17:36:36+00:00Z
Patent status: 
Inquiries about obtaining rights for the commercial 
use of this invention may be made to NASA, Code 
GP, Washington, D.C. 20546.
Source: J. E. Hicks
of North American Aviation, Inc.
under contract to
Marshall Space Flight Center
(M-FS-1051) 
Brief 66-10424	 Category 5


Labyrinth-type valve seat increases valve life by decreasing fluid velocity

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