Multi-Port Coolant Valve Rotor for Low Pressure Drop Flow Paths
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current multi-port valves face limitations in pressure drop, flow path design efficiency, and rotor size/shape orientation, leading to increased energy consumption and reduced efficiency in thermal management systems.
Innovation Solution
A coolant flow control valve (CFCV) with a rotor that rotates to different positions, creating channels that minimize pressure drop while maintaining sealing capabilities, allowing for efficient coolant flow and reduced energy consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If current multi-port valve designs are used, then flow path control is achieved, but pressure drop increases and efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The valve body is segmented into multiple independent flow channels (first flow channel, second flow channel, third flow channel) that can be independently controlled by the rotor. This segmentation allows optimized flow paths for each channel, minimizing pressure drop while maintaining flow control capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotor is designed to rotate between multiple positions (first position, second position, third position) to dynamically switch between different flow path configurations. This dynamic reconfiguration allows the system to optimize flow paths based on operational requirements, reducing pressure drop while maintaining productivity.
2Productivity
If rotor size and shape are increased to reduce pressure drop, then flow efficiency improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The rotor serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a flow distributor, a sealing element, and a positioning mechanism. The same rotating component controls all three flow channels and maintains sealing across different positions, reducing the need for additional complex parts while improving flow efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing features are integrated directly into the rotor structure rather than being separate components. The rotor combines flow channel definitions, sealing surfaces, and positioning features in a single unified component, reducing device complexity while maintaining flow efficiency.
3Use of energy by moving object
If flow paths are optimized for lower pressure drop, then energy consumption decreases, but sealing capabilities may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The rotor incorporates localized sealing features at specific positions where flow paths transition or intersect. These localized sealing elements (sealing surfaces, sealing edges) are strategically placed to maintain sealing capability only where needed, without compromising the optimized flow paths in other areas, thus reducing energy consumption while maintaining reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
A multi-port valve assembly, including a housing, a plurality of ports formed as part of the housing, and a rotor disposed in the housing, the rotor selectively in fluid communication with the ports. A first channel is integrally formed as part of the rotor, and a circumferential wall is part of the first channel, the circumferential wall at least partially surrounding a circular aperture which is also part of the first channel. The multi-port valve assembly also includes a second channel integrally formed as part of the rotor, the second channel fluidically isolated from the first channel, and at least two flow paths formed by the orientation of the rotor relative to the housing and the ports. The rotor is placed in one of a plurality of configurations relative to the ports and the housing such that each of the plurality of configurations includes the flow paths.