Curved Rotary Fluid Valve for Linear Flow Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid control valves exhibit non-linear relationships between input actuation and output effect, requiring complex calibration or feedback loops to achieve desired flow rates, and linear-actuated valves often require additional space and have limited linear response.
Innovation Solution
A fluid control valve design featuring a valve element that rotates about a pivot point, with inner and outer walls defining a curved flow path where the separation between them remains constant along the restrictor portion, allowing for a linear variation of the valve opening area with rotary actuator angle, eliminating the need for complex calibration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a rotating valve element is used to control fluid flow, then the valve can be actuated with a simple rotary motion, but the relationship between input actuation and output flow rate becomes non-linear
Solution Approach 1:
The valve element employs a curved flow path with specifically shaped inner and outer walls that define a restrictor portion. The curvature and varying separation distance between walls create a flow area that changes linearly with rotary actuation angle, transforming the non-linear rotary motion into a linear flow control characteristic without requiring complex calibration
2Device complexity
If linear-actuated valves are used to achieve a linear relationship between input and output, then the flow control becomes predictable, but additional installation space is required
Solution Approach 1:
The valve body defines a curved flow path where the inner and outer walls are positioned at varying separations. This curved geometry allows the valve to achieve linear flow control characteristics within a compact rotary actuation mechanism, eliminating the need for additional installation space required by linear-actuated valves
3Productivity
If the separation between inner and outer walls is varied along the restrictor portion, then the flow characteristics can be optimized, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The inner and outer walls of the restrictor portion are designed with different geometric characteristics - the inner wall follows a curved path with varying radius while the outer wall maintains a constant separation distance in certain regions. This local variation in wall geometry allows optimization of flow characteristics across different operating ranges while maintaining manufacturability through standardized molding techniques
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
A fluid control valve 200 is disclosed, comprising: a valve body 210 defining an outer wall 212 for a curved flow path through the fluid control valve; and a valve element 220 defining an opposing inner wall 224 and rotatable relative to the valve body about a pivot point 222 through between a closed position a range of open positions. A separation between the first inner wall and the outer wall along a restrictor portion 204 of the flow path varies between open positions. The first inner wall and the outer wall are cooperatively defined so that for at least some open positions the separation between the first inner wall and the outer wall is constant along the respective restrictor portion 204 of the flow path.