Integrated Valve Assembly With Annular Plenum for Cavitation Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fluid pressure reduction devices in process control systems often lead to cavitation or solidification of viscous fluids, and their manufacturing processes are time-consuming and expensive.
Innovation Solution
A valve control assembly with an integrated temperature control system, utilizing additive manufacturing to create a valve body with an annular plenum that changes the temperature of the fluid flow path, preventing cavitation and solidification by reducing fluid pressure more efficiently and at lower costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional fabrication processes (block forging, drilling passages, plugging) are used to manufacture flow reduction devices, then the devices can prevent cavitation and solidification, but the manufacturing process is time-consuming and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the flow reduction function and temperature control function into a single integrated valve assembly. The body passages are designed to serve both as flow reduction pathways and as channels for circulating heating or cooling media, eliminating the need for separate manufacturing steps and components while maintaining the ability to prevent cavitation and solidification
Solution Approach 2:
The valve body passages are designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: reducing fluid pressure, preventing cavitation, and providing temperature control. The same passages that reduce pressure also serve as conduits for heating or cooling media, making the device multi-functional and reducing manufacturing complexity
2Reliability
If conventional fabrication processes (block forging, drilling passages, plugging) are used to manufacture flow reduction devices, then the devices can prevent cavitation and solidification, but the manufacturing cost is high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the flow reduction function and temperature control function into a single integrated valve assembly. The body passages are designed to serve both as flow reduction pathways and as channels for circulating heating or cooling media, eliminating the need for separate manufacturing steps and components while maintaining the ability to prevent cavitation and solidification
Solution Approach 2:
The valve body passages are designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: reducing fluid pressure, preventing cavitation, and providing temperature control. The same passages that reduce pressure also serve as conduits for heating or cooling media, making the device multi-functional and reducing manufacturing complexity
3Reliability
If temperature control is added to flow reduction devices, then cavitation and solidification are prevented, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the flow reduction function and temperature control function into a single integrated valve assembly. The body passages are designed to serve both as flow reduction pathways and as channels for circulating heating or cooling media, eliminating the need for separate manufacturing steps and components while maintaining the ability to prevent cavitation and solidification
Solution Approach 2:
The valve body passages are designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: reducing fluid pressure, preventing cavitation, and providing temperature control. The same passages that reduce pressure also serve as conduits for heating or cooling media, making the device multi-functional and reducing manufacturing complexity
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 fluid pressure while preventing cavitation and solidification, enhancing manufacturing efficiency and reducing costs by using customizable, complex flow paths and temperature control within the valve assembly.
Implementation Method 1
the annular plenum changes a temperature of the process fluid flowing through the portion of the fluid flow path from the first temperature to a second temperature that is different from the first temperature
Data Source
AI summary
A valve control assembly includes a valve body having an inlet adapted to be coupled to a source of process fluid having a first temperature, an outlet, and a fluid flow path extending between the inlet and the outlet, and a bonnet coupled to the valve body. An inlet port, an outlet port, an annular plenum, an inlet passage, and an outlet passage are integrally formed in the valve body or the bonnet. The inlet port is adapted to be coupled to source of media and the annular plenum is disposed between the inlet port and the outlet port, immediately adjacent a portion of the fluid flow path. The inlet passage directs the media from the inlet port to the annular plenum, which changes a temperature of the process fluid flowing through the fluid flow path from the first temperature to a second temperature different from the first temperature.