Rotary Valve Opening Layout for Compact Precise Flow Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing valve devices are large due to the need for a significant circumferential length to maintain accurate flow control, which increases the size of the valve body and the load on the actuator, and can lead to increased wear and reduced strength.
Innovation Solution
The valve device features a valve body with small openings axially displaced from the center of the communication passage port, allowing for a shorter circumferential length by overlapping the ranges of small openings with allowable movement areas, reducing the size of the valve body and the load on the actuator while maintaining constant flow rates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the valve body is designed with a sufficient circumferential length to maintain accurate flow control, then the flow control precision is improved, but the valve body size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dimensional change by axially displacing the small openings from the center of the communication passage port in the circumferential direction. This shifts the control mechanism from a purely circumferential arrangement to one that utilizes the axial dimension, allowing the small openings to overlap with allowable movement areas and thereby reducing the required circumferential length while maintaining flow control precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs asymmetry by positioning the small openings at specific axial distances from the center of the communication passage port, rather than symmetrically around the center. This asymmetric arrangement optimizes the overlap with allowable movement areas, enabling reduced valve body size while preserving accurate flow control capability.
2Volume of moving object
If the valve body size is reduced, then the device compactness is improved, but the load on the actuator decreases which may affect control authority
Solution Approach 1:
By utilizing axial displacement of the small openings from the circumferential center, the patent reduces the circumferential length requirement and thereby valve body volume. The axial positioning ensures that the small openings effectively overlap with allowable movement areas, maintaining control authority with reduced actuator load.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the positional parameters of the small openings by specifying their axial displacement distance from the communication passage port center. This parameter optimization allows the valve to achieve effective flow control with a smaller valve body and reduced actuator load while maintaining control effectiveness.
3Duration of action of moving object
If the circumferential length of the valve body is shortened, then the moving distance is reduced which decreases wear, but the flow control range may be limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent compensates for the reduced circumferential length by utilizing axial displacement of the small openings. This dimensional shift allows the valve to achieve the necessary flow control range through optimized overlap with allowable movement areas, maintaining versatility while reducing moving distance and wear.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent pre-positions the small openings at optimized axial distances from the communication passage port center, so that they inherently overlap with allowable movement areas during operation. This preliminary positioning ensures adequate flow control range is available throughout the valve's operational cycle, even with shortened circumferential length.
Data Source
AI summary
A valve device includes: a housing having a communication passage forming a part of a path from an inlet to an outlet; and a valve body disposed to be rotatable about a valve axis in the housing. The valve body has a peripheral wall portion facing a communication passage port at one end of the communication passage, and adjusts an opening area of the communication passage port according to its rotation position. The peripheral wall portion has a closure portion capable of fully closing the communication passage port, and openings arranged apart from each other in the circumferential direction. The plurality of openings include a large opening and one or more small openings smaller than the large opening. The centers of the small openings are axially offset.