Hydraulic Control Valve Diffuser Insert for Quiet Orthopaedic Actuation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Hydraulic actuators in orthopaedic devices face issues with high noise levels and increased flow resistance due to turbulent flows and flow losses at control valves, affecting the precision and movement behavior of joint components.
Innovation Solution
A hydraulic actuator with a control valve featuring a diffuser insert within the valve member that redirects hydraulic fluid towards the outlet, reducing turbulence and flow resistance by preventing radial influx and mixing, and allowing for adjustable flow redirection through partition walls and geometric configurations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a control valve with radial inlet openings is used in a hydraulic actuator, then flow control is achieved, but turbulent flows occur causing high noise loads and increased flow resistance
Solution Approach 1:
A diffuser insert is introduced as an intermediary component between the radial inlet openings and the outlet. This diffuser insert redirects the radially incoming hydraulic fluid in the direction of the outlet, preventing direct striking and mixing of fluid streams. The intermediary structure transforms the harmful radial flow pattern into a beneficial directed flow, reducing turbulence, noise generation, and flow resistance while maintaining effective flow control.
2Ease of operation
If a control valve with radial inlet openings is used in a hydraulic actuator, then flow control is achieved, but turbulent flows occur causing increased flow resistance
Solution Approach 1:
The diffuser insert serves as a mediator that guides the hydraulic fluid from radial inlet openings toward the outlet in a controlled manner. By preventing direct striking and mixing of fluid streams, it reduces turbulence and associated energy losses. The insert maintains effective flow control while minimizing flow resistance and improving energy efficiency.
3Productivity
If the valve member has completely open throughflow openings, then maximum flow is achieved, but radial influx strikes opposite walls causing turbulence and noise
Solution Approach 1:
The diffuser insert is positioned within the hollow space of the valve member to redirect radially incoming hydraulic fluid in the direction of the outlet. This intermediary structure prevents direct striking of the opposite wall even when throughflow openings are completely open, thereby maintaining maximum flow rate while significantly reducing turbulence and noise generation.
Solution Approach 2:
The diffuser insert changes the flow dimensionality by redirecting fluid from radial direction toward the axial outlet direction. This dimensional transformation of flow path prevents direct impact on opposite walls and reduces turbulence, allowing completely open throughflow openings to maintain high productivity without excessive noise.
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 reduces noise generation and flow resistance, enhancing the control behavior and comfort of orthopaedic devices by maintaining laminar flow and optimizing hydraulic fluid redirection.
Implementation Method 1
a diffuser insert which redirects the hydraulic fluid in the direction towards the outlet is arranged
Implementation Method 2
The diffuser insert prevents the radial influx of hydraulic fluid from striking the opposite wall of the valve member or mixing with an incoming hydraulic flow from another inlet opening or striking it. This would result in turbulent flows within the hollow space within the valve member and therefore in high noise loads and an increased flow resistance
Implementation Method 3
The diffuser insert within the hollow space of the valve member redirects the hydraulic fluid so that, instead of striking a valve member wall at right angles, it is redirected in the direction towards the outlet. The formation of dead spaces and turbulence within the hollow space of the valve member is thereby avoided so that the flow resistance and the noise generation are reduced
Data Source
AI summary
A hydraulic actuator for orthopaedic devices has a control valve in a flow channel which has an inlet and an outlet for a hydraulic fluid. The control valve has a valve sleeve and a valve member. The valve sleeve has a sleeve wall which forms a receiving space and in which at least one radially orientated inlet opening is formed. The valve member is displaceably arranged inside the receiving space of the valve sleeve between a closed position and an open position and opens in the outlet. The valve member has at least one valve member wall which is opposite the at least one inlet opening and in which a through-opening which is opposite the corresponding inlet opening in the open position is formed. The valve member forms a hollow space in which a diffuser insert which redirects the hydraulic fluid in the direction towards the outlet is arranged.