Fluid Transport Valve Balancing Using a Common Flow Sensor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid transport systems face challenges in achieving dynamic balancing of fluid distribution among consumers without requiring separate sensors for each consumer, as they often rely on multiple pressure connections and are not configured for dynamic adjustments.
Innovation Solution
A method and device that utilize a common flow sensor to determine the current total flow and desired target flows, calculating a balancing factor to dynamically adjust the valve positions of motorized regulating valves based on characteristic data, enabling automatic and continuous balancing of consumers without separate sensors or pressure connections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If separate sensors and pressure connections are provided for each consumer, then measurement precision and flow determination accuracy are improved, but device complexity and installation requirements worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple measurement functions into a single flow sensor that measures total flow through the group of consumers. Instead of installing separate sensors and pressure connections at each consumer, the system uses one common flow sensor combined with individual valve position data from motorized regulating valves to calculate and determine flow distribution across all consumers, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining measurement capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces valve position data from motorized regulating valves as an intermediary parameter. By measuring the position of regulating valves and combining this information with total flow data from a single flow sensor, the system can calculate individual consumer flows without requiring direct measurement at each consumer location, thus reducing the number of sensors needed
2Device complexity
If static balancing elements are used, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability to changing system conditions worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms static balancing elements into dynamic motorized regulating valves that can automatically adjust their opening positions based on real-time measurements. The system continuously measures total flow and valve positions, calculates balancing factors, and automatically adjusts valve openings to maintain optimal flow distribution as system conditions change, providing dynamic adaptability while keeping the physical device structure relatively simple
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback control system where flow sensor data and valve position data are continuously monitored, processed to calculate balancing factors, and used to automatically adjust motorized regulating valves. This closed-loop feedback mechanism enables the system to adapt to changing conditions such as varying total flow, pressure changes, and consumer demands without requiring complex manual rebalancing procedures
3Device complexity
If manual balancing procedures are used, then device complexity is minimized, but productivity and time consumption worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the balancing system to perform self-adjustment through automated control. The motorized regulating valves are equipped with control mechanisms that automatically receive balancing factors from the control unit and adjust their positions accordingly, eliminating the need for manual intervention by balancing specialists. The system monitors its own performance and makes real-time adjustments to maintain optimal flow distribution
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical balancing procedures with an automated control system. Instead of requiring balancing specialists to physically adjust valves based on experience and manual measurements, the system uses electronic sensors, microprocessors, and motorized actuators to automatically measure flow, calculate balancing factors, and adjust valve positions, dramatically improving balancing speed and efficiency
Data Source
AI summary
To balance (S3) a group of consumers in a fluid transport system in which each consumer is provided with a motorized control valve for regulating the flow through the consumer, characteristic data for the consumers is stored (S2) which determines a valve position of the relevant control valve for target flows through one of the consumers in each case. A current total flow through the group of consumers is determined by means of a common flow sensor (S32) and a balance factor (S34) is defined on the basis of the current total flow and a sum of the desired target flows through the consumers. The consumers are dynamically balanced by setting (S31) the valve settings for the corresponding control valves on the basis of the characteristic data and the balance factor.