Cold Water Circulation Valve With Variable Gap Flow Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional valves for regulating cold water circulation do not adequately meet the circulation requirements, as they are based on design principles suited for hot water systems, failing to efficiently manage cold water flow rates and temperature changes.
Innovation Solution
A valve design featuring a radially extending, circumferentially non-continuous gap between the regulating piston and the valve housing, with a Kv min setting area allowing minimal flow at low temperatures and expanding flow passage as temperature rises, utilizing a plastic sealing element and a motor drive for enhanced control, including a Kv max setting area for flushing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional valve design principles for hot water circulation are used, then the valve structure is simple and well-established, but the valve fails to meet cold water circulation requirements and cannot efficiently control flow rates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating a non-uniform gap structure between the regulating piston and valve housing. Specifically, a radially extending circumferentially non-continuous gap is provided, with different gap widths in different circumferential zones. This allows the valve to achieve cold water circulation adaptability through localized flow control rather than uniform design changes throughout the entire valve structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The circumferentially non-continuous gap is segmented into multiple discrete radial gaps around the piston perimeter. This segmentation allows independent control of flow paths in different zones, enabling the valve to meet specific cold water circulation requirements while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure based on conventional valve design principles.
2Productivity
If the flow passage is enlarged to increase circulation at higher temperatures, then warm water discharge efficiency improves, but the minimum flow control capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamics by making the gap between the regulating piston and valve housing variable rather than fixed. The radially extending circumferentially non-continuous gap allows the flow passage area to dynamically adjust based on temperature conditions. At higher temperatures, the effective gap width increases to enhance circulation efficiency, while at lower temperatures, the gap configuration maintains precise minimum flow control capability.
Solution Approach 2:
Different circumferential zones of the gap are designed with different characteristics to fulfill different functions. Some zones provide larger openings for high-temperature circulation efficiency, while other zones maintain tighter clearances for minimum flow precision, allowing the valve to achieve both high productivity and manufacturing precision simultaneously.
3Manufacturing precision
If a radially extending circumferentially non-continuous gap is provided instead of an annular gap, then minimum flow rate control is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The non-continuous gap structure is implemented by providing different gap widths in different circumferential zones rather than changing the entire gap structure. This localized approach improves minimum flow rate control precision while minimizing the increase in manufacturing complexity, as the majority of the valve structure can still be manufactured using conventional processes.
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 valve effectively controls cold water flow, minimizing circulation at low temperatures and maximizing it at higher temperatures, achieving a Kv min flow of 0.05 m3/h and a Kv max flow of 1.8 m3/h, while ensuring efficient discharge and flushing of warm water.
Implementation Method 1
a thermal expansion element (24) is exposed, the thermal expansion element resting under the pretension of a spring element (34) against a regulating piston (28). The regulating piston (28) is moved relative to a bore (54) due to the expansion of the expansion element (24).
Data Source
AI summary
A valve for a drinking water installation for larger volume flow of cold water, depending on an adjustable or non-adjustable water temperature, having a valve housing with connections to a pipeline and a regulating piston which is movable in the valve housing, coupled to a spindle exposed on the outer side of the valve housing, with a thermal expansion element exposed in the flow path through the valve housing and resting under the pretension of a spring element against the regulating piston, the regulating piston being movable relative to a bore due to the expansion of the expansion element.