Thermal-Expansion Valve Disc for Precise Small-Scale Flow Regulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing regulating valves, both manual and automatic, face issues such as complexity, large size, delayed response, and low precision, making them unsuitable for small-scale equipment.
Innovation Solution
A temperature control regulating valve with a valve disc that slides relative to a valve hole, utilizing materials with different thermal expansion and contraction coefficients to automatically adjust fluid flow based on temperature changes, allowing for a gradual change in cross-sectional area through which fluid can pass.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If automatic regulating valves are used to achieve automatic fluid flow regulation, then the fluid flow can be automatically adjusted, but the structure becomes complex and the size becomes large
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the thermal expansion and contraction properties of the valve disc material to achieve automatic regulation. As temperature changes, the valve disc expands or contracts, automatically adjusting the valve opening degree and fluid flow without requiring complex control systems or actuators
Solution Approach 2:
The valve disc serves itself by using its own thermal expansion and contraction to regulate fluid flow. The material's physical property changes directly control the valve opening, eliminating the need for external control systems, sensors, or power sources
2Device complexity
If manual regulating valves are used to simplify the structure, then the device size is reduced, but the response becomes delayed and precision is low
Solution Approach 1:
The valve disc is made of material with significant thermal expansion and contraction coefficients. Temperature changes directly cause dimensional changes in the valve disc, enabling precise and immediate adjustment of the valve opening degree and fluid flow rate without manual intervention
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical adjustment with thermal-mechanical coupling. The thermal field directly drives the mechanical displacement of the valve disc through thermal expansion and contraction, eliminating the need for manual operation while achieving high precision and rapid response
3Speed
If the valve disc is made of material with high thermal expansion coefficient to enhance temperature sensitivity, then the response speed improves, but the manufacturing precision becomes more difficult to control
Solution Approach 1:
The patent selects materials with specific thermal expansion coefficients and designs the valve disc geometry to optimize the balance between response speed and manufacturing precision. By carefully choosing material parameters and structural dimensions, the valve achieves rapid response while maintaining controllable manufacturing tolerances
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
The valve achieves a simple structure with automatic fluid flow regulation, ensuring precise and efficient fluid flow adjustment without manual intervention, suitable for small-scale equipment.
Implementation Method 1
the thermal expansion and contraction coefficient of the first connecting member is greater than or less than that of the second connecting member
Implementation Method 2
the valve disc is made of a thermal expansion and contraction material sensitive to temperature
Data Source
AI summary
A temperature control regulating valve includes a mounting seat and a valve disc set on the end face of the mounting seat. The mounting seat is provided with a valve hole that penetrates through the mounting seat. The end of the valve disc close to the valve hole is slidably set relative to the valve hole, sliding with temperature changes. The structure of the temperature control regulating valve is simple. With temperature changes, the valve disc deforms, gradually changing its relative position to the valve hole, gradually blocking the valve hole or gradually overlapping the valve disc hole with the valve hole, allowing for a gradual change in the cross-sectional area through which fluid can pass, automatically adjusting the flow rate of the fluid with temperature changes.