Dynamic resistors which can be moved into each other

Abstract

The invention relates to an assembly comprising a module (1) for controlling a fluid flow. The module (1) comprises a first element (2) which has a plurality of channels (4) and a second element (3) which has a plurality of bodies (5). The elements (2, 3) are movably arranged relative to each other in an axial direction, wherein each body (5) is paired with a channel (4) in order to release a different number of channels (4) on the basis of the position of the elements (2, 3) relative to each other.

Description

[0001] Description

[0002] Interlocking dynamic resistors

[0003] The invention relates to an arrangement with a module for controlling a fluid flow.

[0004] The arrangement can, for example, be a replacement for a perforated disc.

[0005] The term orifice plate refers to a special device used in some equipment or as a wafer insert to limit the flow of liquids or gases. An orifice plate is a plate with regularly spaced holes, usually of a specific diameter. It is inserted into the flow channel of a pipeline to influence the flow of liquids or gases. By changing the position of the orifice plate, for example, a double orifice plate with different opening diameters, the flow is adjusted accordingly.

[0006] The arrangement can also be a replacement for a throttle valve.

[0007] A throttle valve, also known as a throttling valve or control valve, is a device in the field of process engineering used to control or regulate the flow of liquids or gases in a piping system. It is used to reduce the pressure or velocity of the flow medium by changing the cross-sectional area of ​​the flow opening. A throttle valve typically consists of a housing with an adjustable opening that reduces the flow. This opening can be in various shapes, such as a conical or cylindrical flow opening. The valve allows the flow to be precisely controlled by adjusting the cross-sectional area of ​​the opening by rotating or sliding a slide or valve element.

[0008] Often, sufficient installation space is required for the design of a throttle valve, which is not always available in sufficient quantity, for example when installing it in an existing pipeline due to adjacent components.

[0009] When designing a perforated disc, there is always the problem that the flow resistance of the perforated disc only exists within a defined range of the flow rate. As a result, the pressure in a piping system with perforated discs cannot be regulated or reduced outside the defined flow rate range.

[0010] This generally presents a problem for many arrangements: the flow resistance of the arrangement cannot be decoupled from the volume flow of the flowing medium. Any flow disturbance, e.g., in the form of a diversion or blockage of the flow channel, leads to a pressure loss and consequently to an increase in the resistance coefficient. To protect, for example, very expensive or critical or sensitive components in pipelines, it may be important to limit the pressure independently of the volume flow of the flowing medium.

[0011] The object of the invention is to provide an arrangement with a module for regulating a fluid flow that enables a pressure drop to be generated independently of the fluid flow rate. The arrangement should also be capable of reducing pressures in the smallest of spaces. The resistance of the arrangement should be dynamically adjustable. The design of the arrangement should facilitate the exchange of spare parts. The arrangement should be simple and cost-effective to implement.

[0012] This object is achieved according to the invention by an arrangement with a module for regulating a fluid flow according to the features of claim 1. Preferred variants can be found in the independent main claims, the subclaims, the description and the drawings.

[0013] According to the invention, the module comprises a first element having a plurality of channels and a second element having a plurality of bodies, wherein the elements are arranged to be axially movable relative to or within one another, wherein each body is associated with a channel for releasing a different number of channels depending on the position of the elements relative to one another.

[0014] For example, the bodies can be designed as stamps, each having a head that is placed on a common plate-like component using a stilt.

[0015] The shape of the bodies, in particular the heads, which can each limit or close the flow of a channel of the second element, can be designed specifically for the requirements of pressure reduction and / or to realize a desired characteristic curve.

[0016] In addition, the position of the bodies, in particular the position of the pistons in the design of different axial lengths of the stilts, can be varied according to requirements in order to realize a desired characteristic curve or to realize a defined pressure reduction.

[0017] For example, all bodies are designed to be movable together.

[0018] Ideally, the bodies are arranged in the form of stamps on a segment, in particular on a cylindrical plate, wherein the cylindrical plate has a plurality of recesses depending on the desired flow rate, allowing a flow rate to be achieved. Due to the joint arrangement of the bodies and the elements designed to be movable relative to one another, in particular movable within one another, all bodies can be moved together and thus simultaneously.

[0019] In a particularly advantageous embodiment, each body comprises a head and a stilt, with at least two stilts of the body of the second element having different axial lengths. The head is arranged on the side of the stilt facing away from the segment.

[0020] In one design variant there are two axial lengths of the stilts.

[0021] For example, two stilts always have the same axial length, so there are half as many axial lengths as stilts.

[0022] In a variant of the invention which has an odd number of bodies but can only have a rational number of axial lengths, there can be either half as many axial lengths as the number of stilts less one stilt or half as many axial lengths as the number of stilts plus one stilt.

[0023] In a further design variant, all axial lengths of the stilts are designed differently in order to realize a customer-specific characteristic curve specification of the arrangement.

[0024] For example, the segment, stilts and heads form a one-piece structure.

[0025] By adjusting the position of the bodies, particularly the axial position of the stamping heads relative to each other, a specific pressure loss characteristic of the arrangement can be achieved. This individual and task-specific adaptation can be achieved quickly and cost-effectively for each arrangement, particularly through the generative design of the elements.

[0026] For example, the heads of the bodies have radii or curves.

[0027] The radii or curves of the heads can be adapted to the specific task in order to realize a required pressure loss characteristic and / or specific characteristic curve design of the arrangement.

[0028] An equal-percentage characteristic, especially a valve characteristic, is a special type of characteristic of an arrangement with a module for controlling fluid flow. The equal-percentage valve characteristic describes the relationship between the opening position of an arrangement and the flow rate flowing through the arrangement.

[0029] With an equal-percentage characteristic, flow increases or decreases exponentially as the opening of the assembly changes. This means that small changes in the opening near the closed position result in large changes in flow, while larger changes in the opening near the fully open position result in only small changes in flow. This type of characteristic is advantageous when small changes in flow at low opening positions are required to have a large impact on the process.

[0030] With a linear characteristic curve, doubling the opening doubles the flow rate, and vice versa. This linear relationship enables simple and direct control of the flow rate based on the opening.

[0031] In a linear characteristic curve, the bodies are designed so that a variety of different axial lengths of the stilts are evenly distributed. A quadratic characteristic curve is a special type of characteristic curve for an arrangement. It describes the relationship between the opening position of the arrangement and the flow rate flowing through the arrangement.

[0032] With a quadratic characteristic, the flow increases or decreases quadratically when the orifice changes. This means that larger changes in the orifice result in larger changes in the flow. Compared to an equal-percentage characteristic, a change in the orifice at low opening positions results in proportionally larger changes in the flow.

[0033] The shape of the characteristic curve is achieved by specifically defining the axial lengths of the stilts and / or the shape or curvature of the heads and / or the cross-sectional design of the channels. This allows the characteristic curve of the arrangement to be easily adapted to customer-specific requirements and the arrangement to be generated generatively.

[0034] In principle, it would also be conceivable that all stilts have an identical axial length.

[0035] For example, the second element comprises a segment with openings.

[0036] The segment can be designed as a flat cylinder with a large number of recesses and / or openings.

[0037] For example, all bodies are arranged together on the segment for joint axial movement of the bodies.

[0038] In one embodiment of the invention, the segment may be in the form of a grid.

[0039] For example, the segment's openings are diamond-shaped, resulting in the segment's lattice structure. This lattice structure is particularly advantageous for preventing vibrations that can occur during airflow through the arrangement.

[0040] In a variant of the invention, the second element, in particular the segment including the body, has a one-piece structure.

[0041] For example, the module has a guide for positioning the elements relative to each other.

[0042] For example, the guidance can be carried out using two guide rods.

[0043] In a variant of the invention, the guide rods have the shape of the heads or channels.

[0044] For example, the guide rods can be positioned on the outer edge of the elements in a halved version of the shape of the heads or channels. Advantageously, the identical shape allows the guide rods to slide into the channels, thereby positioning the elements relative to one another and allowing them to slide into one another.

[0045] In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the guide can also comprise more than two, preferably more than three, in particular more than four guide rods. The guide rods are arranged, for example, evenly distributed across the cross-section of the element or evenly distributed along the outer edge of the element.

[0046] In one design variant, the guide is designed as a guide rod with a halved, hexagonal cross-section.

[0047] Alternatively, the guide can also be positioned centrally and in the middle of the elements.

[0048] Furthermore, polygonal cross-sections, halved or completely, as well as round cross-sections of the guides are also conceivable. In one variant of the invention, the second element has at least one guide rod that engages in a guide sleeve or channel of the first element for aligning and / or arranging the elements relative to or within each other.

[0049] For example, at least one channel has at least one interference structure, in particular for the variable formation of Kvs values.

[0050] The Kvs value is a characteristic value used to describe the flow of a liquid or gas through a specific fitting or control valve, especially an assembly. The Kvs value indicates how much volume flow (in cubic meters per hour, m 3 / h) can flow through an arrangement at a certain pressure drop (in bar).

[0051] The Kvs value allows you to predict the flow rate of a valve in relation to the pressure drop and to select the correct arrangement for a specific application. A higher Kvs value indicates a higher flow rate for a given pressure drop, while a lower Kvs value indicates a lower flow rate.

[0052] A disturbance structure for fluid flows is an artificially created change in the flow of a fluid, which serves to realize certain pressure losses or characteristic curves of the arrangement.

[0053] For example, such a disruptive structure can be implemented in the form of an obstacle, which influences and / or reduces the flow cross-section of a channel. Additionally, the obstacle can have a specific shape to influence the type of flow.

[0054] Obstacles are introduced into the channel to impede the flow of a fluid and / or to create a change in the flow. These obstacles can be in the form of plates, cylinders, cones, or other geometric shapes. The presence of obstacles can create vortices, eddies, and other complex flow patterns that are beneficial for achieving the desired flow characteristics and pressure drops.

[0055] In one embodiment of the invention, the channels with late-plunging dies, particularly bodies with a small or short axial length, have imprinted resistors. The resistors, in the form of obstacles, can be implemented in the channels of the first element during the additive manufacturing process.

[0056] For example, the arrangement comprises at least one drive.

[0057] This drive can be manual, electric, pneumatic, or hydraulic, for example. This allows the flow resistance to be changed even during operation of the system, allowing it to be directly and immediately adapted to changing flow rates.

[0058] In a variant of the invention, the channels have a polygonal cross-sectional area.

[0059] A polygonal cross-sectional area is a surface created when a three-dimensional object is cut along a plane. Instead of a smooth curve or a closed surface, the cross-sectional area consists of a combination of straight lines and corners. It has the shape of a polygon, which can be a regular or irregular polygon.

[0060] In an advantageous variant of the invention, the channels have a hexagonal cross-sectional area, in which a particularly high ratio of flow-through area to the total cross-sectional area of ​​the arrangement can be realized.

[0061] The cross-sectional area of ​​the channels can all have identical shapes, but also different ones. For example, the cross-sectional area of ​​the channels can be triangular, round, rectangular, square, or octagonal.

[0062] In an advantageous variant of the invention, the heads of the bodies have the exact corresponding shape to the channels.

[0063] In an embodiment of the invention of a round arrangement for installation in round pipelines, the number of hexagonal channels can be, for example, 55 or 85 or 121 or 151 or 187 or 199 in order to achieve the maximum flow-through area depending on the pipe cross-sectional areas.

[0064] The bodies can almost close the channels by moving the elements into each other or can create a very significant flow resistance in the channel.

[0065] In principle, the arrangement can be flowed through from both sides.

[0066] For example, the first element of the module is flowed through first, thereby establishing an advantageous flow direction depending on the installation direction.

[0067] In principle, a different flow direction is also conceivable.

[0068] In one variant of the invention, the arrangement is designed as a pipeline into which the module is integrated. In this variant, the fluid flow can be advantageously regulated. In particular, the resistance of the arrangement can be dynamically adjusted.

[0069] In one embodiment of the invention, the assembly, in particular the one-piece structure of the elements of the module, is manufactured using a method in which the assembly with a module for regulating a fluid flow is created by the selective action of energetic radiation on layered powder layers. Selective laser melting (SLM) is an additive manufacturing process used to produce the assembly with a module in the form of a one-piece structure from metal powder, in particular from cast material powder. It is a form of 3D printing in which a high-power laser is used to selectively melt the powder and build up the assembly with a module layer by layer.

[0070] The interlocking and movable elements of the module are built layer by layer by applying a thin layer of powder to a build platform. The laser beam is then directed at the selected areas, where it melts the metal powder and bonds it into a solid layer. A new layer is then applied, and the process is repeated until the assembly with a single module is created.

[0071] Preferably, a high-power laser, typically a fiber laser or a CO2 laser, is used. The laser beam is precisely controlled to melt and fuse the metal powder. Laser parameters such as power, intensity, and speed are adjusted according to the requirements of the process and the selected material, especially metallic material.

[0072] For example, the laser parameters can also be partially adjusted to realize defined and desired microstructures.

[0073] After generative manufacturing, the arrangement can possibly be post-processed with a module, for example to achieve flat surfaces of the element ends and / or the element shell.

[0074] For example, the arrangement comprises a housing with at least two openings that form a space through which the fluid flow can pass, in which a further throttling module is arranged such that it can be moved so as to limit the cross-section of the space. If the arrangement is designed as a valve, in addition to the module for regulating fluid flow, a further module for throttling the volume flow can also be implemented. In such an arrangement, the control of the volume flow can be supplemented by a control of the pressure loss, whereby the values ​​can be adjusted at least partially independently of one another.

[0075] With previously known valves, the flow rate and the resulting flow resistance could only be adjusted by the valve stroke. By implementing the arrangement with a module and a further throttling module, the flow resistance can now be adjusted variably, independent of the arrangement's opening degree.

[0076] The additional throttling module is designed, for example, as a valve with a shut-off body and a valve seat, with the shut-off body moving in the direction of flow or counter to the direction of flow when the valve is opened and closed. Alternatively, the additional throttling module could also be designed with a ball valve, a flap, or a slide valve as a shut-off body, in which case the shut-off body preferably moves perpendicular to the direction of flow.

[0077] In order to be able to move the elements of the module into each other, for example, an external drive for moving the elements is designed in connection with the arrangement, whereby the movement of the further module for throttling can be carried out with a separate and independent drive.

[0078] For example, the drive operates the module and the other throttling module together.

[0079] In a further variant of the invention, the additional throttling module and the module can be moved simultaneously via a common drive. For example, the surface roughness of the chamber of the additional throttling module and / or the surface roughness of the channels of the module can be specifically adjusted to adjust the pressure loss of the arrangement.

[0080] For example, the channels are designed in a straight line.

[0081] In a variant of the invention, the channels can be designed with a straight section that is then deflected. In such a design, the bodies, for example, only engage the straight section of the channels.

[0082] In an alternative variant of the invention, the channels can also have a curvature, wherein the curvature corresponds to the shape of the bodies.

[0083] According to the invention, in the method for traversing a characteristic curve, the elements are moved axially in and / or towards each other in their position.

[0084] Thanks to the interlocking elements of the module, the flow resistance and thus the characteristic curve of the arrangement can be adjusted even during operation, for example, when the volume flow changes. The flow resistance of the arrangement can be adjusted, at least in part, independently of the volume flow.

[0085] For example, the bodies can be arranged in a different axial position relative to each other to form an application-specific characteristic curve.

[0086] According to the invention, a module is used in a fitting or in a pipeline to form an assembly.

[0087] The design of the assembly allows users maximum flexibility in reducing high pressures in the smallest possible space. The assembly can comprise solely the fluid flow control module, or it can be designed as a complex valve that includes, among other things, a fluid flow control module in addition to a primary throttle or shut-off valve.

[0088] Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the description of embodiments with reference to the drawings and from the drawings themselves.

[0089] It shows:

[0090] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the fluid flow control module,

[0091] Fig. 2 a sectional view of the module for controlling a fluid flow,

[0092] Fig. 3 a sectional view of the module with interlocking elements,

[0093] Fig. 4 is a plan view of the second element of the module,

[0094] Fig. 5 is a schematic representation of an arrangement with a module and another module for throttling.

[0095] Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of the arrangement with a module 1 for regulating a fluid flow. The module 1 comprises the first element 2 and the second element 3. The first element 2 has a plurality of channels 4, while the second element 3 has a plurality of bodies 5. In conjunction with Fig. 2 and Fig. 3, it can be seen that each channel 4 is assigned a body 5.

[0096] In the illustrated embodiment, each body 5 comprises a head 6 and a stilt 7. The stilts 7 of the bodies 5 of the second element 3 have different axial lengths, thereby realizing the specific characteristic curves. The first element 2 has fifty-five channels 4, each with an identical, hexagonal cross-sectional area. Thus, the module 1 in the illustrated embodiment, with a diameter of 50 mm, has the largest possible flow-through cross-sectional area.

[0097] The second element 3 has a segment 8 with openings 9. Fifty-five bodies 5 are arranged on the segment 8, corresponding to the channels 4, for the joint axial movement of the bodies 5 toward or into the channels 4.

[0098] The module 1 has a guide 10 for positioning the elements 2, 3 relative to one another. In the illustrated embodiment, the guide 10 is formed with a guide rod 11 and a guide groove 12, wherein the two guide rods 11 arranged opposite one another at the outer edge have a halved hexagonal cross-sectional area. The guide grooves 12, formed correspondingly to the guide rods 11, accommodate the guide rods 11, whereby the elements 2, 3 are movable into one another and are designed for positioning the elements 2, 3 relative to one another or within one another.

[0099] In particular, it can be seen from Fig. 2 that the heads 6 are rounded and have defined and identical radii. The module 1 has a stroke of 30 mm. In the illustrated embodiment, a channel 4, into which a body 5 is designed to be movable within one another over only a short axial length, has four disruptive structures 13. The disruptive structures 13 are designed as flow obstructions that narrow the cross-section of the channel 4 and thus realize the desired characteristic curve.

[0100] Fig. 3 shows an example of how the first element 2 is partially moved into the second element 3 and positioned. The sectional view of the module 1 shows two bodies 5 which are moved into the channel 4 and thus fill and block the cross-section of the channel 4. They thus form the pressure loss of the module 1 corresponding to the axial positioning of the elements 2, 3. Fig. 4 shows a plan view of the second element 3 of the module 1, in which the fifty-five bodies 5 are fixed to the segment 8. In the embodiment shown, the segment 8 is designed as a grid with openings 9 so that good flow through the module 1 can be ensured when the elements 2, 3 are partially moved into one another.

[0101] Fig. 5 shows a schematic representation of a valve assembly with module 1 and an additional throttling module 14. The assembly, in the form of a valve, comprises a housing 15 with at least two openings 16, 17, which form a flow-through chamber 18 for the fluid flow. The additional throttling module 14 is arranged to be movable by means of a drive in such a way that it limits the cross-section of the chamber 18.

[0102] A chamber 18 is provided in the housing 15, which opens into a first and a second opening 16, 17 at the ends of the housing 15. The arrangement, in the form of a valve, is operated in a normal operating state such that the first opening 16 is configured as an inlet opening and the second opening 17 as an outlet opening for the flow.

[0103] The chamber 18 has no bend along the flow direction. This means that the flow is not deflected by the housing, or rather, the center points of a cross-sectional area of ​​the chamber 18 are arranged at the same height along the longitudinal direction. This design results in only a very small pressure loss between the openings 16, 17 when the valve is fully open. Although the chamber 18 is designed without any bend, it nevertheless widens from the second opening 17 along the longitudinal direction until shortly before the first opening 16, with the chamber 18 then tapering down to the first opening 16.

[0104] To throttle the valve, a further throttling module 14 consisting of a throttle head 20 and an actuator rod 21 is arranged in a section of the chamber 18. The throttle head 20 is designed in the form of a parabolic cone and, when the valve is fully closed, forms a sealing connection with a valve seat 22.

[0105] In order to adjust the position of the additional throttling module 14 or to move the additional throttling module 14, the throttling head 20 is arranged at one end of the drive rod 21, and a section of the drive rod 21 is designed as a lifting kinematics 23. The lifting kinematics 23 has three displaceable components. This lifting kinematics 23 interacts with a rod drive 24, which is displaceably arranged in the space 18 and can be actuated from the outside. As a result, an external movement leads to a linear movement of the additional throttling module 14 along or against the channel direction. The direction of the movement depends on the direction of rotation of the rod drive 24.

[0106] To actuate the rod drive 24, it is connected to a drive (not shown), preferably an electric motor, wherein the further module 14 for throttling is moved from a completely closed to a completely open position by rotating the lifting kinematics 23 by preferably 90°.

[0107] The actuator rod 21 is arranged entirely within the chamber 18 and is guided linearly along or counter to the longitudinal direction by a guide 10. The guide 10 moves the second element 3 into the first element 2. By interlocking the elements 2, 3 of the module 1, the pressure loss of the arrangement can be realized independently of the volume flow through the valve.

Claims

Patent claims Interlocking dynamic resistors 1. Arrangement with a module (1) for regulating a fluid flow, characterized in that the module (1) comprises a first element (2) which has a plurality of channels (4), and a second element (3) comprising a plurality of bodies (5), wherein the elements (2, 3) are arranged to be axially movable relative to one another, wherein each body (5) is assigned to a channel (4) for releasing a different number of channels (4) depending on the position of the elements (2, 3) relative to one another.

2. Arrangement according to claim 1, characterized in that all bodies (5) are designed to be movable together.

3. Arrangement according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that each body (5) comprises a head (6) and a stilt (7), wherein at least two stilts (7) of the body (5) of the second element (3) have a different axial length.

4. Arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the second element (3) comprises a segment (8) with openings (9) on which the bodies (5) are arranged for the joint axial movement of the bodies.

5. Arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the module (1) has a guide (10) for positioning the elements (2, 3) relative to each other has.

6. Arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that at least one channel (4) has at least one interference structure (13), in particular for the variable formation of Kvs values.

7. Arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the arrangement comprises a drive.

8. Arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the channels (4) have a polygonal cross-sectional area.

9. Arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the arrangement has a housing (15) with at least two openings (16, 17) which form a flow-through space (18) for the fluid flow, in which a further module (14) for throttling is arranged so as to be movable that it limits the cross-section of the space (18).

10. Arrangement according to claim 9, characterized in that a drive actuates the module (1) and the further module (14) together for throttling. 11 . Arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the arrangement is designed as a pipeline in which the module (1) is integrated.

12. Method for traversing a characteristic curve, characterized in that the elements (2, 3) are moved axially in and / or towards each other in their position.

13. Method according to claim 12, characterized in that the bodies (5) are arranged in a different axial position relative to one another to generate a characteristic curve.

14. Use of a module (1) in a fitting or in a pipeline to form an arrangement.

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