Annular Piston Valve Turbulators for Noise and Cavitation Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing needle valves experience noise and cavitation due to jet contraction at the valve outlet, leading to inefficient flow guidance.

Innovation Solution

The introduction of turbulators on the inner guide part of the housing to swirl the medium flow, generating vortices and reducing noise generation by improving flow separation and deflection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If the housing is designed to achieve a directed and straight flow from the valve inlet to the valve outlet, then the flow path is simplified and manufacturing is easier, but jet contraction occurs at the valve outlet leading to noise and cavitation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehousing design simplicityVSAvoidnoise and cavitation
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the geometric parameters of the flow path by introducing turbulators that create vortices. These vortices modify the flow characteristics, transforming the straight flow into a swirling flow pattern that prevents jet contraction at the outlet, thereby reducing noise and cavitation while maintaining manufacturing simplicity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The turbulators act as an intermediary element between the straight flow path and the outlet. They introduce controlled turbulence and vortices that mediate the flow transition, preventing direct jet contraction while maintaining the overall simplicity of the housing design

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If turbulators are added to swirl the medium flow and generate vortices, then flow guidance is improved and noise is reduced, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenoise reductionVSAvoidhousing structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The turbulators are introduced only in specific locations where flow control is needed, rather than modifying the entire housing structure. This localized approach improves flow guidance and reduces noise without significantly increasing overall device complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The housing is segmented into functional zones: a straight flow path section for simplicity, and a turbulence generation section with turbulators for flow control. This segmentation allows each section to perform its specific function optimally without compromising the other

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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

Enhances flow guidance by reducing noise and cavitation, improving flow control and efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

The turbulators generate vortices that add kinetic energy to the flow and reduce flow separation at the valve seat

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVortex generation: Vortex Ring

Implementation Method 2

the turbulators generate a wake that facilitates the deflection of the medium from the housing to the pipeline and reduces noise generation

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFlow separation: Flow Separation

Data Source

PatentEP4614033A1Annular piston valve
Publication Date: 2025.09.10 VAG ARMATUREN
  • EP4614033A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4614033A1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4614033A1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

The invention relates to a ring piston valve with a housing (1), an annular channel (8) formed between an outer part (3) and an inner guide part (5) of the housing (1) for guiding a medium between an inlet opening (9) and an outlet opening (10) of the housing (1), a closing piston (15) guided axially displaceably within the inner guide part (5) of the housing (1), and an adjusting device actuatable from the outside of the housing (1) by means of a drive shaft (7), via which adjusting device the closing piston (15) can be axially moved between an open position and a closed position by rotating the drive shaft. According to the invention, turbulators (30) for swirling the medium flowing through the annular channel (8) are arranged on the outside of the inner guide part (5) of the housing (1).