High Flow Direct Acting Valve with Pressure Equalization Ports
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing direct acting pneumatic valves for central tire inflation/deflation systems face limitations in achieving high flow rates while requiring less energy, operating within a wide pressure and temperature range, and maintaining bidirectional fluid flow, due to their un-balanced design and limited operational ranges.
Innovation Solution
A self-energizing seal member with a lobe extending at an angle, a radially outwardly extending skirt, an axially extending nose, and a solenoid-operated three-position valve member, along with a pressure sense port and pressure pick-up opening, which reduce energy requirements and allow for a more compact design, enabling bidirectional flow and wider operational ranges.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If un-balanced direct acting valve design is used, then valve structure is simple, but flow rate is limited and power consumption is high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies counterbalancing pressure forces through strategically positioned pressure equalization ports that allow downstream pressure to act on the valve member's rear surface, counteracting the upstream pressure force on the orifice. This balance reduces the net force required from the coil assembly, enabling higher flow rates with lower power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a new dimensional aspect by adding axial length to the valve member design, with pressure equalization ports positioned at different axial locations. This allows pressure balancing to occur in the axial dimension rather than solely relying on radial orifice geometry, enabling improved flow characteristics without increasing coil power requirements.
2Productivity
If larger orifice diameter is used to increase flow rate, then flow coefficient Cv increases, but return spring force requirement increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure equalization ports create a counterbalancing force that offsets the increased pressure force from larger orifices. By allowing downstream pressure to act on the valve member's rear surface, the system balances the forces, enabling larger orifice diameters (up to 5mm or more) without requiring proportionally larger return springs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the pressure distribution parameters across the valve member by introducing pressure equalization ports at specific axial positions. This alters the force balance equation, allowing larger orifice areas while maintaining manageable return spring forces through modified pressure acting areas.
3Productivity
If balanced valve design is used to achieve higher flow rates, then flow rate increases, but operational pressure and temperature ranges are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the pressure balancing concept from balanced valves with the structural simplicity of direct-acting valves. By copying only the essential pressure equalization function through strategically positioned ports rather than implementing a full balanced valve design, the system achieves high flow rates while maintaining the operational versatility and robustness of direct-acting configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the pressure balancing function into discrete pressure equalization ports positioned at specific axial locations on the valve member. This segmented approach allows selective pressure balancing at critical locations without requiring a complete redesign of the valve structure, preserving operational range while achieving high flow rates.
4Productivity
If pilot operated valve is used to achieve high flow rates, then flow rate increases, but response time increases and robustness decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure equalization ports enable the valve member to self-balance pressures during operation. The downstream pressure automatically acts on the valve member's rear surface through the ports, providing continuous force balancing without requiring external pilot signals or additional control systems, thus maintaining fast direct-acting response times.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts only the essential pressure balancing function from complex pilot-operated valve designs and implements it directly in the valve member through pressure equalization ports. This eliminates the need for pilot orifices, external pilot valves, and complex control systems, retaining the fast response characteristics of direct-acting valves while achieving high flow rates.
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 enables higher flow rates with reduced energy consumption, wider operational pressure and temperature ranges, and a simpler, more cost-effective design, improving the efficiency and versatility of the valves.
Implementation Method 1
a solenoid (270) operably connected to the valve member (138)
Implementation Method 2
a spring (272) that biases the valve member (138) toward the closed position
Implementation Method 3
When the valve member (138) is in the open position, the lobe (44) directs fluid flow from the first inlet/outlet (112) to the second inlet/outlet (114)
Data Source
AI summary
A novel valve that may include a self-energizing seal member with a lobe extending toward a valve seat surface, a radially outwardly extending skirt, an axially extending nose, solenoid-operated three-position valve member, a pressure sense port, and/or a pressure pick-up opening. The features of the valve may allow the valve to operate at higher flow rates while requiring less energy to operate, may have a wider pressure and/or temperature operation range, may allow bidirectional fluid flow, may be less expensive to manufacture, and/or may enable a simple and compact assembly of the valve with a pressure sensor. The self-energizing seal member may include a base portion and the lobe extending may extend at an angle from the base portion relative to a longitudinal axis. The lobe may reduce energy requirements to operate the valve compared to larger sealing contact area seals. For example, the lobe may have a small sealing area to allow the valve to be better balanced.