Valve Closure Element Compensation Cycle to Prevent Thermal Jamming

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Solution Overview

Problem

Thermal stresses and pressure differences cause deformations in valves and ejectors, leading to unpredictable changes in closing forces of closure elements, resulting in jamming and difficulty in precise regulation of fluid or gas flow.

Innovation Solution

A method involving a compensation cycle where the closure element performs first and second compensation movements after reaching an end position to counteract thermal stresses, ensuring reliable positioning and movement between end positions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the closure element is moved into the first end position to block the throughflow opening, then the fluid or gas flow is reliably blocked, but thermal stresses cause deformations that lead to unpredictable changes in closing force and may result in jamming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereliability of blocking throughflow openingVSAvoidease of movement between end positions

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a compensation cycle that periodically moves the closure element away from the first end position and back to it. This periodic action prevents thermal stresses from causing jamming by regularly releasing and reapplying the closing force, thereby maintaining reliability of the blocking function while ensuring ease of operation between end positions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the position parameter of the closure element dynamically by implementing compensation movements. The closure element is moved by a specific distance away from the first end position and then back, adjusting the closing force parameter to compensate for thermal deformations. This maintains reliable blocking while preventing jamming.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If the closure element is held in the first end position to prevent leakage, then sealing is improved, but thermal expansion may reduce closing force and cause unwanted leakage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing reliabilityVSAvoidthermal expansion effect

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The compensation cycle periodically adjusts the closing force by moving the closure element away and back to the first end position. This periodic reinforcement of the closing action compensates for thermal expansion effects that would otherwise reduce closing force and cause leakage, thereby maintaining sealing reliability despite temperature changes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system monitors the position of the closure element and implements compensation movements based on detected positional deviations caused by thermal expansion. This feedback mechanism ensures that the closing force is maintained at the required level to prevent leakage, counteracting the effects of thermal expansion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Measurement precision

If the closure element is moved frequently to regulate flow precisely, then flow control precision is improved, but thermal stresses accumulate and increase risk of jamming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprecision of flow regulationVSAvoidrisk of jamming

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The compensation cycle provides periodic relief from accumulated thermal stresses by moving the closure element away from the first end position and back. This regular compensation allows frequent flow regulation operations to be performed with high precision while preventing jamming by continuously managing thermal stress accumulation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

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 compensation cycle effectively compensates for thermal-induced deformations, preventing jamming and leakage by adjusting the closing force to maintain precise regulation of fluid or gas flow over time.

Implementation Method 1

the closure element blocks a throughflow opening of the valve or ejector in the first end position against a throughflow of fluid or gas

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid pressure: Pressure Increase

Implementation Method 2

thermal stresses may occur—for instance due to a cooling of the valve or ejector as a result of a lack of a throughflow of a warm medium or due to a heating of the valve or ejector as a result of a lack of a throughflow of a cold medium—that are reflected in deformations of the valve or ejector

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal expansion: Thermal Expansion

Implementation Method 3

A method involving a compensation cycle where the closure element performs first and second compensation movements after reaching an end position to counteract thermal stresses

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal stress: Thermal Expansion

Data Source

PatentUS12449055B2Method for positioning a closure element of a valve or ejector, and valve or ejector

Publication Date: 2025.10.21 WURM & ELEKTRONISCHE SYST

AI summary

In a method for positioning a closure element of a valve or ejector, said closure element being movable by means of a drive between a first end position and a second end position, the closure element is moved into one of the first end position and the second end position and, after the closure element has been moved into the one end position, a compensation cycle is performed during which the closure element is controlled to perform a first compensation movement towards the other end position and to perform a second compensation movement towards the one end position.