Planetary Fluid Control Valve for Flexible Multi-Port Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Multi-port fluid control valves are complex and costly due to increased fluid connections and moving components, which complicates packaging and control schemes, especially when switching between different operating modes requiring dramatic flow configuration changes.
Innovation Solution
A multi-port planetary fluid control valve design featuring a cylindrical ring gear and arrays of rotary valve bodies with sealing plates, allowing for selective rotation and fluid communication between multiple inlets and outlets through various flow paths, enabling efficient and flexible flow configurations without the need for excessive complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multi-port fluid valves are used to prescribe desired flow configurations with multiple flow paths, then flow configuration flexibility is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional fluid connections and moving components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple valve functions into a single integrated multi-port valve body. Multiple flow paths, sealing elements, and actuation mechanisms are merged into one unified component structure, allowing complex flow configurations to be achieved without proportionally increasing overall device complexity. The valve body integrates multiple inlet/outlet ports and internal flow channels that can be configured through a single actuation mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The multi-port valve is designed with universal functionality to handle multiple flow configurations through a single device. The valve can prescribe various flow arrangements including series, parallel, and mixed configurations by rotating a single valve body to different positions, eliminating the need for multiple separate valves or complex switching mechanisms for each flow scenario.
2Adaptability or versatility
If additional fluid connections and moving components are added to achieve desired flow configurations, then flow path control is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple flow path control functions are merged into a single valve assembly with integrated sealing elements and actuation mechanisms. This consolidation reduces the total number of parts that need to be manufactured and assembled, lowering manufacturing costs while maintaining the ability to control multiple flow paths through a single coordinated structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve design achieves universal flow path control capability through a standardized multi-port configuration that can handle various flow scenarios without requiring additional specialized components for each scenario. This multi-functionality is achieved through a single manufacturable design rather than multiple specialized valve types.
3Adaptability or versatility
If additional moving components are incorporated to achieve desired flow configurations, then flow switching capability is improved, but packaging difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple flow switching functions are combined into a single rotating valve body mechanism. Instead of having separate moving components for each flow path switch, the invention uses one integrated valve body that can be rotated to different positions to achieve multiple flow configurations, significantly reducing the number of moving parts and simplifying packaging requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve utilizes rotational movement in a circular dimension to achieve multiple flow configurations. By rotating the valve body around a central axis to different angular positions, the invention achieves flow switching capability without requiring linear movement or multiple separate actuators, thereby reducing packaging space requirements.
4Reliability
If control schemes are created to ensure proper operation when switching between different valve positions, then operational reliability is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple flow control functions are merged into a single valve actuation system. The valve body rotation simultaneously controls all flow paths and sealing elements, eliminating the need for complex coordinated control schemes for multiple separate actuators. A single actuator position determines the state of all flow paths, simplifying the control scheme while maintaining operational reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
A fluid control valve includes a valve assembly having a ring gear, an array of first rotary valve bodies, an array of second rotary valve bodies, and a sealing plate. Each of the first rotary valve bodies includes at least one first flow path formed therethrough and each of the second rotary valve bodies includes at least one second flow path formed therethrough. The sealing plate includes a plurality of flow openings formed axially therethrough with each of the flow openings configured to provide fluid communication between one of the first flow paths of the array of first rotary valve bodies and one of the second flow paths of the array of second rotary valve bodies. Rotation of the ring gear causes selective rotation of the first and second rotary valve bodies to alter the flow configuration present between the arrays of the first and second rotary valve bodies.