Control Valve With Dual Inlet Openings for Wider Flow Range
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing control valves for heating and cooling installations have limited operational ranges due to constructional constraints on the circumferential and axial extents of inlet openings, restricting the adjustable flow area.
Innovation Solution
The control valve design includes two inlet openings with variable circumferential extents, allowing for increased operational range by enabling simultaneous rotation and axial displacement of valve members to adjust the flow area, with a differential pressure regulator ensuring efficient flow regulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single inlet opening with variable circumferential extent is used, then the valve structure is simple, but the operational range of flow area control is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The single inlet opening is segmented into two separate inlet openings (first inlet opening and second inlet opening). Each opening can be independently controlled by the rotatable valve member, allowing the operational range of flow area control to be doubled while maintaining a relatively simple overall valve structure that uses the same basic components.
2Area of stationary object
If the circumferential extent of inlet opening is limited to 180°, then the valve construction is simple, but the maximum controllable flow area is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of increasing the circumferential extent of a single inlet opening beyond 180°, the invention adds another dimension by creating two separate inlet openings positioned at different axial locations. This allows the total controllable flow area to exceed what would be possible with a single 180° opening, effectively utilizing the axial dimension to expand the operational range.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the axial extent of effective flow area is limited by maximum stroke length, then the actuator design is simple, but the adjustable flow range is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The single axial stroke control is segmented into two independent control mechanisms: one for circumferential extent (via rotation of the valve member) and one for axial extent (via axial displacement of the valve member). This segmentation allows each degree of freedom to be optimized independently, doubling the adjustable flow range without requiring longer actuators.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3a~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
A control valve (1) for controlling liquid flow in a heating and/or cooling installation under command from an actuator. The control valve (1) comprises a flow regulator with a first annular valve member (20) and a second annular valve member (40) that have an axial overlap. The first valve member (20) is manually rotatable relative to the second valve member (40). The axially overlapping portions of the valve members (20,40) define a first inlet opening (52) with a variable circumferential extent and a second inlet opening (53) with a variable circumferential extent. The first inlet opening (52) is axially offset relative to the second inlet opening (53). A third valve member (24) is axially displaceable by the actuator relative to the first- and second inlet openings (52,53) and defines a first control edge (26) associated with the first inlet opening (52) and defines a second control edge (27) associated with the second inlet opening (53). Rotation of the first valve member (20) relative to the second valve member (40) simultaneously changes the circumferential extent of the first and second inlet openings (52,53), in order to manually preset a maximum through-flow area. Axial displacement of the third valve member (24) changes the axial extent of the through-flow area of the first and second inlet openings (52,53), in order to regulate the through-flow area of the first and second inlet openings (52,53) within a range limited by the preset maximum. A differential pressure regulator is provided downstream of the flow regulator. It is suggested that Fig. 5 is published with the abstract.