Flow Rate Valve With Switched Pressure Area for Low Closing Force
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Solution Overview
Problem
The capacity control valve in existing systems requires a large driving force to close the valve due to strong fluid pressure, especially at high pressures, which increases the energy consumption and complexity.
Innovation Solution
A valve design that adjusts the effective pressure-receiving area by switching between a control region and a closing region, with a smaller closing regional effective pressure-receiving area, allowing for reduced driving force requirements by using a poppet or spool valve structure and a through-flow passage with a stepped shape, reducing the influence of fluid pressure on the valve body.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the valve body is moved in the closing direction against high fluid pressure, then the valve can be closed to stop fluid flow, but a large driving force is required from the solenoid
Solution Approach 1:
The through-flow passage is divided into a first through-flow passage and a second through-flow passage with different cross-sectional areas. The valve body selectively closes different passages based on operation mode, reducing the force required in normal control mode by only closing the smaller second passage.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the valve system have different pressure characteristics. The first through-flow passage handles high-pressure discharge fluid, while the second passage handles lower-pressure control fluid, allowing the valve body to experience reduced net force during normal control operations.
2Reliability
If the valve body has a large pressure-receiving area, then the valve can effectively control high pressure fluid, but the driving force required to close the valve increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure-receiving areas are segmented into different zones: a first pressure-receiving area exposed to discharge pressure and a second pressure-receiving area exposed to control pressure. The valve body's effective pressure-receiving area varies depending on which passages are open or closed.
Solution Approach 2:
The effective pressure-receiving area of the valve body is dynamic rather than static. It changes based on the valve's position and which flow passages are open or closed, allowing optimization of force requirements during different operational phases.
3Reliability
If the valve is designed to close against strong fluid pressure, then flow control is effective, but the solenoid requires large driving force and energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The flow control function is segmented into two modes: emergency shutdown mode where the valve closes against full discharge pressure, and normal control mode where the valve operates with reduced pressure differential, lowering energy consumption during routine operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve operates in different modes periodically: mostly in normal control mode with lower energy consumption, and occasionally in emergency shutdown mode requiring full closing force. This periodic variation in operational demands reduces average energy consumption.
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 reduces the driving force needed to close the valve, improves sealing properties, and allows for precise control of flow rates, enhancing energy efficiency and operational simplicity.
Implementation Method 1
a valve body to be driven by a drive source... a valve body having a rod shape moves toward a valve seat formed in the through-flow passage, to be able to close the through-flow passage
Implementation Method 2
the valve body has an effective pressure-receiving area where a pressure of the fluid acts on the valve body
Data Source
AI summary
A valve in which a small driving force of a drive source is required when the valve is closed. A valve includes a valve housing and a valve body to be driven by a drive source, and controls a flow rate of a fluid flowing through a through-flow passage in a direction opposite a closing direction of the valve body, by moving the valve body from a control region to a closing region. The valve body has an effective pressure-receiving area where a pressure of the fluid acts on the valve body. The effective pressure-receiving area is switched between the effective pressure-receiving area in the control region and the effective pressure-receiving area in the closing region. The effective pressure-receiving area is smaller than the effective pressure-receiving area.