Hydronic Stop Valve Throttling for Accurate Flow Measurement
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing stop valves in hydronic installations have high kvs-values, resulting in small pressure drops and making it difficult to measure and maintain a defined flow, which is essential for efficient operation.
Innovation Solution
A stop valve design with a throttled opening between the valve seat and plunger in the flow measurement position, providing a defined kvs-value and pressure drop, achieved through a mechanical stop element that limits the valve plunger's movement between closed and opened positions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a conventional stop valve is used in the supply pipe, then the valve provides a shut-off function, but the high kvs-value results in a small pressure drop making flow measurement difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The valve plunger is designed to move between different positions (fully open, partially open, and closed) to dynamically change the opening cross-section area. This allows the valve to provide a small, defined opening cross-section area for accurate flow measurement while maintaining the ability to provide full flow when needed
Solution Approach 2:
The valve plunger position is changed to alter the opening cross-section area parameter. By positioning the valve plunger such that the opening cross-section area corresponds to a predefined kvs-value, the pressure drop is increased to a measurable level while maintaining controllable flow
2Productivity
If the valve plunger is positioned to provide full flow, then the shut-off function is achieved, but the pressure drop becomes too small for accurate flow measurement
Solution Approach 1:
The valve plunger can be dynamically positioned between fully open, partially open, and closed positions. The control device enables transition between these states, allowing the system to switch between maximum flow mode and measurement mode as needed
Solution Approach 2:
The valve system includes a control device that automatically or manually positions the valve plunger to achieve the desired opening cross-section area for measurement, eliminating the need for external flow measurement devices
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
Stop valve (10) for hydronic installations, comprising: a valve housing (11) providing a valve inlet (12), a valve outlet (13) and a valve seat (16), said valve inlet (12) and valve outlet (13) being connectable into a pipe of the hydronic installation; a valve plunger (17) mounted to a first end of a valve stem (22) and acting together with the valve seat (16), whereby the valve is closed when the valve plunger (17) is in its closed position pressed against the valve seat (16), and whereby the valve is opened when the valve plunger (17) is in its opened position lifted up from the valve seat (16); a hand wheel (23) mounted to a second end of the valve stem (22) for transferring the valve plunger (17) mounted to the first end of the valve stem (22) between its closed position and its opened position; a flow measurement position of the valve plunger (17) providing a defined pressure drop between the valve inlet (12) and the valve outlet (13) when the valve plunger (17) is in its measurement position. (Figure 3)