Adjustable Regulating Valve That Preserves Kv Flow Characteristic

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing regulating valves in heating and cooling systems are limited by their design, which restricts their ability to maintain consistent characteristics across varying Kv-values, leading to inferior flow regulation and increased complexity in manufacturing and maintenance, requiring multiple valve sizes and dimensions to accommodate different flow requirements.

Innovation Solution

A regulating valve design featuring a cone and veil configuration that maintains a logarithmic (EQ) characteristic across different Kv-values, allowing for adjustable flow regulation without limiting the valve's stroke length, enabling the same valve to function effectively across various flow requirements with a single dimension.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a regulating valve is designed for a pre-selected Kv-value with standardized size ratios, then the valve can meet specific flow requirements, but multiple valve sizes and dimensions must be manufactured and stored to accommodate different flow amounts

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflow regulation capabilityVSAvoidvalve assortment variety
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies universality by designing a single valve body that can accommodate multiple cones with different Kv-values. The valve body includes a receiving space that can hold different cones, allowing one valve to perform multiple flow regulation functions. This eliminates the need for multiple standardized valve sizes and enables a single valve to adapt to different flow requirements by simply changing the cone component.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamics by making the Kv-value changeable rather than fixed. The valve is designed with the capability to switch between different Kv-values by replacing the cone, transforming a static valve design into a dynamic one that can adapt to varying flow requirements. This dynamic approach allows the same valve to serve multiple purposes throughout its service life.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If the Kv-value is connected to the lifting height of the valve to achieve variable Kv-value, then different flow amounts can be regulated, but the stroke length is limited and only a small portion of the total length of the stroke remains for regulating work

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevariable Kv-value capabilityVSAvoidregulating work range
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by separating the Kv-value function from the valve body structure. Instead of integrating the Kv-value limitation into the valve's mechanical stroke, the invention isolates the flow coefficient characteristic into a separate replaceable component (the cone). This segmentation allows the full stroke length to be dedicated to regulating work while the Kv-value is changed by component replacement rather than stroke limitation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If different valves with different dimensions are manufactured to meet various flow requirements, then adequate regulating function can be supplied for separate operational cases, but consultants, wholesale dealers and installation engineers must handle a large amount of valves

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveregulating function adequacyVSAvoidvalve handling complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies universality by creating a universal valve body that can accommodate multiple cones with different Kv-values. This single universal valve design replaces the need for multiple specialized valve sizes, making it easier for consultants, dealers, and installation engineers to handle and select valves. The universal valve maintains reliability by providing adequate regulating function for different flow requirements through cone selection rather than requiring multiple valve dimensions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP2027405B1Regulating valve with a maintained regulating characteristic at different kv-values within one and the same valve
Publication Date: 2012.07.25 TOUR & ANDERSSON AB
  • EP2027405B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2027405B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2C
  • EP2027405B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to a device, designed to regulate the flow of a medium in a heating or cooling system, and it relates to a regulating valve (51) with a fastened mounted veil (14), which cooperates with a rotatable cone (11), which is machined and profiled, the complete valve obtaining a function, which implies, that its Kv- value can be changed within the same valve dimension, and that the flow characteristic is maintained irrespective of the changed Kv- value. The Kv- value of the valve can be changed or adjusted also subsequent to the mounting of the valve in an installation.