Pocketed Fluidic Control Valve for High Flow at Small Displacement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluidic control valves, particularly those using small displacement actuators, face limitations in flow capacity and pressure due to restricted flow areas at small displacements.
Innovation Solution
The design of the valve includes an orifice plate with at least one orifice surrounded by a seal boss, a seal plate with a pocket overlaying the orifice, and an actuator that moves the seal plate relative to the orifice plate along an axis to transition between open and closed states, thereby increasing the flow restricting area at small displacements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If a small displacement actuator is used to reduce valve size, then the overall valve size is reduced, but the flow capacity is limited due to restricted flow area at small displacements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a pocket dimension in the seal plate that extends along the axis of displacement. This pocket creates an additional flow path dimension, allowing fluid to flow through the pocket when the valve is open, thereby increasing flow capacity without requiring larger lateral dimensions that would increase valve size.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing structure is segmented into a seal boss and a separate pocket region. The pocket is defined by a recessed surface surrounded by the seal boss, creating distinct functional zones: the seal boss for sealing and the pocket for enhanced flow capacity. This segmentation allows independent optimization of sealing performance and flow capacity.
2Length of moving object
If the seal plate is positioned close to the orifice plate to maintain compact size, then valve size is reduced, but flow capacity is restricted due to limited space for fluid passage
Solution Approach 1:
The pocket in the seal plate utilizes the axial dimension (along the displacement axis) to create additional flow capacity. By extending the pocket depth along the axis rather than increasing lateral dimensions, the design maintains compact valve length while providing sufficient volume for enhanced fluid passage and flow rate.
3Use of energy by moving object
If piezoelectric actuators are used to reduce power consumption, then power requirements are reduced, but flow capacity and pressure capacity are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The pocket structure adds a volumetric dimension to the flow path, increasing flow capacity without requiring larger actuator displacement. This allows piezoelectric actuators with small displacement ranges to achieve higher flow capacities by utilizing the pocket volume for fluid passage, thereby maintaining low power consumption while improving productivity.
Data Source
AI summary
A valve includes an orifice plate including at least one orifice surrounded by an orifice plate seal surface, a seal plate, and an actuator. The seal plate includes a seal boss having a seal boss surface that faces the orifice plate, and a pocket that overlays the at least one orifice. The pocket includes a recessed surface that is surrounded by the seal boss surface and is displaced from the seal boss surface along an axis. The actuator is configured to move the seal plate relative to the orifice plate along the axis to transition the valve between open and closed states. The seal boss surface engages the orifice plate seal surface, surrounds the at least one orifice, and blocks a flow of fluid through the at least one orifice when the valve is in the closed state.