Force-Balanced Gas Valve with Multi-Seal Disk

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing gas valves for metering gaseous media face challenges in maintaining consistent opening forces due to varying gas pressures, limiting the ability to quickly and efficiently meter large amounts of gas, especially in internal combustion engines.

Innovation Solution

The gas valve design features a force-balanced valve disk with two pressure surfaces connected by a channel, allowing gas pressure to be evenly applied, and multiple circumferential sealing edges to increase the flow cross-section, along with a flexible bellows for sealing and a prestressed closing spring for secure closure, enabling rapid and high-volume gas metering.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a conventional valve disk design is used, then the structure is simple, but the opening force varies with gas pressure making metering difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevalve disk structureVSAvoidmetering consistency
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the counterweight principle by creating a force-balanced valve disk where gas pressure acts on both sides through connecting channels. The rear side of the valve disk receives gas pressure via channels from the front side, creating opposing forces that balance each other. This eliminates the variation in opening force caused by gas pressure, ensuring consistent metering performance regardless of pressure fluctuations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #8Anti-weight (Counterweight)

2Speed

If a small valve disk stroke is used, then the response time is fast, but the flow cross-section is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevalve response timeVSAvoidflow cross-section
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dimensionality change by transitioning from a single-seal design to a multi-seal circumferential sealing structure. Multiple sealing edges are arranged circumferentially around the valve disk, allowing the gas flow passage to be opened across multiple dimensions simultaneously. This enables a large effective flow cross-section to be achieved with a small valve disk stroke, as the opening action occurs across the circumferential dimension rather than requiring large linear displacement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Area of stationary object

If multiple circumferential sealing edges are added, then the flow cross-section increases, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflow cross-sectionVSAvoidsealing structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies multi-functionality by designing the valve disk to serve multiple sealing functions simultaneously. The same valve disk structure with its circumferential sealing edges not only creates multiple flow passages but also maintains force balance and ensures reliable sealing across different operating conditions. This multi-functional design achieves increased flow cross-section without proportionally increasing overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 ensures consistent opening forces, allows for a large flow cross-section to be opened quickly, and securely closes the valve, effectively addressing the need for high-performance gas metering in internal combustion engines by balancing gas pressure forces and utilizing a flexible sealing mechanism.

Implementation Method 1

The valve disk is moved by the force of an electromagnet, which is switched on to open the gas valve

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic force: Electromagnet

Implementation Method 2

The gaseous medium to be metered acts on the side of the valve disk facing away from the valve seat and leads to a closing force on the valve disk

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGas pressure: Pressure Increase

Implementation Method 3

A connecting channel, which is formed in the valve plate, is provided for connecting the two pressure surfaces. The connection created by the connecting channel formed in the valve plate ensures that the same gas pressure is always applied to both pressure surfaces

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure transmission: Pascal's Law

Implementation Method 4

This flexible supply line can preferably be formed by a bellows that is connected to the valve disk in a gas-tight manner

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFlexible sealing: Elasticity

Implementation Method 5

a prestressed closing spring for secure closure

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpring force: Spring

Data Source

PatentEP3161299B1Gas valve
Publication Date: 2018.08.01 ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
  • EP3161299B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3161299B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3161299B1 patent drawingFigure 3a

AI summary

A gas valve, in particular a metering valve for a gaseous medium, having a valve washer (10) which is arranged in the gas valve so as to be able to move with respect to a longitudinal axis (8), and having a valve plate (12) with a valve seat (19) formed thereon, wherein the valve washer (10) interacts with the valve seat (19) for opening and closing the gas valve, and having a first circumferential sealing edge (30) between the valve seat (19) and the valve washer (10). The valve washer (10) has a central opening (13) through which the gaseous medium passes, wherein the first circumferential sealing edge (30) surrounds the central opening (13) and wherein, in the central opening (13), there is formed a first pressure face (25) upon which the gaseous medium acts in the closing direction. Furthermore, there is arranged on the valve washer (10) a second pressure face (26) which is formed radially outside the first circumferential sealing edge (30) and on which the gaseous medium also acts. The first pressure face (25) and the second pressure face (26) are connected via a connection passage (15; 17; 24) formed in the valve plate (12).