Dual-Actuated Flow Valve for Wide-Range Pressure Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Double port regulators in pressure regulating valves require tight machining tolerances for complete shut-off and lack separate controls for high and low flow conditions, limiting their operational flexibility and precision.
Innovation Solution
A high flow/low flow valve design with separate high and low flow valve seats and actuators, allowing for independent control of fluid flow through distinct passageways, enabling multiple flow levels and wide operational capabilities, including interchangeable segments for modular construction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If double port regulators are used to provide high flow rates, then productivity is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements become excessively tight and device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The valve is divided into two independent flow paths: a low flow path with its own valve plug, seat, and actuator, and a high flow path with its own valve plug, seat, and actuator. This segmentation allows each path to be optimized independently for its specific flow requirements, eliminating the need for tight machining tolerances across the entire valve while providing both low flow control precision and high flow capacity.
2Productivity
If double port regulators are used to provide high flow rates, then productivity is improved, but device complexity increases due to synchronized valve plugs
Solution Approach 1:
The valve is divided into two independent flow paths: a low flow path with its own valve plug, seat, and actuator, and a high flow path with its own valve plug, seat, and actuator. This segmentation allows each path to be optimized independently for its specific flow requirements, eliminating the need for tight machining tolerances across the entire valve while providing both low flow control precision and high flow capacity.
3Device complexity
If a single actuator controls both valve plugs in double port regulators, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability to different flow conditions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The valve is divided into two independent flow paths: a low flow path with its own valve plug, seat, and actuator, and a high flow path with its own valve plug, seat, and actuator. This segmentation allows each path to be optimized independently for its specific flow requirements, eliminating the need for tight machining tolerances across the entire valve while providing both low flow control precision and high flow capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve system dynamically adapts to different flow conditions by independently controlling two separate flow paths. The low flow actuator and high flow actuator can operate independently or in coordination, allowing the valve to seamlessly transition between low flow and high flow modes based on process requirements, thereby enhancing adaptability without increasing overall system complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A high flow/low flow valve includes a valve body having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet connected to one another by a fluid passageway. A valve seat is disposed in the fluid passageway. A low flow valve plug is disposed in the fluid passageway proximate valve seat, the low flow valve plug cooperating with the valve seat to control fluid flow through the valve seat. A high flow valve plug is disposed in the fluid passageway proximate valve seat, the high flow valve plug cooperating with the valve seat to control fluid flow through the valve seat. A low flow actuator is operatively connected to the low flow valve plug and a high flow actuator operatively connected to the high flow valve plug.