Flow controller
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing flow controllers for heating systems are not compact enough to fit in small installation spaces, limiting their installation in standard housing and requiring significant space for the rate regulating module.
Innovation Solution
The flow controller design features a first flow-through opening on the outer side of the sleeve, allowing for a shorter axial length of the rate regulating module, and a rotatable regulating insert that adjusts the effective cross section of the first flow-through opening, reducing installation space requirements and enabling integration into compact housings like T-pieces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the first flow-through opening is provided on the inner side of the rate regulating module, then the flow regulation function is achieved, but the axial length of the module becomes large requiring significant installation space
Solution Approach 1:
The first flow-through opening is relocated from the inner side (axial direction) to the outer side (radial direction) of the sleeve. This dimensional change allows the heating medium to enter the rate regulating module radially through the outer side, eliminating the need for a long axial structure and significantly reducing the installation space requirement.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of having the heating medium flow through openings in the traditional axial sequence, the invention inverts the flow path by providing the first flow-through opening on the outer side of the sleeve, allowing radial entry of the heating medium into the module, thereby achieving compact axial length.
2Volume of moving object
If a standard compact housing is used, then installation space is reduced, but the rate regulating module must be made more compact
Solution Approach 1:
By changing the flow entry direction from axial to radial (outer side entry), the rate regulating module can be designed with a short axial length to fit standard compact housings like T-pieces, while still maintaining full flow regulation functionality.
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
This design results in a more compact flow controller that can be installed in smaller spaces, supporting both new and existing heating systems, with precise flow regulation and reduced risk of jamming due to uniform flow conditions.
Implementation Method 1
a sleeve of the rate regulating module and a cup of the rate regulating module, which are provided spring-loaded to one another via a bias spring, are disposed axially movable to one another
Implementation Method 2
depending on an axial position, which varies with the pressure difference, a cross section of a second flow-through opening for the heating medium can be changed
Data Source
AI summary
A flow controller for a heating system with a housing, which has an inlet connection for a heating medium, an outlet connection for the heating medium, and a preadjustment connection, with a rate regulating module, and with a handle, which acts together with a movably disposed structural element of the rate regulating module to preadjust the flow. To change the preadjustment of the flow via the handle, an effective cross section of a first flow-through opening for the heating medium can be adjusted and to regulate the preadjusted flow of the heating medium, a sleeve of the rate regulating module and a cup of the rate regulating module are disposed axially movable to one another. The inflow to the rate regulating module occurs on an outer side via the first flow-through opening which is provided on the sleeve and upstream of the second flow-through opening.