Circular Concentric Volume Flow Controller for Low-Range Adjustability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing volume flow controllers for air conditioning systems lack fine adjustability in the low volume range and are susceptible to contamination, while also requiring additional space and not providing a secure closure like a fire damper.

Innovation Solution

A volume flow controller with a screen and slider that have circular, concentrically arranged cutouts, allowing for quadratic adjustment of the cross-sectional area, which reduces space requirements and enhances sealing, and can be easily manufactured and maintained.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional volume flow controllers with multiple openings are used, then adjustability is provided, but fine adjustability in the low volume range is lacking and susceptibility to contamination increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveadjustabilityVSAvoidfine adjustability in low volume range

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The screen is segmented into multiple arcs arranged radially, with each arc containing multiple openings. This segmentation allows selective closing of individual arcs or openings to achieve fine adjustment in low volume ranges while maintaining overall adjustability across the full flow range.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The slider is designed to move dynamically along the radial direction, enabling continuous adjustment of the effective opening area by selectively covering different arcs. This dynamic positioning allows precise control in low volume ranges by making small incremental adjustments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Productivity

If conventional volume flow controllers are used, then flow regulation is achieved, but additional space is required and secure closure like a fire damper is not provided

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflow regulationVSAvoidadditional space required

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The screen and slider are designed with circular arcs arranged concentrically around the air flow axis. This curved geometry allows the slider to effectively cover the openings in a compact radial space, reducing the overall device footprint while maintaining secure closure capability similar to fire dampers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

3Adaptability or versatility

If screens with multiple openings are used for flow control, then adjustability is achieved, but susceptibility to contamination increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflow control adjustabilityVSAvoidsusceptibility to contamination

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Different arcs of the screen can have different numbers and sizes of openings tailored to specific flow control needs. The slider can selectively cover arcs with smaller openings that are more prone to contamination, while leaving arcs with larger, more contamination-resistant openings exposed when high flow is needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP3406986B1Volumetric flow controller, ventilation box with a volumetric flow controller

Publication Date: 2020.04.08 TROX HESCO SCHWEIZ

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AI summary

For precise adjustability in the low volume flow range, a volume flow controller (1) is proposed in which the available cross-sectional area between the orifice plate (11a, 11b) and the slide (20a, 20b) changes quadratically with the radial path of the slide (20, 20b). Aperture and associated slide are circular and arranged concentrically. Particularly advantageous are the simple and inexpensive manufacturability, precise adjustability in the low volume flow range and, due to the curvature, a small space requirement for installation in a ventilation box (2). The volume flow controller (1) and an associated rectifier (21) can be inserted into the housing (2) of the ventilation box (2) with a form fit.