Spool Valve Spheroidality for Flow Coefficient
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing spool valves face challenges in achieving high flow coefficients without increasing the valve body size, leading to inefficient flow due to inherent flow restrictions in multiport spool valves.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of spherically contoured internal grooves in the spool valve body and concave surfaces on the spool, along with strategically designed transverse port windows and a parallel choke volume, promotes laminar flow and reduces turbulence, thereby increasing the flow coefficient.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the valve body size is increased to allow larger internal passages, then the flow coefficient is improved, but the envelope size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The internal grooves of the valve body are contoured with spherical shapes, and the spool surface is contoured with complementary concave spherical shapes. This curvature creates larger flow volumes and more laminar flow paths between the spool and valve body, increasing the flow coefficient without requiring a larger valve body envelope
Solution Approach 2:
Transverse port windows are formed in the ports that are transverse to the body longitudinal centerline and that continue into the bore. This dimensional change in port configuration increases flow capacity by creating additional flow paths that do not require increasing the overall valve body size
2Productivity
If conventional flow paths are used in spool valves, then the valve structure is simple, but flow restrictions occur and flow efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The internal grooves are contoured with spherical shapes rather than conventional straight or angular profiles. This curvature promotes laminar flow and reduces turbulence in the flow paths between the spool and valve body, significantly improving flow efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The choke volume is repositioned from a perpendicular flow location to a parallel flow location. This parameter change in choke volume orientation promotes laminar flow and lessens turbulence, improving flow efficiency without substantially increasing device complexity
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
This design results in a 26% increase in flow coefficient and capacity without enlarging the valve body, enhancing flow efficiency and reducing turbulence.
Implementation Method 1
The spherical shape of the body internal grooves and/or concave shape of the spool allow more volume and more laminar flow therebetween, resulting in an increased flow coefficient and flow capacity
Implementation Method 2
A choke volume in the flow is strategically designed in a parallel flow location rather than a perpendicular flow location to promote laminar flow and lessen turbulence
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides a high flow coefficient spool valve (50) through one or more changes in the flow path from a conventional spool valve. The body (56) of the spool valve includes spherically contoured internal grooves (68). The spool (58), slidably engaged inside the body (56), includes concave surfaces between seals (62) that is complementary to the spherically shaped internal grooves (68) of the body. The spherical shape of the body internal grooves (68) and/or concave shape of the spool allow more volume and more laminar flow therebetween, resulting in an increased flow coefficient and flow capacity. The body also is formed with transverse port windows in the port that contour into a bore of the body adjacent the spool. A choke volume in the flow is strategically designed in a parallel flow location rather than a perpendicular flow location to promote laminar flow and lessen turbulence to also increase the flow coefficient.