Venturi Gate Valve for Vacuum Generation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Downsized vehicle engines result in reduced vacuum availability, which can be addressed by existing Venturi devices but these systems are often heavy, expensive, and inefficient, necessitating a more compact and cost-effective solution.
Innovation Solution
The Venturi device incorporates a hyperboloid ellipse design with an elliptical or polygonal Venturi gap and a gate valve within the Venturi gap to control flow, enhancing vacuum pressure and suction mass flow rates while reducing engine air consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a valve in series with the Venturi device is used to control flow, then flow control is achieved, but system complexity, weight, and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the flow control function directly into the Venturi device body by integrating a gate valve within the Venturi gap, rather than using a separate valve in series. This merging eliminates the need for additional connections, tubing, and assembly steps, thereby reducing system complexity while maintaining flow control capability
Solution Approach 2:
The Venturi device body is designed to perform multiple functions: generating vacuum through the Venturi effect and controlling flow through the integrated gate valve. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate flow control components, reducing overall system complexity and part count
2Ease of operation
If a valve in series with the Venturi device is used to control flow, then flow control is achieved, but weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The gate valve is integrated directly into the Venturi device body, combining what would otherwise be separate components (Venturi device + external valve) into a single unified structure. This eliminates the weight of additional valve housing, connections, and supporting infrastructure
3Ease of operation
If a valve in series with the Venturi device is used to control flow, then flow control is achieved, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The integration of the gate valve within the Venturi device body eliminates the need for multiple separate components, connections, and assembly steps. This reduces manufacturing complexity, assembly time, and overall system cost while maintaining flow control functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the flow control function from the external valve assembly and incorporates it directly into the Venturi device body. This extraction eliminates the need for separate valve components, connections, and associated assembly infrastructure, thereby reducing cost
4Power
If traditional conical circular Venturi devices are used, then vacuum generation is achieved, but suction flow rates and vacuum pressure are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a traditional circular cross-section to an elliptical cross-section for the Venturi gap. This asymmetric shape optimizes the flow characteristics, allowing for increased suction flow rates and improved vacuum pressure generation by better matching the flow patterns and reducing turbulence
5Power
If traditional conical circular Venturi devices are used, then vacuum generation is achieved, but engine air consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The elliptical cross-section of the Venturi gap optimizes the vacuum generation efficiency, producing higher suction flow rates and vacuum pressure with less engine air consumption compared to traditional circular designs
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the Venturi gap from circular to elliptical, optimizing the flow characteristics and vacuum generation efficiency. This parameter change allows for reduced engine air consumption while maintaining or improving vacuum generation performance
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 configuration increases suction flow rates and vacuum pressure, providing a more efficient and cost-effective solution for vacuum generation compared to traditional conical circular Venturi devices, with improved performance in evacuating canisters and generating deeper vacuums.
Implementation Method 1
Venturi devices for producing vacuum using the Venturi effect
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4A~4B
AI summary
Venturi devices are disclosed herein that include a body defining a Venturi gap between an outlet end of a converging motive section and an inlet end of a diverging discharge section, having a suction port in fluid communication with the Venturi gap, a gate valve linearly translatable to open and close the Venturi gap, and an actuator connected to the gate valve to operatively move the gate valve between an open position and a closed position. The gate valve, in a longitudinal cross-section, is generally U-shaped, thereby having continuous, opposing sides that one each close the motive outlet and the discharge inlet and defining a void between the opposing sides that is in fluid communication with the suction port. The converging motive section defines a circular-shaped motive inlet and defines an elliptical- or polygonal-shaped motive outlet, and the diverging discharge section defines an elliptical- or polygonal-shaped discharge inlet.