Pressure Regulating Valve With Differential Pressure Metering
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Pressure regulating valves in industrial and residential systems face challenges in maintaining consistent fluid pressures across varying demands and pressure fluctuations, requiring efficient control mechanisms to adjust fluid flow and pressure dynamically.
Innovation Solution
A pressure regulating valve with a restricting element and sensing element, controlled by circuitry that determines differential pressure and adjusts the restricting element's position to maintain setpoint pressure, while also metering fluid flow and communicating with user devices for data exchange.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a pressure regulating valve uses a traditional mechanical sensing mechanism, then the structure is simple, but the ability to dynamically adjust and maintain precise setpoint pressure under varying demands is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The sensing element serves multiple functions: it detects downstream pressure, converts pressure to an electrical signal, and provides feedback to the control circuitry for dynamic adjustment. This multi-functionality integrates sensing, signal conversion, and control feedback into a single component, improving measurement precision without proportionally increasing device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical sensing mechanisms with an electrical sensing element that converts pressure directly into an electrical signal. This substitution enables more precise pressure measurement and dynamic control while reducing mechanical complexity through electronic measurement and control systems
2Measurement precision
If the pressure regulating valve continuously adjusts the restricting element position to maintain precise pressure, then pressure control accuracy improves, but energy loss increases due to throttling
Solution Approach 1:
The valve transitions from static positioning to dynamic adjustment of the restricting element. The control circuitry continuously modifies the restricting element position based on real-time feedback from the sensing element, enabling precise pressure maintenance while optimizing energy efficiency through adaptive control rather than continuous throttling
Solution Approach 2:
The sensing element provides continuous feedback about downstream pressure to the control circuitry, which then adjusts the restricting element position accordingly. This closed-loop feedback system maintains precise pressure control while minimizing energy loss by adjusting flow resistance only to the extent necessary to maintain the setpoint pressure
3Measurement precision
If the valve includes advanced control circuitry for determining differential pressure and flow rate, then metering accuracy improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control circuitry performs multiple measurement functions using the same sensing element and pressure data: it determines both differential pressure across the restricting element and flow rate through the valve. This multi-functionality allows accurate metering without proportionally increasing device complexity, as the same hardware infrastructure supports multiple measurement objectives
Solution Approach 2:
The sensing element and control circuitry use the pressure measurements they already take for pressure regulation purposes to also determine flow rate. The system serves dual purposes (pressure control and flow metering) using the same measurement infrastructure, thereby improving metering accuracy without adding separate dedicated measurement systems
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 effectively maintains fluid pressure within a set percentage of the setpoint, adjusts flow rates based on demand, and provides accurate metering and communication, enhancing system efficiency and user monitoring capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
move the restricting element in a first direction in response to a force on a first area of the sensing element, wherein the first area is in fluid communication with the flow path
Data Source
AI summary
In some examples, a pressure reducing valve includes a valve body defining a defining a flow path and a restricting element within the flow path. A sensing element is configured to modify a position of the restricting element in the flow path. The sensing element defines a first area in fluid communication with the flow path and a second area fluidly isolated from the flow path. The pressure reducing valve includes control circuitry configured to determine a differential pressure over a section of the flow path, determine a position of the restricting element, and determine a flow rate based on the differential pressure and the position of the restricting element.