Valve Insert With Pressure Element for Constant Flow and Low Noise

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing valve arrangements struggle to maintain constant fluid throughput at a predetermined opening position across different installation sites due to varying inlet pressures, leading to uneven heat transfer and noise issues, and incorporating a pressure valve element complicates the design and increases space requirements.

Innovation Solution

The valve arrangement incorporates an insert with elongated grooves to reduce fluid flow velocity and noise, featuring a pressure valve element mounted via a snap connection, which can be easily produced and integrated with a compact design, using plastic materials to simplify machining and reduce costs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a pressure valve element is integrated into the valve housing, then constant pressure drop is maintained, but device complexity and manufacturing complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconstant pressure dropVSAvoidvalve housing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The valve arrangement is divided into a valve housing and a separate insert containing the pressure valve element. This segmentation allows the pressure valve element to be manufactured and tested independently, then integrated into the valve housing, reducing overall manufacturing complexity while maintaining the constant pressure drop function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The insert acts as an intermediary component between the valve housing and the pressure valve element. It provides a standardized interface that simplifies integration into different valve housing designs, reducing device complexity while enabling the pressure regulation function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If a pressure valve element is added to the valve arrangement, then constant pressure drop is achieved, but space requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconstant pressure dropVSAvoidvalve arrangement volume

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The pressure valve element is nested within the insert, which itself is integrated into the valve housing structure. This nested arrangement allows the pressure valve element to occupy space within the existing valve arrangement footprint rather than requiring additional external space.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The pressure valve element is arranged axially within the insert rather than radially, utilizing the axial dimension of the valve arrangement. This dimensional approach allows integration without significantly increasing the radial footprint of the valve arrangement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Ease of manufacture

If flat walls are used around the pressure valve element, then manufacturing is simplified, but flow noise increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevalve housing machiningVSAvoidflow noise

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The insert features localized groove structures at specific locations where fluid flow occurs, while maintaining simple flat walls in other areas. This local quality approach reduces flow noise at critical interfaces without requiring complex machining throughout the entire valve housing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The insert incorporates groove structures that create a controlled porous-like flow path, diffusing the fluid flow and reducing turbulence-induced noise. This approach achieves noise reduction through the geometry of flow paths rather than through complex external housing features.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

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

This solution ensures a compact and cost-effective valve arrangement with reduced noise and consistent fluid throughput across varying pressure conditions, maintaining constant pressure over the flow valve element while allowing for easy integration of the pressure valve element without complex machining.

Implementation Method 1

the insert comprises one or more elongated grooves, the grooves reducing velocity of a fluid flow through the insert

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFlow velocity reduction through grooves:

Data Source

PatentEP3193051B1Valve arrangement and insert for a valve arrangement

Publication Date: 2019.04.03 DANFOSS AS

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AI summary

The present invention relates to a valve arrangement (1) comprising a valve housing (2), a valve inlet (3), a valve outlet (4), a flow valve element (5) and a flow valve seat (6), the flow valve seat (6) being arranged in a flow path connecting the valve inlet (3) to the valve outlet (4) and the flow valve element (5) cooperating with the flow valve seat (6), the valve arrangement (1) comprising a pressure valve element (7) for determining a predetermined flow at a predetermined opening position of the flow valve element. According to the invention, the valve arrangement (1) comprises an insert (8), the pressure valve element (7) being mounted to the insert (8). Furthermore, the invention relates to an insert for such a valve arrangement (1). The invention allows to provide a valve arrangement (1) with a pressure valve element (7) in an easy way and at low cost.