Valve Subassembly Load Holding Control Spool
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing valve subassemblies require separate load-holding valves and are not energy-efficient, especially when dealing with long pipelines and high hydraulic loads, where standby pressure is not minimized effectively.
Innovation Solution
A valve subassembly design with a control spool and non-return valve configuration that allows for load-holding without a separate valve, utilizing a pressure fluid flow path with adjustable orifices and a non-return valve to minimize standby pressure and maintain hydraulic force, even with long pipelines.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a separate load-holding valve is used, then load-holding function is achieved, but device complexity increases and energy efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the load-holding function with the control spool by integrating a non-return valve directly into the control spool structure. The control spool now serves dual purposes: controlling fluid flow through its orifices and providing load-holding functionality through the integrated non-return valve, eliminating the need for a separate load-holding valve.
Solution Approach 2:
The control spool is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously. It controls the main fluid flow through its orifices while also providing load-holding capability through the integrated non-return valve mechanism, making the component universal and reducing overall system complexity.
2Use of energy by moving object
If standby pressure is minimized for energy saving, then energy efficiency improves, but load-holding capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The non-return valve acts as an intermediary mechanism that decouples the relationship between standby pressure and load-holding capability. It allows the system to maintain low standby pressure while still providing effective load-holding by preventing reverse flow through the orifices, thus mediating between energy efficiency and reliability requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The control spool with integrated non-return valve provides load-holding functionality autonomously without requiring high standby pressure. The mechanism uses the fluid flow dynamics and the non-return valve design to automatically maintain load-holding capability while allowing the pump to operate at minimal standby pressure for energy efficiency.
3Quantity of substance
If the second orifice remains open, then fluid flow is maintained, but load-holding function deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The second orifice is designed to dynamically change its opening state based on system conditions. It remains open during normal operation to maintain fluid flow, but closes automatically when load-holding is required, with the opening cross-section decreasing to zero. This dynamic behavior allows the system to switch between flow maintenance and load-holding modes as needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The opening cross-section of the second orifice is used as a controllable parameter that changes from a non-zero value during normal flow to zero during load-holding. This parameter change mechanism allows the system to regulate fluid flow while maintaining load-holding capability through the integrated non-return valve.
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
Enables energy-saving operation with low standby pressure and high hydraulic force, allowing for efficient fluid flow and compact design, while maintaining load-holding functionality without additional valves.
Implementation Method 1
A non-return valve may be provided which is inserted between the first and the second control point. This way, the standby pressure of the pump, in particular, can be minimized.
Implementation Method 2
the control spool can be exposed to pressure at the first control point in the direction of the second end position, wherein the control spool is exposed to pressure at the third control point in the direction of the first end position
Implementation Method 3
the second orifice is completely closed between the first end position and an intermediate position, wherein it opens from the intermediate position to the second end position, wherein the opening cross section of the second orifice decreases from the intermediate position to the second end position from a value other than zero to zero
Data Source
AI summary
A valve subassembly includes a main spool having a continuously adjustable main orifice and a control spool having adjustable first and second orifices. The control spool has first and second end positions and is acted upon by a first spring toward the first end position. A fluid flow path starts from a pump and runs to an actuator via the first orifice, first control point, second orifice, second control point, main orifice, and third control point. Pressure at the first control point acts on the control spool toward the second end position and pressure at the third control point acts toward the first end position. The second orifice is closed between the first end position and an intermediate position, and opens from the intermediate position to the second end position. The second orifice opening decreases from the intermediate position to the second end position from a nonzero value to zero.