Valve Control Slide Heating via Loss Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing valve systems require continuous oil flow for heating, leading to energy losses and potential jamming of the control slide, especially under cold conditions, due to indirect heating and high energy requirements.
Innovation Solution
A valve design where a heat-emitting connection in the spool valve directs a loss volume flow as a heat source to heat the control slide directly, using a barrier device to transfer heat via friction, allowing for efficient heating with low volume flow rates and reducing the need for continuous heating, with the heat input optimized through control orifices and channel routing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If continuous oil flow is used for heating the valve housing, then the valve housing can be heated uniformly, but energy consumption increases and the control slide heats up slowly with potential jamming
Solution Approach 1:
The invention converts the harmful effect of pressure loss (which normally represents wasted energy) into a beneficial heating effect. The pressure loss in the orifice generates heat that directly warms the control slide, transforming an energy waste into a useful heating function that prevents jamming without requiring continuous pump operation
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses its own operating fluid and normal pressure losses to heat the control slide, rather than requiring an external heating system or continuous oil circulation. The control slide is heated by the fluid passing through the orifice during normal valve operation, making the system self-heating and eliminating the need for separate heating energy input
2Temperature
If continuous pump output is maintained for uniform heating, then heating coverage is improved, but energy losses increase due to indirect heating through valve housing
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces a fluid medium (oil) that serves as both the hydraulic working fluid and the heat transfer medium. The fluid directly contacts the control slide and absorbs heat generated by pressure loss in the orifice, then transports this heat directly to the control slide, eliminating the need for indirect heating through the valve housing and reducing energy transfer losses
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the heating function from the general valve operation and concentrates it specifically at the control slide location through the orifice. Instead of heating the entire valve housing uniformly, the system extracts heat generation to the specific area where it is needed, improving heating efficiency and reducing overall energy consumption
3Loss of time
If high volume flow rate is used for heating, then heating speed is improved, but the system requires permanent heat medium flow which increases energy consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides heating during each operational cycle when fluid flows through the orifice, rather than requiring continuous heating. The periodic heating action occurs whenever the valve operates, accumulating sufficient heat in the control slide over time while allowing the pump to be stopped during idle periods, thus reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining effective heating
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the operating parameters by using the existing pressure differential across the orifice to generate heat, rather than requiring high volume flow rates. By optimizing the orifice dimensions and pressure drop, the system achieves effective heating with minimal flow, transforming the heating mechanism from flow-dependent to pressure-dependent
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 control slide is heated quickly and efficiently, reducing the likelihood of jamming even under cold conditions, while minimizing energy consumption and maintaining valve operation without permanent heat medium flow.
Implementation Method 1
the lost volume flow, which is preferably heated via a barrier device that serves as fluid resistance, transfers heat directly to the fluid entering and/or exiting the spool valve due to friction
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
The invention relates to a valve comprising a valve housing (2) which, for transport of a heatable fluid such as hydraulic oil, has at least one utility connection (A, B), at least one pressure supply connection (P), and at least one return connection (T1, T2), and a control slide (6) which is guided in the valve housing (2) in a longitudinally displaceable manner. The valve is characterised in that, in at least one position of the control slide (6), in which position the pressure supply connection (P) is at least partially separated from the utility connection (A, B), the heatable fluid arrives, proceeding from this pressure supply connection (P) and via a heat-emitting connection in the control slide (6), at the at least one return connection (T1, T2) as a loss volume flow which, serving as a heat source, heats at least regions of the control slide (6).