Rotary Mechanical Valve With Discrete Flow-Rate Positions
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Mechanical regulating valves lack the ability to provide predetermined fluid flows at specific opening positions, relying on linear rotation for flow control which is not precise and requires complex frustoconical designs.
Innovation Solution
A mechanical valve with a cylindrical inner passageway and a rotatable stem featuring radial fluid outlet ports of increasing sections, allowing direct transition from a closed to maximum or minimum opening position without intermediate steps, ensuring precise and repetitive flow regulation by selecting specific valve positions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If frustoconical valve chambers and plugs are used for flow regulation, then continuous linear flow control is achieved, but device complexity increases and predetermined flow positions cannot be provided
Solution Approach 1:
The valve plug is segmented into multiple radial outlets of different cross-sectional areas arranged circumferentially. Each radial outlet corresponds to a predetermined flow position, dividing the continuous rotation into discrete functional segments that provide specific flow rates when aligned with the outlet port.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from linear flow control along the valve axis to circumferential distribution of flow paths. Multiple radial outlets are arranged in a circumferential pattern, adding a rotational dimension to flow regulation and enabling predetermined flow positions through angular orientation rather than linear positioning.
2Productivity
If frustoconical valve designs are used, then flow regulation is achieved, but manufacturing complexity and precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The valve plug geometry changes from frustoconical to cylindrical with multiple radial outlets. This parameter change simplifies manufacturing by using standard cylindrical machining operations instead of complex conical surfaces, while maintaining flow regulation capability through the varied cross-sectional areas of the radial outlets.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve body and plug adopt homogeneous cylindrical geometry rather than heterogeneous frustoconical shapes. This uniform cylindrical structure simplifies manufacturing processes, reduces tooling requirements, and lowers precision requirements while the functional differentiation is achieved through the arrangement and sizing of radial outlets rather than overall shape variations.
3Ease of operation
If linear rotation from closed to open position is used, then simple operation is achieved, but predetermined flow positions cannot be selected
Solution Approach 1:
The radial outlets are pre-positioned at specific circumferential angles during manufacturing, establishing predetermined flow positions before operation. This preliminary positioning allows the valve to provide accurate, repeatable flow rates at specific rotational positions without requiring complex adjustment mechanisms during use.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces complex electronic or mechanical positioning systems with a purely mechanical circumferential arrangement of radial outlets. The predetermined positions are achieved through the fixed geometric relationship between the radial outlets and the outlet port, eliminating the need for electronic sensors or complex mechanical feedback systems.
4Adaptability or versatility
If multiple drilled holes of different sizes are used, then gas flow regulation is achieved, but mechanical complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges multiple flow control functions into a single integrated valve plug structure. Instead of using separate plates with drilled holes, all radial outlets are incorporated into one plug component, reducing assembly complexity while maintaining the ability to provide multiple predetermined flow rates through the circumferentially arranged outlets.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
AI summary
Mechanical valve for fluids comprising a valve body (1) provided with an inlet port (11), an outlet port (12) and an inner passageway (13) for communicating said inlet and outlet ports (11, 12); and a stem (2) provided with an end housed in the inner passageway of the valve body with the capacity of rotation, wherein the stem (2) comprises a cylindrical tubular segment (21) with an inner cavity (23) for circulating fluid in an opening position of the valve, radial windows (24) that permanently communicate the inner cavity (23) of the stem (2) with the inlet port (11) of the valve body (1), radial fluid outlet ports (25a - 25e), of different sections, and a closing portion (26), which faces the outlet port (12) of the body (1) in a certain angular position of the stem (2), closing the fluid passageway.