Integral Venturi Pressure Reducing Valve for Stable Outlet Pressure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional pressure reducing valves fail to compensate for changes in outlet fluid pressure due to fluctuations in outlet fluid flow rate, leading to undesirable pressure drops and a bulky system design with external venturi configurations that are prone to leaks.
Innovation Solution
An integrally formed venturi and channel within the plunger of the pressure reducing valve, which senses changes in outlet fluid flow rate and adjusts the force on the plunger to maintain stable outlet pressure, eliminating or reducing pressure drops while maintaining a compact design and avoiding external conduit exposure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If an external venturi is placed at the outlet side of the pressure reducing valve to provide feedback, then the outlet fluid pressure stability is improved, but the system becomes bulky and the pipe conduit is exposed and prone to leaks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the venturi directly into the valve body, merging two separate components (venturi and valve housing) into a single unified structure. This eliminates the need for external pipe conduits while maintaining the pressure feedback function, thereby improving system compactness and reducing leak points while preserving outlet pressure stability.
2Reliability
If an external venturi with pipe conduit is used to sense outlet fluid flow rate changes, then the pressure drop compensation is improved, but the system becomes bulky and exposed connections are prone to leaks
Solution Approach 1:
The venturi is integrated into the valve body with internal fluid passages, eliminating external pipe conduits and connections. This merger removes the exposed connection points that are prone to leaks and fractures, thereby improving reliability by eliminating the harmful leak risk while maintaining pressure drop compensation functionality.
3Productivity
If the outlet fluid flow rate increases, then the downstream demand is met, but the outlet fluid pressure decreases due to fall off pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated venturi creates a feedback mechanism where the outlet fluid pressure acts on the diaphragm through the venturi constriction. When outlet flow rate increases and pressure drops, the feedback force on the diaphragm decreases, allowing the spring to push the plunger open further to increase flow and restore pressure, thereby maintaining stable outlet pressure despite increased downstream demand.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the valve opening degree (a key parameter) in response to changes in outlet fluid flow rate. As flow rate increases and pressure drops, the valve opening increases to compensate, and vice versa. This dynamic parameter adjustment maintains the balance between productivity (flow rate) and pressure stability.
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 integrated venturi and channel design effectively compensates for fluid flow rate changes, maintaining stable outlet pressure and reducing the risk of leaks, while maintaining a compact and robust system.
Implementation Method 1
A venturi is integrally formed within the plunger. The venturi has a venturi inlet and a venturi outlet with a venturi constriction therebetween... The venturi constriction is configured to sense and deliver a fluid pressure to the pressure sensing cavity
Data Source
AI summary
A pressure reducing valve includes a valve housing, plunger, pressure sensing cavity, and biasing member. The valve housing includes a valve inlet and valve outlet in selective fluid communication with each other. The plunger is in the valve housing and movable between a closed position and open position. The plunger is positioned downstream from the valve inlet and upstream from the valve outlet. The plunger includes a venturi and a channel. The venturi is within the plunger and has a venturi inlet and venturi outlet. The channel is within the plunger and is in fluid communication with the venturi. The pressure sensing cavity is in fluid communication with the channel. The biasing member exerts a biasing force on the plunger toward the open position. The channel is in fluid communication with the pressure sensing cavity to provide a fluid pressure that is lower than the outlet pressure during flow.