Volume Flow Regulator With Flow Barrier for Uniform Air Throttling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing volume flow controllers in air conditioning and ventilation systems experience a sharp increase in throttling effect at larger flap closing angles, limiting their uniformity and effectiveness.
Innovation Solution
A volume flow controller design that incorporates a flow barrier, which can be arranged externally or internally, to reduce the flow cross-section uniformly as the control flap closes, allowing for more controlled throttling and featuring a differential pressure measuring device for precise flow regulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a conventional control flap is used without a flow barrier, then the device structure is simple, but the throttling effect increases sharply only at large flap closing angles, limiting uniform flow regulation
Solution Approach 1:
The flow control function is segmented between two components: the control flap for coarse adjustment and the flow barrier for fine adjustment. This segmentation allows the control flap to handle large opening variations while the flow barrier provides continuous throttling control, achieving uniform throttling effect across the entire range of motion.
Solution Approach 2:
The flow barrier acts as an intermediary element between the upstream and downstream chambers. It mediates the flow control by providing a variable obstruction that works in conjunction with the control flap, enabling smooth and uniform throttling without requiring the control flap alone to perform the entire regulation function.
2Volume of moving object
If the control flap is positioned close to the duct wall, then the device occupies less space, but the throttling effect is insufficient at small flap closing angles
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of relying solely on the control flap's position relative to the duct wall for throttling, the invention introduces the flow barrier as an additional dimension of control. The flow barrier can be adjusted independently to provide throttling effect even when the control flap is in positions that would normally provide insufficient obstruction, thus maintaining effectiveness in a compact space.
3Measurement precision
If a flow barrier is added to improve throttling uniformity, then the flow regulation precision is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The flow barrier is designed to serve multiple functions: it provides fine throttling control, works in conjunction with the control flap for combined regulation, and can be integrated with the existing duct structure. This multi-functionality justifies the additional component by providing enhanced flow regulation precision across various operating conditions.
4Speed
If the control flap is made smaller to match the remaining free flow cross-section, then the response sensitivity is improved, but the structural stability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The flow barrier provides a counterbalancing function to the smaller control flap. While the reduced-size control flap offers improved response sensitivity, the flow barrier compensates for the reduced structural stability by providing additional support and maintaining proper flow distribution, effectively counterbalancing the structural compromise.
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 more uniform increase in throttling effect with increasing flap closing angles and provides accurate flow rate measurement, ensuring efficient airflow regulation while maintaining a compact design suitable for space-constrained applications like laboratory fume hoods.
Implementation Method 1
a measuring device for detecting differential pressures of the medium flowing in the flow channel with at least two removal openings arranged one behind the other at a distance in the direction of flow
Implementation Method 2
The flow barrier that reduces the flow cross section by a partial area is arranged between the removal openings
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The controller has a control and/or throttle flap (5) supported on a shaft (4) arranged transverse to a flow direction (3) in an inner side of a channel (2). A flow barrier (6) i.e. circular diaphragm, reduces a flow cross section around partial areas (12, 13) designed as circular gaps. The shaft is arranged in the area of the cross section. A measuring device detects difference pressure of medium flowing in the channel. The measuring device has removal openings (14, 15) arranged one behind the other in a distance in the flow direction. The flow barrier is arranged between the openings.