Safety Pressure-Modulating Valve Double Pilot Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid distribution network control devices are complex, prone to failure, and lack robustness, leading to uncontrolled pressure increases and delayed maintenance, which can result in network damage and safety issues.
Innovation Solution
A double secure control system for fluid distribution network valves, comprising a main pilot for pressure regulation and an auxiliary safety pilot that intervenes when downstream pressure exceeds a safety value, ensuring the valve can temporarily restrict the passage section and prevent uncontrolled pressure increases.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a main pilot is used to regulate downstream pressure dynamically, then pressure management efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases and reliability decreases due to numerous moving parts
Solution Approach 1:
The control device is divided into two independent pilots: a main pilot for dynamic pressure regulation and an auxiliary safety pilot for backup protection. This segmentation allows each pilot to have simplified functionality, reducing the complexity and moving parts within each unit while maintaining overall system effectiveness. The auxiliary pilot specifically addresses reliability concerns by providing independent backup control.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the operational parameters of the auxiliary safety pilot to trigger at a higher pressure threshold than the main pilot. This parameter differentiation allows the main pilot to handle normal dynamic regulation while the auxiliary pilot provides safety backup only when pressure exceeds safe limits, reducing unnecessary intervention and simplifying the auxiliary pilot's design.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a main pilot with numerous moving parts is used for pressure modulation, then pressure regulation capability is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase and assembly complexity worsens
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the control function into two separate pilots, each with fewer moving parts, the manufacturing precision requirements for each individual pilot are reduced. The auxiliary safety pilot, in particular, can be designed with simpler mechanics since it only needs to activate under extreme pressure conditions, not handle full-range dynamic regulation.
3Reliability
If the auxiliary safety pilot is interposed between actuation means and main pilot, then reliability is improved by interrupting functional connection during failure, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The auxiliary safety pilot acts as an intermediary element positioned between the actuation means and the main pilot. This intermediary can interrupt the functional connection when pressure exceeds safe limits, preventing uncontrolled valve operation. While this adds a control element, the intermediary has a single well-defined function (safety backup), which simplifies its internal structure compared to a fully featured control pilot.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The invention relates to an automatic control device (1) for a valve (2) of a fluid distribution network (3), characterised in that it comprises a safety double control, including: a first main driver (30) for controlling the modification of a cross-sectional area (7) of the valve (2) according to a first pressure set value (PCi) that is no higher than a predetermined maximum nominal value (PMAX), the valve (2) being provided with a mobile seal member (14), the position of which determines the cross-sectional area (7), the control device further comprising an actuation means (20) suitable for driving said seal member (14), and a second safety auxiliary driver (31) designed to be used to control the restriction of the cross-sectional area (7), wherein the control device is further characterised in that the auxiliary driver (31) is inserted between said actuator means (20) and the main driver (30). The invention can be used for pressure-regulating valves for a water distribution network.