Conditioning Plant Balancing Valve for Differential Pressure Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing conditioning systems for climate control are complex, expensive, and lack flexibility and sensitivity in balancing fluid flow and pressure, with mechanical limitations that restrict their ability to maintain optimal conditions efficiently.
Innovation Solution
A programmable automatic balancing system featuring a control valve with a check element that adjusts fluid flow based on input signals from pressure sensors in different sections of the system, allowing precise control of fluid flow and pressure differential, enabling fine sensitivity and flexibility while being simpler and less expensive to manufacture and install.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a control circuit with individual valves and sensor systems is used for temperature control in multiple areas, then selective temperature control capability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
A single balancing valve with differential pressure control is used to serve multiple users/areas simultaneously, rather than requiring separate control circuits for each area. The valve maintains optimal pressure differential across all users, providing universal adaptability while reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple control functions into a single balancing valve assembly that integrates differential pressure sensing, flow regulation, and balancing capabilities. This merging eliminates the need for separate control circuits and individual valves for each user, reducing device complexity while maintaining selective control capability.
2Reliability
If a mechanical balancing valve is used to maintain predetermined pressure differential, then pressure balancing capability is improved, but flexibility and sensitivity are reduced due to mechanical limitations
Solution Approach 1:
The balancing valve incorporates a differential pressure control mechanism that dynamically adjusts the valve opening based on real-time pressure differential conditions. This dynamic adjustment capability provides both reliable pressure balancing and the flexibility to adapt to varying flow conditions and user requirements, overcoming the rigidity of fixed mechanical valves.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve includes a differential pressure control system that continuously monitors the pressure differential across users and provides feedback to automatically adjust the valve position. This feedback mechanism ensures reliable pressure balancing while maintaining high flexibility and sensitivity to changing system conditions, eliminating the mechanical limitations of open-loop balancing systems.
3Reliability
If existing balancing systems are used, then basic pressure control is achieved, but fine sensitivity and precise control of fluid flow are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces purely mechanical balancing mechanisms with a hybrid system that incorporates differential pressure control and programmable logic. This substitution enables fine sensitivity in flow control by using pressure differential measurements to precisely modulate the valve opening, achieving measurement precision that exceeds the capabilities of traditional mechanical balancing systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The balancing valve controls the valve opening parameter as a function of the differential pressure parameter, allowing precise adjustment of fluid flow based on real-time pressure conditions. This parameter-based control approach provides fine sensitivity and precise flow control, enabling the system to respond to small changes in differential pressure and achieve accurate balancing.
4Adaptability or versatility
If complex control systems with multiple sensors and valves are implemented, then climate control capability is improved, but manufacturing cost and installation complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
A single balancing valve assembly performs multiple functions including pressure differential control, flow balancing, and climate regulation for multiple users. This multi-functional design achieves comprehensive climate control capability while simplifying manufacturing and installation compared to systems requiring multiple separate components and control circuits.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges sensing, control, and regulation functions into an integrated balancing valve assembly that can be manufactured and installed as a single unit. This consolidation reduces the number of separate components, simplifies manufacturing processes, and eases installation while maintaining comprehensive climate control capability across multiple users.
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 2A
AI summary
A conditioning plant (1) comprises a general inlet (2), a general outlet (3), a circuit (4) which sets the general inlet (2) in fluid communication with the general outlet (3), a plurality of users (5) arranged on the circuit (4), and a balancing system (20). The balancing system comprises a sensor (21) for detecting at least a real value depending on a difference of intensity between upstream and downstream of the users, of at least a physical parameter of the fluid; the balancing system further comprises a flow regulating organ (24), and a control device (25) connected to the sensor (21), acting on the flow regulating organ (24) and configured for enabling memorisation of at least a reference value of a same physical parameter of the fluid, comparing the reference value with the real value, commanding the regulating organ (24) to regulate the fluid internally of the circuit (4) such as to maintain the real value substantially aligned with the reference value.