Pilot-Operated Fluid Control Valve for Faster Temperature Response
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fluid control valves in heat exchange systems react slowly to changes in oil temperature, leading to unnecessary high internal friction and reduced fuel efficiency in combustion engines, as they rely on unreliable heat elements for actuation.
Innovation Solution
An electro-mechanical actuator system with a pilot valve configuration that controls the axial position of the main valve, allowing for faster and more accurate fluid flow control by utilizing fluid pressure, reducing the force required to actuate the pilot valve and enabling precise temperature regulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If conventional heat elements are used to actuate the valve, then the structure is simple, but the response speed is slow and reliability is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the conventional thermal expansion actuation mechanism with an electro-mechanical actuator that directly moves the pilot valve. This substitution eliminates the slow thermal response while maintaining structural simplicity through the use of a compact motor-driven mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes fluid pressure differential across the pilot valve to amplify the small movements of the electro-mechanical actuator into larger movements of the main valve. The high-pressure fluid supply and drain outlet create pressure differentials that drive the main valve response, enabling fast and reliable actuation.
2Measurement precision
If direct actuation of main valve is used, then the structure is simple, but the control precision is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the valve into two functional segments: a pilot valve for precise control and a main valve for flow regulation. The electro-mechanical actuator precisely positions the pilot valve, which then controls fluid pressure to position the main valve. This segmentation enables high control accuracy while keeping each component relatively simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces fluid pressure as an intermediary between the electro-mechanical actuator and the main valve. The actuator controls the pilot valve, which modulates fluid pressure in a control volume, and this pressure differential actuates the main valve. This intermediary mechanism amplifies control precision while maintaining structural simplicity.
3Force
If high force is applied to move main valve, then the actuation is reliable, but the actuator size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs hydraulic amplification through the pilot valve system. The electro-mechanical actuator applies a small force to move the pilot valve, which then modulates high-pressure fluid flow into a control volume. The resulting pressure differential acts on the larger surface area of the main valve, generating the high forces needed for reliable actuation without requiring a large actuator.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses the fluid pressure in the control volume as a counterbalancing force to the main valve spring and friction forces. By controlling the pilot valve to admit high-pressure fluid into the control volume, the system creates a pressure force that opposes and overcomes the spring force and friction, enabling reliable main valve actuation with minimal actuator force.
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 solution provides faster actuation and more accurate control of fluid flow, reducing internal friction and improving fuel efficiency by enabling precise temperature management within combustion engines.
Implementation Method 1
a pilot valve (58) positioned at said opening (57) in said base wall (54). The pilot valve (58) is moveably arranged for controlling a fluid flow through the opening (57) from the fluid main volume (56) to the fluid control volume (55)
Implementation Method 2
an electro-mechanical actuator (59) having an actuator piston (60), which is configured to act on the pilot valve (58) for controlling the position of the pilot valve (58)
Implementation Method 3
The fluid drain outlet (62) is configured to be connected to a fluid pipe or fluid reservoir that is configured to exhibit a lower fluid pressure than the fluid pressure at a control valve inlet during operation of the fluid control valve (25), such that the fluid pressure in the control volume (55) can be set lower than the fluid pressure in the main volume (56)
Implementation Method 4
A main valve spring member (45) contact the main valve (44) and urges the main valve (44) in a first axial direction (46)
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
The invention relates to a fluid control valve (25) comprising a cylindrical housing (40) with at least one opening (41, 42) through a housing wall, a cylindrical main valve (44) axially movably arranged inside the housing (40) for controlling a fluid flow through the at least one opening (41, 42) and a main valve spring member (45) acting on the main valve (44), wherein the main valve (44) comprises a base wall (54) defining a fluid control volume (55) and fluid main volume (56) in the cylindrical housing (40), wherein the base wall (54) comprises an opening (57) for fluidly connecting the fluid control volume (55) with the fluid main volume (56), wherein the fluid control valve (25) further comprises: a pilot valve (58) positioned at the base wall opening (57), which pilot valve (58) is moveably arranged for controlling a fluid flow through the base wall opening (57); and an electro-mechanical actuator (59) configured to act on the pilot valve (58) for controlling the main valve (44) via the pilot valve (58). The invention is characterized in that the pilot valve (58) is secured at the base wall opening (57) by means of cage (79) in which the pilot valve (58) is located, and the cage (79) is fixed with respect to the base wall (54).