Dynamic Valve Balancing Using a Common Flow Sensor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid transport systems require multiple separate sensors for each consumer to achieve balanced fluid distribution, which is inefficient and increases installation effort, and are not designed for dynamic balancing.
Innovation Solution
A method and device that use a single common flow sensor to determine the current total flow and calculate a balancing factor, allowing for dynamic adjustment of motorized control valves to achieve balanced fluid distribution across consumers without the need for separate sensors, enabling automatic and continuous adaptation to changing conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If separate flow sensors are provided for each consumer to determine flow rates, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and installation effort increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple separate flow measurement functions into a single common flow sensor that measures total flow through the group of consumers. By combining individual flow measurements into one aggregate measurement, the system reduces the number of sensors from multiple separate units to just one common sensor, thereby reducing device complexity and installation effort while still enabling balanced distribution through dynamic adjustment of control valves based on total flow and characteristic data
Solution Approach 2:
The common flow sensor serves a universal function by measuring the total flow through all consumers simultaneously, rather than requiring dedicated sensors for each consumer. This multi-functional approach allows a single sensor to provide the necessary measurement data for balancing the entire group of consumers, eliminating the need for multiple specialized sensors and reducing system complexity
2Measurement precision
If multiple pressure connection points are arranged for each balancing element, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and installation effort increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple pressure measurement requirements into a single pressure connection point per consumer that connects to the common flow sensor system. Instead of arranging two pressure connection points on both sides of each balancing element as in prior art, the system uses one pressure connection point in conjunction with the common flow sensor to determine flow rates, thereby reducing the total number of pressure connection points while maintaining measurement precision through the dynamic balancing algorithm
Solution Approach 2:
The common flow sensor acts as an intermediary that eliminates the need for multiple direct pressure connection points at each consumer. By introducing this single common sensor that measures total flow, the system mediates between the need for precise flow measurement and the desire to reduce installation complexity, allowing accurate balancing to be achieved without requiring multiple pressure taps at each consumer location
3Manufacturing precision
If static balancing methods are used with fixed resistance coefficients, then manufacturing precision is improved, but adaptability to changing conditions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from static balancing with fixed resistance coefficients to dynamic balancing where the system continuously adapts to changing conditions. The control unit dynamically adjusts the opening degree of control valves based on real-time measurements from the common flow sensor and characteristic data, allowing the system to maintain precise balancing even as consumer requirements and system conditions change over time, thereby achieving both precision and adaptability
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback control by continuously measuring total flow through the common flow sensor, comparing it against target values, and adjusting control valve positions accordingly. This feedback mechanism allows the system to maintain precise balancing settings while adapting to changing conditions, as the control unit receives continuous information about actual flow distribution and makes real-time adjustments to achieve and maintain the desired balanced state
Data Source
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AI summary
In order to equalize (S3) a group of consumers in a fluid transport system, in which each consumer is provided with a motorized control valve for regulating the flow through the consumer, characteristic data for the consumers are stored (S2), which determine a respective valve position of the corresponding control valve for the target flows through each of the consumers. A current total flow through the group of consumers is determined (S32) by means of a common flow sensor, and an equalization factor is determined (S34) on the basis of the current total flow and a sum of the desired target flows. A dynamic equalization of the consumers is carried out by setting (S31) the valve positions of the corresponding control valves on the basis of the characteristic data and the equalization factor.