Pressure-Responsive Throttle Assembly for Pneumatic Flow Limiting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing pressure control systems for vehicles with multi-stage compressors face challenges in coordinating compression performance and compressed volume flow, leading to potential overload and inefficient energy consumption.

Innovation Solution

A pressure control system with a throttle arrangement featuring controllable throttle valves that adjust based on inlet pressure to limit input volume flow, ensuring the output volume flow does not exceed a predetermined limit, thereby optimizing the operation of the multi-stage compressor by adjusting the effective cross-section of the throttle arrangement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the multi-stage compressor operates without flow limitation, then the compression power and compressed volume flow can be maximized, but the pneumatic consumer may be overloaded and energy consumption becomes inefficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompressed volume flowVSAvoidoverload protection
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The throttle arrangement is positioned upstream of the multi-stage compressor to pre-limit the input volume flow before the compression process begins. This preliminary flow limitation prevents the compressor and pneumatic consumer from being overloaded, while still allowing the system to operate at optimal compression performance within safe parameters.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If the throttle arrangement limits the input volume flow, then the pneumatic consumer is protected from overload, but the compressed volume flow may be reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoverload protectionVSAvoidcompressed volume flow
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The throttle valves in the throttle arrangement are designed to be adjustable, allowing the effective cross-section to be dynamically modified. This enables optimization of the balance between flow limitation for protection and sufficient compressed volume flow for productivity, adapting to different operating conditions and consumer requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Device complexity

If the throttle arrangement uses a fixed cross-section, then the structure is simple, but it cannot optimize energy consumption under varying operating conditions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethrottle arrangement structureVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The throttle arrangement incorporates adjustable throttle valves that allow modification of the effective cross-section based on operating conditions. This dynamic capability enables optimization of energy consumption by matching the flow limitation to the actual demands of the pneumatic consumer, preventing both overload and excessive energy use during normal operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The effective cross-section of the throttle arrangement is designed as a variable parameter that can be adjusted according to operating conditions. By changing this geometric parameter, the system optimizes the balance between flow rate and pressure, thereby minimizing energy consumption while maintaining reliable operation under varying loads.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 solution prevents overload of the pneumatic consumer by limiting the input volume flow, optimizing energy consumption, and ensuring the multi-stage compressor operates close to its performance limit, thereby achieving efficient and reliable pressure control.

Implementation Method 1

an inlet volume flow (QE) of a pressure medium (A) entering the throttling arrangement can be limited to a limiting volume flow (QG) by controlling the at least one throttle valve (27.1), wherein the at least one controllable throttle valve (27.1) is switched, i.e., opened or closed, depending on an inlet pressure (pV)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure-dependent flow control: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentEP3619066B1Pressure control system having a throttle assembly
Publication Date: 2023.08.30 ZF CV SYST HANNOVER GMBH
  • EP3619066B1 patent drawingFigure 1a
  • EP3619066B1 patent drawingFigure 1b
  • EP3619066B1 patent drawingFigure 2a

AI summary

The invention relates to a throttle assembly (25) for a pressure control system having a pneumatic load in a vehicle, in particular a passenger car, said throttle assembly comprising at least one throttle valve (37, 27.i), the at least one throttle valve (31, 27.i) defining an assembly cross-section (AQ) of the throttle assembly (25), the assembly cross-section (AQ) specifying what flow resistance acts on a pressure medium (E) entering the throttle assembly (25). According to the invention, at least one throttle valve (27.i) can be controlled in accordance with a preliminary pressure (pV), the assembly cross-section (AQ) of the throttle assembly (25) being adjustable, by the control of the at least one controllable throttle valve (27.i), in such a way that an incoming volumetric flow rate (QE) of the pressure medium (E) entering the throttle assembly (25) can be limited to a limit volumetric flow rate (QG) in accordance with the preliminary pressure (pV), in order to set, in accordance with the preliminary pressure (pV), a power consumption of the pneumatic load in the pressure control system (1), which pneumatic load is connected to the throttle assembly (25).