Rotary Valve Flow Reversal and Component Bypass in One Body
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional rotary valves lack the ability to integrate multiple functionalities, such as reversing flow and bypassing components, which limits their versatility and increases the need for multiple valves and interconnecting tubing, thereby increasing costs and complexity in applications like liquid chromatography systems.
Innovation Solution
A rotary valve design that allows for at least three different rotary positions, enabling components to be connected in forward and reverse flow or bypassed, using a stator with four ports and a rotor with interconnection grooves to manage fluid flow between these ports, reducing the need for separate valves and tubing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a conventional rotary valve with a single groove is used, then the valve structure is simple, but it cannot perform multiple functions such as flow reversal and component bypassing
Solution Approach 1:
The rotor groove is divided into multiple separate grooves (first groove, second groove, third groove) instead of a single continuous groove. Each groove is responsible for a specific flow path function, enabling the valve to perform multiple operations including forward flow, reverse flow, and component bypassing through different groove configurations
Solution Approach 2:
The rotary valve is designed with multiple grooves that enable a single valve to perform multiple functions: directing flow in forward direction, reversing flow direction, and bypassing components. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for multiple separate valves while maintaining structural integration
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate valves are used to achieve flow reversal and bypassing, then functional requirements are met, but the number of valves and interconnecting tubing increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple valve functions that would traditionally require separate valves are merged into a single rotary valve body. The stator and rotor are integrated with multiple grooves that collectively provide forward flow control, reverse flow control, and bypass capabilities, eliminating the need for multiple discrete valve components and their associated interconnecting tubing
3Adaptability or versatility
If a single groove in the rotor is used, then the valve is easy to manufacture, but it cannot connect components in forward and reverse flow configurations
Solution Approach 1:
The groove system is segmented into multiple distinct grooves (first groove for forward flow, second groove for reverse flow, third groove for bypass) rather than attempting to create a single complex groove that would perform all functions. This segmentation simplifies the manufacturing of each individual groove while achieving the cumulative functional capability of multiple flow configurations
Data Source
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Figure 3
Figure 4a~5
AI summary
A rotary valve comprising a stator with an inner stator face,and a rotor with an inner rotor face arranged in sealing contact with the inner stator face, the rotor is rotatably movable to a plurality of rotor positions about a rotational axis relative to the inner stator face, the stator comprises a plurality of connection ports each being in fluidic contact with a corresponding valve orifice at the inner stator face and the rotor comprises two or more interconnection paths for selective fluidic interconnection of said valve orifices with respect to the rotor position, wherein the stator comprises,an inlet port, an outlet port, a component feed port, a component return port, and wherein the interconnection paths in the rotor are arranged to: -in a first rotor position interconnect the inlet port with the outlet port, -in a second rotor position interconnect the inlet port with the component feed port and the component return port with the outlet port, -in a third rotor position interconnect the inlet port with the component return port and the component feed port with the outlet port.