Motorized Valve Balancing Using Common Flow Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid transport systems face challenges in dynamic balancing, particularly in systems with consumers of varying diameters and flow rates, as they require multiple pressure connection points and separate sensors for accurate flow measurement, limiting their ability to adapt to changing conditions.
Innovation Solution
A method and device that utilize motorized control valves with characteristic data storage and a balancing module to dynamically adjust valve positions based on total flow and target flows, eliminating the need for separate sensors by normalizing data to constant pressure, enabling automatic and continuous system adaptation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If separate sensors and multiple pressure connection points are used for each consumer, then flow measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple measurement functions into a single common flow sensor that measures total flow through the fluid transport system. By measuring total flow and using characteristic data stored in the balancing module, the system calculates individual consumer flows without requiring separate sensors for each consumer, thus reducing device complexity while maintaining measurement capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces characteristic data as an intermediary element that enables flow calculation for individual consumers based on total flow measurement. The characteristic data, stored in the balancing module, contains pre-determined relationships between valve positions and flow rates, allowing the system to derive individual flows from the common total flow measurement without direct measurement at each consumer
2Manufacturing precision
If manual balancing adjustment is performed, then manufacturing precision is maintained, but productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the common flow sensor continuously measures total flow, the balancing module compares this with target total flow values, and automatically adjusts valve positions based on the deviation. This closed-loop feedback system maintains precise balancing while eliminating manual intervention, thereby increasing productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-balancing by automatically adjusting valve positions based on measured total flow and stored characteristic data. The motorized control valves autonomously modify their opening degrees to achieve target flow distribution without requiring manual balancing operations, thus maintaining precision while significantly improving balancing speed and productivity
3Manufacturing precision
If fixed valve positions are set for target flows, then manufacturing precision is ensured, but adaptability to pressure changes deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from fixed valve positions to dynamic valve position adjustment. The system continuously monitors total flow and automatically modifies valve positions in response to changing system conditions such as pressure variations. This dynamic adjustment capability allows the system to maintain accurate flow distribution (manufacturing precision) while adapting to varying operating conditions (pressure changes)
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operating parameters of the control valves dynamically based on measured total flow and pressure conditions. By adjusting valve opening degrees in response to parameter changes in the fluid transport system, the patent maintains precise flow control while adapting to varying pressure conditions, thus resolving the contradiction between fixed precision and dynamic adaptability
Data Source
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AI summary
To balance (S3) a group of consumers in a fluid transport system in which each consumer is provided with a motorized control valve for regulating the flow through the consumer, characteristic data for the consumers is stored (S2) which determines a valve position of the relevant control valve for target flows through one of the consumers in each case. A current total flow through the group of consumers is determined by means of a common flow sensor (S32) and a balance factor (S34) is defined on the basis of the current total flow and a sum of the desired target flows through the consumers. The consumers are dynamically balanced by setting (S31) the valve settings for the corresponding control valves on the basis of the characteristic data and the balance factor.