Self-Adjusting Fluid Amplifier Valve for Flow Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Industrial regulator valves exhibit instability at low flow rates, leading to on-off behavior and reduced accuracy during increased flow conditions, and require manual adjustment which is impractical for cyclical flow demands.
Innovation Solution
A self-adjusting fluid amplifier valve is integrated with the regulator valve, featuring a flow pin connected to the valve member, which adjusts the gain of the fluid flow system by varying the position of the valve member in response to changes in fluid flow, maintaining stability and accuracy across different flow demands.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the regulator valve operates at low flow rates, then the fluid flow control is maintained, but the valve exhibits instability and on-off behavior
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces a feedback mechanism where the fluid amplifier receives feedback fluid from the regulated fluid downstream of the regulator valve. The amplifier compares the regulated fluid pressure with the loading pressure and automatically adjusts the valve member position to maintain stable flow, eliminating the on-off behavior through continuous feedback control.
Solution Approach 2:
The fluid amplifier acts as an intermediary device between the downstream pressure changes and the valve member actuation. It amplifies small pressure differences into larger forces that smoothly control the valve member, preventing direct instability transmission and enabling stable low flow operation.
2Reliability
If manual adjustment of flow restriction is made to maintain low flow rate stability, then the low flow stability improves, but the accuracy during increased flow conditions is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the amplifier gain by varying the flow restriction in response to changing flow conditions. At low flow rates, the restriction maintains stability, while at increased flow rates, the restriction automatically adjusts to maintain accuracy, eliminating the need for fixed manual adjustments.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the operating parameters of the fluid amplifier dynamically. The flow restriction parameter is adjusted based on the flow rate conditions, allowing the system to optimize both low flow stability and high flow accuracy by transitioning between different parameter states.
3Measurement precision
If a technician manually adjusts the flow restriction for cyclical flow demands, then the operational accuracy is maintained, but the response time and availability are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The fluid amplifier automatically performs the adjustment function that previously required technician intervention. It self-regulates the flow restriction based on real-time pressure feedback, maintaining operational accuracy during cyclical flow demands without requiring external manual adjustment or causing time loss.
Data Source
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AI summary
Apparatus (200) to regulate fluid flow are disclosed. The apparatus includes an example regulator valve (220) and an example automatically- adjusting or self- adjusting amplifier valve (180) to maintain fluid flow during low downstream demand fluid flow conditions, and to maintain the operational accuracy and stability of the regulator valve during higher downstream demand fluid flow conditions.