Automatic Balancing Valve Ring Nut for Easier Flow Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing balancing valves in heating and cooling systems require manual and often cumbersome adjustments to set and change the maximum flow rate, especially in inaccessible locations, leading to inefficiencies and increased energy consumption due to temperature differences caused by varying fluid flow rates.
Innovation Solution
An automatic balancing valve with a manually operated ring nut below the actuating member, featuring a percentage scale and reference element for easy adjustment of the choking means, allowing rotation without removing the actuating member, and incorporating a power-assisted actuating member for enhanced operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the control for adjusting maximum flow rate is hidden under the actuating member or located on the opposite side, then the valve structure is compact, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to difficulty in accessing the control
Solution Approach 1:
The control element is positioned in a different spatial dimension (below the actuating member) rather than on the same plane, allowing access from a different direction. This resolves the contradiction by making the control accessible without increasing the valve's footprint or requiring disassembly.
2Ease of operation
If manual adjustment of maximum flow rate is performed using external controls such as ring nuts or levers, then the adjustment function is achieved, but the ease of operation deteriorates when valves are installed in inaccessible places
Solution Approach 1:
The valve incorporates an automatic adjustment mechanism that uses the existing fluid flow and pressure differential to self-regulate the maximum flow rate without requiring manual intervention. This eliminates the time loss associated with manual adjustments, especially in inaccessible locations.
3Volume of moving object
If the actuating member dimensions are reduced to allow space for control elements, then the valve size is reduced, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to difficulty in reaching the control
Solution Approach 1:
The control element is positioned below the actuating member in a different spatial dimension, allowing the valve body to maintain a compact size while providing accessible control through a different approach direction.
4Adaptability or versatility
If balancing valves are installed in inaccessible locations such as through ceilings or false ceilings, then the system functionality is achieved, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to difficulty in reaching the actuating member and control
Solution Approach 1:
The control element is positioned below the actuating member, allowing access from the opposite direction. This is particularly beneficial for ceiling installations where the actuating member may be difficult to reach from above, enabling maintenance personnel to access the control from below the ceiling.
5Ease of operation
If the valve body or actuating member size is increased to improve accessibility, then the ease of operation improves, but the device complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The control element is positioned in a different spatial dimension (below the actuating member), allowing the valve body to maintain a compact area while providing accessible control through a different approach direction.
Data Source
AI summary
An automatic balancing valve is disclosed which is equipped with choking means that can be operated manually with a ring nut placed below the actuating member of the shutter and aligned axially therewith. Advantageously, the dimensions of the ring nut are larger in plan view compared to the plan view dimensions of the actuating member so as to allow its rotation without removing the actuating member.