Pressure Independent Flow Control Valve with Segmented Mobile Equipment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing pressure-independent control valves (PICV) face limitations in grouping functions efficiently, leading to reduced regulation precision and increased mechanical tolerances, especially in heating systems with minimum flow rates, due to complex and costly mechanisms.

Innovation Solution

A PICV valve design that integrates functions into a single orifice/cut-off pair with linearly translating mobile equipment, allowing for effective and compact structure using linear actuators, separating presetting and modulation tasks to maximize stroke usage and minimize mechanical errors.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If functions are grouped into a single orifice/cut-off pair, then device complexity is reduced, but regulation precision deteriorates due to increased mechanical tolerances

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of orifice/cut-off pairsVSAvoidregulation precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The mobile equipment is segmented into two independent parts: a first mobile equipment for presetting the maximum flow rate and a second mobile equipment for modulating the flow rate. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function, reducing the impact of mechanical tolerances on overall regulation precision while maintaining device complexity at an acceptable level.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of manufacture

If a single orifice/cut-off pair is used for all functions, then ease of manufacture is improved, but regulation precision deteriorates in heating systems with minimum flow rates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevalve manufacturing simplicityVSAvoidflow rate control precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The mobile equipment is divided into two independent parts: a first mobile equipment for presetting the maximum flow rate and a second mobile equipment for modulating the flow rate. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function, reducing the impact of mechanical tolerances on overall regulation precision while maintaining device complexity at an acceptable level.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention introduces a spatial dimension to the control mechanism by positioning the two mobile equipments at different locations relative to the orifice. The first mobile equipment controls the upstream side while the second controls the downstream side, creating a multi-dimensional control approach that improves precision without significantly complicating manufacturing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Device complexity

If actuator stroke is shared between presetting and modulation, then device complexity is reduced, but modulation precision deteriorates due to reduced stroke availability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveactuator mechanism simplicityVSAvoidmodulation precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The first mobile equipment for presetting is designed to be self-contained and independent from the modulation mechanism. It can be adjusted manually or through a separate mechanism without interfering with the second mobile equipment's modulation function, allowing each subsystem to serve its purpose optimally without compromising the other.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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

This design enhances regulation precision and efficiency by allowing full use of the actuator stroke for modulation, reducing mechanical tolerance impacts and maintaining precise control over flow rates independently of pressure fluctuations.

Implementation Method 1

the diaphragm senses an imbalance in the design value and therefore moves the lamination cut-off which will vary the differential P1−P2 in an opposed manner so that the value P2−P3 will be restored to the design one

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDifferential pressure sensing: Pressure Drop

Implementation Method 2

said mobile equipment comprises main equipment and secondary equipment which can translate linearly with respect to the main equipment for presetting the maximum valve flow rate

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLinear translation mechanism: Displacement

Data Source

PatentUS10013001B2Dynamic balancing valve for control of flow rate independently of pressure

Publication Date: 2018.07.03 VIR VALVOIND ING RIZZIO

AI summary

Pressure independent flow rate control valve, for placement in hydraulic systems between upstream inlet and downstream outlet ducts, including a first functional unit arranged between the inlet and outlet ducts, mobile equipment actuated manually or by an actuator for setting and modifying the orifice span of a fluid passage, and thus the valve flow rate, up to complete closure; and a second functional unit for maintaining the differential pressure constant between upstream and downstream of the first unit, and thus the set valve flow rate independently of pressure fluctuations in the hydraulic system. The mobile equipment includes main equipment and secondary equipment which can linearly translate with respect to the main equipment for presetting the maximum valve flow rate, the main equipment carrying integrally the secondary equipment and being linearly displaced by the actuator for modulating the fluid flow rate from the preset maximum one up to complete closure.