Valve Control Element Positioning With Reversible Motion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing water treatment systems require a full 360° rotation of the control element to switch between operating phases, leading to inefficiencies, wear, and potential inaccuracies due to mechanical hysteresis and the need for multiple sensors.
Innovation Solution
A method that allows the control element to reverse its direction of movement during an operating cycle, with a defined reference position offset from individual operating positions, enabling precise control without full rotations and reducing mechanical stress.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the control element rotates a full 360° to switch between operating phases, then all valve functions are activated, but mechanical wear increases and positioning accuracy decreases due to hysteresis
Solution Approach 1:
The operating cycle is segmented into discrete operating phases, each corresponding to a specific angular position range. The control element only rotates through the necessary angular range to reach each phase rather than completing full 360° rotations, reducing mechanical wear while maintaining all valve function coverage through phased operation sequences.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the control element rotates a full 360° to switch between operating phases, then all valve functions are activated, but the time required for position switching increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system preliminarily determines the optimal rotation direction and angular distance to each operating phase based on the current position. This allows the control element to rotate only the necessary angle in the appropriate direction to reach the target phase quickly, avoiding unnecessary full rotations and reducing position switching time while maintaining all valve function accessibility.
3Measurement precision
If multiple sensors are used to determine operating positions, then positioning accuracy improves, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The control element incorporates self-markings or self-identifying features that allow a single sensor to determine its position by detecting these features during rotation. The control element essentially identifies its own position through its structural characteristics, eliminating the need for multiple external sensors while maintaining positioning accuracy through the self-service positioning mechanism.
4Ease of operation
If the control element rotates in one direction only, then the system is simpler to control, but mechanical stress accumulates and wear increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system dynamically selects the rotation direction based on the current and target operating phases. The control element can rotate clockwise or counter-clockwise depending on which direction requires a smaller angular displacement to reach the target phase. This dynamic bidirectional rotation reduces accumulated mechanical stress and wear while maintaining control simplicity through automated direction selection.
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 approach ensures precise control of operating positions, reduces wear, and eliminates the need for additional sensors, thereby enhancing operational efficiency and reliability.
Implementation Method 1
a sensor for determining the current position of the control element relative to the counter element
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3a~3c
Figure 4~5
AI summary
A water treatment plant with a container with periodically regenerable means for water treatment, a valve system for controlling flow rates by means of a movable control element (1), a counter-element (5) arranged in stationary fashion in a housing (4), wherein the control element bears in sealing fashion against the counter-element and can be moved, relative to the counter-element, sequentially in a periodically repeating fashion into at least two operating positions (P1, P2, P3) of an operating cycle with differently configured valve functions, and a sensor (6) for determining the position of the control element relative to the counter-element, is characterized in that there is a device for reversing the direction of motion of the control element relative to the counter-element, by means of which device it is possible to reverse the direction of motion of the control element at least once per operating cycle, and in that the sensor can be used to determine a reference position (R) of the control element, wherein the reference position is offset, in each case by a portion x>0, with respect to the individual operating positions. This makes possible more rapid setting of another operating position starting from a previous operating position, the current position of the control element being determined exactly and an undesired valve setting being reliably avoided.