Regulating valve

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing control fittings for liquid-carrying heating or cooling systems have limited flow cross-section and effective area due to the integration of the control device within the actuating spindle, requiring large housing dimensions and restricting actuating forces.

Innovation Solution

The arrangement of flow control devices is reversed, with the first flow control device followed by the second and then the control device, utilizing a longitudinally displaceable spindle with a throttle element, allowing a small spindle diameter to achieve a large flow cross-section and effective area without enlarging the housing, and incorporating a disc-shaped second flow control device with adjustable flow openings.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of moving object

If the control device is integrated into the actuating spindle with a sleeve-shaped throttle body, then the control function is achieved, but the flow cross-section and effective area are reduced, requiring larger housing dimensions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveeffective areaVSAvoidhousing dimensions
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of moving objectVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional arrangement by placing the control device downstream of the flow control devices rather than upstream. This reversal allows the throttle element to be a simple axial displacement component rather than a complex rotary sleeve, enabling a smaller spindle diameter and larger effective area without increasing housing dimensions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent separates the control device from the actuating spindle, allowing the spindle to be a simple longitudinally displaceable component with a small diameter, while the control function is achieved through the downstream control device with its membrane and throttle body arrangement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Force

If the control device is integrated into the actuating spindle, then the control function is achieved, but large actuating forces cannot be realized without enlarging the housing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveactuating forcesVSAvoidhousing volume
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

By inverting the arrangement and placing the control device downstream, the membrane can be clamped to the housing walls with its outer diameter corresponding to the housing inner diameter, maximizing the effective area for generating actuating forces without requiring a larger housing volume.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the configuration parameters by using a membrane with outer diameter corresponding to the housing inner diameter, thereby maximizing the effective area for force generation within the available housing volume.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Device complexity

If an additional component is inserted between the diaphragm and housing wall, then the control device can be integrated, but the effective area is further limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol device integrationVSAvoideffective area
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSArea of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The inverted arrangement eliminates the need for additional intermediary components between the membrane and housing wall, as the membrane can be directly clamped to the housing walls, maximizing the effective area while achieving control device integration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Data Source

PatentEP3172634B1Regulating valve
Publication Date: 2019.05.22 F W OVENTROP KG
  • EP3172634B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3172634B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The invention relates to a regulating valve (1) for regulating the flow rate and differential pressure in fluid-guiding heating or cooling systems, the regulating valve consisting of a housing (2) with an inlet (3) and outlet (4) and therebetween a connection piece (5) with disposed therein a regulating device (9), a first flow-regulating device (10) and a second flow-regulating device (11). In the direction of flow of the fluid flowing through the valve, following the inlet (3) is the first flow-regulating device (10), followed by the second flow-regulating device (11), followed by the regulating device (9), followed by the outlet (4). Further provided are a spindle (12), disposed in the connection piece (5), an actuating part (13) and a choke element (14) which is part of the first flow-regulating device (10). The spindle (12) axially penetrates both the regulating device and the second flow-regulating device (11).