Frictionless gap fluid flow controller

Abstract

This invention discloses a frictionless, gapless fluid flow controller, comprising a housing and a flow control assembly. The housing has several fluid outlets on its sides and bottom, and the flow control assembly is located inside the housing. The flow control assembly includes a central shaft, an upper end face, a lower end face, and a side baffle. The central shaft has an upper end face and a lower end face at its upper and lower ends, respectively, and a side baffle is located between the upper and lower end faces. The width of the side baffle is greater than the width of the fluid outlets. The upper and lower ends of the central shaft are rotatably connected to the housing, and a gap exists between the side baffle and the inner wall of the housing. This design of the flow control assembly, with a gap between the side baffle and the inner wall of the housing, eliminates friction and improves service life. Foreign objects in the cooling system can pass directly through the gap without obstruction. Compared to existing technologies, it eliminates high-value components such as springs and seals.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of fuel cell technology, and in particular to a frictionless, gapless fluid flow controller. Background Technology

[0002] Currently, hydrogen fuel cell cooling systems and electric vehicles mainly use motor-controlled ball valves to control the flow and on / off of coolant. Their basic principle is similar to that of ordinary household ball valves. Typically, components are made of high-grade engineering materials such as PA66, PPS, and PPA, and dynamic sealing is performed using PTFE material with stronger temperature adaptability. More stringent tolerance control is required to meet the requirements.

[0003] Ball valves have the advantages of low flow resistance and simple structure. However, the requirements for sealing performance, opening torque and lifespan of ball valves in cooling systems are much higher than in other industries, especially in hydrogen fuel cells, where the control method requires frequent rotation to adjust the flow, resulting in severe wear.

[0004] The key technology lies in dynamic sealing, specifically how to seal during rotation and how to compensate for unavoidable wear. Existing products on the market use PTFE seals, stainless steel rings to increase strength and prevent PTFE seal deformation, and titanium alloy plate springs to compensate for wear of the PTFE seal rings. Due to space constraints, stainless steel lacks sufficient elasticity. However, with such material and component accumulation, its lifespan can only be guaranteed for 3 years or 60,000 kilometers. Replacement is time-consuming and labor-intensive, and requires replenishing coolant, resulting in high costs.

[0005] Existing products from different manufacturers generally share similar working principles and sealing schemes. They employ a rigid PTFE sealing material that conforms to the shape of the sphere for sealing, with a leaf spring compensating for wear on the seal. Other potential leakage points utilize one or more O-rings. The area where the sphere seals against the PTFE material is a single surface. The motor drives the shaft to rotate, and the sphere's rotation controls the fluid flow and switching.

[0006] Current technology has limitations. A large sealing surface can lead to leaks or jamming if foreign objects enter a car's cooling system. The numerous and complex seals also make precise control of opening force and torque difficult, resulting in wear after frequent opening and closing in the car. Insufficient spring force is insufficient for sealing and wear compensation, while excessive force leads to excessive opening torque. Furthermore, uneven wear on the left and right sides can cause uneven wear on the valve stem, resulting in external leakage.

[0007] In summary, its biggest problem is that it uses compression to create a seal. The friction value is determined by the surface roughness and the force between the two surfaces. Compression-based sealing is its biggest problem. This design must guarantee a certain compression value, which is a force value on the sealing surface. It cannot be further optimized, and reducing the force value will lead to leakage. In actual operation, due to the rotation between PTFE and the ball, it cannot achieve a true seal. Currently, the products on the market can only guarantee a leakage rate of less than 3L / min at most. Moreover, it cannot be used for gas control in gas circuits because dry sealing will accelerate its wear.

[0008] The current product is essentially an improvement on a traditional valve. Its entire design process is based on identifying problems, solving them, then identifying more problems, and then solving them again. This is evident in the accumulation of its components. When leakage was discovered due to wear, springs were used for compensation. However, the stainless steel springs were insufficient, so titanium alloy was used instead. The use of springs caused uneven stress on the PTFE seals, which were prone to deformation, especially under high-temperature operating conditions. A stainless steel ring was then added to the PTFE parts. However, the stainless steel ring would touch the outer shell, causing abnormal noise. So, a rubber ring was added to the stainless steel ring. However, this approach to product design is completely inadequate for hydrogen fuel cells. Summary of the Invention

[0009] The purpose of this invention is to provide a frictionless, gapless fluid flow controller to overcome the shortcomings of the prior art.

[0010] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides the following technical solution:

[0011] This application discloses a frictionless gap-free fluid flow controller, including a housing and a flow control assembly. The housing has several fluid outlets on its sides and bottom, and the flow control assembly is located inside the housing. The flow control assembly includes a central shaft, an upper end face, a lower end face, and a side baffle. The upper and lower ends of the central shaft are respectively provided with an upper end face and a lower end face. A side baffle is provided between the upper and lower end faces. The width of the side baffle is greater than the width of the fluid outlets. The upper and lower ends of the central shaft are rotatably connected to the housing, and there is a gap between the side baffle and the inner wall of the housing.

[0012] Preferably, the upper and lower surfaces are circular or fan-shaped structures, and the lower surface has several flow gaps; the side baffle is an arc structure.

[0013] Preferably, the side baffle has a circular structure and is provided with a plurality of fluid openings.

[0014] Preferably, the top of the housing is provided with a top cover, the top cover has a through hole at its center, the upper end of the central shaft passes through the through hole, and an oil seal is provided between the through hole and the upper end of the central shaft; a sealing ring is provided between the top cover and the housing, and the top cover and the housing are detachably connected.

[0015] Preferably, the upper and lower ends of the central shaft are connected to the housing by bearings.

[0016] Preferably, the side of the housing has three fluid outlets and the bottom of the housing has one fluid outlet; the openings of adjacent fluid outlets are 90 degrees apart.

[0017] Preferably, the fluid outlet is provided with a water outlet assembly, and all fluid outlets have the same structural dimensions.

[0018] Preferably, the side of the housing is provided with a mounting panel for installation.

[0019] The beneficial effects of this invention are:

[0020] 1. Frictionless: The flow control component is designed with a gap between its side baffle and the inner wall of the housing, which eliminates friction and greatly improves service life; and because of the gap, foreign objects in the cooling system can pass through directly without getting stuck.

[0021] 2. Versatility: The structural dimensions of the fluid outlets are all the same, and the specifications of their matching water outlet components are all consistent.

[0022] 3. The top cover is replaceable to accommodate actuators of different brands and models;

[0023] 4. Fewer parts: Compared to existing technologies, high-value parts such as springs and seals are omitted.

[0024] 5. Simple structure, simpler installation structure, and simpler production mold structure;

[0025] The features and advantages of the present invention will be described in detail through embodiments and in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0026] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the frictionless gap fluid flow controller of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 2 This is an exploded view of the structure of the frictionless gap fluid flow controller of the present invention;

[0028] Figure 3 This is a half-sectional perspective view of the frictionless gap fluid flow controller of the present invention;

[0029] Figure 4 yes Figure 3 Enlarged structural diagram at point A;

[0030] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a first embodiment of the flow control component of the present invention;

[0031] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a second embodiment of the flow control component of the present invention;

[0032] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a third embodiment of the flow control component of the present invention;

[0033] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a fourth embodiment of the flow control component of the present invention;

[0034] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a fifth embodiment of the flow control component of the present invention;

[0035] Among them, 1-shell, 11-fluid outlet, 2-flow control component, 21-central shaft, 22-upper end face, 23-lower end face, 231-flow notch, 24-side baffle, 25-bearing, 26-oil seal, 3-top cover, 31-through hole, 4-water outlet component, 5-gap. Detailed Implementation

[0036] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this invention clearer, the invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. However, it should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely illustrative and not intended to limit the scope of the invention. Furthermore, descriptions of well-known structures and technologies are omitted in the following description to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the concept of the invention.

[0037] This invention relates to a frictionless, gapless fluid flow controller, such as... Figure 1-3 As shown, the device includes a housing 1 and a flow control assembly 2. The housing 1 has several fluid outlets 11 on its sides and bottom, and the flow control assembly 2 is located inside the housing 1. Figure 5 As shown, the flow control assembly 2 includes a central shaft 21, an upper end face 22, a lower end face 23, and a side baffle 24. The central shaft 21 has an upper end face 22 and a lower end face 23 at its upper and lower ends, respectively. A side baffle 24 is positioned between the upper end face 22 and the lower end face 23. The width of the side baffle 24 is greater than the width of the fluid outlet 11. The upper and lower ends of the central shaft 21 are rotatably connected to the housing 1. A gap 5 exists between the side baffle 24 and the inner wall of the housing 1. Figure 4As shown, leakage is controlled by matching the dimensions of the flow control component 2 and the housing 1. This product is no longer a sealed valve, but a product with acceptable leakage. The maximum leakage is 1.5L / min, which fully meets the requirements. When used in a hydrogen fuel cell cooling system, it has no impact on performance.

[0038] like Figure 5 , Figure 6 and Figure 9 As shown, in a feasible embodiment, the upper end face 22 and the lower end face 23 are circular or fan-shaped structures, and the lower end face 23 is provided with a plurality of flow gaps 231; the side baffle 24 has an arc structure. The arc degree of the side baffle 24 can be changed to realize various opening and flow control modes.

[0039] like Figure 7 and Figure 8 As shown, in a feasible embodiment, the side baffle 24 has a circular structure and is provided with a plurality of fluid openings 241.

[0040] In one feasible embodiment, the top of the housing 1 is provided with a top cover 3, and the top cover 3 is provided with a through hole 31 at the center. The upper end of the central shaft 21 passes through the through hole 31, and an oil seal 26 is provided between the through hole and the upper end of the central shaft 21. A sealing ring is provided between the top cover 3 and the housing 1, and the top cover and the housing 1 are detachably connected.

[0041] In one feasible embodiment, the upper and lower ends of the central shaft 21 are connected to the housing 1 by bearings 25.

[0042] In one feasible embodiment, the housing 1 has three fluid outlets 11 on its side and one fluid outlet 11 on its bottom surface; the openings of adjacent fluid outlets 11 are 90 degrees apart.

[0043] In one feasible embodiment, the fluid outlet 11 is provided with a water outlet assembly, and all fluid outlets 11 have the same structural dimensions.

[0044] In one feasible embodiment, the side of the housing 1 is provided with a mounting panel 12 for installation.

[0045] Example 1:

[0046] like Figure 1 As shown, this embodiment of the frictionless backlash fluid flow controller includes a housing 1 and a flow control assembly 2. The housing 1 has three fluid outlets 11 on its side and one fluid outlet 11 on its bottom surface; the openings of adjacent fluid outlets 11 are oriented 90 degrees apart. Figure 2As shown, a flow control assembly 2 is provided inside the housing 1. The flow control assembly 2 includes a central shaft 21, an upper end face 22, a lower end face 23, and a side baffle 24. The upper and lower ends of the central shaft 21 are respectively provided with an upper end face 22 and a lower end face 23. A side baffle 24 is provided between the upper end face 22 and the lower end face 23. The width of the side baffle 24 is greater than the width of the fluid outlet 11. The upper and lower ends of the central shaft 21 are rotatably connected to the housing 1. Figure 4 As shown, there is a gap 5 between the side baffle 24 and the inner wall of the housing 1;

[0047] like Figure 5 As shown, the upper end face 22 and the lower end face 23 are circular structures, and the lower end face 23 is provided with a number of flow gaps 231; the side baffle 24 is an arc structure with an arc degree of 180 degrees. By rotating the side baffle 24, up to two fluid outlets 11 can be adjusted at the same time; and the angle between opening and closing can realize the control of flow rate.

[0048] Example 2:

[0049] like Figure 6 As shown, the difference between this embodiment and embodiment one is that the arc of the side baffle 24 is 90 degrees, and by rotating the side baffle 24, it can only be used to adjust the opening and closing of a single fluid outlet 11.

[0050] Example 3:

[0051] like Figure 7 As shown, the difference between this embodiment and embodiment one is that the side baffle 24 has a circular structure and two fluid openings 241 are provided on the side baffle 24. By rotating these two fluid openings 241, the flow rate of the two fluid outlets 11 can be adjusted at the same time.

[0052] Example 4:

[0053] like Figure 8 As shown, the difference between this embodiment and embodiment one is that the side baffle 24 has a circular structure and three fluid openings 241 are provided on the side baffle 24. By rotating the fluid openings 241, the fluid outlet 11 can be adjusted.

[0054] Example 5:

[0055] like Figure 9 As shown, the difference between this embodiment and embodiment one is that the upper end face 22 and the lower end face 23 are fan-shaped structures, and the arc degree of the side baffle 24 is 90 degrees. Its working principle is the same as that of embodiment two, and the material cost at the end face is reduced based on embodiment two.

[0056] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions or improvements made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A frictionless, gapless fluid flow controller, characterized in that: The device includes a housing (1) and a flow control assembly (2). The housing (1) has several fluid outlets (11) on its side and bottom. The flow control assembly (2) is located inside the housing (1). The flow control assembly (2) includes a central shaft (21), an upper end face (22), a lower end face (23), and a side baffle (24). The upper and lower ends of the central shaft (21) are respectively provided with an upper end face (22) and a lower end face (23). A side baffle (24) is provided between the upper end face (22) and the lower end face (23). The width of the side baffle (24) is greater than the width of the fluid outlets (11). The upper and lower ends of the central shaft (21) are rotatably connected to the housing (1). There is a gap (5) between the side baffle (24) and the inner wall of the housing (1). The upper end face (22) and the lower end face (23) are circular or fan-shaped structures, and the lower end face (23) is provided with a number of flow gaps (231). The side baffle (24) has a circular structure and is provided with a number of fluid openings (241). By rotating the fluid openings (241), the fluid outlet (11) can be adjusted.

2. The frictionless gap-free fluid flow controller as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The top of the housing (1) is provided with a top cover (3), and a through hole (31) is provided at the center of the top cover (3). The upper end of the central shaft (21) passes through the through hole (31), and an oil seal (26) is provided between the through hole and the upper end of the central shaft (21). A sealing ring is provided between the top cover and the housing (1), and the top cover (3) and the housing (1) are detachably connected.

3. The frictionless gap-free fluid flow controller as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The upper and lower ends of the central shaft (21) are connected to the housing (1) by bearings (25).

4. The frictionless gap-free fluid flow controller as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The shell (1) has three fluid outlets (11) on its side and one fluid outlet (11) on its bottom surface; the openings of adjacent fluid outlets (11) are 90 degrees apart.

5. The frictionless gap-free fluid flow controller as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The fluid outlet (11) is provided with a water outlet component (4), and the fluid outlet (11) has the same structural dimensions.

6. The frictionless gap-free fluid flow controller as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The side of the housing (1) is provided with a mounting panel (12) for installation.

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