Cartridge Multi-Way Valve Inserts for Uniform Flow and Tight Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional multiway diverter valves face issues with mechanical angular misalignments, fluid flow inefficiencies, noise, cavitation, and leakage due to non-uniform passage cross-sections and the presence of large grooves, which affect their performance in hydronic and heating-cooling systems.
Innovation Solution
A multiway valve with a tubular cartridge and fluid mechanics inserts, featuring symmetrically placed inserts with variably shaped cells to ensure homogeneous fluid flow and reduce swirls, combined with dynamic balancing means to manage fluid flow rates, and a design that eliminates the need for a connecting rod, enhancing alignment and reducing wear.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If conventional multiway diverter valves use spherical bodies with large grooves for fluid passage, then the valve structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the fluid flow becomes non-uniform causing noise, cavitation, and reduced efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by introducing fluid mechanics inserts with specifically shaped cells (e.g., rounded entrances, tapered passages) into the valve body at critical flow locations. These localized structural modifications optimize fluid flow characteristics in specific areas without changing the overall simple spherical valve structure, thereby reducing turbulence and cavitation while maintaining manufacturing simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite construction by combining the traditional spherical valve body with separate fluid mechanics inserts. These inserts can be made from different materials optimized for their specific function (e.g., erosion-resistant materials for high-velocity flow areas), creating a composite structure that addresses fluid flow inefficiencies while preserving the simplicity of the base valve design.
2Adaptability or versatility
If conventional six-way valves use two spherical bodies connected by a return rod, then the valve can switch between heating and cooling modes, but the connecting rod causes angular misalignments and wear reducing valve tightness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the extraction principle by removing the return rod connecting mechanism from the valve design. Instead of using two separate spherical bodies connected by a rod, the invention integrates the six-way switching function into a single spherical body with strategically positioned passages and fluid mechanics inserts. This eliminates the source of angular misalignment and wear, thereby improving valve tightness and reliability while maintaining the ability to switch between heating and cooling modes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the functions of two separate spherical bodies into a single integrated spherical body. By combining the heating and cooling mode switching capabilities into one unified structure with carefully designed internal passages and fluid mechanics inserts, the valve achieves six-way diversion without requiring a connecting rod, thus eliminating alignment issues and wear problems.
3Quantity of substance
If conventional valves use large grooves for fluid passage, then the passage cross-section is large for adequate flow, but the non-uniform cross-section causes swirl and reduced fluid mechanics efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by introducing fluid mechanics inserts with specifically shaped cells (e.g., rounded entrances, tapered passages) into the valve body at critical flow locations. These localized structural modifications optimize fluid flow characteristics in specific areas without changing the overall simple spherical valve structure, thereby reducing turbulence and cavitation while maintaining manufacturing simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the geometric parameters of the fluid passage cross-section through the use of fluid mechanics inserts. The inserts feature cells with varying cross-sectional areas along the flow direction, creating a more uniform flow distribution. This gradual change in passage parameters reduces flow velocity variations and minimizes swirl, thereby improving fluid mechanics efficiency while maintaining adequate flow rates.
Data Source
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AI summary
A multiway valve (10) comprises: a generally cylindrical shaped hollow valve body (12) having at least one handling opening (121); a plurality of through openings made on the outerwall (13) of said valve body and defining a first group of connecting openings and a second group of connecting openings; a generally tubular shaped handling element or cartridge (30) pivotally disposed in said valve body and comprising at least two first through radial openings (32) made on the outer wall of the cartridge itself; wherein at least one tubular shaped fluidynamic insert (40, 40') is housed inside said cartridge, and provided with a second radial opening (42) adapted to let a fluid to flow, said fluidynamic insert further comprises a cell (45) formed inside the cavity of the fluidynamic insert itself and such to define a homogeneous fluid flow rate in order to maximize the fluidynamic efficiency of the multiway valve itself.