Flow Regulation Valve Spring Support for Pressure-Independent Flow

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing flow regulation valves for liquid conduction heating and cooling installations face challenges in maintaining consistent flow rates independent of pressure variations and improving flow efficiency.

Innovation Solution

The introduction of a separate spring support for the flow-regulation spring, mounted to the valve insert housing, and a ring element with a diaphragm connected to the second valve body, which interacts with pressures upstream and downstream to maintain constant flow, along with a clear clip mounting mechanism for the ring element, enhances flow regulation and efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a separate spring support is introduced for the flow-regulation spring, then flow efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflow efficiencyVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The spring support is separated from the valve body into an independent component that can be mounted to the valve insert housing. This segmentation allows the spring support to be optimized for flow efficiency while keeping the valve body structure relatively simple, resolving the contradiction between improved flow efficiency and increased device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Productivity

If the spring support protrudes axially and radially inwardly beyond the end section of the valve insert housing, then flow efficiency is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflow efficiencyVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The spring support is designed with a dynamic geometry that protrudes axially and radially inwardly beyond the end section of the valve insert housing. This dynamic configuration optimizes the flow path and improves flow efficiency while maintaining manufacturability through standard machining operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Manufacturing precision

If the diaphragm is connected to both the second valve body and the ring element, then flow regulation precision is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflow regulation precisionVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The ring element serves as an intermediary component that connects the diaphragm to the valve insert housing. This intermediary structure allows the diaphragm to be properly positioned and supported, improving flow regulation precision while distributing the structural complexity across multiple simpler components rather than one complex integrated part.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 improves flow efficiency and maintains constant fluid flow rates regardless of pressure changes, while being simple, reliable, and easy to manufacture, with a calibration method to set specific pre-set flow rates.

Implementation Method 1

A flow-regulation spring (27) acting on the second valve body (21)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpring force: Spring

Implementation Method 2

The pressure being present upstream of the first valve body (18) acts indirectly through the diaphragm (24) on the second valve body (21)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure transmission: Pascal's Law

Data Source

PatentEP3575915B1Flow regulation valve and method for calibrating the same
Publication Date: 2021.07.21 PITTWAY SARL
  • EP3575915B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3575915B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3575915B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

Flow regulation valve (10) for liquid conduction heating and cooling installations, comprising a valve housing (11) providing a valve inlet (12), a valve outlet (13) and a connection port (14) and a valve insert (15) accommodated within the connection port (14). The valve insert (15) has a valve insert housing (16); a first valve body (18) carried by a valve stem (19), wherein said first valve body (18) provides a shut-off function when the valve (10) is closed and a flow pre-setting function when the valve (10) is opened; a second valve body (21), wherein said second valve body (21) provides a pressure-independent flow-regulation function when the valve (10) is opened; a diaphragm (24) connected to the second valve body (21) and a flow-regulation spring (27) acting on the second valve body (21); a first valve seat (20) for the first valve body (18) and a second valve seat (22) for the second valve body (21) both provided by the valve housing (11). Flow regulation valve (10) has a separate spring support (44) for the flow-regulation spring (27), wherein the spring support (44) is mounted to the valve insert housing (16), wherein a first end of the flow-regulation spring (27) is supported against the second valve body (21), and wherein an opposite second end of the flow-regulation spring (27) is supported against the spring sup-port (44).