Pulsation Generator

Abstract

To provide a pulsation generation device capable of suppressing generation of contamination to fluid, and capable of generating pressure pulsation in any pressure range, frequency, and pressure waveform.SOLUTION: A pulsation generation device 1 comprises: a drive source 2; a shaft body 3 connected to the drive source 2; a valve body 4 provided on the shaft body 3; and a valve box 5 having a valve body housing chamber 60 in which a fluid inlet port 61 and an outlet port 62 are formed, and housing the valve body 4 in the valve body housing chamber 60 in a non-contact state. The valve body 4 is arranged with a predetermined clearance from the valve body housing chamber 60.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a pulsation generating device. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 listed below discloses a rotary valve which includes a valve body, a rotor rotatably housed in the valve body, and a valve body configured to slide against a sliding surface provided on the rotor or the valve body and be pressed against the sliding surface, and which switches the flow path of a fluid by connecting or closing the flow path of the rotor and the flow path of the valve body by rotation of the rotor. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6093227 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Conventionally, a pulsation generating device that generates pulsation in a fluid flow has been known. For example, in the above-mentioned rotary valve, pulsation can be generated in a fluid flow by periodically repeating communication and closing of a flow path. However, since the valve body that communicates and closes the flow path is in a pressed state against the sliding surface of the valve body, there is a possibility that wear powder will be generated from the sliding surface. This wear powder will become contamination for the fluid. In addition, since the shape of the flow path in the valve body changes over time due to wear, the waveform of one cycle of the pulsating pressure changes over time. This is particularly a major problem in the case of tests and devices that require cleanliness, purity, and invariance of properties and performance, such as cell culture, medicine, and food processing machines, as it makes it impossible to continue the test, damages peripheral equipment, and takes a lot of time to deal with the problem.

[0005] Also, in needle valves, the opening shape of the inlet port for the fluid is tapered, the part of the valve body facing it is a needle, and the valve body can be moved in the axial direction to generate pulsation. In this type, the clearance between the inlet port and the valve body is not constant but variable, and differs according to the axial movement of the valve body. In other words, it is more difficult to adjust the flow passage cross-section through which the fluid passes between the valve body and the inlet port (adjustment of the load pressure range) compared to the rotary type such as the rotary valve mentioned above. For example, in the case of a tapered or needle shape, it is difficult to set the taper angle when forming the parts, and to manufacture and adjust the coaxiality of the two.

[0006] In addition, in the case of this type, it is necessary to use a proportional solenoid or electric linear actuator, which is capable of controlling the amount of displacement in the axial direction with high resolution, as the drive source. When a proportional solenoid is used, hysteresis exists in the amount of displacement of the movable part relative to the input signal, so the control circuit for precise opening control becomes complicated. In addition, the drive speed of an electric linear actuator is slow, so it is not suitable for valve operation at high frequencies.

[0007] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a pulsation generating device that can suppress the mixing of wear powder caused by wear of a valve body, etc. into the fluid, i.e., the occurrence of contamination of the fluid, and can generate pressure pulsations within any pressure range, frequency, and pressure waveform. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] A pulsation generating device according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises a drive source, a shaft connected to the drive source, a valve body provided on the shaft, and a valve body accommodating chamber having an inlet port and an outlet port for a fluid, the valve body being accommodated in the valve body accommodating chamber in a non-contacting state, and the valve body being positioned with a predetermined clearance maintained from the valve body accommodating chamber.

[0009] In the above-mentioned pulsation generating device, the valve body accommodating chamber may have an axially opposing surface in which one of the inlet port and the outlet port is formed and which faces the valve body with an axial clearance in the axial direction of the shaft, and a radially opposing surface in which the other of the inlet port and the outlet port is formed and which faces the valve body with a radial clearance in the radial direction of the shaft.

[0010] In the above pulsation generating device, an axial clearance adjustment plate for adjusting the axial clearance may be provided on the valve body at a position opposite to the axial opposing surface.

[0011] In the above pulsation generating device, a radial clearance adjustment ring for adjusting the radial clearance may be provided on the valve body at a position opposite to the radially opposing surface.

[0012] In the above pulsation generating device, the valve body may be formed with a port opening hole at a position capable of opposing the inlet port.

[0013] The pulsation generating device may further include a flow path shape changing member attached to at least one of the port opening hole and the inlet port.

[0014] The pulsation generating device may further include an elastic member that supports the flow path shape changing member so that the flow path shape changing member is displaceable in the axial direction of the shaft body.

[0015] In the above pulsation generating device, the port opening hole may be formed in the valve body in an arc shape along a circumferential direction centered on the shaft body.

[0016] In the above pulsation generating device, the port opening holes may be formed in a plurality of locations in the valve body at intervals in a circumferential direction around the shaft body.

[0017] In the above pulsation generating device, the outlet port may be formed in a plurality of ports in the valve body accommodating chamber at intervals in a circumferential direction around the shaft body.

[0018] In the above pulsation generating device, the drive source may rotate or swing the valve body around the shaft body.

[0019] In the above pulsation generating device, a total swing range for the swing of the valve body may be determined, and the swing angle and swing speed may be set arbitrarily within the total swing range, thereby forming an arbitrary and flexible pressure waveform.

[0020] In the above pulsation generating device, the drive source may include a servo actuator. Effect of the Invention

[0021] According to one aspect of the present invention described above, it is possible to provide a pulsation generating device that can suppress the occurrence of contamination of a fluid and generate pressure pulsations with any pressure range, frequency, and pressure waveform. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0022] [Figure 1] 1 is a conceptual diagram of a pulsation generating device according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a pulsation generating device according to an embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a pulsation generating device according to one embodiment. [Figure 4] 1A is a perspective view of a valve body according to one embodiment, FIG. 1B is a plan view, and FIG. 1C is a partial cross-sectional view. [Diagram 5] 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a specific configuration example of a pulsation generating device according to one embodiment. [Figure 6] 1 is a perspective view illustrating the operation of a pulsation generating device according to one embodiment. FIG. [Figure 7] 1 is a plan view illustrating a specific operation of a pulsation generating device according to one embodiment. FIG. [Figure 8]8 is a graph showing a change in pressure of the fluid at the outlet port when the pulsation generator is operated as shown in FIG. 7. [Figure 9] This is a graph showing the pressure change of the fluid at the outlet port when the pressure waveform is formed arbitrarily and freely by arbitrarily setting the oscillation angle and oscillation speed within the oscillation range of the valve body in one embodiment of a pulsation generating device. [Figure 10] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing a specific configuration example of a pulsation generating device according to a modified example of an embodiment. [Figure 11] 1A is a perspective view, FIG. 1B is a plan view, and FIG. 1C is a partial cross-sectional view of an axial clearance adjustment plate provided on a valve body according to one embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a port block of a valve body according to a modified example of an embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view of a port block of a valve body according to another modified example of an embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view of a port block of a valve body according to another modified example of an embodiment. [Figure 15] 13A to 13C are plan views showing some variations of a flow path shape changing member according to a modified example of the embodiment. [Figure 16] FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view of a port block of a valve body according to another modified example of an embodiment. [Figure 17] 1A is an exploded perspective view, FIG. 1B is a plan view, and FIG. 1C is a partial cross-sectional view of a valve body according to an embodiment to which a flow path shape changing member is attached. [Figure 18] 1A is a plan view of a valve body according to a modified example of an embodiment, and FIG. 1B is a partial cross-sectional view of the valve body. [Figure 19] 19 is a plan view for explaining a specific operation of the pulsation generating device when the valve body shown in FIG. 18 is used. FIG. [Figure 20] 20 is a graph showing a change in pressure of the fluid at the outlet port when the pulsation generator is operated as shown in FIG. 19. [Figure 21] 13A is a plan view of a valve body according to another modified example of the embodiment, and FIG. 13B is a partial cross-sectional view of the valve body. [Figure 22]22 is a plan view for explaining a specific operation of the pulsation generating device when the valve element shown in FIG. 21 is used. FIG. [Diagram 23] 23 is a graph showing a change in pressure of the fluid at the outlet port when the pulsation generator is operated as shown in FIG. 22. [Figure 24] 13A is a plan view of a port block of a valve body according to another modified example of an embodiment, and FIG. [Diagram 25] 25A and 25B are plan and BB cross-sectional views showing a modification of the port block in FIG. 24. [Figure 26] 26A and 26B are plan and partial cross-sectional views showing a valve body corresponding to the port block of FIG. 24 or FIG. 25. [Figure 27] 26A and 26B are plan and partial sectional views showing a modified example of a valve body corresponding to the port block of FIG. 24 or FIG. 25. [Figure 28] 26 is a plan view for explaining a specific operation of the pulsation generating device when the valve body shown in FIG. 25 is used. FIG. [Figure 29] 29 is a graph showing a change in pressure of the fluid at the outlet port when the pulsation generator is operated as shown in FIG. 28. [Diagram 30] 26 is a plan view showing another modified example of the valve body corresponding to the port block of FIG. 24 or FIG. 25. [Diagram 31] 24. FIG. 31 is a partial cross-sectional view showing the opposing relationship between two port opening holes of the valve body of FIG. 30 and two inlet ports of the port block of FIG. [Diagram 32] 31 is a plan view for explaining a specific operation of the pulsation generating device when the valve body shown in FIG. 30 is used. FIG. [Diagram 33] 33 is a graph showing a change in pressure of the fluid at the outlet port when the pulsation generator is operated as shown in FIG. 32. [Diagram 34] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a casing of a valve body according to a modified example of an embodiment. [Diagram 35] 1 is a conceptual diagram showing a hydraulic circuit using a pulsation generating device according to an embodiment. [Diagram 36] 1 is a circuit diagram showing a hydraulic circuit using a pulsation generating device according to an embodiment. [Figure 37] 37 is a graph showing a measurement example when pressure pulsation is generated in a pulsation container using the hydraulic circuit of FIG. 36. [Figure 38] 37 is a graph showing a measurement example when pressure pulsation is generated in a pulsation container using the hydraulic circuit of FIG. 36. [Figure 39] 37 is a graph showing a measurement example when pressure pulsation is generated in a pulsation container using the hydraulic circuit of FIG. 36. [Diagram 40] 37 is a graph showing a measurement example when pressure pulsation is generated in a pulsation container using the hydraulic circuit of FIG. 36. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0023] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram of a pulsation generating device 1 according to one embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the pulsation generating device 1 generates pulsation in a fluid flow having a constant pressure.

[0024] Fluids that generate pulsation are ones with low kinetic viscosity, such as tap water (tap water has a viscosity of about 1.0 mm 2 / s](20℃), approx. 0.66 [mm 2 The fluid that generates the pulsation is preferably one with a high kinetic viscosity (20 to 50 mm / s) such as hydraulic oil used in general hydraulic equipment. 2 / s(40℃)) is also acceptable.

[0025] Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the pulsation generating device 1 according to one embodiment. Fig. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the pulsation generating device 1 according to one embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2, the pulsation generating device 1 includes a drive source 2, a shaft body 3, a valve body 4, and a valve box 5.

[0026] Hereinafter, the direction in which the central axis O of the shaft body 3 extends will be referred to as the axial direction, the direction perpendicular to the central axis O will be referred to as the radial direction, and the direction going around the central axis O will be referred to as the circumferential direction. The driving source 2 includes, for example, a servo motor and a gear box. The driving source 2 swings or rotates the shaft body 3 around a central axis O.

[0027] The shaft body 3 extends in the axial direction along the central axis O. A valve element 4 is provided at one end of the shaft body 3. Although the valve element 4 shown in Figs. 2 and 3 is integrally formed with the shaft body 3, it may be a separate part attached to the shaft body 3. The valve element 4 is accommodated inside a valve box 5. As will be described later, the clearance between the valve element 4 and the valve box 5 is set to a desired clearance, and their positional relationship is fixed. The other end of the shaft body 3 protrudes outside the valve box 5 and is connected to the drive source 2.

[0028] FIG. 4 is a perspective view (a), a plan view (b), and a partial cross-sectional view (c) of a valve body 4 according to one embodiment. 4, the valve element 4 has a valve body 41 and a port open hole 42. The valve body 41 is formed in a disk shape coaxial with the central axis O. The port open hole 42 is formed penetrating the valve body 41 in the axial direction. The port open hole 42 is formed in a radial position capable of facing an inlet port 61 formed in the valve box 5.

[0029] As shown in Fig. 4(c), a coating layer 43 is formed on the bottom surface of the valve body 41 (the surface facing the port block 5a of the valve box 5). The coating layer 43 is formed in advance from a material that has low friction and wear characteristics under water lubrication, such as resin, ceramic, or diamond, in preparation for contact and sliding with the port block 5a. The low friction and wear material of the coating layer 43 does not have to be formed on the valve body 4, and the need for its formation is determined depending on the fluid used and the usage environment.

[0030] 2, the valve box 5 has a port block 5a, a casing 5b, a cover 5c, and a seal housing 5d. The space surrounded by the port block 5a, the casing 5b, the cover 5c, and the seal housing 5d forms a valve element accommodating chamber 60 that accommodates the valve element 4.

[0031] The port block 5a is formed in a disk shape coaxial with the central axis O. An inlet port 61 for a fluid is formed in the port block 5a. The inlet port 61 communicates with the valve body accommodating chamber 60.

[0032] The casing 5b is formed in a cylindrical shape coaxial with the central axis O. One open end in the axial direction of the casing 5b is closed by a port block 5a. An outlet port 62 for fluid is formed in the casing 5b and extends radially therethrough. The outlet port 62 is in communication with the valve body accommodating chamber 60.

[0033] The cover 5c is formed in a disk shape coaxial with the central axis O. The cover 5c closes the other axial open end of the casing 5b. A through hole through which the shaft body 3 passes is formed at the radial center position of the cover 5c.

[0034] The seal housing 5d is formed in a disk shape coaxial with the central axis O. The seal housing 5d is supported by a cover 5c. A through hole through which the shaft body 3 passes is formed at the radial center position of the cover 5c. An annular seal 7 that seals the shaft body 3 is arranged in the through hole.

[0035] A bearing 6 is supported in the seal housing 5d. The bearing 6 supports the shaft body 3 so as to be rotatable around the central axis O. The above-mentioned port block 5a, casing 5b, valve body 4, shaft body 3, cover 5c, seal housing 5d, and bearing 6 can be assembled in the axial direction as shown in FIG.

[0036] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a specific configuration example of the pulsation generating device 1 according to one embodiment. As shown in Figure 5, the pulsation generating device 1 includes a driving source 2, a shaft 3 connected to the driving source 2, a valve element 4 provided on the shaft 3, and a valve box 5 having a valve element accommodating chamber 60 in which an inlet port 61 and an outlet port 62 for a fluid are formed, and in which the valve element 4 is accommodated in the valve element accommodating chamber 60 in a non-contact state.

[0037] The valve box 5 comprises a bottomed cylindrical casing block 51 in which the above-mentioned port block 5a and casing 5b are integrated, a disk-shaped cover housing 52 in which the above-mentioned cover 5c and seal housing 5d are integrated, and a disk-shaped bearing housing 53 that holds the above-mentioned bearing 6.

[0038] By integrating the port block 5a and the casing 5b, the sealing performance of the valve box 5 can be improved and the outflow of the fluid to the outside can be suppressed. Also, by integrating the cover 5c and the seal housing 5d, the sealing performance of the valve box 5 can be improved and the outflow of the fluid to the outside can be suppressed.

[0039] A cover housing 52 is fastened to the casing block 51 in the axial direction via bolts 54. An annular seal 7 is disposed on the mating surface between the casing block 51 and the cover housing 52. A bearing housing 53 is fastened to the cover housing 52 in the axial direction via bolts 55.

[0040] A through hole 52a through which the shaft body 3 passes is formed at the radial center of the cover housing 52. A plurality of recesses are formed on the inner wall surface of the through hole 52a, and a plurality of annular seals 7 that seal the shaft body 3 are arranged at intervals in the axial direction. A communication hole 52b that communicates with the through hole 52a is formed in the cover housing 52 between the upper and lower seals 7.

[0041] The communication hole 52b extends linearly from the outer circumferential surface of the cover housing 52 to the through hole 52a. By checking for fluid leakage through this communication hole 52b, it is possible to check whether the shaft body 3 is properly sealed by the seal 7. The communication hole 52b can also be used as a drain hole for the fluid.

[0042] The number of communication holes 52b is not limited to one, and multiple communication holes 52b may be formed. The cross-sectional shape of the sliding surface (lip surface) of the seal 7 that slides against the shaft body 3 may be appropriately selected from various shapes such as rectangular concave-convex, trapezoidal concave-convex, and circular.

[0043] A countersunk hole 53a for accommodating the bearing 6 is formed in the radial center of the bearing housing 53. The bearing 6 allows the shaft body 3 to oscillate or rotate smoothly about the central axis O. The inner ring of the bearing 6 is fixed to the shaft body 3, and is supported by the outer ring of the bearing 6 via ball rollers. The outer ring of the bearing 6 is supported by the bearing housing 53.

[0044] The number of bearings 6 is not limited to one, and multiple bearings may be installed in series. The bearing 6 may be a ball bearing, a radial bearing such as a tapered roller bearing, a radial thrust bearing, or the like, and may be appropriately selected depending on the radial load and axial load acting on the shaft body 3.

[0045] A driving source 2 is supported on the bearing housing 53 via a stand 23. A rotary actuator such as an electric motor or a servo motor can be used as the driving source 2. The driving source 2 includes a rotating shaft 21 and a shaft coupling 22 that connects the rotating shaft 21 and the shaft body 3.

[0046] The driving source 2 may be a combination of the above-mentioned rotary actuator and a transmission (gear box). As the driving source 2, a servo actuator such as a servo motor, which has no hysteresis in the displacement of the movable part relative to the input signal, has a high driving speed, and is suitable for valve operation at high frequencies, is preferable.

[0047] A variable control device such as an inverter or a servo driver may be used to control the operation of the driving source 2. The driving source 2 is preferably configured to perform both the oscillating operation and the rotating operation of the rotating shaft 21. The driving source 2 and the variable control device may be configured so that in the case of the oscillating operation, the oscillating range, the oscillating speed, and the oscillating waveform, and in the case of the rotating operation, the number of rotations, may be arbitrarily set.

[0048] An inlet port 61 and an outlet port 62 for a fluid are formed in the valve body 5 in the valve body accommodating chamber 60. The inlet port 61 is a curved flow path (elbow flow path), and includes a first flow path 61a formed in an axially opposing surface 60A of the valve body accommodating chamber 60 facing the valve body 4, and a second flow path 61b extending radially from the outer circumferential surface of the casing block 51 to the first flow path 61a.

[0049] The outlet port 62 is formed in a radially opposed surface 60B of the valve element accommodating chamber 60 that faces the valve element 4. The outlet port 62 is located downstream of the valve element 4 in the flow of fluid.

[0050] The valve element 4 is accommodated in a non-contact state in the valve element accommodating chamber 60. Specifically, the valve element 4 faces an axially opposed surface 60A of the valve element accommodating chamber 60 with an axial clearance D1 therebetween. The valve element 4 also faces a radially opposed surface 60B of the valve element accommodating chamber 60 with a radial clearance D2 therebetween.

[0051] The axial clearance D1 and the radial clearance D2 are set according to the requirements of the pressure pulsation load target. It is well known that the flow rate through the clearance increases with an increase in the clearance in both the axial clearance D1 and the radial clearance D2. On the other hand, ensuring the axial clearance D1 and the radial clearance D2 is essential to suppress contamination of the fluid.

[0052] For this reason, it is preferable that at least one of the axial clearance D1 and the radial clearance D2 is 0.2 mm or less in the pulsation generator 1. Furthermore, it is more preferable that at least one of the axial clearance D1 and the radial clearance D2 is 0.1 mm or less.

[0053] However, if the axial clearance D1 and the radial clearance D2 are too small, the valve disc 4 and the valve box 5 may slide against each other during operation of the pulsation generator 1. For this reason, the axial clearance D1 and the radial clearance D2 should be set appropriately depending on the properties of the fluid to which the pulsation is applied and the requirements of the object to which the pressure pulsation is applied by the pulsation generator 1.

[0054] The following methods can be used to set appropriate clearances for the axial clearance D1 and the radial clearance D2. For example, the clearances may be set so that the flow rate at the outlet port 62 is less than 10%, preferably less than 5%, and more preferably less than 3% of the flow rate at the inlet port 61 when the port opening hole 42 is not overlapped with the valve body 41 (closed state).

[0055] Furthermore, for example, when a predetermined flow rate and pressure are supplied to the pulsation generating device 1, the clearance may be set so that the pressure difference between the state in which the port open hole 42 overlaps with the inlet port 61 (open state) and the state in which the valve body 41 overlaps with the inlet port 61 (closed state) is within the desired pressure range (the range of pressure pulsation applied to the pressure pulsation load target by the pulsation generating device 1).

[0056] Next, the operation of the pulsation generating device 1 having the above configuration will be described.

[0057] Fig. 6 is a perspective view for explaining the operation of the pulsation generating device 1 according to one embodiment. In Fig. 6, the valve body 4 is subjected to a pulsating operation. The pulsation generating device 1 changes the pressure and flow rate of the fluid flowing out of the outlet port 62 by switching between a state in which the port opening hole 42 overlaps with the inlet port 61 (open state) shown in Figure 6(a) and a state in which the port opening hole 42 does not overlap with the inlet port 61 but the valve body 41 overlaps with the inlet port 61 (closed state) as shown in Figure 6(b) through the swinging motion of the valve body 4.

[0058] Fig. 7 is a plan view for explaining a specific operation of the pulsation generator 1 according to one embodiment. Fig. 8 is a graph showing a change in pressure of the fluid at the outlet port 62 when the pulsation generator 1 operates as shown in Fig. 7. The operating states (1) to (4) shown in Fig. 7 correspond to the pressures (1) to (4) shown in Fig. 8.

[0059] 7 (1), the overlapping amount (flow path opening area) between the inlet port 61 and the port open hole 42 is maximum. In this state, almost the total amount of the flow rate of the fluid supplied from the inlet port 61 flows out from the outlet port 62. The fluid pressure at the outlet port 62 at this time is the fluid pressure at the inlet port 61 minus the inherent pressure loss (internal pressure loss due to the flow path shape, etc.) in the pulsation generator 1. In addition, the flow rate excluding the leakage flow rate (flow rate loss due to the axial clearance D1 and the radial clearance D2) in the valve body accommodating chamber 60 out of the flow rate passing through the port open hole 42 of the valve body 4 is the flow rate passing through the port open hole 42 of the valve body 4.

[0060] 7, the valve element 4 is in a state in which it starts to swing. The valve element 4 starts to swing counterclockwise from the operating state of (2). 7, the overlap amount (flow path opening area) between the inlet port 61 and the port open hole 42 decreases in response to the swinging motion of the valve body 4. In the process of decreasing the overlap amount, the flow rate of the fluid passing through the pulsation generator 1 decreases. At the same time, the fluid pressure at the outlet port 62 also decreases (see FIG. 8).

[0061] In the operating state (3) shown in Fig. 7, the overlap amount (flow path opening area) between the inlet port 61 and the port open hole 42 becomes zero. Therefore, the flow rate of the fluid passing through the pulsation generator 1 is only the flow rate (leakage flow rate) passing through the axial clearance D1 and the radial clearance D2. At the same time, the flow rate passing through the port open hole 42 becomes almost zero except for that due to the leakage fluid flow, so the fluid pressure at the outlet port 62 becomes the minimum positive pressure in the pressure pulsation cycle (see Fig. 8).

[0062] 7, the valve element 4 is in a state in which it starts to swing. The valve element 4 starts to swing clockwise from the operating state (4). In the operating states (4) to (1) shown in Fig. 7, the overlap amount (flow path opening area) between the inlet port 61 and the port open hole 42 increases in response to the swinging motion of the valve body 4. As this overlap amount increases, the flow rate of the fluid passing through the pulsation generator 1 increases. At the same time, the fluid pressure at the outlet port 62 also increases (see Fig. 8).

[0063] By continuously performing the swinging actions (1) to (4) of the valve body 4 in this way, the overlap amount (flow path opening area) between the inlet port 61 and the port open hole 42 is changed, thereby changing the flow rate and pressure of the fluid passing through the pulsation generator 1, and as a result, pulsation can be generated in the flow of the fluid. Note that by controlling the swing range and swing speed of the valve body 4, the overlap amount (flow path opening area) between the inlet port 61 and the port open hole 42 and the amount of change in the overlap per unit time can be adjusted, and the pressure waveform with respect to time (axis) of the fluid passing through the pulsation generator 1 can be changed.

[0064] Even when the overlap amount between the inlet port 61 and the port open hole 42 is zero, the flow rate and pressure of the fluid passing through change depending on the distance between the inlet port 61 and the port open hole 42. That is, by controlling the oscillation range and oscillation speed of the valve body 4 in accordance with the requirements of the pressure pulsation load target, it is possible to adjust the overlap amount (flow path opening area) between the inlet port 61 and the port open hole 42 and the change in the overlap amount per unit time, and form a pressure waveform with respect to time (axis) of the fluid passing through the pulsation generating device 1.

[0065] Figure 9 is a graph showing the pressure change of the fluid at the outlet port 62 when the pressure waveform is formed arbitrarily and freely by arbitrarily setting the oscillation angle and oscillation speed within the oscillation range of the valve body 4 in a pulsation generating device 1 according to one embodiment. In the example shown in FIG. 9, the swing range of the valve body 4 is from A (degrees) to F (degrees), 1. The valve element 4 is operated from A (degrees) to B (degrees) at a peripheral speed of R (degrees / second), 2. The valve element 4 is operated from B (degrees) to C (degrees) at a peripheral speed of S (degrees / second), 3. The valve element 4 is operated from C (degrees) to D (degrees) at a peripheral speed of T (degrees / second), 4. The valve element 4 is operated from D (degrees) to F (degrees) at a peripheral speed of U (degrees / second), 5. The valve element 4 is operated from F (degrees) to E (degrees) at a peripheral speed of V (degrees / second), 6. The valve element 4 is operated from E (degrees) to D (degrees) at a peripheral speed of W (degrees / sec). 7. The valve element 4 is operated from D (degrees) to C (degrees) at a peripheral speed of X (degrees / sec). 8. Set the valve body 4 to operate at a peripheral speed of Y (degrees / second) from C (degrees) to A (degrees), By periodically operating (oscillating) the valve element 4 according to the above settings 1 to 8, the pressure waveform shown in FIG. 9 can be formed.

[0066] As shown in FIG. 5, the pulsation generator 1 according to the present embodiment includes a drive source 2, a shaft body 3 connected to the drive source 2, a valve element 4 provided on the shaft body 3, and a valve box 5 having a valve element housing chamber 60 in which an inlet port 61 and an outlet port 62 for a fluid are formed and housing the valve element 4 in the valve element housing chamber 60 in a non-contact state, and the valve element 4 is arranged with a predetermined clearance from the valve element housing chamber 60. According to this configuration, since the valve element 4 is housed in the valve element housing chamber 60 in a non-contact state, there is zero or almost no sliding portion between the valve element 4 and the valve box 5, so that the generation of wear powder can be suppressed and contamination of the fluid can be suppressed. In addition, since there is no wear of the valve element 4 and the shape of the flow path in the valve element 4 does not change over time, the waveform of one cycle of the pulsation pressure does not change over time, and the generation of a fixed waveform can be repeated at all times.

[0067] The pulsation generating device 1 may also adopt the following configuration.

[0068] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a specific configuration example of a pulsation generating device 1 according to a modified example of an embodiment. 10 includes a spacer 56 for adjusting the size of the axial clearance D1. The spacer 56 is formed in an annular shape, is housed in a countersunk hole 53a of the bearing housing 53, and supports the bearing 6.

[0069] According to the above configuration, the height of the shaft 3 supported by the bearing 6, i.e., the height of the valve element 4, can be changed by changing the height of the spacer 56. This allows the axial clearance D1 between the valve element 4 and the axially opposing surface 60A of the valve element accommodating chamber 60 to be adjusted to a desired dimension. Once the axial clearance D1 is adjusted in this manner and assembled into the pulsation generator 1, the dimension of the axial clearance D1 can no longer be changed, and the axial clearance D1 is fixed to the desired dimension when used as the pulsation generator 1. The above-mentioned axial clearance D1 may be set by any of the following four other methods.

[0070] The axial depth of the casing block 51 is measured in advance, and the height of the valve body 4 is determined before design and manufacturing. The height dimension of the valve body 4 is measured in advance, and the axial depth of the casing block 51 is determined before designing and manufacturing. · Additional processing and adjustments are performed by matching the actual parts after production. The axial depth dimension of the casing block 51 and the height dimension of the valve body 4 are measured in advance, and an axial clearance adjustment plate with a thickness adjusted to achieve the desired axial clearance D1 is installed on the surface (bottom surface) of the valve body 4 facing the casing block 51.

[0071] FIG. 11 is (a) a perspective view, (b) a plan view, and (c) a partial cross-sectional view of a valve body 4 according to one embodiment in which an axial clearance adjusting plate 56A is provided. In this case, an opening is provided in the axial clearance adjusting plate 56A at the same location and with the same diameter as the port opening hole 42 formed in the valve body 4. The installation method of the axial clearance adjusting plate 56A may be selected from adhesive, screw fastening, fitting, etc., depending on the properties and pressure of the fluid. The material of the axial clearance adjusting plate 56A may also be selected from metal, resin, etc., depending on the properties and pressure of the fluid.

[0072] Moreover, the following four types of methods may be adopted for adjusting the above-mentioned radial clearance D2.

[0073] The inner diameter of the casing block 51 is measured in advance, and the outer diameter of the valve body 4 is determined before design and production. The inner diameter of the casing block 51 and the outer diameter of the valve disc 4 are measured in advance, and an annular ring (radial clearance adjustment ring) with a thickness that sets the adjustment value (target dimension) of the radial clearance D2 for the outer ring (outer periphery) of the large diameter part of the valve disc 4 is set. The material (metal, resin, etc.) of the annular ring and the installation method (gluing, screwing, press fitting, fitting, etc.) are selected each time depending on the properties and pressure of the fluid used. The outer diameter of the valve body 4 is measured in advance, and the inner diameter of the casing block 51 is determined before designing and manufacturing. · Additional processing and adjustments are performed by matching the actual parts after production.

[0074] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a port block 5a of a valve box 5 according to a modified example of the embodiment. The port block 5a shown in Fig. 12 has an inlet port 61 that penetrates in the axial direction. That is, this inlet port 61 is formed only by a first flow passage 61a that is a straight flow passage. With this configuration, there are no bends in the flow passage of the inlet port 61, so that pressure loss during fluid passage can be suppressed.

[0075] In the port block 5a shown in Figure 3 described above, the inlet port 61 forms a curved flow path, the opening of the inlet port 61 is installed on the side of the port block 5a, and the fluid piping is connected to the side, making it easy to install (place) the port block 5a on a floor surface, etc. In the case of the port block 5a shown in FIG. 12, since the fluid piping is connected to the bottom surface, it is advisable to install a stand or the like for supporting the port block 5a at a predetermined height.

[0076] FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view of a port block 5a of a valve box 5 according to another modified example of the embodiment. The port block 5a shown in Fig. 13 includes a flow path shape changing member 70 attached to the inlet port 61. In the port block 5a shown in Fig. 13, the inlet port 61 forms a curved flow path.

[0077] 13, a groove 61c is formed on the periphery of the opening of the first flow path 61a, and a flow path shape changing member 70 is attached to the groove 61c. The flow path shape changing member 70 is detachably attached to the groove 61c by fitting, screwing, or the like.

[0078] In addition, when it is not necessary to attach and detach flow path shape changing member 70, it may be attached to groove portion 61c by adhesion, welding, etc. Furthermore, the attachment of flow path shape changing member 70 to groove portion 61c is not limited to the above-mentioned method, and any method may be used as long as flow path shape changing member 70 can be attached to port block 5a without any wobbling or gaps.

[0079] The flow path shape changing member 70 has an opening 71 that has a different opening shape from the inlet port 61. By arbitrarily setting (forming) the shape of this opening 71, it is possible to vary the amount of change in the fluid passing area (opening area) caused by the operation of the valve body 4, and to impart to the test specimen pressure and flow rate fluctuations (load pressure width, load pressure fluctuation waveform) according to the required test specifications and test conditions for the pulsation generator 1.

[0080] FIG. 14 is an exploded perspective view of a port block 5a of a valve box 5 according to another modified example of the embodiment. In the port block 5a shown in FIG. 14, the inlet port 61 forms a straight flow path, but by providing a groove portion 61c on the opening periphery of the inlet port 61, it becomes possible to attach a flow path shape changing member 70 in the same manner as in FIG. 13.

[0081] FIG. 15 is a plan view showing some variations of the flow path shape changing member 70 according to a modified example of the embodiment. The flow path shape changing member 70 shown in FIG. 15(a) has an opening 71a that is circular in plan view. The flow path shape changing member 70 shown in FIG. 15(b) has an opening 71b that is elliptical in plan view.

[0082] The flow path shape changing member 70 shown in FIG. 15(c) has an opening 71c that is rectangular in plan view. The flow path shape changing member 70 shown in FIG. 15(d) has an opening 71d that is an isosceles triangle in plan view.

[0083] The flow path shape changing member 70 shown in FIG. 15(e) has an opening 71e that is a parallelogram in plan view. The flow path shape changing member 70 shown in FIG. 15(f) has an opening 71f that is rhombic in plan view.

[0084] The flow path shape changing member 70 shown in FIG. 15(g) has an opening 71g that is pentagonal in plan view. The flow path shape changing member 70 shown in FIG. 15(h) has an opening 71h that is pentagonal in plan view and larger than that in FIG. 15(g).

[0085] The flow path shape changing member 70 shown in FIG. 15(i) has an opening 71i that is an isosceles trapezoid when viewed from above. The flow path shape changing member 70 shown in FIG. 15(j) has an opening 71j that has a shape different from the shape shown in FIG.

[0086] 15 is merely an example and is not intended to be limiting, and may be planned, designed, manufactured, and attached to the port block 5a each time according to the required specifications and operating conditions for the pulsation generator 1. When attaching, it is preferable to install the flow path shape changing member 70 so that the upper surface of the flow path shape changing member 70 is horizontal with the upper surface of the port block 5a without any irregularities.

[0087] FIG. 16 is an exploded perspective view of a port block 5a of a valve box 5 according to another modified example of the embodiment. The port block 5a shown in FIG. 16 includes an elastic member 80 that supports the flow path shape changing member 70 so that the flow path shape changing member 70 is displaceable in the axial direction of the shaft body 3.

[0088] The elastic member 80 is, for example, rubber, elastic resin, or a leaf spring, and is housed in the groove 61c to support the flow path shape changing member 70. According to the above configuration, in cases where it is difficult to install the flow path shape changing member 70 so that its upper surface is horizontal with the upper surface of the port block 5a and there is a possibility that the valve body 4 may come into sliding contact with the flow path shape changing member 70, the flow path shape changing member 70 can be displaced in a direction away from the valve body 4 by the sliding contact with the valve body 4 or by an increase in the pressure of the fluid immediately before that.

[0089] It is advisable to select the elastic member 80 so that it has a minimum contact force even when the flow path shape changing member 70 comes into sliding contact with the valve body 4. This makes it possible to suppress the generation of wear powder from this portion even when the flow path shape changing member 70 comes into sliding contact with the valve body 4. Note that the elastic member 80 is, for example, rubber, elastic resin, or a leaf spring, but is not limited to the above-mentioned materials and shapes as long as it has a cushioning function when the flow path shape changing member 70 comes into sliding contact with the valve body 4.

[0090] The flow path shape changing member 70 may be formed by directly processing the shape of the opening of the inlet port 61 of the port block 5a using a processing machine such as a 3D printer.

[0091] Furthermore, the flow path shape changing member 70 may be configured to be attached to the port opening hole 42 of the valve body 4. FIG. 17 is (a) an exploded perspective view, (b) a plan view, and (c) a partial cross-sectional view of a flow path shape changing member 70 attached to a valve body 4 according to one embodiment. As shown in FIG. 17, a flow path shape changing member 70 may be attached to the surface of the valve body 4 that faces the port block and the port opening hole 42.

[0092] A coating layer 43 is formed on the bottom surface (the surface facing the port block 5a) of the valve body 4 shown in Fig. 17 as shown in Fig. 17(c). The coating layer 43 is formed in advance from a material that has low friction and wear characteristics under water lubrication, such as resin, ceramic, or diamond, in preparation for contact and sliding with the port block 5a. The low friction and wear material does not have to be formed on the valve body 4, and the necessity for its formation can be determined depending on the fluid used and the usage environment.

[0093] FIG. 18 is a plan view (a) and a partial cross-sectional view (b) of a valve body 4 according to a modified example of the embodiment. As shown in Figure 18(a), the valve element 4 shown in Figure 18 has a valve body 41 whose outline is formed by a pair of circular arcs 41a centered on the central axis O and a pair of straight lines 41b connecting both ends of the pair of circular arcs 41a.

[0094] 18(b), a coating layer 43 is formed on the bottom surface (the surface facing the port block 5a) of the valve body 41. The coating layer 43 is formed in advance from a material that has low friction and wear characteristics under water lubrication, such as resin, ceramic, or diamond, in preparation for contact and sliding with the port block 5a. The low friction and wear material does not have to be formed on the valve body 4, and the necessity for its formation can be determined depending on the fluid used and the usage environment.

[0095] The valve body 41 itself may be made of a material having the above-mentioned low friction and wear characteristics. The upper surface of the port block 5a facing the valve body 41 may be made of a material having the above-mentioned low friction and wear characteristics. When the flow path shape changing member 70 is attached, the surface or material of the flow path shape changing member 70 may be made of a material having the above-mentioned low friction and wear characteristics. The low friction and wear material does not have to be formed on the valve element 4, and the necessity of forming the material may be determined depending on the fluid used and the usage environment.

[0096] Fig. 19 is a plan view for explaining the specific operation of the pulsation generator 1 when the valve element 4 shown in Fig. 18 is used. Fig. 20 is a graph showing the change in pressure of the fluid at the outlet port 62 when the pulsation generator 1 operates as shown in Fig. 19. The operating states (1) to (4) shown in Fig. 19 correspond to the pressures (1) to (4) shown in Fig. 20.

[0097] 19 (1), the overlap amount (flow path opening area) between the inlet port 61 and the port open hole 42 is maximum. In this state, almost the total amount of the flow rate of the fluid supplied from the inlet port 61 flows out from the outlet port 62. The fluid pressure at the outlet port 62 at this time is the fluid pressure at the inlet port 61 minus the inherent pressure loss (internal pressure loss due to the flow path shape, etc.) in the pulsation generator 1. In addition, the flow rate excluding the leakage flow rate (flow rate loss due to the axial clearance D1 and radial clearance D2) in the valve body accommodating chamber 60 out of the flow rate passing through the port open hole 42 of the valve body 4 is the flow rate passing through the port open hole 42 of the valve body 4.

[0098] 19, the valve 4 is in a state in which it starts to swing. The valve 4 starts to swing counterclockwise from the operating state of (2). In the operating states (2) to (3) shown in Fig. 19, the overlap amount (flow path opening area) between the inlet port 61 and the port open hole 42 decreases in response to the swinging motion of the valve body 4. In the process of decreasing the overlap amount, the flow rate of the fluid passing through the pulsation generating device 1 decreases. At the same time, the fluid pressure at the outlet port 62 also decreases (see Fig. 20).

[0099] In the operating state (3) shown in Fig. 19, the overlap amount (flow path opening area) between the inlet port 61 and the port open hole 42 becomes zero. Therefore, the flow rate of the fluid passing through the pulsation generator 1 becomes only the flow rate (leakage flow rate) passing through the axial clearance D1 and the radial clearance D2. At the same time, the fluid pressure at the outlet port 62 also becomes the minimum positive pressure in the pressure pulsation cycle, since the flow rate passing through the port open hole 42 becomes almost zero, except for that due to the leakage fluid flow (see Fig. 20).

[0100] 19, the valve element 4 is in a state in which it starts to swing. The valve element 4 starts to swing clockwise from the operating state (4). In the operating states (4) to (1) shown in Fig. 19, the overlap amount (flow path opening area) between the inlet port 61 and the port open hole 42 increases in response to the swinging motion of the valve body 4. As this overlap amount increases, the flow rate of the fluid passing through the pulsation generator 1 increases. At the same time, the fluid pressure at the outlet port 62 also increases (see Fig. 20).

[0101] By continuously performing the swinging actions (1) to (4) of the valve body 4 in this way, the overlap amount (flow path opening area) between the inlet port 61 and the port open hole 42 is changed, thereby changing the flow rate and pressure of the fluid passing through the pulsation generator 1, and as a result, pulsation can be generated in the flow of the fluid. Note that by controlling the swing range and swing speed of the valve body 4, the overlap amount (flow path opening area) between the inlet port 61 and the port open hole 42 and the amount of change in the overlap per unit time can be adjusted, and the pressure waveform with respect to time (axis) of the fluid passing through the pulsation generator 1 can be changed. Furthermore, in this structure of the valve element 4, as in the above-described embodiment, by determining the total oscillation range of the valve element 4 and arbitrarily setting the oscillation angle and oscillation speed within the total oscillation range, any pressure waveform can be formed.

[0102] FIG. 21 is (a) a plan view and (b) a partial cross-sectional view of a valve body 4 according to another modified example of the embodiment. The valve body 4 shown in Fig. 21, as shown in Fig. 21(a), has a valve body 41 that is narrower than the valve body 41 shown in Fig. 18 described above, and no port opening hole 42 is formed in this valve body 41. A coating layer 43 is formed on the bottom surface (the surface facing the port block 5a) of the valve body 41, as shown in Fig. 21(b). Note that the coating layer 43 does not have to be formed on the valve body 4, and the necessity for its formation may be determined depending on the fluid used and the usage environment.

[0103] Fig. 22 is a plan view for explaining the specific operation of the pulsation generator 1 when the valve element 4 shown in Fig. 21 is used. Fig. 23 is a graph showing the change in pressure of the fluid at the outlet port 62 when the pulsation generator 1 operates as shown in Fig. 22. The operating states (1) to (4) shown in Fig. 22 correspond to the pressures (1) to (4) shown in Fig. 23.

[0104] In the operating state (1) shown in Fig. 22, the inlet port 61 is closed, and only the flow rate (leakage flow rate) passes through the axial clearance D1 and the radial clearance D2. At the same time, the fluid pressure at the outlet port 62 also becomes almost zero, except for that caused by the leakage fluid flow (see Fig. 23).

[0105] 22, the valve element 4 is in a state in which it starts to swing. The valve element 4 starts to swing counterclockwise from the operating state of (2). In the operating states (2) to (3) shown in Fig. 22, the opening area between the inlet port 61 and the valve box 5 increases in response to the swinging motion of the valve disc 4. In the process of increasing the overlap amount, the flow rate of the fluid passing through the pulsation generator 1 increases. At the same time, the fluid pressure at the outlet port 62 also increases (see Fig. 23).

[0106] 22 (3), the opening area between the inlet port 61 and the valve box 5 is maximized. In this state, almost the entire flow rate of the fluid supplied from the inlet port 61 flows out from the outlet port 62. The fluid pressure at the outlet port 62 at this time is the fluid pressure at the inlet port 61 minus the inherent pressure loss within the pulsation generating device 1 (internal pressure loss due to the flow path shape, etc.).

[0107] 22, the valve 4 is in a state in which it starts to swing. The valve 4 starts to swing clockwise from the operating state (3). In the operating states (4) to (1) shown in Fig. 22, the opening area between the inlet port 61 and the valve box 5 decreases in response to the swinging motion of the valve disc 4. In the process of decreasing the overlap amount, the flow rate of the fluid passing through the pulsation generator 1 decreases. At the same time, the fluid pressure at the outlet port 62 also decreases (see Fig. 23).

[0108] By continuously performing the swinging actions (1) to (4) of the valve body 4 in this way, the overlap amount (flow path opening area) between the inlet port 61 and the port open hole 42 is changed, thereby changing the flow rate and pressure of the fluid passing through the pulsation generator 1, and as a result, pulsation can be generated in the flow of the fluid. Note that by controlling the swing range and swing speed of the valve body 4, the overlap amount (flow path opening area) between the inlet port 61 and the port open hole 42 and the amount of change in the overlap per unit time can be adjusted, and the pressure waveform with respect to time (axis) of the fluid passing through the pulsation generator 1 can be changed. Furthermore, in this structure of the valve element 4, as in the above-described embodiment, by determining the total oscillation range of the valve element 4 and arbitrarily setting the oscillation angle and oscillation speed within the total oscillation range, any pressure waveform can be formed.

[0109] FIG. 24A is a plan view of a port block 5a of a valve box 5 according to another modified example of the embodiment, and FIG. 24B is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA. 24 includes an inlet port 61 having two branched first flow paths 61a. The two first flow paths 61a are positioned symmetrically with respect to a central axis O.

[0110] As shown in Fig. 24(a), the inlet port 61 has branch flow paths 61d extending perpendicularly from the second flow path 61b on both sides. The first flow paths 61a are connected to both ends of the branch flow path 61d. As shown in Fig. 24(b), the first flow paths 61a each extend to the upper surface of the port block 5a.

[0111] The flow paths of the inlet port 61 may be formed so that the fluid supplied via the second flow path 61b and the branch flow path 61d is introduced into each of the first flow paths 61a of the inlet port 61 with uniform pressure and flow rate.

[0112] FIG. 25 shows a modification of the port block 5a of FIG. 24, in which (a) is a plan view and (b) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB. In the port block 5a shown in FIG. 25, a groove 61c into which the above-mentioned flow path shape changing member 70 can be attached is formed on the periphery of the opening of the two branched first flow paths 61a.

[0113] 24 or 25 shows two first flow paths 61a of the inlet port 61, but the number of first flow paths 61a is not limited to two and may be three or more. Also, the second flow path 61b of the inlet port 61 may be formed in the bottom surface of the port block 5a, other than the side surface of the port block 5a.

[0114] FIG. 26 shows a valve body 4 corresponding to the port block 5a of FIG. 24 or 25, in which (a) is a plan view and (b) is a partial cross-sectional view. The valve element 4 shown in Fig. 26, as shown in Fig. 26(a), has a port opening hole 42 formed in an arc shape along the circumferential direction centered on the shaft body 3. A coating layer 43 is formed on the bottom surface (the surface facing the port block 5a) of the valve body 41, as shown in Fig. 26(b). Note that the coating layer 43 does not have to be formed on the valve element 4, and it is advisable to determine whether or not the coating layer is required depending on the fluid used and the usage environment.

[0115] 26(a), the port opening hole 42 is an eyebrow-shaped opening, and is formed over a range of 180 degrees around the central axis O. The range where the port opening hole 42 is not formed serves as a blocking portion 45 that can block the inlet port 61.

[0116] FIG. 27 shows a modified example of the valve body 4 corresponding to the port block 5a of FIG. 24 or 25, in which (a) is a plan view and (b) is a partial cross-sectional view. 27(a), the valve body 4 shown in Fig. 27 is formed over a range of 270 degrees centered on the central axis O. The range in which the port opening hole 42 is not formed serves as a blocking portion 45 capable of blocking the inlet port 61.

[0117] 26 or 27, the port opening holes 42 of the valve body 4 are formed at radial positions corresponding to the two first flow paths 61a of the port block 5a. The blocking portion 45 adjusts the range (upper and lower limits) of the pressure and flow rate of the pulsation generated by the rotational movement of the valve body 4.

[0118] Fig. 28 is a plan view for explaining the specific operation of the pulsation generator 1 when the valve element 4 shown in Fig. 27 is used. Fig. 29 is a graph showing the change in pressure of the fluid at the outlet port 62 when the pulsation generator 1 operates as shown in Fig. 28. The operating states (1) to (11) shown in Fig. 28 correspond to the pressures (1) to (11) shown in Fig. 29.

[0119] In the operating state (1) shown in Fig. 28, the overlap amount (flow path opening area) between the two inlet ports 61 and the port open hole 42 is maximum. In this state, the total flow rate of the fluid supplied from the two inlet ports 61 flows out from the outlet port 62. The fluid pressure at the outlet port 62 at this time is the fluid pressure at the two inlet ports 61 minus the inherent pressure loss (internal pressure loss due to the flow path shape, etc.) in the pulsation generator 1. In addition, the flow rate excluding the leakage flow rate (flow rate loss due to the axial clearance D1 and radial clearance D2) in the valve body accommodating chamber 60 out of the flow rate passing through the port open hole 42 of the valve body 4 is the flow rate passing through the port open hole 42 of the valve body 4.

[0120] The valve body 4 starts rotating counterclockwise from the operating state (1). In the operating state (2) shown in Fig. 28, the overlap (flow path opening area) between one of the two inlet ports 61 (left side of the drawing) and the port open hole 42 decreases in response to the rotation of the valve body 4. In the process of decreasing the overlap, the flow rate of the fluid passing through the pulsation generator 1 decreases. At the same time, the fluid pressure at the outlet port 62 also decreases (see Fig. 29).

[0121] 28, in the operating state (3), the overlap amount (flow path opening area) between one of the two inlet ports 61 (left side of the drawing) and the port open hole 42 becomes zero. Therefore, the fluid passing through the pulsation generator 1 becomes the fluid passing through the other of the two inlet ports 61 (right side of the drawing) and the leakage flow rate in the valve body accommodating chamber 60 (flow rate loss due to axial clearance D1 and radial clearance D2), so the total overlap amount (flow path opening area) between the two inlet ports 61 and the port open hole 42 decreases, and the pressure and flow rate of the outlet port 62 become minimum (see FIG. 29).

[0122] In the operating state (4) shown in Fig. 28, the overlap (flow path opening area) between one of the two inlet ports 61 (left side of the drawing) and the port open hole 42 increases in response to the rotation of the valve body 4. As this overlap increases, the flow rate of the fluid passing through the pulsation generator 1 increases. At the same time, the fluid pressure at the outlet port 62 also increases (see Fig. 29).

[0123] In the operating state (5) shown in Fig. 28, the overlapping amount (flow path opening area) between the two inlet ports 61 and the port open hole 42 is maximized. In this state, the flow rate of the fluid passing through the pulsation generator 1 is maximized. At the same time, the fluid pressure at the outlet port 62 is also maximized (see Fig. 29).

[0124] 28, the overlapping amount (flow path opening area) between the two inlet ports 61 and the port open hole 42 is maximized, so the flow rate of the fluid passing through the pulsation generator 1 is maximized. At the same time, the fluid pressure at the outlet port 62 is also maximized (see FIG. 29).

[0125] In the operating state (9) shown in Fig. 28, the overlap (flow path opening area) between the other of the two inlet ports 61 (on the right side of the drawing) and the port open hole 42 decreases in response to the rotation of the valve body 4. In the process of decreasing the overlap, the flow rate of the fluid passing through the pulsation generator 1 decreases. At the same time, the fluid pressure at the outlet port 62 also decreases (see Fig. 29).

[0126] 28, in the operating state (10), the overlap amount (flow path opening area) between the other of the two inlet ports 61 (on the right side of the drawing) and the port open hole 42 becomes zero. Therefore, the fluid passing through the pulsation generator 1 becomes the fluid passing through one of the two inlet ports 61 (on the left side of the drawing) and the leakage flow rate in the valve body accommodating chamber 60 (flow rate loss due to axial clearance D1 and radial clearance D2), so the total overlap amount (flow path opening area) between the two inlet ports 61 and the port open hole 42 decreases, and the pressure and flow rate of the outlet port 62 become minimum (see FIG. 29).

[0127] By repeating such rotational operations (1) to (11) of the valve disc 4, the overlap amount (flow path opening area) between the inlet port 61 and the port open hole 42 is changed, thereby changing the flow rate and pressure of the fluid passing through the pulsation generating device 1, and as a result, pulsation can be generated in the fluid flow. Note that by controlling the rotational speed of the valve disc 4 and the (circumferential) speed for each rotation angle, the pressure waveform of the fluid passing through the pulsation generating device 1 per rotation of the valve disc 4 with respect to time (axis) can be freely changed and set.

[0128] FIG. 30 is a plan view showing another modified example of the valve body 4 corresponding to the port block 5a of FIG. 24 or FIG. 27(a), the valve body 4 shown in Fig. 30 has a plurality of port opening holes 42 formed at intervals in the circumferential direction around the central axis O. According to the above configuration, the number of pulsations (pulsation frequency) per rotation during the rotational operation of the valve body 4 can be increased.

[0129] That is, by increasing the number of port opening holes 42, it is possible to reduce the rotation speed of the valve body 4 to achieve a desired pulsation frequency. By reducing the rotation speed of the valve body 4, the life of the seal 7 that seals the shaft body 3 is extended, and the energy required to drive the pulsation generator 1 can be reduced.

[0130] 31 is a partial cross-sectional view showing the opposing relationship between the two port opening holes 42 of the valve body 4 in FIG. 30 and the two inlet ports 61 of the port block 5a in FIG. As shown in Figure 31, the two port opening holes 42 of the valve body 4 face two inlet ports 61 of the port block 5a independently of each other. The coating layer 43 shown in Figure 31 does not have to be formed on the valve body 4, and the necessity of forming the coating layer can be determined depending on the fluid used and the usage environment.

[0131] Fig. 32 is a plan view for explaining the specific operation of the pulsation generator 1 when the valve element 4 shown in Fig. 30 is used. Fig. 33 is a graph showing the change in pressure of the fluid at the outlet port 62 when the pulsation generator 1 operates as shown in Fig. 32. The operating states (1) to (6) shown in Fig. 32 correspond to the pressures (1) to (6) shown in Fig. 33.

[0132] In the operating state (1) shown in Fig. 32, the overlapping amount (flow path opening area) between the two inlet ports 61 and the port open hole 42 is maximum. In this state, almost the total amount of fluid supplied from the two inlet ports 61 flows out from the outlet port 62. The fluid pressure at the outlet port 62 at this time is the fluid pressure at the two inlet ports 61 minus the inherent pressure loss (internal pressure loss due to the flow path shape, etc.) in the pulsation generator 1. In addition, the flow rate excluding the leakage flow rate (flow rate loss due to the axial clearance D1 and radial clearance D2) in the valve body accommodating chamber 60 out of the passing flow rate in the valve body accommodating chamber 60 is the flow rate passing through the port open hole 42 of the valve body 4.

[0133] The valve body 4 starts rotating counterclockwise from the operating state (1). In the operating state (2) shown in Fig. 32, the overlapping amount (flow path opening area) between the two inlet ports 61 and the two port open holes 42 is still maximum. In this state, the flow rate of the fluid passing through the pulsation generator 1 is maximum. At the same time, the fluid pressure at the outlet port 62 is also maximum (see Fig. 33).

[0134] In the operating state (3) shown in Fig. 32, the overlap amount (flow path opening area) between the two inlet ports 61 and the two port open holes 42 decreases in response to the rotational movement of the valve body 4. In the process of decreasing the overlap amount, the flow rate of the fluid passing through the pulsation generating device 1 decreases. At the same time, the fluid pressure at the outlet port 62 also decreases (see Fig. 33).

[0135] In the operating state (4) shown in Fig. 32, the overlapping amount (flow path opening area) between the two inlet ports 61 and the two port open holes 42 becomes zero. In this state, the flow rate of the fluid passing through the pulsation generator 1 becomes the minimum. At the same time, the fluid pressure at the outlet port 62 also becomes the minimum (see Fig. 33).

[0136] In the operating state (5) shown in Fig. 32, the overlap amount (flow path opening area) between the two inlet ports 61 and the two port open holes 42 increases in response to the rotation of the valve body 4. In the process of increasing the overlap amount, the flow rate of the fluid passing through the pulsation generator 1 increases. At the same time, the fluid pressure at the outlet port 62 also increases (see Fig. 33).

[0137] In the operating state (6) shown in Fig. 32, the overlapping amount (flow path opening area) between the two inlet ports 61 and the two port open holes 42 is maximized. In this state, the flow rate of the fluid passing through the pulsation generator 1 is maximized. At the same time, the fluid pressure at the outlet port 62 is also maximized (see Fig. 33).

[0138] By repeating such rotational operations (1) to (6) of the valve body 4, the overlap amount (flow path opening area) between the two inlet ports 61 and the two port open holes 42 is changed, thereby changing the flow rate and pressure of the fluid passing through the pulsation generating device 1, and as a result, pulsation can be generated in the fluid flow. Note that by controlling the rotational speed of the valve body 4 and the (circumferential) speed for each rotation angle, the pressure waveform of the fluid passing through the pulsation generating device 1 per one rotation of the valve body 4 with respect to time (axis) can be freely changed and set.

[0139] Needless to say, the same effect can be obtained by rotating the valve body 4 in the valve body 4 shown in Figures 4, 11, 17, 18, and 21 and the configurations shown in Figures 3, 12, 13, 14, and 16. In this case, the number of port opening holes 42 is not limited to one, and the number and rotation speed may be set according to the requirements of the pressure pulsation load target.

[0140] FIG. 34 is a perspective view of a casing 5b of a valve box 5 according to a modified example of the embodiment. Two outlet ports 62 are formed in the casing 5b shown in Fig. 34. Thus, the number of outlet ports 62 is not limited to one, and may be two, three or more as shown in Fig. 34. The diameter of the outlet port 62 should be set according to the pressure and flow rate of the fluid supplied to the pulsation generating device 1 and the clearance between the valve element 4 and the valve element accommodating chamber 60 (axial clearance D1 and radial clearance D2).

[0141] By adjusting and setting the diameter of the outlet port 62, the range (upper and lower limits) of the pressure and flow rate of the pulsation from the pulsation generator 1 can be adjusted. In other words, if the diameter of the outlet port 62 is reduced, the pressure-flow rate range (upper and lower limits) of the fluid generated by the pulsation generating device 1 becomes smaller, and if the diameter of the outlet port 62 is increased, the pressure-flow rate range (upper and lower limits) of the fluid generated by the pulsation generating device 1 becomes larger. By reducing the diameter of the outlet port 62, the flow path opening area of ​​the outlet port 62 is limited even when the overlap amount (flow path opening area) between the inlet port 61 and the port open hole 42 is at its maximum, so that the maximum value of the pressure pulsation (pressure and flow rate passing through the outlet port 62) generated by the pulsation generating device 1 is limited. Furthermore, if the diameter of the outlet port 62 is increased, the maximum value of the pressure pulsation (pressure and flow rate passing through the outlet port 62) generated by the pulsation generating device 1 will be approximately the same flow rate and pressure as the flow rate and pressure flowing in from the inlet port 61.

[0142] FIG. 35 is a conceptual diagram showing a hydraulic circuit 100 using a pulsation generating device 1 according to one embodiment. 35 includes a pulsation generator 1, a tank 101, a liquid delivery pump 102, and a pulsation container 103. The tank 101, the liquid delivery pump 102, the pulsation generator 1, and the pulsation container 103 are connected in this order via piping along the flow of the fluid.

[0143] The pulsation vessel 103 is a subject for evaluating its durability by adding pulsation to the flow of the fluid. In the hydraulic circuit 100 shown in Fig. 35, the fluid in the tank 101 is supplied to the pulsation generator 1 by the liquid feed pump 102, and the pulsation generator 1 operates to generate pulsation in the flow of the supplied fluid, which acts on the pulsation vessel 103.

[0144] 35 is configured to supply pulsating fluid to a plurality of pulsating vessels 103 using one pulsating generator 1, but in order to supply different pulsating fluids to the respective pulsating vessels 103, a pulsating generator 1 may be installed separately for each pulsating vessel 103. Also, the pulsating generator 1 is installed upstream of the pulsating vessel 103, but the same effect of generating a pulsating fluid in the pulsating vessel 103 can be obtained even if it is installed downstream.

[0145] FIG. 36 is a circuit diagram showing a hydraulic circuit 100 using a pulsation generating device 1 according to one embodiment. The hydraulic circuit 100 shown in FIG. 36 includes a tank 101, a liquid delivery pump 102, a pulsation generator 1, and a forward pipe 100A in which a pulsation vessel 103 is disposed, and a return pipe 100B that returns to the tank 101 from the pulsation vessel 103.

[0146] An opening / closing valve 104 is provided in the outward piping 100A between the pulsation generator 1 and the pulsation vessel 103. An opening / closing valve 105, a backflow prevention valve 106, and a filter 107 are provided in the return piping 100B. Therefore, the fluid supplied to and discharged from the pulsation vessel 103 through the pulsation generator 1 is introduced into the return piping 100B and returns to the tank 101 via the filter 107. In other words, the hydraulic circuit 100 shown in Fig. 36 forms a closed loop circuit for the fluid.

[0147] A pressure detector 108 is attached to the pulsation vessel 103. A detection signal from the pressure detector 108 is input to a dynamic strain gauge 109 and stored in a data recorder 110.

[0148] 37 to 40 are graphs showing measurement examples when pressure pulsation is generated in the pulsation container 103 using the hydraulic circuit 100 of FIG. The graph in FIG. 37 shows an example of the pulsation width of the fluid pressure inside the pulsation container 103 when the valve element 4 of the pulsation generator 1 is oscillated at a predetermined oscillating angle.

[0149] The graph in FIG. 38 shows an example in which the pulsation width of the fluid pressure inside the pulsation vessel 103 is reduced by changing the swing angle of the valve element 4 of the pulsation generator 1. The graph in FIG. 39 shows an example in which the oscillation frequency of the valve element 4 of the pulsation generator 1 is changed and the pulsation frequency of the fluid pressure inside the pulsation vessel 103 is increased. The graph in FIG. 40 shows an example in which the waveform of the fluid pressure in the pulsation vessel 103 is adjusted by lengthening the time during which the valve element 4 of the pulsation generator 1 closes the inlet port 61 .

[0150] As described above, according to the pulsation generating device 1, by appropriately controlling the operation of the valve body 4, the waveform of the fluid pressure inside the pulsation container 103 can be adjusted as desired.

[0151] Although preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described and illustrated above, it should be understood that these are illustrative of the present invention and should not be considered as limiting. Additions, omissions, substitutions, and other modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. Thus, the present invention should not be considered as limited by the foregoing description, but rather by the scope of the claims.

[0152] For example, in the above-mentioned pulsation generator 1, the required functions can be realized even if the inlet port 61 is replaced by the outlet port 62, and the outlet port 62 is replaced by the inlet port 61. Furthermore, the pulsation generator 1 can be installed not only with the casing block 51 on the bottom and the cover housing 52 on the top as shown in Figures 2 and 5, but also upside down with the casing block 51 on the top and the cover housing 52 on the bottom, or can be installed with the orientation changed by 90 degrees vertically. [Explanation of symbols]

[0153] 1 Pulse generator 2. Power Source 3-axis body 4 Valve body 5 Valve box 5a Port Block 5b Casing 5c Cover 5d Seal housing 6 Bearings 7 Seal 21 Rotation axis 22 Shaft Coupling 23 Mounting stand 41 Valve body 41a Arc 41b straight line 42 Port opening 43 Coating Layer 45 Occlusion 51 Casing block 52 Cover housing 52a through hole 52b Communication hole 53 Bearing housing 53a Counterbore 54 Volts 55 Volts 56 Spacer 56A Axial clearance adjustment plate 60 Valve body housing 60A Axial facing surface 60B Radial Opposite Surface 61 Inlet Port 61a First flow path 61b Second flow path 61c Groove 61d Branch channel 62 Exit Port 70 Flow path shape change member 71 Opening 71a opening 71b opening 71c opening 71d opening 71e opening 71f opening 71g opening 71h opening 71i opening 71j opening 80 Elastic member 100 Hydraulic circuit 100A outgoing piping 100B Return piping 101 Tank 102 Liquid delivery pump 103 Pulsating Vessel 104 Opening and closing valve 105 Opening and closing valve 106 Backflow prevention valve 107 Filters 108 Pressure detector 109 Dynamic strain gauge 110 Data Recorder D1 Axial clearance D2 Radial clearance O center axis

Claims

1. A driving source; A shaft body connected to the drive source; A valve body provided on the shaft body; a valve body having a valve body accommodating chamber in which an inlet port and an outlet port for a fluid are formed, and the valve body is accommodated in the valve body accommodating chamber in a non-contact state, The valve body is disposed with a predetermined clearance from the valve body accommodating chamber, The valve body accommodating chamber is an axially opposing surface in which one of the inlet port and the outlet port is formed and which faces the valve body with an axial clearance in the axial direction of the shaft body; a radially opposing surface in which the other of the inlet port and the outlet port is formed, the radially opposing surface facing the valve body with a radial clearance therebetween.

2. 2. The pulsation generating device according to claim 1, wherein an axial clearance adjustment plate for adjusting the axial clearance is provided on the valve body at a position opposite to the axial opposing surface.

3. 3. The pulsation generating device according to claim 1, wherein a radial clearance adjustment ring for adjusting the radial clearance is provided on the valve body at a position opposite to the radial opposing surface.

4. 4. The pulsation generating device according to claim 1, wherein the valve body has a port opening hole formed in a position opposite to the inlet port.

5. 5. The pulsation generating device according to claim 4, further comprising a flow path shape changing member attached to at least one of the port opening hole and the inlet port.

6. 6. The pulsation generating device according to claim 5, further comprising an elastic member that supports the flow passage shape changing member so that the flow passage shape changing member is displaceable in the axial direction of the shaft body.

7. The pulsation generating device according to any one of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that the port opening hole is formed in an arc shape in the valve body along a circumferential direction centered on the shaft body.

8. The pulsation generating device according to any one of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that the port opening holes are formed in a plurality of spaces in the circumferential direction of the valve body, centered on the shaft body.

9. The pulsation generating device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the outlet ports are formed in a plurality of spaces in the circumferential direction around the shaft body in the valve body accommodating chamber.

10. 10. The pulsation generating device according to claim 1, wherein the drive source rotates or swings the valve body around the shaft body.

11. The pulsation generating device according to claim 10, characterized in that a total oscillation range is determined for the oscillation of the valve body, and an arbitrary and flexible pressure waveform is formed by arbitrarily setting the oscillation angle and oscillation speed within the total oscillation range.

12. A drive source; A shaft body connected to the drive source; A valve body provided on the shaft body; a valve body having a valve body accommodating chamber in which an inlet port and an outlet port for a fluid are formed, and the valve body is accommodated in the valve body accommodating chamber in a non-contact state, The valve body is disposed with a predetermined clearance from the valve body accommodating chamber, The drive source rotates or swings the valve body around the shaft body, A pulsation generating device characterized in that, in the oscillation of the valve disc, a total oscillation range is determined, and an arbitrary and flexible pressure waveform is formed by arbitrarily setting the oscillation angle and oscillation speed within the total oscillation range.

13. 13. The pulsation generating device according to claim 1, wherein the drive source comprises a servo actuator.

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