Venturi valve and control system
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional air flow control valves in indoor environments often feature air flow stations or mechanical regulators that interfere with airflow, leading to clogging issues and require recalibration, which can be inconvenient and affect accuracy.
Innovation Solution
A venturi valve design that includes a cylindrical pipe with varying diameters, high and low pressure sensing assemblies, and a differential pressure transducer to measure and regulate airflow without obstructing the flow path, using a damper assembly and controller to maintain desired airflow rates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If an air flow station or mechanical air regulator is positioned inside the valve's orifice to control air flow, then the air flow rate can be regulated, but the air flow station or regulator interferes with a significant portion of the cross-sectional area available for air flow and can become clogged with debris
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the air flow station or mechanical regulator from the air flow path entirely. Instead, it uses a differential pressure sensor positioned in the wall to measure pressure drop across the valve, and a controller that adjusts the valve actuator based on these measurements. This extracts the measurement and control functions from the air stream, eliminating the harmful interference and clogging problems.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a differential pressure sensor as an intermediary element positioned in the wall rather than in the air flow path. The sensor measures the pressure difference created by the valve without being exposed to the air stream itself. This intermediary approach allows for accurate flow measurement and control while preventing debris accumulation and clogging.
2Measurement precision
If an air flow station or mechanical air regulator is used to measure and control air flow, then air flow rate can be determined, but the device requires proper calibration to accurately determine the actual air flow rate, and if calibration is lost, the valve must be accessed within walls to re-calibrate
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors the actual air flow by measuring the differential pressure across the valve and automatically adjusts the valve position via the actuator to maintain the desired flow rate. This self-regulating capability eliminates the need for manual calibration and ensures continuous measurement accuracy without requiring wall access for maintenance.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention implements a closed-loop feedback system where the differential pressure sensor continuously measures the actual air flow, the controller compares this measurement to the desired flow rate, and the actuator automatically adjusts the valve position to correct any deviations. This feedback mechanism maintains measurement precision without requiring periodic calibration.
3Stability of the object's composition
If a cone-shaped element with a spring is used to provide pressure-compensating action, then the flow rate can be made constant or independent of pressure changes, but the mechanical components increase device complexity and require precise calibration
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces the mechanical cone-spring pressure compensating system with an electronic control system. The differential pressure sensor electronically measures the pressure drop, and the controller with actuator electronically adjusts the valve position. This substitution eliminates complex mechanical components while achieving flow rate stability through electronic feedback control.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the valve opening parameter based on real-time differential pressure measurements to maintain constant flow rate. Instead of using a mechanical spring to provide fixed pressure compensation, the electronic controller continuously modifies the valve position parameter in response to changing pressure conditions, achieving stability without mechanical complexity.
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 venturi valve effectively measures and controls airflow without interfering with the flow path, reducing clogging risks and eliminating the need for recalibration, ensuring accurate and reliable airflow regulation in indoor environments.
Implementation Method 1
A differential pressure transducer can be coupled to the high pressure sensing assembly and the low pressure sensing assembly. The differential pressure transducer can generate a differential pressure signal based on the first average static pressure and the second average static pressure.
Implementation Method 2
Due to the shape of the cone and the orifice, the pressure drop across the valve's orifice can be measured by the force exerted on the cone by the difference between the static pressure directly in front of and behind the cone caused by the increased air velocity behind the cone.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the invention provide a venturi valve and control system for use in an indoor environment to regulate air flow. The venturi valve includes a substantially cylindrical pipe, a high pressure sensing assembly, a low pressure sensing assembly, a differential pressure transducer, and a damper assembly. The high pressure sensing assembly and the low pressure sensing assembly do not substantially impede air flow through the valve. A controller is connected to the differential pressure transducer and a damper actuator. The controller determines a current flow rate of air into the indoor environment and operates the damper actuator in order to provide a desired flow rate of air into the indoor environment.