Modular Particle Valve Design for Wide Adjustable Curtains

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing particle curtain systems are unable to provide an adjustable thickness and width, are impractical for large-scale applications, and are difficult to install and maintain, leading to inefficiencies in processes like solar heating and seed drying due to varying environmental conditions.

Innovation Solution

A modular, compound valve system comprising multiple identical valve modules that can be assembled to form a wide particle curtain, with adjustable thickness controlled by actuators, allowing for seamless integration and easy maintenance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If a conventional particle valve design is scaled up to meet industrial requirements for wide particle curtains (20 meters or greater in width), then the particle curtain width is sufficient, but the valve becomes very large and heavy, making installation and maintenance difficult and expensive

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveparticle curtain widthVSAvoidinstallation and maintenance difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides a large particle valve into multiple smaller, identical valve modules that can be assembled together laterally. Each module handles a portion of the total width, allowing the system to achieve large-scale particle curtain width without requiring a single monolithic valve structure. This segmentation makes each module manageable in size for installation and maintenance while collectively providing the required 20 meters or greater width.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple valve modules are combined laterally in an abutting arrangement to form a compound valve system. The modules work together to produce a unified particle curtain across the full width requirement. This merging approach allows the system to achieve the necessary large area while maintaining the operational advantages of smaller, modular components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Area of stationary object

If a single large particle valve is used to produce wide particle curtains, then the particle curtain width is sufficient, but the valve becomes very large and heavy, increasing cost and complexity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveparticle curtain widthVSAvoidvalve size and structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The valve system is segmented into multiple identical modules, each with its own hopper, movable element, and actuator. This segmentation reduces the complexity of individual components while achieving the required total width through lateral arrangement of multiple simple, repeatable units.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Each valve module is designed as a universal, identical unit that can be replicated across the full width requirement. This universality simplifies manufacturing, installation, and maintenance, as all modules perform the same function and can be interchangeably replaced or serviced without affecting the overall system design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If conventional particle curtain systems use fixed openings, then the structure is simple, but the particle curtain thickness cannot be adjusted to adapt to varying environmental conditions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveparticle curtain thickness adjustmentVSAvoidvalve structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Each valve module incorporates a movable element that can be dynamically positioned by an actuator to adjust the opening size. This dynamic capability allows the particle curtain thickness to be adjusted in response to varying environmental conditions such as wind speed and solar intensity, transforming a static structure into an adaptive system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates sensors that detect environmental conditions (wind speed, solar intensity) and provide feedback to the control system. This feedback enables automatic adjustment of the movable elements to optimize particle curtain thickness for current conditions, enhancing adaptability while maintaining manageable complexity through automated control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS20260014584A1Compound modular valve for producing wide particle curtains with adjustable thickness and profile

Publication Date: 2026.01.15 FLOWSERVE PTE LTD

AI summary

A modular particle valve comprises a plurality of aligned and abutted valve modules that dispense particle curtain segments. The curtain segments merge to form a particle curtain having a width that is limited only by the number of included valve modules. Each valve module comprises a particle hopper and a movable element abutting the hopper from below. An actuator causes the moveable element to block or partially open a hopper outlet to provide a curtain segment of variable thickness. The resulting particle curtain can have a thickness that is uniform or shaped and adjusted according to environmental changes. The moveable elements have edges that abut without intervening structures, and in embodiments interlock while permitting separate movements thereof. Individual valve modules can be removed and reinstalled without significantly disturbing the remaining valve modules. Embodiments are incorporated into systems that dry seeds or collect solar energy by heating particles.