Rotary Flow Control Gate Valve for Precise Low-Pressure Modulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fluid control systems face challenges with complex mechanisms, lack of precision control, and increased volume, requiring improved valves for compact design and high precision flow rate control, especially in applications with lower supply pressures or packaging constraints.
Innovation Solution
A multifunction valve with a simple design and compact size, featuring a flow control gate supported by a control shaft within a valve body, allowing for precise modulation of fluid flow through rotation, and radiused inlet and outlet features for increased surface area and reduced pressure drop.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If conventional valves are used for fluid control, then flow control function is provided, but the mechanism becomes complex with many components and complicated assemblies
Solution Approach 1:
The valve mechanism is segmented into distinct functional components: a flow control gate for precise flow modulation, a control shaft for actuation, and a valve body housing. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently while simplifying the overall assembly and improving reliability through modular design.
2Volume of stationary object
If conventional valves are used for fluid control, then flow control function is provided, but the valve requires a larger volume within the fluid circuit
Solution Approach 1:
The control shaft is nested within the valve body, and the flow control gate is positioned within the fluid passage of the valve body. This nested arrangement allows the control mechanism to occupy minimal space within the existing valve structure, achieving compact design without compromising flow control precision.
3Volume of stationary object
If a compact valve design is used, then packaging space is reduced, but pressure drop may increase at a given flow rate
Solution Approach 1:
The flow control gate utilizes a curved, radiused edge design that smoothly transitions fluid flow from the inlet to the outlet. This curved geometry minimizes flow separation and turbulence, reducing pressure drop across the valve while maintaining a compact overall size. The radiused feature at the inlet and outlet further enhances flow smoothness.
Data Source
AI summary
A multifunction valve includes a valve body defining an inlet, and outlet and an interior chamber. A flow control gate may be disposed within the interior chamber and comprises one or more protrusions configured to provide a high level of precision control of a fluid flow rate through the multifunction valve as the flow control gate is rotated through an arcuate range of positions. The protrusions may comprise a cut-out portion, wherein the size and/or shape of the cut-out may be configured to modify the fluid flow rate through the multifunction valve. A method of modulating a fluid flow rate includes directing fluid flow through a multifunction valve from an inlet to an outlet, the multifunction valve including a flow control gate, adjusting the flow rate through the multifunction valve by rotating a control shaft to position the flow control gate to variably occlude the outlet of the multifunction valve.