Flow Control Valve with Multi-Directional Display
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional flow control valves lack a component to display the instantaneous flow rate, making it difficult to accurately determine the flow rate, especially when installed in obstructed spaces or exposed to damaging environments, leading to potential errors and losses in industrial processes.
Innovation Solution
A flow control valve with a transparent cap and flow display device that allows viewing from any direction, featuring display straps of different colors and a turning knob that rotates simultaneously with the cap to expose the relevant display straps, ensuring accurate flow rate determination without deviation, and protecting the display device from moisture, wetness, humidity, or dust.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a conventional flow control valve without display components is used, then the device complexity is low, but the measurement precision of flow rate is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The flow display device is nested within the valve structure, with display straps integrated into the valve body and the transparent cap enclosing the display section. This nested arrangement allows the display functionality to be incorporated without significantly increasing the overall device complexity, while providing precise visual indication of flow rate through the layered structure of display elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs display straps with different colors representing different flow rate ranges. The color-coded display system provides intuitive visual measurement of flow rate, transforming the abstract concept of flow rate into easily distinguishable color zones that can be quickly interpreted by the operator.
2Measurement precision
If the flow display device is installed on the valve seat, then the measurement precision is improved, but the reliability of the display device in harsh environments deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a transparent cap that encloses the display section, creating a protective barrier against moisture, wetness, humidity, and dust. This encapsulation approach allows the display device to be protected from harsh environmental conditions while maintaining visibility of the flow rate indication through the transparent material.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the valve is installed in obstructed spaces, then the adaptability to different installation environments is improved, but the ease of operation for viewing flow rate deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables viewing of the flow display device from multiple directions (front, left, right, and rear) by strategically positioning the transparent cap and display straps. This multi-directional visibility transforms a potentially one-dimensional viewing constraint into a three-dimensional solution, allowing operators to read the flow rate from various angles depending on the installation location and observer position.
Data Source
AI summary
A flow control valve includes: a valve body, a valve seat, a valve rod, a flow display device, a transparent cap and a turning knob. The flow display device is installed around a display section of the valve seat, includes a plurality of display straps observable from any direction via the transparent cap in order to determine the instant fluid flow rate regardless of whether the location of the flow control valve in an open and unobstructed space, or many obstacles in the wall, corner, or narrow space. The user can clearly see the flow display device from any angle so as to determine the real-time flow rate without deviation.