Flow regulator for air-conditioning systems
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing flow regulators for air conditioning systems generate noise, incur high energy consumption due to minimum pressure drop, and have accuracy issues at low flow rates.
Innovation Solution
A flow regulator design featuring a housing with a divider that splits the air passage into two channels, using movable sealing elements with a triangular cross-section and a geared transmission, and an acoustic insulating divider with rounded and acute-angled profiles to minimize noise and pressure drop, while improving measurement accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a flow regulator uses a sealing element to control air flow, then the flow rate can be regulated, but noise is generated and energy is consumed due to pressure drop
Solution Approach 1:
The air passage is divided into two separate channels by a divider, with each channel having its own sealing element. This segmentation allows the air flow to be split and controlled independently in each channel, reducing turbulence and noise generation while maintaining effective flow rate control.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing elements are positioned at different locations along the air passage rather than blocking the entire cross-section at one point. This spatial distribution across different dimensions reduces the intensity of turbulence and noise while still achieving the required flow control.
2Productivity
If a flow regulator creates resistance to modulate flow, then the flow rate can be controlled, but static pressure drop increases and energy consumption rises
Solution Approach 1:
By dividing the air passage into two channels, each handling a portion of the total flow, the resistance in each channel is reduced compared to a single-channel design. This segmentation lowers the overall pressure drop and energy consumption while maintaining effective flow control capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing elements are designed to move dynamically between open and closed positions, allowing the system to adapt the air passage configuration to match the required flow rate. This dynamic adjustment optimizes the balance between flow control and pressure drop minimization.
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 design reduces noise generation, energy consumption, and enhances measurement accuracy at low flow rates, ensuring efficient and homogeneous airflow with reduced vortices and pressure drop.
Implementation Method 1
The rounded profile of the divider corresponds to the air inlet and facilitates the adherence of the flow to this surface
Implementation Method 2
the acute-angled profile of the splitter, prevents the generation of vortices, and therefore minimizes noise generation
Implementation Method 3
The flat geometry of the obturators facilitates the generation of vortices caused by the detachment of the boundary layer that occurs at the edges
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5
AI summary
The flow regulator for air-conditioning systems comprises a housing (1) defining an inner space with an air passage section; at least one sealing element (4) movable between an open and closed position and vice versa, according to which the air passage section of the inner space is determined; and a divider (2) located inside the housing (1), which divides the inner space into two channels (3). It allows avoiding or minimizing noise generation, reducing the minimum pressure drop of the regulator, reducing energy consumption, and also improving the accuracy of the measurement system at low flow rates.