Lateral Flow Valve With Downstream Turbine Energy Recovery
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid control valves in ducts suffer from poor flow adjustment accuracy, significant energy dissipation, and inefficient energy recovery, leading to reduced fluid flow rate and pressure.
Innovation Solution
A valve system with a lateral flow type valve and a downstream rotor-shaped turbine that recovers energy otherwise lost during fluid control, positioned in a pressure recovery zone downstream of the valve.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a lateral flow valve is used to control fluid flow, then the valve can selectively close the duct to control fluid flow, but the flow adjustment effectiveness is poor and energy dissipation is huge
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful energy dissipation caused by the lateral flow valve into a beneficial resource by positioning a turbine in the pressure recovery zone downstream. The turbine captures the kinetic energy that would otherwise be lost, transforming it into useful work. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining the valve's flow control capability while recovering the energy that was previously wasted.
Solution Approach 2:
The turbine acts as an intermediary device between the valve and the downstream system. It mediates the energy transfer by capturing kinetic energy from the fluid flow in the pressure recovery zone and converting it to mechanical energy, thereby reducing the net energy loss in the system while preserving the valve's control function.
2Productivity
If the valve is partially closed to adjust flow, then flow rate can be controlled, but local dissipations of energy are introduced and fluid pressure is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
When the valve is partially closed to control flow rate, the turbine positioned in the pressure recovery zone captures the kinetic energy that would otherwise be dissipated. This energy recovery helps maintain fluid pressure downstream, resolving the contradiction between flow rate control and pressure maintenance.
3Loss of energy
If the turbine is positioned downstream in the pressure recovery zone, then energy can be recovered, but the valve opening and fluid-dynamic conditions are affected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the valve body and turbine housing into a single integrated structure. The valve body is designed to contain both the lateral flow valve and the turbine, eliminating the need for separate components and reducing overall system complexity. This resolves the contradiction by enabling energy recovery while maintaining a compact, unified device structure.
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 system improves flow control accuracy and recovers energy that would otherwise be dissipated, maintaining fluid pressure and flow rate by positioning the turbine in the pressure recovery zone, enhancing energy efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a rotor shaped substantially as a turbine, placed inside the valve body downstream of said valve with respect to the fluid flow, said rotor being located at a distance from said valve comprised within a pressure recovery zone
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
Valve system for controlling the fluid flow in a duct, comprising: • a valve body (102) adapted to be inserted in an interruption of said duct, and provided with an inlet (103) and an outlet (104) for a flow of fluid in said duct, • a lateral flow valve (106), developing substantially transversally in the duct, placed in said valve body (102) upstream of the fluid flow, said valve comprising an obstructer (107) capable of moving transversally in said duct to "laterally" interrupt part of the fluid flow in said duct, • actuation means (109) adapted to move said obstructer from a first position, in which said duct is fully open, to a second position, in which said duct is fully closed, • a rotor shaped substantially as a turbine (111), placed inside the valve body (102) downstream of said valve (107) with respect to the fluid flow, said rotor being located at a distance from said valve comprised within a pressure recovery zone, said pressure being generated by said valve in the absence of the turbine, said distance being defined by the reaching of the tract with a straight piezometric line and a constant pressure angle downstream of said valve.