Gas Valve Plug Member Linear Flow Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional gas valves exhibit a nonlinear reduction in gas flow due to lubricant accumulation in the adjusting slot, leading to a sudden change in gas flow, which is undesirable for precise control.
Innovation Solution
A plug member with a main body featuring an axial bore, two inlets of different diameters, and a guiding slot with a gradually reducing width, ensuring a linear change in gas flow and preventing lubricant accumulation by connecting the inlets through a recess and annular protrusion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a conventional adjusting slot is used in the plug member, then the gas valve can be manufactured with simple structure, but the gas flow reduction becomes nonlinear due to lubricant accumulation in the slot
Solution Approach 1:
The adjusting slot is divided into two distinct parts: a first slot portion and a second slot portion, separated by a partition. This segmentation allows each portion to serve a specific function - the first portion controls gas flow while the second portion collects lubricant, preventing lubricant accumulation from affecting the gas flow control precision.
Solution Approach 2:
A partition structure is introduced as an intermediary element between the first slot portion and the second slot portion. This partition acts as a barrier that prevents lubricant from the second portion from mixing with or affecting the gas flow control in the first portion, thereby maintaining linear gas flow reduction.
2Ease of operation
If the plug member rotates with lubrication for smooth operation, then the rotation becomes smooth, but lubricating oil accumulates in the adjusting slot causing sudden gas flow changes
Solution Approach 1:
The partition structure converts the harmful effect of lubricant accumulation into a beneficial arrangement by directing lubricant flow into a dedicated collection area (second slot portion). The lubricant still provides necessary lubrication for smooth rotation, but its accumulation is confined to the second portion and does not interfere with the gas flow control in the first portion, maintaining gas flow stability.
3Device complexity
If a single-slot adjusting mechanism is used, then the device structure remains simple, but the gas flow control exhibits sudden changes instead of linear reduction
Solution Approach 1:
The adjusting slot is segmented into a first slot portion for gas flow control and a second slot portion for lubricant collection. This segmentation enables linear gas flow reduction by preventing lubricant from interfering with the gas flow path, while the overall structure remains relatively simple with only a partition wall added.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the slot structure are assigned different functions: the first slot portion is optimized for precise gas flow control with specific dimensions and orientation, while the second slot portion is designed as a lubricant collection area. This local differentiation of quality and function enables both linear gas flow control and smooth operation.
Data Source
AI summary
A plug member of a gas valve includes a main body. The main body has an axial bore in an axial direction, a first inlet and a second inlet in radial directions, and a guiding slot on a surface. The first inlet and the second inlet are connected to the axial bore. A diameter of the first inlet is greater than a diameter of the second inlet. The guiding slot has a first end communicated with the first inlet and a second end communicated with the second inlet, and a width of the guiding slot gradually reduces from the first end to the second end. Therefore, the gas valve may provide a gas flow with a linear change by controlling the plug member.