Heating valve body
By integrating complex geometric channels and heating units in the flow control, directly using heating fluids to maintain or increase the fluid temperature, the cost and complexity of existing flow controls is solved, and more efficient temperature management is achieved.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202380079689.9
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2022-10-31
- Filing Date
- 2023-10-26
- Publication Date
- 2025-06-24
AI Technical Summary
Existing flow controls have high cost and complexity in maintaining or raising fluid temperatures, often requiring additional components such as insulating blankets, heating blankets or jackets.
An integral flow control is designed that includes a complex geometric channel for fluid flow and integrates a heating unit that directly introduces the heating fluid into the flow control structure to maintain or increase the temperature.
This design reduces costs, avoids dependence on additional components, and effectively maintains or increases fluid temperature by maximizing surface area.
Smart Images
Figure CN120202369A_ABST
Abstract
Description
Background Art
[0001] Flow control devices play an important role in many industrial facilities. For example, power plants and industrial process facilities use different types of flow control devices to manage the flow of materials (usually fluids) throughout a vast network of pipes, tanks, generators, and other equipment. Operators may need these flow control devices to maintain the material at a specific temperature. For example, some materials may need to flow at a higher temperature to avoid crystallization or to maintain a lower fluid viscosity. One solution to address these requirements is to wrap the flow control device in an outer layer of an insulating blanket or a heating blanket. In some cases, the manufacturer may include a metal enclosure that houses the components of the flow control device. This "jacket" can be coupled to a system that distributes a heating fluid to the device to maintain or raise the temperature of the flow control device. Summary of the Invention
[0002] The subject matter of the present disclosure relates to improvements in applying heat at or near the material flowing through a flow control device. Embodiments that can receive a flow of a heating fluid are of particular interest. These embodiments can have a monolithic body with an integral channel for the flow. This design can reduce costs because the flow control device does not require any additional components such as an insulating blanket, a heating blanket, or a jacket. Brief Description of the Drawings
[0003] This specification refers to the following drawings:
[0004] Figure 1 A schematic diagram depicting an exemplary embodiment of a valve housing;
[0005] Figure 2 Depicting Figure 1 a front view of an example of the valve housing;
[0006] Figure 3 Depicting Figure 1 a front view of an example of the valve housing;
[0007] Figure 4 Depicting Figure 1 a front view of an example of the valve housing; and
[0008] Figure 5 Depicting Figure 1 a front view of an example of the valve housing.
[0009] These figures and any description in this document represent examples that can disclose or interpret the invention. These examples include the best mode and also enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including manufacturing and using any device or system and performing any combined method. Unless otherwise stated in the discussion, the figures are not drawn to scale. Elements in the examples may appear in one or more of several views or in combinations of several views. The figures may use similar reference numerals to represent the same or corresponding elements. The methods are merely exemplary and may be modified, for example, by reordering, adding, deleting, and / or changing individual steps or stages. This specification may use the singular words "a" or "an" to identify such stages and any parts, components, elements, or functions; however, this should not exclude the plural form of any such name, unless the specification explicitly states or describes such an exclusion. Similarly, any reference to "an embodiment" or "a specific implementation" does not exclude the existence of other embodiments or specific implementations that also incorporate the described features. Detailed Description
[0010] Now, the features of the examples shown in the above figures will be discussed. These features provide a cost-effective solution for an operator to maintain the temperature of the working fluid flowing through a valve or other device in its process pipeline. This solution can utilize a design that integrates a complex flow path into the structure that transports the working fluid. These designs can optimally utilize the available surface area, which helps to maintain or raise the temperature of the working fluid to a level that meets the operator's requirements. Other embodiments are within the scope of this disclosure.
[0011] Figure 1 An example of a valve housing 100 is depicted. This example exists in a distribution network 102, which is generally designed to transport a material 104 through a network of conduits 106. The valve housing 100 can form part of a flow control member 108 that is part of the network 102. The flow control member 108 can have an actuator 110 and a valve stem 112, one end of which is coupled to a valve mechanism 114, which can include a closure member 116 and a seat 118. In a specific implementation, the valve housing 100 can include a heating unit 120 that positions the valve mechanism 116, 118 in the fluid flow F.
[0012] Broadly, the valve housing 100 can be configured to generate heat. These configurations can include designs that allow a fluid such as hot water or steam to flow through the entire device. These designs can utilize channels or paths with complex geometries to maximize the surface area. This geometry can be integrally formed with the structure that supports other components, such as components that regulate fluid flow, including process materials or resources such as oil or gas.
[0013] The distribution system 102 can be configured to deliver or move these fluids. These configurations can be embodied as massive infrastructure. The material 104 can also include gases, liquids, solid-liquid mixtures, or liquid-gas mixtures. The conduit 106 can include pipes or pipelines that are typically connected to pumps, boilers, etc. The pipe can also be connected to a tank or reservoir. In many facilities, this equipment forms a complex network to perform processes such as refining raw materials or manufacturing final products.
[0014] The flow control 108 can be configured to regulate the flow of the material 104 through the conduit 106 in these complex networks. These configurations can include control valves and similar devices. The actuator 110 can use pressurized fluids (such as air or natural gas) to generate a load. Generally, the device can include a piston, a spring (or springs) or a flexible diaphragm for this purpose. The valve stem 112 can direct this load to the closure member 116, typically a ball, plug, or disk. This feature can resist the pressure of the material 104 on the opposite side of the closure member 116 to maintain the closure member 116 in a desired position relative to the seat 118. This desired position or "set point" can correspond to the flow parameters of the material 104 to meet process requirements or parameters.
[0015] The heating unit 120 can be configured to house the valve mechanisms 116, 118. These configurations can include devices made of metal, which can be cast, forged, or machined. Additive manufacturing techniques (including 3D printing) can also be prevalent as these techniques provide the flexibility to design and implement structures with unique or complex geometries. In a specific implementation, the device can also include features that generate heat or apply heat to any adjacent structures. In a specific implementation, these features can circulate a heating fluid such as hot water or steam, which transfers the heat into the structure of the flow control 108 (including the valve mechanisms 116, 118).
[0016] Figure 2A front view depicting a cross-section of an example of these heat-generating features. The heating unit 120 may form a valve body 122 having flanges at the openings I, O. Adjacent pipes 106 may be connected to these flanges. The valve body 122 may also have a main flow path 124. The material 104 may pass through the main flow path 124 (from the inlet I to the outlet O) in accordance with the normal use of the flow control 108 in the network 102. The outer wall structure 126 may define at least a portion of the main flow path 124. The outer wall structure 126 may include a first wall 128, which may form an inner surface 130 of the main flow path 124. The first wall 128 may incorporate a secondary flow path or "heating" flow path 132 that allows heated fluid to flow into and through the entire structure of the valve body 122. In one particular implementation, the heating flow path 132 may be embodied as separate paths 134 spaced apart from each other, for example, radially spaced apart about the central axis C of the device. The paths 134 may have a circular cross-section; however, the present disclosure contemplates that the cross-section may also take other shapes, such as square or rectangular. For example, additive manufacturing may allow for more complex geometries due to its flexibility in manufacturing or depositing or "printing" layers of material on top of each other according to a defined pattern.
[0017] Figure 3 depicts Figure 2 A front view of a side of an example of the heating unit 120. The paths 134 may terminate at ports 136, which may be embodied as threaded openings or holes as needed to receive complementary fittings. This feature may allow an operator to connect specific hoses or conduits that carry heated fluid into and out of the paths 134. For example, the ports 136 may reside differently in the outer wall structure 126 to provide access to the hole portion 138 of the paths 134. The present disclosure contemplates numerous geometries (including shapes, orientations, or curves) for the hole portion 138, including linear or non-linear arrangements achievable through the use of additive manufacturing techniques. In this example, the linear arrangement may extend generally longitudinally or axially along the central axis C. In both arrangements, the geometry may maximize the surface area available for distributing heat to the device. This feature may optimally distribute the heated fluid to maintain or raise the temperature of the material 104 to meet specifications, standards, or process parameters.
[0018] Figure 4 depicts Figure 2 A front view of a side of an example of the heating unit 120. The hole portion 138 may take a circuitous route 140 that traverses differently along the outer wall structure 126. This design may cause the heated fluid to change direction, for example, axially along the central axis C and radially away from the central axis C. This feature may result in an "S" shape or pattern, which, for example, Figure 3The linear or longitudinal shape can provide a larger surface area compared to. In a specific implementation, the hole portion 138 can adopt a circumferential route 142, which is shown here as surrounding at least a portion of the central axis C, typically in the form of an annular void or passage in the valve body 122. This design can also connect or couple these channels together to allow the heated fluid to flow continuously through the path 134. However, any of the routes envisioned herein can also represent separate paths 134.
[0019] Figure 5 depicts Figure 2 A front view of a cross-section of an example of the heating unit 120 is shown. In this example, the second wall 144 can be integrally formed as part of the outer wall structure 126. This design can integrate a space or air gap 146 between the "inner" first wall 128 and the "outer" second wall 144. Ports 148 in the second wall 144 can allow the heated fluid to flow into the space 146 and contact the first wall 128. In a specific implementation, the second wall 144 can include a path 134 to further distribute the heated fluid throughout the device. Additional paths 134 can also reside in positions close to components of the device, for example, near the closure member 116 or the support 118. Additive manufacturing can allow the walls 128, 144 to be integrally formed with each other as a "seamless" manufacturing. This feature can avoid welds or fasteners that may require time-consuming or labor-intensive various post-processing practices. In a specific implementation, this technology can provide wall 128, 144 material compositions that are the same as or effectively homogeneous with another wall material composition.
[0020] In view of the above, the proposed design can maintain the temperature of the valve or valve component under critical conditions. These improvements can avoid variations in component "encapsulation" because the features required to transport the heated fluid or steam are integral with the underlying component (usually the valve body). This feature eliminates the need for auxiliary components (such as heating blankets) in the field. It also allows the use of more of the valve body as an area (or volume) to distribute heat to, for example, the closure member or the support.
[0021] The following examples include certain elements or clauses that describe embodiments envisioned within the scope of this specification. These elements can be combined with other elements and clauses to further describe the embodiments. This specification can include and envision other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. If these other examples have structural elements that are identical to the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements that are not materially different from the literal language of the claims, then these other examples fall within the scope of the claims.
Claims
1. A valve, the valve comprising: An actuator; A closure member coupled to the actuator; And A valve body surrounding the closure member, the valve body having a main flow path and a first wall, the main flow path having a central axis, and the first wall having a secondary flow path disposed therein.
2. The valve according to claim 1, wherein the secondary flow path terminates at a port disposed in the first wall.
3. The valve according to claim 1, wherein the secondary flow path terminates at a port in a flange disposed on at least one end of the valve body.
4. The valve according to claim 1, wherein the secondary flow path has a main hole portion that forms a meandering path in the wall.
5. The valve according to claim 1, wherein the secondary flow path has a main hole portion that forms an S shape.
6. The valve according to claim 1, wherein the secondary flow path has a main portion that at least partially surrounds the central axis.
7. The valve according to claim 1, wherein the secondary flow path has a main hole portion that extends longitudinally along the central axis.
8. The valve according to claim 1, wherein the first wall forms the surface of the main flow path.
9. The valve according to claim 1, the valve further comprising: A second wall spaced apart from the first wall to form an air gap therebetween, wherein the second wall is integrally formed with the first wall as part of the valve body.
10. The valve according to claim 1, the valve further comprising: A second wall spaced apart from the first wall to form an air gap therebetween, wherein the second wall is integrally formed with the first wall as part of the valve body, and Wherein a port penetrates the second wall to allow access to the air gap.
11. A valve, the valve comprising: An actuator; A closure member coupled to the actuator; A support disposed adjacent to the closure member; And A valve body surrounding both the support and the closure member, the valve body having a passage capable of holding fluid therein.
12. The valve according to claim 11, wherein the passage forms a meandering path within the valve body.
13. The valve according to claim 11, wherein the passage is disposed adjacent to the closure member.
14. The valve according to claim 11, wherein the passage is disposed adjacent to the support.
15. The valve according to claim 11, wherein the passage is disposed to affect the temperature of the closure member.
16. The valve according to claim 11, wherein the passage is disposed to affect the temperature of the support.
17. A valve, the valve comprising: A valve body having a main flow path with openings disposed at either end, the valve body having a first wall forming the inner surface of the main flow path; And A steam jacket disposed on and surrounding the valve body, the steam jacket forming a second wall spaced apart from the first wall to form an air gap therebetween, Wherein the first wall and the second wall are integrally formed in a jointless manufacturing process.
18. The valve according to claim 17, wherein the first wall and the second wall have the same material composition.
19. The valve according to claim 17, wherein the first wall and the second wall are integrally formed with each other, and wherein the first wall includes a channel for holding fluid therein.
20. The valve according to claim 17, wherein the first wall and the second wall are integrally formed with each other, and wherein the first wall and the second wall include a channel for holding fluid therein.