Movable Fluid Pressure Control With Local Valves and Sensors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid flow circuits struggle to dynamically control fluid pressure on complex, three-dimensional surfaces due to inflexibility and stability issues in pressure regulation, particularly in low-pressure systems with high-density fluids like inkjet printing systems.
Innovation Solution
A fluid flow circuit system that includes a centralized fluid circulation system, proportional valves in the inlet and outlet lines, pressure sensors, and a controller to dynamically control fluid pressure at multiple independent points, allowing for high precision and low-range control, and automatic compensation for inertial effects and hydraulic head.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If centrally-located pumps are used for pressure regulation, then pressure control is achieved at a single-point flow impedance, but flexibility for managing pressure at multiple points is lost and stability issues arise due to distance from controlled points
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the fluid flow circuit into multiple independent zones, each with its own pressure control mechanism (proportional valve and pressure sensor). This segmentation allows each zone to be controlled independently, providing both stability for each controlled point and flexibility for managing multiple pressure points simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
Pressure control components (proportional valves and pressure sensors) are placed locally at or near each pressure-controlled point rather than using centralized pumps. This local placement ensures stable pressure control at each point while enabling flexible management of multiple independent pressure zones throughout the circuit.
2Adaptability or versatility
If numerous centrally-placed pressure actuators are used, then pressure can be translated to desired locations, but the approach is inadequate for low-pressure systems with high-density fluids where hydraulic head cannot be neglected
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses locally-placed proportional valves and pressure sensors as intermediaries between the centralized fluid circulation system and the pressure-controlled points. This intermediary approach allows precise local pressure control that accounts for hydraulic head effects in low-pressure, high-density fluid systems, overcoming the limitations of direct centralized actuation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the fluid management device is made selectively movable to operate on complex surfaces, then adaptability to different surface geometries is improved, but pressure control difficulty increases due to changing orientation and location relative to fluid source
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure control system is segmented into independent local control units (proportional valves and pressure sensors) at each pressure-controlled point. This segmentation allows the fluid management device to move freely on complex surfaces while each local control unit independently maintains pressure stability, eliminating the need for complex centralized pressure compensation mechanisms.
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 achieves higher bandwidth and precision control of fluid pressure compared to conventional methods, enabling reliable operation on complex surfaces such as aircraft, boats, and automobiles, while maintaining fluid pressure within a desired range.
Implementation Method 1
a first proportional valve disposed in the inlet line and configured to selectively modulate an inlet fluid pressure in the inlet line between the first proportional valve and the fluid management device
Implementation Method 2
a second proportional valve disposed in the outlet line and configured to selectively modulate an outlet fluid pressure in the outlet line between the fluid management device and the second proportional valve
Implementation Method 3
a first pressure sensor between the first proportional valve and the fluid management device and configured to measure the inlet fluid pressure in the inlet line
Implementation Method 4
a second pressure sensor between the fluid management device and the second proportional valve and configured to measure the outlet fluid pressure in the outlet line
Implementation Method 5
The controller is configured to control the first proportional valve so that the inlet fluid pressure is maintained at a target inlet fluid pressure and control the second proportional valve so that the outlet fluid pressure is maintained at a target outlet fluid pressure
Data Source
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AI summary
A system and method for dynamically controlling fluid pressure within a fluid flow circuit is disclosed. A fluid circulation system supplies working fluid through an inlet line and returns working fluid through an outlet line. A fluid management device is fluidically coupled to the inlet line and the outlet line. The fluid management device defines a pressure-controlled point. A first proportional valve and a first pressure sensor are disposed in the inlet line to selectively modulate and measure an inlet fluid pressure in the inlet line. A second proportional valve and a second pressure sensor are disposed in the outlet line to selectively modulate and measure an outlet fluid pressure in the outlet line. A controller is configured to maintain the inlet fluid pressure at a target inlet pressure and maintain the outlet fluid pressure at a target outlet pressure.