Temperature Adjustment Valve Rotor Design for Flow Rangeability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing building heating and cooling systems require multiple valve sizes to achieve a wide range of adjustable flow rates, limiting their rangeability and precision, especially at small and large flow rates and temperature intervals.
Innovation Solution
A temperature adjustment valve with a rotor that forms an increasing cross-sectional area gap between the adjusting surface and the chamber wall as it rotates, enabling smooth and precise adjustment of flow rates across a wide range, including small and large flows, and accommodating temperature intervals up to 150°C, with a non-linear equal percentage characteristic for high rangeability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional valves are used to adjust flow rates, then the valve structure is simple, but the rangeability is limited and multiple valve sizes are needed to cover a wide range of adjustable flow rates
Solution Approach 1:
The valve rotor incorporates an adjusting sector with a non-circular cross-section that rotates to dynamically change the opening gap geometry. This dynamic adjustment mechanism allows a single valve to achieve variable rangeability across different operating conditions, eliminating the need for multiple fixed-size valves while maintaining structural efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The adjusting sector features a varying cross-sectional area along its length, with the distance between opposite surfaces changing continuously. This parameter variation enables the valve to adjust the opening gap area from small to large ranges, achieving high rangeability (ratio of maximum to minimum adjustable flow) within a single valve structure.
2Speed
If the valve port is opened quickly, then the response time is fast, but water hammer and noise occur
Solution Approach 1:
The adjusting sector is designed with a gradually increasing cross-sectional area from the closed position outward. This geometric progression creates a progressive opening mechanism that cushions the fluid pressure change, preventing sudden pressure surges (water hammer) and noise while maintaining fast response time. The gradual area increase acts as a built-in pressure relief mechanism.
3Device complexity
If the adjusting surface is positioned in the middle of the closing member, then the valve structure is compact, but the flow adjustment precision is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of positioning the adjusting surface at the center of the closing member, the adjusting sector extends radially outward from the center with its opening edge positioned at the periphery. This dimensional repositioning allows the opening gap to be formed between the peripheral edge of the adjusting sector and the chamber wall, maximizing flow control precision while maintaining compact overall valve structure.
4Adaptability or versatility
If exponential shaping of adjusting surfaces is used, then flow adjustment across wide range is achieved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The adjusting sector employs a curved, arc-shaped cross-section with gradually varying radius rather than complex exponential surfaces. This curved geometry achieves the necessary progressive opening gap area while being more amenable to standard machining processes, reducing manufacturing complexity compared to exponential shaping while maintaining wide flow range adjustment capability.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3a~3b
Figure 4~5a
AI summary
The present invention relates to a temperature adjustment valve (1) for adjusting liquid flow in a heating and/or cooling system, the valve comprising a cylindrical valve chamber (5) having at least two valve ports (9, 11, 13) distributed around a circumferential chamber wall (15) of the valve chamber (5), and a rotor (23), which is rotatably seated inside said valve chamber (5) and rotatable around a rotor center axis (25), wherein the rotor (23) comprises an adjustment body (31) having a closing sector (33) arranged to sealingly contact the circumferential chamber wall (15) and to close at least one of said valve ports (9, 11, 13). The adjustment body (31) further comprises a first adjusting sector (35) arranged adjacent to the closing sector (33), wherein a distance (L1) between the chamber wall (15) and an adjusting surface (36) of the first adjusting sector (35) gradually increases with increasing distance from the closing sector (33).