Open-Center Control Valve for Multi-Source Flow Combining

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional open-center control valves require additional, separate valve sections to combine fluid flow from multiple sources, increasing cost and complexity, especially when auxiliary actuators need higher fluid flow rates than primary sources can provide.

Innovation Solution

The design integrates a spool within the valve assembly to combine fluid flow from multiple sources through existing auxiliary sections, maintaining consistent fluid flow forces and eliminating the need for additional valve sections by using dual-wing passages to direct fluid flow between inlet and outlet ports.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If an additional, separate mid-inlet valve section is added to combine flow from multiple sources, then the auxiliary actuator can receive higher fluid flow rate, but the cost and complexity of the valve assembly increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefluid flow rate to auxiliary actuatorVSAvoidvalve assembly complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the mid-inlet valve section functionality into the existing auxiliary valve section by integrating a spool and dual-wing passages into the auxiliary section's longitudinal bore. This allows the auxiliary section to directly combine fluid flow from both the primary and secondary sources, eliminating the need for a separate mid-inlet section while maintaining the capability to provide high flow rates to the auxiliary actuator.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The auxiliary valve section is designed to perform multiple functions: it controls the auxiliary actuator and simultaneously combines fluid flow from multiple sources (primary and secondary inlets). The spool within the auxiliary section can direct flow from either or both sources to the auxiliary actuator, making the auxiliary section a universal component that handles both flow combination and actuator control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Productivity

If an additional, separate mid-inlet valve section is added to combine flow from multiple sources, then the auxiliary actuator can receive higher fluid flow rate, but the cost of the valve assembly increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefluid flow rate to auxiliary actuatorVSAvoidvalve assembly cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Device complexity

If a spool is configured to combine fluid flow from multiple sources through existing auxiliary sections, then the valve assembly complexity is reduced, but maintaining consistent fluid flow forces becomes more challenging

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevalve assembly complexityVSAvoidfluid flow force consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The dual-wing passages are configured with asymmetric positioning relative to the spool, where the first dual-wing passage is positioned on one side of the spool and the second dual-wing passage is positioned on the other side. This asymmetric arrangement ensures that fluid pressure forces act equally on both sides of the spool during neutral operation, maintaining force balance while allowing flexible flow combination from multiple sources.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

Solution Approach 2:

The spool acts as an intermediary element that mediates between multiple fluid sources and the auxiliary actuator. By positioning the spool within the auxiliary section's longitudinal bore and configuring dual-wing passages on opposite sides, the spool can selectively connect either or both fluid sources to the auxiliary actuator while maintaining balanced forces through its central positioning.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS11460053B2Open center control valve configured to combine fluid flow received from multiple sources

Publication Date: 2022.10.04 PARKER INTANGIBLES LLC

AI summary

An example valve housing comprises: a longitudinal bore; a first and second workport passages intercepting the longitudinal bore and configured to be fluidly coupled to an actuator; a first and second return cavities intercepting the longitudinal bore; a first inlet port configured to be fluidly coupled to a first source of fluid; a second inlet port configured to be fluidly coupled to a second source of fluid; an outlet port fluidly coupled to the first and second return cavities and configured to be fluidly coupled to a reservoir; a first dual-wing passage fluidly coupled to the first inlet port; a second dual-wing passage fluidly coupled to the second inlet port; and a third dual-wing passage fluidly coupled to the second inlet port.