Valve Orifice Position Sensing for Accurate Refrigerant Flow Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cooling systems face challenges in accurately controlling medium flow rates in pipe systems, particularly in commercial and industrial settings, where pressure variations can lead to unintended increases in thermal energy delivery to adjacent spaces, and existing solutions often rely on flow sensors prone to mechanical wear and inaccuracies.
Innovation Solution
A control valve system utilizing an inductive sensor with a static measurement principle, such as a linear variable inductive transducer (LVIT), to accurately measure the position of an adjustable orifice, allowing for precise control of medium flow without relying on flow sensors, and enabling fast response times to changes in refrigerant circuits.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If flow sensors are used to control medium flow rates, then flow measurement capability is improved, but mechanical wear and inaccuracies increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical flow sensors with a control valve system that uses an inductive sensor (linear variable inductive transducer) to measure the position of an adjustable orifice. This substitutes mechanical flow measurement with a non-contact inductive measurement system, eliminating the mechanical wear and inaccuracies associated with traditional flow sensors while maintaining measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an inductive sensor as an intermediary element that indirectly measures flow characteristics by detecting the position of the adjustable orifice. Instead of directly measuring flow (which causes mechanical wear), the system uses the inductive sensor to detect orifice position and control flow accordingly, achieving reliable flow control without direct mechanical contact.
2Ease of operation
If control valves are used to adjust medium flow, then flow control capability is improved, but response time to pressure changes worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic control system where the control valve responds rapidly to pressure changes through electronic control signals. The inductive sensor continuously monitors orifice position and the controller dynamically adjusts the valve opening in real-time based on pressure feedback, enabling fast response times while maintaining precise flow control capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a feedback mechanism where pressure changes are detected and transmitted as control signals to the control valve. The inductive sensor provides continuous feedback on orifice position, allowing the system to automatically adjust and maintain desired flow rates despite pressure variations, achieving both ease of operation and fast response.
3Adaptability or versatility
If pressure variations are allowed in the pipe system, then system flexibility is improved, but thermal energy delivery consistency worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent maintains system flexibility by allowing pressure variations while using the control valve to dynamically adjust the orifice opening based on pressure changes. This parameter adjustment compensates for pressure fluctuations, ensuring consistent thermal energy delivery despite the flexible pressure conditions in the pipe system.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system uses pressure feedback to automatically adjust the control valve opening, maintaining consistent thermal energy delivery even when pressure variations occur. The inductive sensor continuously monitors orifice position and the controller modulates the valve to compensate for pressure changes, achieving both system flexibility and delivery consistency.
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 system provides highly accurate and reliable control over medium flow rates, reducing mechanical wear and inaccuracies, and enabling faster response times to pressure changes, thus maintaining consistent thermal energy delivery across various applications.
Implementation Method 1
a sensor (7) for sensing a position of the adjustable orifice (11, 12) of the valve (5). The sensor (7) has a static measurement principle. The sensor (7) is or comprises an inductive sensor (7) with an inductor (15a, 15b)
Data Source
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AI summary
A cold exchange system (1) comprising: a common source provided for delivering a refrigerant, one or more thermal energy exchangers (3) connected to the common source through a pipe system via which the refrigerant is distributed, a control system associated with at least one of the one or more thermal energy exchangers (3) and configured to control a flow of the refrigerant passing through a pipe part of the pipe system, the control system comprising: an orifice adjusting system (5, 6) being formed by a two-way or three-way valve (5) and by an actuator (6), the valve (5) comprising a flow chamber with an adjustable orifice (11, 12) in the pipe part; the control system comprising a sensor (7) configured to sense a position of the adjustable orifice and to output a signal indicative of the sensed position, the sensor (7) having a static measurement principle.