Pressure-Referenced Valve Layout for Compact Fluid Flow Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing valves in fluid systems, such as those used in gas turbine engines, face challenges related to space, weight, and part count, and there is a need for improved design in controlling fluid flow.
Innovation Solution
A pressure-referenced valve design that operates based on a pressure reference point, allowing for flexible spatial arrangement of inlet and outlet passages and incorporating a piston assembly with a bypass passage to manage fluid flow, featuring a detachable transfer tube for adjustable length and a spring-biased piston for controlled operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If a traditional valve design is used, then the valve can control fluid flow, but the valve occupies excessive space and has high weight
Solution Approach 1:
The piston is received within the cylindrical bore of the valve body, and the transfer tube is nested within the valve assembly. This nesting arrangement allows the valve components to be compactly arranged, reducing the overall volume while maintaining the fluid flow control function through the coordinated movement of nested components.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve design utilizes three-dimensional spatial arrangement with the piston moving axially within the cylindrical bore, and the transfer tube providing bypass flow paths in radial directions. This multi-dimensional component arrangement achieves compact packaging while preserving reliable fluid control through multiple flow paths.
2Ease of operation
If a complex valve design with multiple parts is used, then the valve can provide precise control, but the part count increases
Solution Approach 1:
The valve body integrates multiple functions including the cylindrical bore, fluid passages, and sealing surfaces into a single component. The piston combines the moving element, sealing ring, and spring retention features. This merging of functions into fewer components reduces part count while maintaining precise control through the integrated design.
Solution Approach 2:
The piston serves multiple functions: it moves to control the main fluid passage, provides sealing through the sealing ring, and interacts with the spring for biasing. The transfer tube provides both primary flow path and bypass capability. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components while maintaining precise control capabilities.
3Volume of moving object
If a compact valve design is used, then space is reduced, but the inlet and outlet passages become difficult to arrange
Solution Approach 1:
The valve utilizes three-dimensional passage routing with the transfer tube providing bypass flow paths that extend radially and axially. The piston creates variable flow areas by moving along the axial dimension within the cylindrical bore. This multi-dimensional passage arrangement achieves compact volume while maintaining manufacturing flexibility through standard cylindrical geometry.
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 design enhances fluid system efficiency by minimizing pressure drop and enabling compact, adaptable valve configurations with reduced parts, improving operational reliability and flexibility.
Implementation Method 1
a spring arranged within the chamber and between the piston and the base, the spring being configured to bias the piston to move between a first position and a second position
Implementation Method 2
the piston being movable relative to the base between a first position and a second position in response to a pressure differential
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A referenced pressure valve (100) for a fluid system having a housing including: an inner wall enclosing a cavity providing fluid communication between the inlet (PI) and the outlet (PO); a rim in the cavity defining a bypass passage (PA) circumscribed outwardly by the inner wall and inwardly by the rim, an upstream passage (PRa) located between an upstream end of the cavity and the rim, and a downstream passage (PRb) located between the rim and a downstream end of the cavity. A rib extends outwardly from the rim to the inner wall through the bypass passage, and a piston assembly, received within a chamber (C) circumscribed outwardly by the rim, includes a piston movable relative to the rim between a position in which the piston obstructs the flow path at the upstream passage and a position in which the piston is at least partially clear of the path to permit flow along the path.