Pressure Balanced Rotation Spool Valve Synchronization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing valve arrangements for coordinating fluid flows lack synchronization and pressure balance during operation, particularly when multiple valves are controlled by a common system.

Innovation Solution

A valve arrangement with a cylindrical valve element and housing featuring multiple supply, exhaust, and outlet/inlet ports, where the ports are arranged around the circumference and along the rotation axis, with bores and grooves configured to ensure pressure balance and synchronization by alternating contact with different outlet/inlet sets as the valve element rotates.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple valves are operated by a common control system to coordinate fluid flows, then the ability to coordinate multiple fluid flows is improved, but synchronization between valve operations deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to coordinate multiple fluid flowsVSAvoidsynchronization between valve operations

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple valve functions into a single rotatable valve element with multiple bores that can simultaneously control multiple fluid flows. By merging several valve operations into one synchronized rotational movement, the system achieves both coordination of multiple flows and synchronization of operations, eliminating the timing issues inherent in controlling multiple separate valves.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The valve element uses dynamic rotational movement to achieve synchronized control of multiple fluid flows. The rotational position of the valve element dynamically determines the connectivity between supply ports, outlet/inlet openings, and exhaust ports, allowing all flows to be coordinated and synchronized through a single dynamic action rather than multiple independent operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If a rotatable valve element is used to coordinate fluid flows, then the ability to control multiple flows is improved, but pressure balance during operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to control multiple flowsVSAvoidpressure balance during operation

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

The valve element employs asymmetric bore arrangements where bores are positioned at specific angles and locations to balance pressure forces. The asymmetric configuration ensures that pressure acts equally on both sides of the rotating valve element, preventing unintended rotation and maintaining pressure balance during operation while still enabling versatile flow control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

Solution Approach 2:

Different bores in the valve element have different local configurations and positions to achieve specific flow control functions while maintaining overall pressure balance. Each bore is strategically positioned and sized to control specific fluid paths, with the local qualities of individual bores contributing to the global pressure balance of the entire valve system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Productivity

If ports are arranged around the circumference and along the rotation axis, then the ability to distribute fluid flow evenly is improved, but device complexity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to distribute fluid flow evenlyVSAvoidvalve structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The rotatable valve element serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a flow distributor, a pressure balancer, and a synchronization mechanism. The same valve element with its multiple bores performs all these functions through its rotational movement, reducing the need for separate components and simplifying the overall device structure while achieving even fluid flow distribution.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The valve element extends in multiple dimensions with bores arranged both around the circumference and along the rotation axis. This three-dimensional arrangement allows the valve to control multiple fluid paths simultaneously through a single rotational degree of freedom, achieving complex flow distribution without proportionally increasing operational complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentUS9512929B2Pressure balanced rotation spool valve

Publication Date: 2016.12.06 FMC KONGSBERG SUBSEA AS

AI summary

The present invention regards a valve arrangement comprising a housing and a mainly cylindrical valve element arranged rotatable within the housing, wherein the housing has at least one supply port, at least one exhaust port and at least one outlet/inlet opening. These ports and opening are arranged at a distance from each other along a rotation axis of the valve element. The valve element comprises at least one first bore extending along the rotation axis connecting the supply port with the at least one outlet/inlet opening in one position of the valve element, and at least one second bore extending along the rotation axis connecting the same outlet/inlet opening with the exhaust port in a second position of the valve element, the bores being configured such that they are separated from each other.