Balancing Valve With Integrated Bypass for In-Flow Maintenance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing balancing valves in hot water networks face issues with particle deposition leading to malfunction or clogging, and require complex and expensive bypass systems for maintenance, which disrupts water flow and increases network complexity.
Innovation Solution
A balancing valve with a built-in by-pass passage and adjustable cross-section, allowing for rotation between working and by-pass positions without interrupting fluid flow, enabling maintenance and cleaning without additional systems and ensuring continuous operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a by-pass system is added to enable maintenance without interrupting water flow, then continuous water flow during maintenance is ensured, but device complexity and network cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the by-pass function directly into the valve body by integrating a second through-hole (bypass passage) within the valve structure itself. This eliminates the need for separate external by-pass pipes and fittings, thereby ensuring continuous water flow during maintenance while reducing device complexity and network cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve body is designed to perform multiple functions: it serves as both the main flow control component and the by-pass system. The second through-hole provides an alternative flow path that can be activated during maintenance operations, making the valve body a multi-functional component that eliminates the need for dedicated by-pass infrastructure.
2Ease of manufacture
If particles are allowed to deposit on the needle or in the fluid passage, then the valve structure remains simple, but the valve malfunctions or clogs over time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the needle component from the valve body, making it a separate, removable element. This allows the needle to be easily removed for cleaning to eliminate particle deposits, thereby maintaining valve functionality over time while keeping the overall structure simple and manufacturable.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic accessibility to the fluid passage by making the needle removable and the valve disassemblable. This dynamic feature allows periodic cleaning and maintenance to remove particle deposits, ensuring long-term reliability without requiring a complex sealed structure.
3Manufacturing precision
If the needle is made of metal in a brass valve body, then manufacturing precision and durability are improved, but particle deposition on the needle increases
Solution Approach 1:
By extracting the needle as a separate, removable component from the brass valve body, the patent enables easy removal and cleaning of the needle surface. This addresses the particle deposition issue on metal needles while maintaining the manufacturing precision and durability benefits of using metal materials.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent facilitates the discarding of accumulated particles through easy removal and cleaning of the needle component. The needle can be taken out, cleaned of deposits, and reinstalled, thereby recovering its flow control function and preventing malfunction while maintaining the precision benefits of metal construction.
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 extends the lifespan of balancing valves, maintains continuous water flow during maintenance, and simplifies network complexity by integrating the by-pass system within the valve, reducing costs and operational disruptions.
Implementation Method 1
the valve body can be turned by 180 degrees in order to change the direction of fluid flowing through the main fluid passage
Implementation Method 2
a needle is provided to obstruct the fluid passage therein in a variable manner, thus creating a pressure drop to limit the flow of water
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention proposes a balancing valve, a fluid network with such a balancing valve, and a method of maintaining such a balancing valve. The balancing valve comprises a housing having a main fluid passage extending along a main flow axis, a valve body disposed within the housing in the fluid passage, wherein the valve body has a first through hole forming a first fluid passage with a variable first fluid passage cross section. The valve body has a second through hole distinct from the first through hole and forming a second fluid passage in the valve body. The first fluid passage is a main fluid passage and the second fluid passage is a by-pass passage.