Hydraulic Pressure Reducing Valve with Integrated Shut-Off Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Pressure reducing valves with shut-off functionality for devices like sprinkler systems lack efficient and compact solutions that integrate both pressure regulation and electrical on/off switching capabilities.
Innovation Solution
A pressure reducing valve design featuring a displaceable throttling element, a spring-biased control chamber, and a hydraulic control circuit that can switch between equalizing with inlet or outlet pressure, allowing for remote electrical actuation using a three-way or two-way pilot valve, ensuring compactness and simplicity while providing full sealing or acceptable leakage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If pressure reducing valve includes separate shut-off mechanism, then shut-off functionality is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the pressure reducing function and shut-off function into a single integrated valve body. The control chamber serves dual purposes: it regulates pressure reduction while also enabling complete shut-off when pressurized. This merging eliminates the need for separate valves, reducing overall system complexity despite adding versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The control chamber is designed to perform multiple functions: it acts as both the pressure regulation chamber and the shut-off actuation chamber. By pressurizing the same chamber that controls pressure reduction, the system achieves complete shut-off capability without requiring additional dedicated shut-off mechanisms, thus providing multi-functionality within a single structural element.
2Volume of moving object
If compact valve design is used, then space efficiency improves, but integration of electrical switching capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a hydraulic control circuit with a pilot valve to actuate the main valve. The pilot valve, controlled by an electrical signal, uses hydraulic pressure from the control chamber to move the main valve element. This indirect hydraulic actuation allows compact design while maintaining electrical switching capability, as the electrical signal only needs to operate the small pilot valve rather than directly move the main valve.
Solution Approach 2:
The pilot valve serves as an intermediary between the electrical control signal and the main valve actuation. The electrical signal controls the pilot valve, which then uses hydraulic pressure to actuate the main valve element. This intermediary mechanism allows the compact valve design to integrate electrical switching capability efficiently, as the electrical components only need to be sized for the small pilot valve rather than the entire valve assembly.
3Device complexity
If single valve structure provides both functions, then device complexity reduces, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The valve is segmented into functional zones within the single structure: the main valve body for pressure reduction, the control chamber for pressure regulation, and the pilot valve section for shut-off actuation. This segmentation allows each zone to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining overall integration, making manufacturing more manageable despite the precision requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The control chamber is connected to both the inlet and outlet sides of the valve, creating a feedback mechanism that automatically balances pressure. This self-regulating feedback system reduces the need for extremely tight manufacturing tolerances, as the hydraulic feedback compensates for minor variations in component dimensions and ensures consistent pressure control and shut-off performance.
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 efficient pressure regulation and compact integration of shut-off functionality, allowing for remote electrical control, thereby addressing the need for both pressure reduction and on/off switching in a single valve structure.
Implementation Method 1
a spring-biased control chamber
Implementation Method 2
a hydraulic control circuit that can switch between equalizing with inlet or outlet pressure
Implementation Method 3
at least one pressure-actuated surface mechanically associated with the displaceable throttling element such that pressure within the control chamber acts to displace the displaceable throttling element
Data Source
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AI summary
A pressure reducing valve (100) includes a displaceable throttling element (51) displaceable between a fully-open position in which fluid flows along a flow path from an inlet (11) to an outlet (45), and a closed position in which the flow path is blocked. A spring (6) acts to displace the displaceable throttling element to the fully-open position while pressure within a control chamber (54) acts on a pressure-actuated surface to displace the displaceable throttling element towards the closed position. A switchable hydraulic control circuit in fluid connection with the inlet, the outlet and the control chamber, is switchable between first state in which a pressure within the control chamber is equalized with the outlet pressure, and a second state in which the pressure within the control chamber is equalized with an inlet pressure.