Stepped Gas Valve Flow Path for Clog-Resistant Minimum Flow

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Solution Overview

Problem

In gas valve systems, foreign matters like dust and debris can enter the smallest gas flow holes, causing instability in gas burner flames due to blockages, which disrupt the intended flow rate.

Innovation Solution

A valve device with a stepped flow passage design, where the opening area between the valve body and turning member is larger than the throttle part, preventing foreign matters from entering while maintaining the intended flow rate, and incorporating shielding parts and cut-out features to enhance foreign matter exclusion and flow versatility.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If the throttle part is designed with a small opening area to achieve minimum flow rate setting, then the gas flow rate can be reduced to the minimum level, but foreign matter can easily enter and block the flow passage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegas flow rateVSAvoidflow passage stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The flow passage is divided into two distinct sections: a large opening area section for foreign matter exclusion and a small throttle opening section for minimum flow rate control. This segmentation allows each section to perform its specific function optimally without interfering with the other.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The large opening area acts as an intermediary between the gas source and the small throttle opening. It serves as a protective zone that filters out foreign matter before the gas reaches the critical small opening, preventing blockages while maintaining the intended minimum flow rate.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the opening area is increased to prevent foreign matter blockage, then the reliability of flow passage is improved, but the minimum flow rate setting capability is lost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflow passage stabilityVSAvoidgas flow rate
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The flow passage is divided into two distinct sections: a large opening area section for foreign matter exclusion and a small throttle opening section for minimum flow rate control. This segmentation allows each section to perform its specific function optimally without interfering with the other.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different sections of the flow passage have different opening areas tailored to their specific functions. The upstream section has a large opening for foreign matter exclusion, while the downstream throttle section has a small opening for precise minimum flow rate control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Measurement precision

If a small throttle opening is used to achieve precise flow control, then the minimum flow rate can be accurately set, but the flow passage becomes vulnerable to foreign matter entry

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflow rate precisionVSAvoidforeign matter impact
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The large opening area is positioned upstream of the small throttle opening to perform preliminary filtering of foreign matter before the gas reaches the precision throttle section. This preliminary action protects the sensitive small opening from blockages.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The large opening area acts as an intermediary between the gas source and the small throttle opening. It serves as a protective zone that filters out foreign matter before the gas reaches the critical small opening, preventing blockages while maintaining the intended minimum flow rate.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3124837B1Valve device
Publication Date: 2018.11.28 SANKYO SEIKI MFG CO LTD
  • EP3124837B1 patent drawingFigure 1(a)~1(b)
  • EP3124837B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3124837B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A valve device is provided, so that a minute flow amount of fluid is capable of being set and a flow passage is prevented from being disturbed by a foreign matter. Specifically, the valve device includes: a drive source; a turning member, being driven and turned by the driving source; a valve body, being fixed to the turning member in a state that an end face of the valve body and an end face of the turning member in an axial direction are contacted with each other, and the valve body is integrally turned with the turning member; and a valve seat, being sliding contacted with an end face of the valve body opposite to the end face of the valve body contacting with the turning member. The valve seat has at least one outflow hole for fluid passing through the valve device, and the valve body has a throttle part which is a minute hole that communicates with the outflow hole in a part of a turning angle of the valve body. A flow passage has an opening part which is provided between opposed faces of the turning member and the valve body, so that the throttle part is communicated with an inflow hole for the fluid and so that inflow of an individual matter having a size which is unable to pass through the throttle part is shielded.