High-Pressure Flow Controller With Diaphragm Force Amplification
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current controllers are unsuitable for controlling the flow rate of high-pressure fluids and are large in size, lacking precision and miniaturization capabilities.
Innovation Solution
A controller with a metal diaphragm and a power transmission device of an amplification type, combined with a pneumatic cylinder drive device, allows for precise control of the flow rate by adjusting the position of the valve stem based on fluid flow rate, enabling the controller to operate with high-pressure fluids and achieve size reduction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a piezoelectric actuator is used to control flow rate, then the controller can control fluid flow rate, but it cannot obtain sufficient thrust force for high-pressure valve closing
Solution Approach 1:
A power transmission device with force amplification function is introduced as an intermediary between the piezoelectric actuator and the valve stem. This device multiplies the small thrust force from the piezoelectric element to generate sufficient closing force for high-pressure valves, while preserving the precise position control capability of the original actuator.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms the output characteristics of the piezoelectric actuator by using a mechanical amplification mechanism. The small displacement and force from the piezoelectric element are converted into larger displacement and force at the valve stem through the power transmission device, achieving both precise control and sufficient thrust force.
2Force
If conventional controllers are designed to handle high-pressure fluids, then they can provide sufficient closing force, but they become large in size
Solution Approach 1:
The power transmission device acts as a force amplifier intermediary, allowing a compact piezoelectric actuator to generate high closing forces. This eliminates the need for large actuators or multiple components, achieving high force output in a compact configuration that reduces overall controller size.
3Force
If a power transmission device with force amplification is added, then thrust force is amplified, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a diaphragm as a flexible element in the power transmission device. This thin film structure provides both force amplification through its mechanical properties and a compact, integrated design that reduces overall device complexity while achieving the required thrust force multiplication.
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 precise control of high-pressure fluid flow rates with a compact design, overcoming the limitations of existing controllers by allowing minute valve stem movement and optimizing diaphragm opening degrees for precise flow rate adjustment.
Implementation Method 1
a power transmission device configured to amplify a force acting on the working shaft and to transmit a resultant force thus amplified to the valve stem
Implementation Method 2
a diaphragm made of metal and deformable to either state among: a fully closed state in which the fluid passage is fully closed; a fully open state in which the fluid passage is fully open
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a small-sized controller capable of precisely controlling a flow rate of a high-pressure fluid. Between a working shaft of a drive device and a valve stem, a power transmission device is disposed to amplify a force acting on the working shaft and transmit the resultant force to the valve stem. A diaphragm as a valve element is made of metal and is deformable to: a state where a fluid passage is fully closed; a state where the fluid passage is fully open; or a state where the fluid passage is partially open. When the fluid passage is partially open, on the basis of the flow rate of a fluid flowing through fluid passages, the drive device finely adjusts the position of the working shaft such that the flow rate is constant.