Removable Driver for Control Valve Rod Adjustment
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing adjusting devices for control valve rods in process plants require frequent energy consumption and mechanical gear movement during normal operation, limiting movement amplitude and complicating the adjustment process due to constant coupling with the control valve rod.
Innovation Solution
An adjusting device that can be decoupled from the control valve rod, featuring a driver with a tine structure for non-positive or positive connection, allowing for direct force transmission and easy assembly/disassembly, reducing energy consumption and simplifying the adjustment process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the adjusting device is constantly coupled to the control valve rod, then the adjustment position can be maintained, but energy consumption increases and mechanical gears must move during normal operation
Solution Approach 1:
The adjusting device is segmented into separable components: the driver (31) that connects to the control valve rod and the driven part (27) that remains stationary. This segmentation allows the device to be coupled only when adjustment is needed, eliminating continuous energy consumption while maintaining adjustment capability when required.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling state of the adjusting device is made dynamic rather than static. The driver can be inserted into or removed from the driven part's receptacle, allowing the system to switch between coupled and decoupled states. This dynamic coupling enables the system to maintain reliability when needed while avoiding unnecessary energy consumption during normal operation.
2Ease of operation
If the adjusting device is constantly coupled to the control valve rod, then adjustment can be performed at any time, but the movement amplitude of the actuator is limited
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the adjusting device into separable components, the system allows the control valve rod to move freely through the entire yoke when the driver is removed. The adjustment function remains available by simply inserting the driver when needed, thus restoring full movement amplitude while maintaining operational ease.
Solution Approach 2:
The dynamic coupling mechanism allows the system to switch between two states: when the driver is inserted, adjustment is available; when removed, full movement amplitude is restored. This dynamic state change resolves the contradiction by allowing both adjustment availability and full movement range at different times as needed.
3Ease of operation
If the adjusting device is constantly coupled to the control valve rod, then position adjustment is possible, but the adjustment process becomes complicated due to freewheels
Solution Approach 1:
The driver is extracted as a separate, removable component from the adjusting device assembly. This extraction eliminates the need for freewheels and complex mechanical gears, as the driver directly transmits force to the control valve rod when inserted. The adjustment process becomes simpler by removing the complicating elements while preserving adjustment capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The driver acts as a simple intermediary element that directly transmits force from the handwheel to the control valve rod when inserted. This intermediary approach replaces complex mechanical gear systems and freewheels with a straightforward force transmission mechanism, simplifying the adjustment process while maintaining full adjustment capability.
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 device allows for independent adjustment of the control valve rod without impairing the actuator's operation, reducing energy consumption and simplifying the handling of the adjustment process by eliminating the need to overcome freewheels, while maintaining direct access to the control valve rod.
Implementation Method 1
The handwheel (7) moves a spindle nut (27) back and forth in the adjustment direction S via a worm gear (25)
Implementation Method 2
The handwheel (7) moves a driven part (27) back and forth in the longitudinal direction L via a threaded spindle (25)
Data Source
AI summary
Adjustment device (1) for adjusting or readjusting the position of a control valve rod (3) of an actuator (5) of a process plant, such as a petrochemical plant, a brewery, a power plant or the like, comprising: a support structure (13) for attaching to a yoke (811) or a lantern of the actuator, an actuating part, such as a handwheel (7), for introducing an adjusting force, an output part (27) connected to the actuating part in a manner corresponding to the transmission of the adjusting force, which carries the control valve rod along for transmitting the adjusting force, wherein the adjustment device has a detachable and removable driver (31) which, in the assembled state, provides a force-fit or positive-locking connection between the output part and the control valve rod for the direct transmission of the adjusting force at least in one adjusting direction, preferably in both diametrically linear adjusting directions.