Adjustable Valve Trim Orientation for Multi-Curve Flow Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Control valves require multiple valve trim apparatus to achieve different fluid flow characteristics, increasing manufacturing costs and complexity.
Innovation Solution
A single valve trim apparatus, comprising a cage and a valve seat, is designed to provide adjustable fluid flow characteristics by varying the orientation of the cage relative to the valve seat, altering the flow path and geometry to achieve multiple flow characteristics such as linear and equal-percentage without the need for additional parts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple valve trim apparatus are used to achieve different fluid flow characteristics, then the fluid flow characteristics can be adjusted, but the manufacturing costs and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The valve trim apparatus is designed with a cage containing multiple openings arranged at different angular positions around the longitudinal axis. By rotating the cage to different angular orientations, different combinations of openings align with the valve seat opening, enabling a single apparatus to provide multiple fluid flow characteristics (e.g., linear, equal-percentage, quick-opening). This eliminates the need for multiple separate valve trim apparatus, reducing device complexity and manufacturing costs while maintaining adaptability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple valve trim apparatus are used to achieve different fluid flow characteristics, then the fluid flow characteristics can be adjusted, but the manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The valve trim apparatus is designed with a cage containing multiple openings arranged at different angular positions around the longitudinal axis. By rotating the cage to different angular orientations, different combinations of openings align with the valve seat opening, enabling a single apparatus to provide multiple fluid flow characteristics (e.g., linear, equal-percentage, quick-opening). This eliminates the need for multiple separate valve trim apparatus, reducing device complexity and manufacturing costs while maintaining adaptability.
3Device complexity
If a single valve trim apparatus is used with multiple openings, then the device complexity is reduced, but the difficulty of detecting and measuring the flow characteristics increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies visual indicators (analogous to color changes) to differentiate between different angular orientations of the cage. Markings or indicators on the cage body allow operators to easily identify which angular position corresponds to which fluid flow characteristic (e.g., linear, equal-percentage). This simple visual coding system eliminates the difficulty of detecting and measuring flow characteristics, making it intuitive for operators to select the desired flow pattern without complex measurement equipment.
Data Source
AI summary
Valve trim and related methods are described. An example valve trim includes a cage defining a body having a bore to receive a valve plug. The cage includes a first passageway through a side surface of the body. The first passageway has an axis that is non-parallel relative to a longitudinal axis of the bore. A valve seat is to receive the cage. The valve seat has a first projection defining a first opening. The cage to be positioned relative to the valve seat in a first orientation to align the first opening and the first passageway to provide a first flow characteristic. The cage to be positioned relative to the valve seat in a second orientation to offset an alignment between the first projection and the first passageway to provide a second flow characteristic different than the first flow characteristic.