Annular Piston Valve Outlet Turbulators for Noise and Cavitation

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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

Incorporation of turbulators at the outlet opening and inner guide part of the housing to swirl the medium, enhancing flow profile and reducing noise generation by generating vortices and facilitating medium deflection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

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

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflow guidanceVSAvoidnoise and cavitation
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the flow parameters through turbulators. The turbulators change the flow regime from straight and directed to a swirling flow pattern, which alters the velocity distribution and pressure characteristics, thereby preventing jet contraction and reducing noise and cavitation while maintaining effective flow guidance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the potentially harmful straight flow that causes jet contraction into a beneficial swirling flow. The turbulators intentionally create flow separation and vortices that, while seemingly disrupting the straight flow, actually prevent the harmful jet contraction effect at the outlet, transforming a potential problem into a solution

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

2Loss of energy

If turbulators are arranged at the outlet opening to swirl the medium, then kinetic energy is added to the flow and noise is reduced, but flow separation at the valve seat may be affected

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenoise generationVSAvoidflow separation at valve seat
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by placing turbulators specifically at the outlet opening area rather than throughout the entire housing. This localized intervention creates swirling flow only where needed to reduce noise and add kinetic energy, while the upstream flow guidance and valve seat sealing areas maintain their original straight flow characteristics necessary for proper sealing

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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

Improves flow guidance by reducing noise and cavitation, enhancing flow separation at the valve seat, and adding kinetic energy to the flow.

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

Furthermore, the turbulators generate a wake that facilitates the deflection of the medium from the housing to the pipeline

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTurbulence: Turbulence

Data Source

PatentEP4614035A1Annular piston valve
Publication Date: 2025.09.10 VAG ARMATUREN
  • EP4614035A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4614035A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4614035A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

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, 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 (32, 33) for swirling the medium flowing out through the outlet opening (10) are arranged at the outlet opening (10) of the housing (1).