Control Valve Fluid Classification and Flow Rate Estimation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems for heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) installations face challenges in accurately estimating flow rates and classifying fluid mixtures, such as water-glycol mixtures, as they require separate transducers for these measurements, which increases complexity and costs.
Innovation Solution
A valve with a controller, temperature transducers, and a heater that uses a single set of transducers to classify fluids by closing and opening the fluid path, allowing the same anemometer to measure flow rates, thereby simplifying the process and reducing hardware requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If separate transducers are used for flow rate measurement and fluid classification, then measurement accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The anemometer is designed to perform multiple functions: it measures flow rates when the valve member is open and classifies fluids when the valve member is closed. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for separate transducers for each measurement type, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining measurement accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the flow rate measurement function and fluid classification function into a single anemometer device. By merging these two previously separate functions into one instrument, the system reduces the number of components needed and simplifies the overall valve system architecture.
2Reliability
If separate transducers are used for flow rate measurement and fluid classification, then measurement reliability is improved, but manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The anemometer is designed to perform multiple functions: it measures flow rates when the valve member is open and classifies fluids when the valve member is closed. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for separate transducers for each measurement type, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining measurement accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the flow rate measurement function and fluid classification function into a single anemometer device. By merging these two previously separate functions into one instrument, the system reduces the number of components needed and simplifies the overall valve system architecture.
3Productivity
If the valve member remains open for flow rate measurement, then flow continuity is maintained, but fluid classification accuracy decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs fluid classification as a preliminary action before flow rate measurement. The valve member is temporarily closed to allow the anemometer to classify the fluid, then opened to measure the flow rate. This sequential approach ensures that classification accuracy is not compromised by flow conditions while maintaining overall system productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve member periodically transitions between closed and open states to enable alternating fluid classification and flow rate measurement operations. This periodic switching allows the system to gather both types of data using the same anemometer without requiring continuous flow, thereby maintaining measurement accuracy while preserving overall flow continuity over time.
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
This solution enables accurate classification and flow rate estimation of fluid mixtures in HVAC systems with reduced complexity and cost, improving operational efficiency and accuracy.
Implementation Method 1
The valve also comprises a heater (8). The controller (7) is configured to control the heater (8) to attain a first temperature set point at the second temperature transducer (5b)
Implementation Method 2
The valve also comprises a first and a second temperature transducer (5; 5a, 5b) arranged at a first and a second location in the valve (1)
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
Estimating parameters of a fluid. A valve (1) comprising a controller (7), a fluid path (4), a valve member (6), a valve actuator (9), a heater (8), a first (5; 5a; 5b) and a second (5; 5b; 5a) temperature transducer; the controller (7) being configured to: send a close signal to the valve actuator (9), record a first temperature signal from the first temperature transducer (5; 5a; 5b); produce a first temperature set point; control the heater (8) to attain the first temperature set point; record a first quantity associated with controlling the heater (8) to attain the first temperature set point, send an open signal to the valve actuator (9), the open signal causing the valve actuator (9) to open the valve member (6) thereby opening the fluid path (4); record a second temperature signal from the first temperature transducer (5; 5a; 5b).