Flange-mounted inline valve with integrated electrical feed
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing chiller systems face issues with electronic expansion valves that have large motor heads outside the system, limiting flexibility and introducing multiple leak paths, such as through shaft seals.
Innovation Solution
A flange-mounted inline valve with an integrated electrical feed that allows the valve components to be internal to the system piping, eliminating the external motor head and reducing leak paths, while providing precise flow control and ease of installation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If an electronic expansion valve with an external motor head is used, then the valve can provide precise flow control, but the system flexibility is limited and multiple leak paths are introduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the motor head with the valve body by integrating the electrical feed directly into the valve assembly. The motor is positioned inside the valve body with its shaft extending through the diaphragm, eliminating the need for an external motor head and shaft seal. This integration maintains precise flow control while improving system flexibility and eliminating leak paths.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the motor head from the external position and relocates it inside the valve body. By taking out the external motor head and integrating the motor internally with a direct shaft connection through the diaphragm, the design eliminates the shaft seal requirement and associated leak paths while maintaining flow control precision.
2Ease of operation
If an electronic expansion valve with an external motor head is used, then the valve can be electrically operated, but multiple leak paths are introduced through shaft seals
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the external motor head and shaft seal assembly that created leak paths. By extracting the motor from its external position and integrating it internally with a direct shaft connection through the diaphragm, the design maintains electrical operation capability while eliminating the shaft seal and associated leak paths.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the motor assembly with the valve body into a single integrated unit. The electrical feed is routed internally through the valve body to the motor, merging the electrical operation components with the valve structure. This integration eliminates external shaft seals and reduces leak paths while maintaining ease of electrical operation.
3Reliability
If a flange-mounted inline valve with integrated electrical feed is used, then leak paths are reduced and system flexibility is improved, but the electrical connection complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the electrical feed routing with the valve body structure. The electrical feed passes through the valve body internally to reach the motor, combining the electrical connection path with the mechanical valve structure. This integration reduces leak paths by eliminating external connections while the modular design keeps electrical connection complexity manageable.
Data Source
AI summary
A flange-mounted inline valve arrangement includes a flange having an internal fluid passage, and an inline electrically-operable valve coupled to the flange. The inline valve includes a valve body and a valve member movable relative to the fluid passage in the flange for controlling flow. The valve arrangement also includes an electrical feed that connects to the electrically-operable valve through the flange for enabling an electrical connection external to the flange and other system piping. At least part of the electrical feed may be in a flow path and is fluidly sealed to prevent electrical shorts. The valve arrangement may be installed into the system as a single unit with an exterior coupling of the electrical feed on an exterior part of the flange to easily make the external electrical connection. The valve arrangement may be used in a chiller, where the inline valve is an electronic expansion valve.