Differential Pressure Valve Shutter Guide Against Scaling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Pressure control valves in heating systems experience reduced efficiency and unpredictable operation due to debris or scaling on the shutting element, limiting its stroking range and affecting pressure responsiveness.

Innovation Solution

A pressure control valve design featuring a shutter with a diaphragm and a shutter guide with contacting parts that extend along its circumference, having a pointed outer surface with sloping sides, which helps prevent scaling by scraping off deposits and ensuring stable movement, with the guide formed as an integral part of the valve chamber or insert.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a conventional shutter guide with continuous surface contact is used, then the shutter movement is guided smoothly, but scaling and debris accumulate on the contact surface limiting the stroking range

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevalve operation predictabilityVSAvoidscaling and calcification on shutter
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The shutter guide contact surface is segmented into multiple discrete contacting parts (beams) arranged circumferentially around the shutter. This segmentation prevents continuous surface contact, allowing debris and scaling to fall through the gaps between beams rather than accumulating on a continuous surface, thus maintaining full shutter stroking range while providing guidance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The diaphragm acts as an intermediary element that converts differential pressure changes into shutter movement. By using the diaphragm as a flexible mediator between pressure and shutter position, the system achieves responsive pressure control without direct mechanical contact between the pressure medium and shutter guidance mechanism, reducing scaling accumulation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Stability of the object's composition

If the shutter wall has large surface area for guidance, then guidance stability is improved, but scaling accumulation increases reducing efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveshutter movement stabilityVSAvoidvalve efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The guidance system uses multiple discrete contacting parts (beams) distributed circumferentially around the shutter rather than a continuous contact surface. This provides stable guidance through multiple contact points while the gaps between beams prevent scaling accumulation, maintaining both stability and efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The contacting parts are positioned at specific locations around the shutter circumference rather than continuous contact. This local contact approach provides sufficient guidance stability at key positions while minimizing the total contact surface area where scaling could accumulate, thus maintaining valve efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Stability of the object's composition

If the contacting parts have large contact area with shutter, then guidance stability is improved, but friction increases reducing responsiveness

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveshutter guidance stabilityVSAvoidfriction during shutter movement
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The shutter guide uses multiple contacting parts that provide sufficient guidance stability through distributed contact points without requiring large contact area at each point. The partial contact approach maintains guidance stability while minimizing friction and energy loss during shutter movement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The contact surface is divided into multiple discrete contacting parts rather than a continuous large-area contact. This segmentation provides stable guidance through multiple points while reducing the total contact area, thereby minimizing friction and energy loss during shutter operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 solution maintains the shutter's full range of operation by preventing scaling and calcification, ensuring efficient and predictable pressure control by maintaining clear contact surfaces and reducing friction, thus enhancing the valve's responsiveness and longevity.

Implementation Method 1

a diaphragm connected with the shutter, that deflects under changes in differential pressure over the diaphragm, thereby changing the position of the shutter with respect to the pressure responsive valve seat

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDifferential pressure: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentEP3677981B1Differential pressure valve arrangement
Publication Date: 2023.08.23 DANFOSS AS
  • EP3677981B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3677981B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP3677981B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

The present invention relates to pressure control valve comprising: a shutter arranged in a valve chamber positioned between at least one fluid inlet and at least one fluid outlet, said shutter adapted to move relative to a valve seat defining a first opening degree of the pressure control valve; a diaphragm being connected with the shutter, that deflects under changes in differential pressure over the diaphragm (15), thereby changing the position of the shutter with respect to the pressure responsive valve seat; characterized in that, a shutter guide within the valve chamber comprises a plural of contacting parts to the outer wall of the shutter positioned at its circumference.