Actuated Check Valve Control for Pulsating Flow Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional check valves experience pressure drops and oscillation issues due to pulsating flows from positive-displacement compressors, leading to noise and potential valve failure from fatigue.
Innovation Solution
A check valve with an actuator assembly and controller that overrides the biasing mechanism to maintain the obturator in a fully open condition, reducing pressure drop and oscillation by using fluid pressure or electrical signals to control the actuator assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional check valve with a flap obturator is used, then the valve can prevent backflow, but it introduces pressure drop and causes oscillation in pulsating flow
Solution Approach 1:
The invention transitions from a passive dynamic flap obturator to an actively controlled obturator system. The controller receives signals about compressor operation and actively positions the obturator to be fully open during compression strokes and fully closed during non-compression strokes, optimizing flow characteristics and eliminating pressure drop during useful flow.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the purely mechanical spring-weight balanced obturator system with an electronically controlled actuation system. The controller uses electrical signals to command the obturator position, substituting mechanical equilibrium with electronic control logic that optimizes valve positioning based on compressor operational state.
2Ease of operation
If a traditional check valve relies on flow to maintain open condition, then it can operate passively, but it never achieves fully open state and causes oscillation
Solution Approach 1:
The invention implements feedback control by having the controller receive signals indicating compressor operation status and use this information to actively position the obturator. This feedback loop ensures the obturator is fully open when flow is present and fully closed when flow stops, eliminating the partial opening and oscillation problems of traditional valves.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller anticipates flow conditions by receiving signals about compressor operation before flow changes occur. This allows the obturator to be positioned in advance - fully open before compression stroke begins and fully closed before backflow could occur - preventing oscillation and ensuring optimal flow conditions.
3Reliability
If the obturator is partially closed to prevent backflow, then backflow protection is achieved, but noise and fatigue wear increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention employs periodic actuation synchronized with the compressor's operational cycle. The controller receives periodic signals corresponding to compression strokes and actuates the obturator accordingly - fully open during compression, fully closed during non-compression. This periodic full-open/full-closed action eliminates the continuous partial-closing flutter that causes noise and fatigue.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution effectively reduces pressure drop and oscillation, enhancing the reliability and longevity of the check valve by ensuring it remains fully open during operation, thus minimizing noise and wear.
Implementation Method 1
a spring or other resilient component and/or weighted portion of the obturator to urge or bias the obturator towards a closed condition
Implementation Method 2
pneumatic or hydraulic means to cause or assist in moving the obturator into an open condition
Implementation Method 3
pneumatic or hydraulic means to cause or assist in moving the obturator into an open condition
Data Source
AI summary
A check valve (1) which comprises an obturator (2) and a biasing mechanism, the biasing mechanism arranged to urge the obturator towards a closed condition, and the check valve further comprising an actuator assembly (5, 7a, 7b) which is arranged to be selectively activated to cause the obturator to be in an open condition, and the check valve comprising a controller which has a control signal input to cause the controller to selectively activate the actuator assembly.