Nested Control Valve Resolving Flow Range and Size Trade-off
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional control valves face challenges in accommodating high dynamic flow ranges and are often large and difficult to package, leading to parasitic losses and inefficiencies in dividing fluid streams for applications like internal combustion engines.
Innovation Solution
A control valve design featuring a first fluid conduit with a pivotable butterfly valve plate that varies flow between a first and second fluid passage, allowing for adjustable geometry and flow characteristics by modifying the second fluid conduit inlet and passage sizes and shapes, ensuring efficient fluid communication and minimizing losses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional control valves are used to divide fluid streams, then flow control is achieved, but the valves become large and difficult to package
Solution Approach 1:
The second fluid passage is nested within the first fluid passage, with the second conduit extending into the first passage. This nested configuration allows the valve to control multiple fluid streams simultaneously while maintaining a compact overall size, resolving the contradiction between flow control capability and valve size.
2Adaptability or versatility
If conventional control valves accommodate high dynamic flow ranges, then flow variability is managed, but parasitic losses increase
Solution Approach 1:
The valve plate is configured to pivot between multiple positions, dynamically adjusting the flow distribution between the first and second fluid passages. This dynamic capability allows the valve to adapt to varying flow conditions while maintaining efficient flow paths that minimize parasitic losses across the entire operating range.
3Volume of moving object
If conventional valves are designed for compact packaging, then space is reduced, but flow control precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The fluid control function is segmented into multiple independent passages (first and second fluid passages) with a single valve plate that can selectively control each passage. This segmentation allows precise control of multiple fluid streams within a compact valve body, maintaining flow control precision while achieving compact packaging.
Data Source
AI summary
A control valve includes a first conduit having a first inlet and a first outlet and defining a first passage; a second conduit having a second inlet and a second outlet and defining a second passage, the second conduit extending into the first passage such that the second inlet is located within the first passage; and a valve plate disposed pivotably within the first passage, the valve plate defining a valve plate surface. Pivoting of the valve plate within the first passage varies flow from the first inlet to the first outlet and the valve plate is pivotal between a first position and a second position such that in the first position the valve plate substantially prevents fluid communication between the first passage and the second passage and such that in the second position the valve plate permits fluid communication between the first passage and the second passage.