Patent — available for licensing
Cryogenic Cam Butterfly Valve
A NASA invention available to explore as a licensing opportunity.
About this technology
Overview
Typical butterfly valves cannot seal at both ambient and cryogenic temperatures. At cryogenic temperatures, valves grow and shrink, changing critical dimensions such as distance between the disc and seat. Ideally, valves would compensate. The inability of existing butterfly valves to do this triggered the innovative design of the Cryogenic Cam Butterfly Valve (CCBV). The CCBV is designed so that the disc rides on a cam shaft and is held rigid by a torsion spring, which provides both axial movement of the disc in addition to the standard 90 degree rotation of a standard butterfly valve. Because the valves disc can rotate and translate, it can hold a tighter seal, preventing leakage despite dimensional changes caused by changing operating temperatures. The novel concept enables functional advantages similar to a globe valve. The CCBV enables low leakage at both ambient and cryogenic temperatures. Compared to competing valves, it is a simpler design which results in reduced manufacturing and maintenance costs.