Homogenizing Valve Axial Gap Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing homogenizing valves do not achieve uniform globule size reduction and fragmentation due to inconsistent passage width and varying fluid acceleration, leading to inefficiencies in the homogenization process.
Innovation Solution
A rotation-symmetrical homogenizing valve with a passage defined by a movable impact head and a fixed passage head, featuring a gap that maintains constant width through axial movement, and a passage shape with a radial and axial portion that accelerates fluid to high speeds, ensuring all globules impact at sufficient velocity for effective fragmentation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the passage width is made variable to accommodate fluid pressure changes, then the valve can maintain sealing and control, but the globule fragmentation becomes inconsistent and uniformity is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The impact head is made axially mobile relative to the passage head, allowing the passage width to dynamically adjust in response to fluid pressure changes while maintaining consistent homogenization performance. This dynamic adjustment prevents sealing issues and maintains globule fragmentation uniformity.
Solution Approach 2:
The passage width parameter is made variable through the mobile impact head, allowing the system to adapt to changing fluid pressure conditions. This parameter change enables the valve to maintain both reliable sealing and consistent globule size reduction across different operating conditions.
2Manufacturing precision
If high pressure is applied to accelerate fluid through the passage, then globule fragmentation is enhanced, but energy consumption increases and some globules may not impact at sufficient speed
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile impact head dynamically adjusts the passage width based on fluid pressure, optimizing the acceleration process. This dynamic adjustment ensures that globules are accelerated to sufficient speeds for effective fragmentation while minimizing excessive energy consumption that would occur with fixed, overly restrictive passages.
Solution Approach 2:
The passage width parameter is dynamically changed to optimize the balance between fluid acceleration and energy consumption. This allows high-speed globule impact for effective fragmentation while avoiding wasteful energy expenditure from overly constricting passages that would not achieve the desired homogenization.
3Productivity
If the passage is made narrower to increase fluid speed, then homogenization efficiency improves, but the passage width becomes inconsistent due to pump piston oscillations
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile impact head provides dynamic compensation for pump piston oscillations by adjusting the passage width in response to pressure variations. This dynamic adjustment maintains consistent passage width and uniform globule fragmentation even when pump output fluctuates, thereby preserving homogenization efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile impact head responds to pressure feedback from fluid flow, automatically adjusting the passage width to compensate for pump oscillations. This feedback mechanism ensures consistent passage width and uniform globule size reduction, maintaining high homogenization efficiency despite pump variations.
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 valve achieves uniform globule size reduction and low variance in globule amplitude distribution, optimizing energy use and preventing globule reformation in the second chamber, effective at high flow rates and pressures.
Implementation Method 1
The fluid under high pressure in the first chamber presses against the surface of the impact head exerting a pressure on the impact head which tends to widen the passage
Implementation Method 2
The impact head is fitted with a pusher which exerts a force in the axial direction on the impact head in order to counteract the pressure of the fluid
Implementation Method 3
The fluid flows through the forced passage from the first to the second chamber losing pressure and, at the same time, accelerating. The acceleration causes fragmentation of the globules in the fluid
Implementation Method 4
An additional, known feature is the fitting of an impact ring in the second chamber designed to intercept the accelerated fluid; the fluid hits the impact ring at high speed thus causing further fragmentation of the globules
Data Source
AI summary
A homogenizer valve (1) comprising a ring-shaped first chamber (5) with an inlet (8) for receiving fluid under high pressure, a second ring-shaped chamber (7) with an outlet (9) for fluid under low pressure, a passage head (10) and, between the first and the second chamber, an impact head (11) which is axially mobile with respect to the passage head (10) and acts together with it to define a gap between the impact head (11) and the passage head (10) forming a passage (14) for the fluid passing from the first chamber to the second chamber, and a pusher (15) acting on the impact head (11) to push it in an axial direction towards the passage head (10) thus partially counteracting the pressure exerted by the fluid contained in the first chamber (5) on the annular surface (13) of the impact head (11), this passage (14) comprising at least a first portion (20) and a second portion (21) positioned in sequence between the first chamber and the second chamber, and where the first portion faces in a radial direction and the second portion faces in a direction with an axial component.