Flow-Guiding Valve Insert for Low-Turbulence High-Flow Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing valves experience turbulence and other undesired flow effects, such as hammering, particularly at high flow rates, due to abrupt obstacles and changes in the cross section of the flow path near the valve openings.

Innovation Solution

The valve incorporates at least one flow guiding insert mounted in the valve housing within the flow path interconnecting the ports, which guides the fluid flow and provides a smooth transition between different cross-sectional areas, minimizing turbulence and flow disruptions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If the valve uses a simple opening structure without flow guiding inserts, then the device complexity is low and manufacturing is easier, but turbulence and undesired flow effects occur at high flow rates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveturbulence and flow effectsVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A flow guiding insert is introduced as an intermediary component between the valve body and the fluid flow. This insert acts as a mediator that shapes and guides the fluid flow, reducing turbulence and undesired flow effects without requiring complex redesign of the entire valve structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The valve is divided into separate functional components: the valve body and the flow guiding insert. The flow guiding insert can be a separate piece that is inserted into the valve body, allowing for easier manufacturing, assembly, and maintenance while improving flow characteristics.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Productivity

If the valve is designed to handle high flow rates, then the productivity is improved, but turbulence and hammering effects increase due to abrupt obstacles in the flow path

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflow rateVSAvoidturbulence and hammering
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The flow guiding insert features curved and rounded surfaces instead of sharp edges and abrupt transitions. These curved surfaces guide the fluid flow smoothly through the valve, reducing turbulence and hammering effects even at high flow rates by eliminating sudden changes in flow direction and velocity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

3Reliability

If flow guiding inserts are added to reduce turbulence, then the reliability of fluid flow control is improved, but the ease of manufacture decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefluid flow controlVSAvoidease of manufacture
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The flow guiding insert is designed as a simple, inexpensive component that can be easily manufactured and replaced if needed. By using a separate insert rather than integrating complex flow guidance features into the main valve body, the overall manufacturing cost and complexity are reduced while maintaining reliable flow control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

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 use of flow guiding inserts significantly reduces turbulence and undesired flow effects, enhancing the valve's performance and reducing noise, even at high flow rates, while allowing for accurate and reliable control of fluid flow.

Implementation Method 1

at least one first flow guiding insert mounted in the valve housing in a flow path interconnecting the first port and the second port, so as to guide a fluid flow in the flow path

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFlow guidance:

Implementation Method 2

The regions near such openings may define abrupt obstacles and/or changes in the cross section of the flow path. This may create turbulence and/or other undesired flow effects in the fluid flowing through the valve

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTurbulence reduction: Turbulence

Data Source

PatentEP4571160A1A valve with a flow guiding insert
Publication Date: 2025.06.18 DANFOSS AS
  • EP4571160A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4571160A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4571160A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A valve (1) comprising a valve housing (2) with a first port (4) and a second port (5) and accommodating a valve element (8) being movable between a first end position and a second end position is disclosed. The valve element (8) may be movable along a first opening (13) towards the second port (5), and the valve (1) further comprises at least one first flow guiding insert (15) mounted in the valve housing (2) in a flow path interconnecting the first port (4) and the second port (5), e.g. between the first opening (13) and the second port (5), near the first opening (13), so as to guide a fluid flow, e.g. towards or away from the first opening (13).