Control Valve Conical Slide Element for Low Pressure Loss

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing control valves are not optimally suited for smaller pipe diameters (DN 50 to DN 200) and face challenges in reducing pressure losses and achieving precise flow control.

Innovation Solution

A control valve design with an elongated housing divided into inflow, drive, and outflow sections, featuring a conical circular slide element and a gear device with a drive shaft, allowing for low-turbulence flow and precise control, including a flow-calmed area for measurement and a non-rectilinear control contour for linear operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If a conventional control valve design is used, then pressure losses are reduced, but control accuracy deteriorates for smaller pipe diameters (DN 50 to DN 200)

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepressure lossesVSAvoidcontrol accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The valve body is divided into three distinct sections (inflow section, drive section, outflow section) that can be detached from one another. This segmentation allows optimized design of each section for its specific function while maintaining overall system performance for smaller pipe diameters

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A circular slide element with a conical outer surface is used instead of traditional linear valve components. The circular geometry with conical profile enables optimized flow characteristics and control accuracy specifically tailored for smaller pipe diameters while maintaining low pressure losses

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

2Manufacturing precision

If the circular slide element closes against the flow direction, then control accuracy improves, but drive torque increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol accuracyVSAvoiddrive torque
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The circular slide element is designed to close in the direction of flow rather than against it. This inversion of the closing direction reduces the required drive torque while maintaining control accuracy through the conical geometry and sealed annular gap design

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Measurement precision

If a flow-calmed area is created for measurement, then measurement precision improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflow measurement precisionVSAvoidvalve structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The flow-calmed area is integrated into the inflow section of the valve body, combining the measurement function with the existing valve structure. This merging approach enables precise flow measurement without adding separate complex measurement devices

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The inflow section serves multiple functions: it guides flow into the drive section, creates a flow-calmed area for measurement, and provides structural support. This multi-functionality reduces overall device complexity while maintaining measurement precision

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

Enables low pressure losses, precise flow control, and accurate flow measurement, particularly in smaller pipe diameters, with reduced energy consumption and improved control accuracy.

Implementation Method 1

The gaseous medium is directed outward via the flow element into a circular or annular gap-shaped flow channel section, in which a flow-calmed area is formed upstream of the flow element

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFlow calibration:

Implementation Method 2

The circular slide element is conical in shape with a circular base surface and a lateral surface which defines a valve surface, wherein the circular slide element closes an annular gap defined between itself and an inner surface of the outflow section by means of a longitudinal displacement in the direction of flow

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectConical geometry flow control:

Data Source

PatentEP4314602B1Control valve for controlling a gas through-flow
Publication Date: 2025.06.25 BINDER GMBH
  • EP4314602B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4314602B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4314602B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a control valve for controlling a gas through-flow, comprising: an elongated housing (24, 52, 98) which delimits a flow channel (28, 42, 100) and is divided into an inflow portion (14), a drive portion (16) and an outflow portion (18), which are located adjacent to one another along a longitudinal axis (L), wherein - when the control valve is used correctly - the gas flows through the flow channel from the inflow portion (14) via the drive portion (16) to the outflow portion (18); a transmission device (50) provided inside the drive portion (16) and having an output shaft (84), which can be driven externally and is parallel to the longitudinal axis, and a round slide element (60) which is arranged displaceably along the longitudinal axis via the output shaft and has an outer valve seat face (69) which closes an annular gap defined between it and an inner face (102) of the outflow portion (18) by a longitudinal displacement in the flow direction; and a flow element (54), which is provided on the transmission device (50) on the end thereof facing the inflow portion and has a dome-shaped outer face which guides the gas coming from the inflow portion into an annular gap between the transmission device (50) and the inner face of the drive portion. The invention also relates to a flotation plant having at least one such control valve and to the use of such a control valve in a flotation plant.