Integrated Flow-Control Valve Core for Constant Pressure Balance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing flow-control valves for liquid-conducting heating or cooling systems are expensive to manufacture, require large housings, and cannot be easily integrated with commercially available thermostat valves due to the lack of an integrated pressure-control assembly, which complicates installation and affects hydraulic balance.
Innovation Solution
A compact flow-control valve design with an integrated pressure-control assembly, where a valve core forms a single part containing all necessary components, allowing for easy installation and retrofitting into existing thermostat valves, maintaining constant pressure differential and regulating flow without additional housing requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a flow-control valve with integrated pressure-control assembly is designed using separate prefabricated parts, then the valve can maintain constant pressure differential, but the manufacturing cost increases and the housing size becomes larger
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the pressure-control assembly and flow-control assembly into a single integrated valve core (150) that can be inserted as one piece into the housing. This merging eliminates the need for separate prefabricated parts, reducing manufacturing complexity and cost while maintaining the constant pressure differential function through the integrated design of the valve body (110), pressure control elements (120, 130), and flow control elements (140).
2Reliability
If separate prefabricated parts are used to build the flow-control valve, then pressure control function is achieved, but the housing must be relatively large
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a nested structure where the pressure-control assembly (120, 130) and flow-control assembly (140) are integrated within the valve body (110) of the single-piece valve core (150). This nesting allows all control functions to be contained within a compact unit, minimizing the required housing size while maintaining full pressure control capability.
3Reliability
If a flow-control valve with integrated pressure-control assembly is used, then hydraulic balance can be achieved in existing systems, but the complete replacement of conventional valves is necessary
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the valve core (150) with universal compatibility features that allow it to be installed in existing thermostat valve housings without requiring complete system replacement. The integrated pressure-control assembly provides hydraulic balance functionality while the standardized interface enables retrofitting of existing conventional valve installations.
4Reliability
If additional chamber is added to existing thermostat valve housings for pressure control, then pressure regulation is possible, but new housing adapted to components is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the pressure control chamber and flow control passages within the single-piece valve core (150) itself, eliminating the need for additional chambers in the housing. The valve body (110) contains all necessary pressure regulation components (120, 130) and flow control elements (140) in an integrated configuration that fits existing thermostat valve housings without modification.
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 cost-effective, space-efficient installation of flow-control valves with integrated pressure control, allowing for the replacement of non-dynamic valve cores in existing systems, maintaining hydraulic balance and maximizing volumetric flow while minimizing the need for new housings.
Implementation Method 1
a pressure-control assembly (14) integrated into the valve core (5) that maintains constant a pressure differential between an input pressure upstream of and an output pressure downstream of the flow-control assembly (8)
Implementation Method 2
having a diaphragm (17) clamped in a groove (35) of the valve core (5) with a first face turned axially upward toward an actuating element (7') of a valve spindle (7) and exposed to pressure at an inlet port (3) via a first passage (18) extending through the valve spindle (7)
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a flow regulating valve (1) for liquid-conducting heating or cooling systems, consisting of a housing (2) with an inlet (3), an outlet (4), and a connecting piece (13) which is arranged between the inlet and outlet and into which a pressure regulating device (14) that keeps the pressure difference between the pressure regions in front of and behind a flow regulating unit (8) arranged in the connecting piece constant and a spindle (7) with an actuating part protruding out of the housing (2) and with a first throttle element (9) located in the housing (2) are inserted, said first throttle element acting on the flow regulating unit or parts thereof. The flow regulating unit (8) consists of a first throttle device, which is made of the first throttle element (9) that is secured to the spindle (7) and a seat (10), and a second throttle device, which is made of a second throttle element (11) that is arranged on the spindle (7) in a movable manner along same and a seat, wherein the second throttle element (11) can be moved in the direction of the first throttle element (9).