Fluidic Valve Control Using Working Fluid Pressure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluidic devices for supplying working fluids to electrochemical systems, such as fuel cells, require high energy costs for valve control due to the use of dedicated control fluids like compressed air, which also pose safety risks and inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
A fluidic device with a pressure-controlled valve system that uses the working fluid itself to open or close the valve by adjusting pressure, reducing energy consumption and eliminating the need for a dedicated control fluid, thereby minimizing energy costs and safety risks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a dedicated control fluid (e.g., compressed air) is used to control the valve, then the valve control is reliable and effective, but the energy cost increases and safety risks arise
Solution Approach 1:
The working fluid itself is used to control the valve through the distributor mechanism. The distributor directs the working fluid to either the first opening (upstream pressure) or second opening (downstream pressure) based on its position, allowing the valve to open or close using the working fluid's own pressure without requiring external control fluids or energy sources.
2Ease of operation
If compressed air is used for valve control, then the valve can be effectively controlled, but safety risks increase due to potential contamination or leakage
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the working fluid already present in the system to control the valve, eliminating the need for separate control fluids like compressed air. The distributor mechanism routes the working fluid to appropriate pressure zones (upstream or downstream) to actuate the valve, ensuring no foreign substances are introduced into the working fluid path and eliminating contamination or leakage risks associated with dedicated control fluids.
3Speed
If an electric solenoid is used to control the valve, then the valve response is fast and reliable, but the energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces electrically actuated valve control (solenoid) with a purely pneumatic/hydraulic control mechanism using the working fluid itself. The distributor, positioned in series with the fluid line, uses the working fluid's pressure and flow to directly actuate the valve through pressure differential, eliminating the need for electrical components and their associated energy consumption while maintaining fast response through fluid pressure dynamics.
4Stress or pressure
If a pressure regulator is positioned upstream of the valve, then the downstream pressure is controlled, but the valve control complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The distributor is positioned in series with the fluid line and integrates multiple functions: it controls the valve actuation, regulates downstream pressure, and directs working fluid flow. By combining the pressure regulation and valve control functions in a single component positioned upstream, the system simplifies the overall control architecture while maintaining effective downstream pressure control and valve actuation.
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 achieves low energy costs and high reliability by utilizing the working fluid to control the valve, avoiding the inefficiencies and safety hazards associated with traditional control methods, while ensuring reliable operation and compact design.
Implementation Method 1
the valve is adapted to be pressure-controlled for opening or closing, depending on whether a pressure exerted on the valve head is substantially equal to the upstream pressure Pin or to the downstream pressure Pout
Data Source
AI summary
A fluidic device for supplying working fluid includes: a fluid line for the flow of the working fluid; a pressure regulator adapted to reduce the pressure of the working fluid from the upstream pressure to a downstream pressure; a valve adapted to be pressure-controlled for opening or closing, depending on whether a pressure exerted on its valve head is substantially equal to the upstream pressure or to the downstream pressure; a distributor including a first opening connected to an upstream side of the pressure regulator, a second opening downstream of the pressure regulator, and a control opening connected to the valve head. The distributor is adapted to cause the opening or closing of the valve, depending on whether the control opening is connected to the first opening or to the second opening.