Multi-Rotor Rotary Valve Layout for Lower Pressure Loss
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rotary valves face challenges with increased hose length requirements, fluid pressure loss, and complex structures due to radial port arrangements, which complicate fluid flow control.
Innovation Solution
A rotary valve design featuring a housing with rotors that can be rotated by an electric actuator, utilizing a linkage mechanism to selectively control fluid flow between multiple ports through transmission and non-transmission modes, allowing for increased channel flexibility and reduced pressure loss.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If ports are arranged in a radial pattern from the stem shell, then the rotary valve can control fluid flow between multiple ports, but the hose length increases and channel formation is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a radial port arrangement (2D plane) to a linear/collinear port arrangement along the axial direction (3D space). The supply ports and discharge ports are positioned at different axial locations, allowing fluid to flow axially through the rotor rather than radially, thereby reducing hose length and simplifying channel formation.
2Adaptability or versatility
If ports are arranged in a radial pattern, then multi-port fluid control is achieved, but fluid pressure loss increases due to steep flow direction changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the flow path from radial (in-plane) to axial (out-of-plane), allowing fluid to move more smoothly through the rotor along the axis. This dimensional change reduces the steepness of flow direction changes, thereby minimizing pressure loss and energy dissipation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If radial port arrangement is used, then fluid flow between multiple ports is enabled, but the valve structure becomes complex and overall size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the valve into distinct functional segments: a stationary housing with supply ports, a rotatable rotor with discharge ports and internal flow channels, and sealing elements. This segmentation allows each component to have a simplified geometry while collectively achieving multi-port fluid control, reducing overall structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
By positioning ports and flow channels along the axial dimension rather than radially, the patent simplifies the geometric relationships between components. The linear arrangement reduces the number of angular connections required, thereby simplifying the overall valve structure and reducing its size.
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 design enables efficient fluid flow control with fewer restrictions on channel formation and reduced pressure loss, enhancing the overall efficiency and simplicity of the valve operation.
Implementation Method 1
an electric actuator configured to drive and rotate the plurality of rotors
Implementation Method 2
the linkage mechanism includes a contact portion formed in the drive rotor and a contacted portion formed in the driven rotor, and is configured to select between a transmission mode and a non-transmission mode
Implementation Method 3
each configured to rotate to cause the fluid from the plurality of supply ports to flow into a corresponding one of the plurality of discharge ports
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4(I)~4(III)
AI summary
A valve is configured that has less restrictions in connecting external channels thereto, that has less fluid pressure loss, and that can cause fluid to selectively flow between a plurality of ports. The valve includes a housing, a plurality of rotors housed in the housing, a linkage mechanism that links the plurality of rotors, and an electric actuator. The rotors include a drive rotor that is driven and rotated by the electric actuator and a driven rotor to which a driving rotational force is transmitted from the drive rotor via the linkage mechanism. The linkage mechanism includes a contact portion and a contacted portion. The linkage mechanism can select between a transmission mode and a non-transmission mode by selecting a rotational direction of the drive rotor, the transmission mode being a mode in which the contact portion is in contact with the contacted portion so as to transmit the driving rotational force to the driven rotor, and the non-transmission mode being a mode in which the contact portion is separated from the contacted portion so as not to transmit the driving rotational force to the driven rotor.