Conditioning Plant Valve Feedback Control for Precise Flow Balancing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fluid regulating valves in conditioning plants lack sensitivity to pressure and flow variations, compromising their ability to automatically control fluid flow effectively and maintain precise control over a long operating path.

Innovation Solution

A fluid regulating valve with a check element and control device that receives signals from different sections of the plant to adjust the angular position of the check element, allowing for precise control of fluid flow by varying the passage opening size, with angular steps as small as 0.5° and adaptive to pressure differences, ensuring sensitive and accurate flow regulation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If existing fluid regulating valves are used, then basic flow regulation is achieved, but sensitivity to pressure and flow variations is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesensitivity to pressure and flow variationsVSAvoidability to automatically control fluid flow
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The control device receives pressure signals from sensors positioned at different locations in the plant and automatically adjusts the check element position based on these feedback signals, enabling the valve to respond dynamically to pressure and flow variations and maintain precise control

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The invention replaces traditional purely mechanical regulation mechanisms with a hybrid system that incorporates electronic sensors and a control device, allowing for more sensitive detection of pressure variations and more precise control of the check element position

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Length of moving object

If a long operating path is used, then control range is increased, but sensitivity to flow variation is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperating path lengthVSAvoidsensitivity to flow variation
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of moving objectVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The control device continuously receives pressure feedback signals and adjusts the check element position accordingly, maintaining sensitivity even over a long operating path by constantly correcting for variations and keeping the valve in the optimal control state

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The check element is designed to move dynamically along a long operating path while the control device continuously adjusts its position based on real-time pressure signals, allowing the system to maintain high sensitivity throughout the entire range of motion rather than being fixed in a single position

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 enhanced sensitivity to flow variations, enabling precise and automatic control of fluid flow, maintaining alignment with set reference values and reducing differences between real and reference values, thus improving the management of fluid distribution in conditioning plants.

Implementation Method 1

receive in input at least a first signal relating to an intensity of a physical parameter of the fluid circulating in the first section 22 of the plant and a second signal relating to the intensity of a physical parameter of a fluid circulating in the second section 23 of the plant

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure signal detection:

Data Source

PatentEP2441990B1A fluid regulating valve for plants, in particular conditioning plants
Publication Date: 2016.03.16 FIMCIM SPA
  • EP2441990B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2441990B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2441990B1 patent drawingFigure 2A

AI summary

A conditioning plant (1) comprises a general inlet (2), a general outlet (3), a circuit (4) which sets the general inlet (2) in fluid communication with the general outlet (3), a plurality of users (5) arranged on the circuit (4), and a balancing system (20). The balancing system comprises a sensor (21) for detecting at least a real value depending on a difference of intensity between upstream and downstream of the users, of at least a physical parameter of the fluid; the balancing system further comprises a flow regulating organ (24), and a control device (25) connected to the sensor (21), acting on the flow regulating organ (24) and configured for enabling memorisation of at least a reference value of a same physical parameter of the fluid, comparing the reference value with the real value, commanding the regulating organ (24) to regulate the fluid internally of the circuit (4) such as to maintain the real value substantially aligned with the reference value.