Fluid Valve Assembly With Stabilized Supply Pressure Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional pneumatic and hydraulic fluid valve assemblies, particularly poppet valve types, face challenges with robustness, manufacturing complexity, and control precision due to high force requirements and pressure imbalances, leading to unstable actuator control and potential uncontrolled movements.
Innovation Solution
A fluid valve assembly design featuring a valve body with a central bore, actuator chamber, and exhaust chamber, utilizing a stem with coaxially arranged metering edges and a seal member to stabilize supply pressure through a restricted flow path and check valve, ensuring balanced pressure and precise control, and incorporating pressure-balanced poppet rings to reduce control forces and enhance controllability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional pneumatic and hydraulic fluid valve assemblies (poppet valve types) are used, then fluid flow control is achieved, but control precision deteriorates due to pressure imbalances and high force requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The valve assembly is segmented into distinct functional zones: an outer supply pressure chamber, an inner supply pressure chamber, an actuator chamber, and an exhaust chamber. This segmentation allows independent pressure management in each zone, enabling precise control of the poppet valve by balancing pressures on both sides of the stem, thereby reducing the net control force required while maintaining accurate position control.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates pressure equipotential conditions by establishing balanced pressure distributions across the valve stem. The outer supply pressure chamber and inner supply pressure chamber are configured to provide counteracting forces that balance the pressure differential across the poppet valve, reducing the unbalanced force that would otherwise require high control effort and reduce precision.
2Reliability
If conventional fluid valve assemblies are used, then actuator control is achieved, but stability deteriorates leading to uncontrolled movements
Solution Approach 1:
The dual-chamber supply pressure configuration provides inherent pressure feedback stabilization. When supply pressure fluctuates, the counteracting forces from the outer and inner supply pressure chambers automatically adjust to maintain balance, preventing uncontrolled stem movement. This passive feedback mechanism enhances stability without requiring additional active control elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention provides beforehand cushioning by pre-configuring the pressure balance system to compensate for potential supply pressure variations before they cause instability. The restricted flow path and check valve arrangements ensure that pressure changes are gradual and controlled, preventing sudden uncontrolled movements of the actuator stem.
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional poppet valve designs are used, then manufacturing is simplified, but manufacturing precision requirements increase due to high force and pressure conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the pressure distribution parameters within the valve assembly by introducing the dual-chamber supply pressure system. This parameter change allows the use of standard manufacturing tolerances while achieving precise pressure balance, because the balanced force configuration is inherent in the design rather than relying on tight tolerances of individual components.
4Power
If conventional fluid valve assemblies are used, then actuator operation is achieved, but energy consumption increases due to high force requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies the counterweight principle to pressure forces by configuring the outer supply pressure chamber and inner supply pressure chamber to provide counteracting forces that balance each other. This balance reduces the net force that the control system must generate, thereby reducing the energy required for actuator operation while maintaining full control authority.
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 provides stable and precise control of fluid flow, reduces the energy needed for actuator operation, and prevents uncontrolled movements, enabling efficient and accurate control of process valves with improved manufacturing feasibility and cost-effectiveness.
Implementation Method 1
The inner supply pressure chamber is arranged to retain a stabilized supply pressure providing the axial counter force affecting on the stem within the inner supply pressure chamber
Implementation Method 2
a seal member arranged coaxially with the stem between the outer supply pressure chamber and the inner supply pressure chamber
Implementation Method 3
a metering edge and a counteracting metering edge arranged coaxially with and controlled by the stem and arranged to control fluid flow from the outer supply pressure chamber to the actuator chamber
Implementation Method 4
a pneumatic or hydraulic unit that takes in the electrical control signal and converts it to a corresponding fluid pressure output to an actuator
Data Source
Figure 1A~1D
Figure 2A~4C
Figure 3~5B
AI summary
A fluid valve assembly (60) comprises a central bore (202) and a stem (203) axially-movable within the central bore and actuated by an axial pilot force (F_pil) and an axial counter force (F_sup). An inner supply pressure chamber (202E) is provided to retain a stabilized supply pressure providing the axial counter force affecting on the stem. A seal member (603) is arranged coaxially with the stem between the inner supply pressure chamber and an outer supply pressure chamber which is connected to a supply pressure input line (S). A metering edge (PR3,PS3) is arranged coaxially with the stem to control fluid flow from the outer supply pressure chamber to an actuator chamber (202D). Means (605) are provided to stabilize the supply pressure in the inner chamber against sudden pressure drops in the outer supply pressure chamber.