Rotating Shutter Valve for Constant Flow in Tight Hydronic Spaces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional hydraulic control and balancing valves face challenges in combined heating-cooling hydronic plants due to size constraints, complex installation requirements, and the need for adjustable flow rates, especially in narrow spaces, where they are difficult to install and maintain, and often require additional space for actuation mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A compact, manually actuated valve design with a rotating shutter and floating piston mechanism that allows for static and dynamic control of fluid flow rate, capable of being installed in narrow spaces without external handling mechanisms, and adaptable to different thermal sources, ensuring constant flow rates despite pressure variations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional hydraulic control valves are used in combined heating-cooling plants, then flow rate control capability is provided, but the valve size and complexity increase making installation difficult in narrow spaces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions (flow rate control, pressure compensation, and thermal source selection) into a single integrated valve body. The valve body houses both the control element for flow regulation and the diverter mechanism for switching between heating and cooling modes, eliminating the need for separate valves and reducing installation complexity in narrow spaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve is designed to perform multiple functions: it controls fluid flow rate independently of pressure variations, switches between heating and cooling modes, and adapts to different thermal sources. This multi-functionality is achieved through a unified structure that incorporates both flow control and diverter capabilities, simplifying the overall system architecture.
2Ease of operation
If conventional valves with external actuators are used, then flow rate adjustment capability is provided, but additional space is required for actuation mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The actuation mechanism is integrated within the valve body rather than being external. The control element is directly coupled to the flow control mechanism, and the diverter is actuated through internal linkages, eliminating the need for separate external actuators and reducing the overall valve volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The control and actuation components are nested within the valve body structure. The control element resides inside the valve body, and the diverter mechanism is housed within the same structure, creating a compact nested arrangement that minimizes the external dimensions of the valve.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiway diverter valves are used for heating-cooling switching, then mode switching capability is provided, but installation complexity increases in narrow spaces
Solution Approach 1:
The diverter function for switching between heating and cooling modes is merged with the flow control valve into a single integrated unit. The valve body contains both the flow control element and the diverter mechanism, allowing mode switching and flow regulation to be performed by a single component, thereby simplifying installation in narrow spaces.
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
Enables easy installation and adjustment of fluid flow rates in tight spaces, reduces the need for external actuation components, and maintains constant flow rates across varying pressure conditions, improving operational efficiency and adaptability in hydronic systems.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic element is placed at a face of the perforated element facing the fluid inlet port in the valve body so that an increase of the pressure difference between the valve inlet and outlet is matched by an enlargement of the elastic element
Implementation Method 2
a floating piston, slidingly housed inside the sleeve, configured to be moved, under the action of a fluid pressure, axially with respect to the sleeve, so that a force determined by a pressure difference between the valve inlet port and outlet port acts on a bottom end of the floating piston
Data Source
AI summary
A valve for hydraulic control of fluid flow rate, comprising: a body provided with an inlet opening, an outlet opening and an actuating opening; a rotating hollow shutter rotatively housed inside said body, said rotating shutter being configured to be crossed by a fluid and to change the passage cross-section inside the valve, in which the rotating shutter comprises at least one first opening rotatively cooperating with at least one mated second eccentric opening, said rotating shutter being configured to be manually actuatable inside the body so that a rotation of said first opening with respect to said second opening is matched by a variation of the fluid passage cross-section in a direction substantially coinciding with the rotation axis.