Frequency-Selective Damper Valve with Variable Volume Chamber
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing frequency-selective damper valves face challenges in achieving a well-defined relation between fluid flow and pressure with regard to closing position and velocity, are sensitive to manufacturing tolerances, and require significant space, especially when designed for bidirectional operation.
Innovation Solution
A frequency-selective damper valve with a controlled flow channel and a controlled valve assembly, featuring a movable valve body that interacts with a variable volume chamber to adjust flow resistance, allowing bidirectional operation and robustness against manufacturing tolerances, while maintaining a simple design in a limited space.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a pressure chamber is used to control closing force in frequency-selective valves, then frequency-selective damping behavior is achieved, but the closing force shows strong non-linear dependence on time and pressure, making it difficult to obtain a desired proportional relation between closing force and time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a movable valve body that dynamically changes position in response to pressure changes, creating a variable orifice area. This dynamic geometry allows the valve to automatically adjust its flow characteristics, transforming the non-linear pressure-time relationship into a more controllable and predictable closing force profile through the interplay of pressure differential and orifice area changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the geometric parameters of the flow channel by using a movable valve body whose position varies with pressure. This parameter change (orifice area as a function of valve body displacement) modifies the flow resistance characteristics, enabling better control over the closing force time-dependency while maintaining frequency-selective damping functionality.
2Adaptability or versatility
If known frequency-selective damper valve configurations are used, then frequency-selective damping is achieved, but the control chamber pressure does not return to neutral level for next fluid flow, strongly deteriorating valve performance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the pressure accumulation problem from the control system by providing a dedicated pressure relief mechanism. The relief opening allows excess pressure in the control chamber to be discharged, enabling the pressure to return to neutral level after each damping event, thus restoring valve performance for subsequent operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention implements a pressure recovery mechanism where the control chamber pressure is discarded (relieved) after serving its damping function, and then recovered (re-pressurized) for the next damping event. This cyclical pressure management ensures consistent valve performance across multiple operating cycles.
3Adaptability or versatility
If two known frequency-selective damping valve configurations are used to achieve bidirectional damping, then frequency-selective damping in opposite directions is obtained, but relatively large amount of space is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs a single valve assembly that performs multiple functions: it provides frequency-selective damping in both directions of fluid flow. The valve body and flow channel geometry are configured to respond to pressure differentials regardless of flow direction, eliminating the need for separate valve configurations for bidirectional operation and reducing overall space requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges the functionality of two separate unidirectional frequency-selective damping valves into a single bidirectional valve configuration. By integrating the pressure-responsive valve body and appropriately positioning the relief opening, the design achieves bidirectional damping capability in one compact unit, reducing the total volume and complexity compared to using two separate valve assemblies.
4Adaptability or versatility
If known frequency-selective damping valve configurations are used, then damping function is achieved, but strong dependence on manufacturing tolerances is observed, requiring high precision manufacturing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the damping function into distinct geometric features: the valve body shape, the flow channel geometry, and the relief opening configuration. This segmentation allows each feature to be optimized and manufactured independently with standard tolerances, reducing the cumulative tolerance stack-up problem and decreasing dependence on ultra-precise manufacturing while maintaining damping performance.
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
The solution enables a well-defined fluid flow and pressure relation, providing robust and efficient frequency-selective damping in both directions with reduced space requirements, independent of manufacturing tolerances.
Implementation Method 1
a fluid pressure upstream of the controlled valve assembly with respect to the controlled fluid flow acting on the movable valve body to induce a force on the movable valve member
Implementation Method 2
the variable volume chamber comprises an outlet opening, in operation, downstream of the controlled valve assembly and does not comprise an opening upstream of the controlled valve assembly with respect to the controlled fluid flow in the controlled flow channel
Data Source
AI summary
A frequency-selective damper valve includes a controlled flow channel providing a fluid connection between a first and second valve sides; a controlled valve assembly in a controlled flow channel; a movable valve body acting on the controlled valve assembly; and a variable volume chamber, the movable valve body interacting with the variable volume chamber such that movement of the movable valve body and a change in volume of the variable volume chamber are interrelated. The variable volume chamber includes an outlet opening, in operation, downstream of the controlled valve assembly and does not include an opening upstream of the controlled valve assembly with respect to a controlled fluid flow in the controlled flow channel, the outlet opening providing a flow resistance.