Modular Gas Regulating Valve for Precise Flow and Housing Versatility
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gas control valves and safety valves are often specifically matched to a particular housing shape, limiting their versatility and requiring complex rework, and they lack the ability to accurately control gas flow due to their limited 'open' and 'closed' settings, leading to increased assembly and testing times.
Innovation Solution
A modular gas control valve design featuring a housing with a movable valve body, electronically controlled stepper motor, and a direct pressure regulator with force balance, allowing for precise control of gas flow and compatibility with various housing types, along with a coaxial double safety valve for compact and cost-effective integration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If gas control valves are specifically designed for a particular housing shape, then the valve can be integrated into that specific housing, but the valve cannot be used with other housing types, reducing versatility
Solution Approach 1:
The valve housing is designed with a standardized interface that can be universally integrated into different housing types (mixing devices, blowers, etc.). The housing includes a standardized mounting flange with bolt holes and a common connection interface, allowing the same valve to be installed in various applications without custom modification for each housing shape.
2Ease of manufacture
If the valve seat is formed by housing sections, then the housing requires special surface treatment and extensive rework, but using separate valve seats simplifies housing manufacturing
Solution Approach 1:
The valve assembly is segmented into distinct components: a separate valve seat ring that can be independently manufactured and then installed in the housing. This separates the precision valve seat manufacturing from the housing manufacturing process, allowing each component to be optimized independently without requiring extensive housing rework.
3Device complexity
If flat valves are used for gas flow control, then the valve structure is simple, but the adjustment is limited to open and closed positions only, reducing flow control precision
Solution Approach 1:
The valve incorporates a movable disc element that can be dynamically positioned at multiple angles relative to the valve seat. The disc can rotate to create different opening areas, enabling continuous modulation of gas flow from fully closed to fully open positions, with intermediate positions providing precise flow control. This dynamic adjustment mechanism maintains relatively simple valve structure while achieving high flow control precision.
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 modular design reduces assembly and testing times, allows for larger gas passage diameters with precise control, and achieves a significant size reduction of up to 40% compared to non-modular solutions, while maintaining control accuracy and cost-effectiveness.
Implementation Method 1
at least one first spring (8) acting on the valve body (3) in the first axial direction (Y1)
Implementation Method 2
An increasing force is exerted on the valve body (3) via the stepper motor (6) and the axis (5), which is offset in the first axial direction (Y1). This force counteracts the spring force of the first spring (8) until the valve body (3) releases from the valve seat (4)
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a gas regulating unit (100) of modular construction, in particular for regulating the amount of gas to be supplied to a gas burner, and to a gas regulating valve (1) which, as a whole, is in the form of a module and which can be used in an aforementioned gas regulating unit of modular construction.