Inlet Pressure Regulating Valve With Accumulator-Stabilized Output
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pressure regulating valves struggle to maintain consistent fluid pressure in branch circuits due to fluctuations in main circuit pressure and demand, leading to inefficiencies and pressure variations.
Innovation Solution
A pressure regulating valve (PRV) with a restricting element, sensing element, pressure chamber, and energy accumulator that adjusts the flow area based on pressure differences to maintain a setpoint pressure, using fluid energy to store and release energy to stabilize pressure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional pressure regulating valve is used to control downstream pressure, then the valve structure is simple, but the pressure consistency deteriorates due to fluctuations in main circuit pressure and demand
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure regulation function is segmented into multiple independent components: a first pressure regulating valve for main circuit pressure control, a second pressure regulating valve for branch circuit pressure control, and an energy accumulation device. This segmentation allows each component to specialize in a specific pressure control task, improving overall pressure consistency while maintaining reasonable structural complexity through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
The energy accumulation device acts as an intermediary between the first and second pressure regulating valves. It stores energy during periods of high main circuit pressure and releases it during pressure drops, mediating the pressure fluctuations and providing stable pressure to the branch circuit independently of main circuit variations.
2Productivity
If the valve opens to increase flow, then the fluid delivery increases, but the downstream pressure decreases due to pressure drops
Solution Approach 1:
The first pressure regulating valve performs preliminary pressure regulation on the main circuit before fluid reaches the branch circuit. By pre-controlling the inlet pressure to the energy accumulation device, it ensures that sufficient pressure is available to maintain downstream pressure even when the second valve opens to increase fluid delivery to connected loads.
Solution Approach 2:
The energy accumulation device serves as a pressure-stabilizing intermediary that decouples the relationship between flow rate and downstream pressure. It absorbs pressure variations caused by changes in fluid delivery demand, allowing the second valve to adjust flow without directly impacting downstream pressure stability.
3Stress or pressure
If the valve closes to reduce flow, then the downstream pressure increases, but the fluid delivery decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the opening degrees of both pressure regulating valves based on real-time pressure conditions and energy accumulation levels. The first valve responds to main circuit pressure variations, while the second valve responds to branch circuit demand, enabling the system to simultaneously optimize both pressure maintenance and fluid delivery according to changing operating conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs feedback control where pressure sensors monitor downstream pressure and main circuit pressure, and the control mechanism adjusts the valve positions accordingly. When downstream pressure drops, the second valve opens to increase delivery; when main circuit pressure rises, the first valve adjusts to prevent over-pressurization, creating a coordinated feedback response that balances pressure and delivery.
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 PRV effectively maintains downstream pressure within a predetermined range by dynamically adjusting to changes in main circuit pressure and demand, ensuring consistent fluid delivery to branch circuits.
Implementation Method 1
an energy accumulator configured to generate stored energy using a second portion of the fluid energy
Implementation Method 2
The pressure chamber is configured to deliver a first portion of the fluid energy to the sensing element
Data Source
AI summary
In some examples, a pressure reducing valve includes a valve body defining a defining a flow path and a restricting element within the flow path. A sensing element is configured to modify a position of the restricting element in the flow path. A pressure chamber is configured to transmit a force to the sensing element based on the pressure of a fluid within the pressure chamber. An energy accumulator is in fluid communication with the pressure chamber. The pressure reducing valve includes control circuitry configured to enable a fluid to flow into or discharge from the pressure chamber to alter the pressure in the pressure chamber.