Smart Flow Valve Feedback Control for Leak-Safe Pressure Regulation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing flow control valves lack efficient real-time control mechanisms for regulating flow rates and differential pressures, leading to potential water leakage and unintentional valve openings due to power fluctuations.

Innovation Solution

A flow control smart valve system comprising an opening/closing unit and a drive unit, where the drive unit includes a power part, controller, and power supply part to control the position of the elevating part within the flow path, with a measurement unit for real-time fluid condition monitoring and a display part for data output, ensuring precise control and preventing unintended valve openings.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a conventional flow control valve is used, then the structure is simple, but the control precision and reliability are insufficient leading to water leakage and unintentional openings

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevalve control reliabilityVSAvoidvalve structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The valve is divided into distinct functional modules: an opening/closing unit with elevating part for flow control, and a drive unit with power part, controller, and power supply part for actuation. This segmentation allows each module to be optimized independently, improving reliability while managing complexity through modular design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The controller receives feedback signals about the valve state and power supply conditions, enabling it to make intelligent decisions about when to open or close the valve. This feedback mechanism prevents unintentional openings during power fluctuations and ensures reliable flow control, directly addressing the reliability improvement while using electronics to manage the added complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Measurement precision

If real-time control is implemented, then flow rate regulation precision is improved, but power consumption and control system complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflow rate control precisionVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The controller operates in a periodic cycle, monitoring power supply voltage and making control decisions only when needed rather than continuously actuating. This periodic control approach maintains precise flow regulation while significantly reducing average power consumption compared to continuous control systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The controller monitors changes in power supply parameters (voltage fluctuations) and adjusts its control strategy accordingly. When power supply is stable, normal precision control is applied; when fluctuations are detected, the controller modifies its behavior to prevent unintentional valve openings, optimizing the balance between precision and power consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP4086488A1Flow control smart valve and flow control system using same

Publication Date: 2022.11.09 SAM YANG COMPREBENSIVE VALVE

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AI summary

Proposed is a flow control smart valve and a flow control system using the same, including an opening/closing unit (100) disposed inside a flow path and selectively passing a fluid, and a drive unit (200) coupled with the opening/closing unit (100) to control a position of the opening/closing unit (100) in the flow path.