Thermostatic Mixing Valve Turbulence Generators

Solution Overview

Problem

Thermostatically controlled mixing valves often struggle to effectively mix hot and cold fluid streams due to their separation within the limited space of the valve assembly, leading to potential temperature spikes or drops in the delivered fluid.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of turbulence generators, such as angled radial slots, swirling features, and varying coil spacings in the thermostat and sleeve, to induce turbulent mixing of hot and cold fluids before and after passing through the thermostat, ensuring uniform temperature delivery.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If hot and cold fluids are delivered through separate inlets to a mixing chamber, then the valve can control fluid temperature, but the hot and cold fluids tend to remain separate and mixing is difficult to achieve within the limited space

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefluid temperature controlVSAvoidfluid mixing uniformity

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs curved surfaces and rounded geometries in the mixing chamber design to promote fluid circulation and mixing. The curved pathways guide hot and cold fluids to interact more effectively, preventing stratification and enhancing thermal mixing within the constrained valve space.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces three-dimensional mixing elements and multi-directional flow paths within the mixing chamber. By utilizing vertical and radial dimensions in addition to horizontal flow, the design creates turbulent mixing patterns that overcome the limited space constraint and achieve uniform temperature distribution.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Volume of moving object

If the valve assembly maintains a compact design with limited mixing space, then the device remains space-efficient, but effective mixing of hot and cold fluids becomes difficult to achieve

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevalve assembly sizeVSAvoidfluid mixing uniformity

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs curved surfaces and rounded geometries in the mixing chamber design to promote fluid circulation and mixing. The curved pathways guide hot and cold fluids to interact more effectively, preventing stratification and enhancing thermal mixing within the constrained valve space.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces three-dimensional mixing elements and multi-directional flow paths within the mixing chamber. By utilizing vertical and radial dimensions in addition to horizontal flow, the design creates turbulent mixing patterns that overcome the limited space constraint and achieve uniform temperature distribution.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Stability of the object's composition

If turbulence generators are added to enhance fluid mixing, then mixing effectiveness improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefluid mixing uniformityVSAvoidvalve assembly structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent integrates turbulence-generating features directly into the existing valve components, such as incorporating mixing elements into the piston structure or the mixing chamber walls. This merging approach eliminates the need for separate, additional mixing devices, thereby enhancing fluid mixing while minimizing increases in overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent designs valve components to serve multiple functions: the mixing chamber not only contains the fluids but also incorporates geometric features that generate turbulence; the piston not only controls flow rates but also creates mixing through its movement and structure. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional dedicated mixing components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

Enhances the mixing of hot and cold fluids, preventing temperature spikes and ensuring quick response to temperature control requests, thereby improving safety and comfort by maintaining a consistent fluid temperature.

Implementation Method 1

the tubing including a plurality of coils... a first portion of the coils arranged with a first inner diameter, a second portion of the coils arranged with a second inner diameter greater than the first inner diameter

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal expansion: Thermal Expansion

Implementation Method 2

Methods and apparatus for creating turbulence in a thermostatic mixing valve... induce turbulent mixing of hot and cold fluids

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTurbulence: Turbulence

Data Source

PatentUS10376849B2Methods and apparatus for creating turbulence in a thermostatic mixing valve

Publication Date: 2019.08.13 MAGARL LLC

AI summary

Mixing valve turbulence generators and methods are disclosed. Embodiments include turbulence generation apparatuses and methods that increase the turbulence of, impart swirl to, reverse the direction of, create tortuous paths for, and/or accelerate the mixing of hot and cold fluid within a valve assembly. Alternate embodiments include angled radial slots, angled surfaces and fin-like baffles to enhance the mixing of hot and cold fluids.