Pressure-Balanced Axial Mixing Valve With Integrated Actuation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional swinging-vane diverter/mixing valves are large, require substantial force to operate due to their non-pressure-balanced design, and have a separate actuator, making them unsuitable for compact applications like aircraft and other space-challenged vehicles.
Innovation Solution
A compact, concentric axial diverter/mixing valve design with a pressure-balanced barrel assembly and integrated actuation device, allowing for efficient fluid flow diversion and mixing between two inlet sources into a single outlet, and capable of being scaled for various applications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a traditional swinging-vane configuration is used, then the valve can divert airflow between two outlets, but the valve becomes significantly large in size
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a nested configuration where the inner sleeve with flow openings is positioned inside the outer sleeve, both rotating on a common shaft within the housing. This nested arrangement allows the valve to achieve airflow diversion functionality in a compact, space-efficient manner, resolving the contradiction between diversion capability and valve size.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a traditional swinging-vane configuration is used, then the valve can divert airflow, but substantial force is required to operate the diverting vane due to non-pressure-balanced design
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a pressure-balanced design where the inner and outer sleeves create opposing pressure forces that counterbalance each other during rotation. This counterbalancing effect significantly reduces the net force required to operate the valve, resolving the contradiction between airflow diversion capability and operating force requirements.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a traditional swinging-vane configuration is used, then the valve can divert airflow, but an actuator is required as a separate add-on part making the assembled size even larger
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the actuation function directly into the valve body through the rotatable inner and outer sleeves that share a common rotation axis. This merging of functions eliminates the need for separate actuators and reduces the number of parts, resolving the contradiction between airflow diversion capability and device 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 provides a lightweight, compact valve assembly that can be easily integrated into space-constrained vehicles, requiring minimal force for operation and enabling efficient airflow management in aircraft and other vehicles.
Implementation Method 1
The actuation device rotates the barrel assembly between an open end inlet position where a first fluid stream flows into the first inlet port, through the inner sleeve, and out the outlet port and a second fluid stream is blocked from flowing into the second inlet port
Implementation Method 2
The swinging-vane configuration however, is inherently significantly large. In addition, the swinging-vane configuration is not pressure-balanced, which means they require substantial force to operate the diverting vane
Data Source
AI summary
A diverter/mixing valve is provided that includes a main outer housing and a barrel assembly disposed inside the main outer housing. When actuated, an actuator rotates the barrel assembly between an open end inlet position where a first fluid stream flows into a first inlet port and a second fluid stream is blocked from flowing into a second inlet port, and an open side inlet position where the second fluid stream flows into the second inlet port and the first fluid stream is blocked from flowing into the first inlet port.