Coaxial Two-Stage Pressure Regulator for Stable Outlet Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pressure regulators face challenges in maintaining high control quality and steady control behavior across varying inlet pressures and flow rates, particularly with large inlet pressure fluctuations and small outlet pressure fluctuations, while also requiring a simple design and minimal installation space.
Innovation Solution
A pressure control valve with two coaxially arranged flow paths of different nominal widths, utilizing two axially movable sealing bodies that are opened and closed by an actuating device on the low-pressure side, with a driver mechanism to transmit compressive force from the second sealing body to the first, ensuring stable and efficient pressure regulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single-stage pressure regulator is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the control quality deteriorates due to pressure-loaded dynamic seals and unsteady control behavior
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure regulator is divided into two stages: a first flow path with a first sealing body for high-pressure flow control, and a second flow path with a second sealing body for precise low-pressure regulation. This segmentation allows each stage to specialize in different pressure ranges, improving overall control quality while maintaining reasonable complexity through functional division.
Solution Approach 2:
The second sealing body is nested within the first sealing body, with the second flow path concentrically arranged inside the first flow path. This nested configuration allows both flow paths and sealing bodies to share the same axial space, reducing the overall device length and structural complexity while enabling coordinated control of both sealing bodies by a single actuating device.
2Reliability
If two separate pressure regulators are used, then the control quality for large inlet pressure fluctuations is improved, but the device complexity and installation space increase
Solution Approach 1:
Two separate pressure regulation functions are merged into a single integrated device. The first and second flow paths are concentrically arranged, allowing both regulation stages to occupy the same axial space. A single actuating device on the low-pressure side controls both sealing bodies simultaneously, achieving the control quality of two separate regulators while halving the installation space and reducing overall structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a sequential two-stage design (one after another axially) to a concentric two-stage design (one inside the other radially). By arranging flow paths and sealing bodies concentrically, the patent utilizes radial space instead of axial space, effectively packing two regulation stages into a single axial footprint, thus reducing installation space while maintaining the two-stage control function.
3Speed
If the actuating device is arranged on the high-pressure side, then the control response is faster, but the control quality for small outlet pressure fluctuations deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of placing the actuating device on the high-pressure side (conventional approach), the patent inverts the arrangement by placing the actuating device on the low-pressure side. This inverted configuration allows the actuating device to directly sense and respond to outlet pressure fluctuations, providing superior control quality for small pressure variations while maintaining fast response through direct coupling to both sealing bodies.
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 achieves high control quality and steady control behavior across the entire inlet pressure and flow range, reducing structural complexity and installation space, while maintaining stable pressure control with minimal impact from flow forces.
Implementation Method 1
an actuating device which is coupled to the pressure control valve and which is designed for applying a force with an effective direction from the outflow to the inflow, in particular a compressive force, onto the first and the second sealing bodies
Data Source
AI summary
A pressure control valve for gases and/or liquids comprising a first sealing body and a second sealing body for opening and closing a first flow path and a second flow path, respectively. The first and the second sealing bodies can be installed in an inflow for gases and/or liquids in order to define the first and the second flow paths therein. The first sealing body is guided in an axially movable fashion. The second sealing body is guided in an axially movable fashion within the first sealing body. The first sealing body is movable by a force in the effective direction from an outflow to an inflow from a closing position into an opening position in which the first flow path is opened. The second sealing body is movable by a force in the effective direction from the outflow to the inflow from a closing position into an opening position in which the second flow path is opened.