Valve assembly with integrated flow sensor controller
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current building management systems (BMS) require multiple devices for controlling fluid flow, which increases installation time and costs, and lacks efficient handling of pressure disturbances in valve assemblies.
Innovation Solution
A pressure disturbance rejection valve assembly with an onboard electronic controller that uses transducers to determine flow rates and responds to external flow setpoints, integrating a motor, drive device, and processing circuits within a single device chassis to control valve positions effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If multiple separate devices (transducer, processing circuits, actuator, valve) are used for controlling fluid flow, then functional capability is achieved, but installation time and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate devices (transducer, processing circuits, actuator, and valve) into a single integrated valve assembly. The processing circuits are housed within the valve body, and the actuator is integrated with the valve mechanism, eliminating the need for separate mounting of these components and reducing installation complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve assembly is designed as a multi-functional device that performs sensing (via integrated transducers), signal processing, actuation, and flow control all within a single unit. This universal design allows one device to replace multiple separate components, simplifying both installation and system architecture.
2Productivity
If traditional BMS requires multiple separate devices, then individual component functionality is maintained, but system integration efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the processing circuits, transducers, actuator, and valve into a single integrated assembly, significantly reducing the number of devices that need to be installed and interconnected. This integration directly improves system integration efficiency by eliminating multiple connection points and configuration steps.
3Measurement precision
If pressure disturbance rejection valve assembly controls valve position based on external flow setpoint and internal flow measurement, then flow control precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the transducers and processing circuits directly into the valve assembly, placing the flow measurement and control electronics within the valve body. This integration reduces the physical and electrical connection complexity compared to having separate mounted components, while maintaining the precise flow control capability through internal measurement and actuation.
Data Source
AI summary
An actuator of an environmental control system of a building including a motor and a drive device driven by the motor and configured to drive a valve within a range of positions. The actuator includes one or more printed circuit boards including one or more processing circuits configured to obtain a raw measurement data set from transducers and generate a flow signal based on the raw measurement data set. The flow signal indicates a flow rate of a fluid through a conduit. The one or more processing circuits are configured to determine an actuator position setpoint based on a flow rate setpoint and the flow signal and operate the motor to drive the drive device to the actuator position setpoint. The motor, the drive device, and the one or more printed circuit boards are located within a common device chassis.