Compact Multifunction Valve with Radiused Flow Paths
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fluid control systems lack precision and are bulky, requiring complex mechanisms and large volumes, which limits their application in systems with lower supply pressures and packaging constraints.
Innovation Solution
A multifunction valve with a compact design and precise flow rate control, featuring a valve body with radiused inlets and outlets, a flow control gate supported by a control shaft, and a method of adjusting flow rate by rotating the shaft to variably occlude the outlet, enhancing surface area and reducing pressure drop.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If conventional valve mechanisms are used to control fluid flow, then flow rate control is achieved, but the valve becomes complex and bulky with large volume
Solution Approach 1:
The valve body is segmented into multiple functional zones including an upper inlet branch, lower inlet branch, interior chamber, and outlet branch. This segmentation allows each zone to be optimized independently for its specific function while maintaining overall compactness and simplifying the control mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a vertical dimension by stacking inlet branches above and below the interior chamber, rather than arranging them linearly. This three-dimensional arrangement increases the effective flow area without increasing the horizontal footprint, achieving compactness while maintaining precise flow control capability.
2Volume of stationary object
If conventional valve designs are used, then basic flow control is achieved, but the valve requires larger volume and cannot be compact
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates radiused features at the inlet and outlet of the valve body, replacing sharp corners with curved transitions. This increases the effective surface area at fluid interfaces, improves flow characteristics, and enhances performance in low supply pressure applications while maintaining compact dimensions.
Solution Approach 2:
The control shaft is positioned within the interior chamber, and the flow control gate is nested within the outlet branch. This nested arrangement allows multiple functional components to occupy overlapping spatial volumes, achieving compact integration without compromising control precision or reliability.
3Area of stationary object
If flat openings are used for inlets and outlets, then manufacturing is simple, but the open area is reduced and pressure drop increases
Solution Approach 1:
The radiused inlet and outlet features create curved surfaces that increase the effective open area compared to flat openings of the same bounding box. This curvature also improves flow distribution and reduces turbulence, thereby decreasing pressure drop and energy loss while maintaining manufacturing simplicity.
Data Source
AI summary
A multifunction valve includes a valve body defining an inlet, and outlet and an interior chamber. A flow control gate is disposed within the interior chamber and is rotatable through an arcuate range of positions relative to the outlet providing a high level of precision control of a fluid flow rate through the multifunction valve. A method of modulating a fluid flow rate includes directing fluid flow through a multifunction valve from an inlet to an outlet, the multifunction valve including a flow control gate, adjusting the flow rate through the multifunction valve by rotating a control shaft to position the flow control gate to variably occlude the outlet of the fluid control valve.