Volume Booster with Replaceable Trim Components
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fluid flow control systems with volume boosters face inefficiencies due to the size-dependent speed of control valve actuation, requiring multiple volume booster capacities for different applications, leading to inefficiencies and increased costs for system modifications.
Innovation Solution
The design of a volume booster system with adjustable supply and exhaust trim components, allowing for customizable fluid flow capacities by replacing trim components with varying geometries and dimensions, ensuring symmetric performance and adaptability to different applications without replacing the entire booster unit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional volume boosters with fixed capacities are used, then the actuator can be sized appropriately for specific applications, but the system requires multiple different volume booster units to accommodate different application needs
Solution Approach 1:
The volume booster is segmented into a reusable body and replaceable trim components. The trim components (supply trim and exhaust trim) can be independently exchanged to modify the booster's flow capacity characteristics, eliminating the need for completely different booster units for different applications.
Solution Approach 2:
The volume booster transitions from a static, fixed-capacity device to a dynamic, adjustable system. By allowing replacement of trim components with different geometries and dimensions, the booster's performance characteristics can be adapted to match varying application requirements without replacing the entire unit.
2Quantity of substance
If larger actuators/control valves are used, then the control capacity is increased, but the actuation speed decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The trim components are designed with varying geometries and dimensions that alter the fluid flow characteristics through the volume booster. By changing the trim component parameters (opening sizes, passage geometries), the system optimizes the balance between control capacity and actuation speed for different application requirements.
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 enables cost-effective customization of volume booster capacities to match specific application needs, ensuring efficient actuation speed and performance in both single-acting and double-acting systems, while minimizing system modifications and operational costs.
Implementation Method 1
a pressure differential across the volume booster is defined as a pressure differential occurring across the diaphragm assembly
Implementation Method 2
a spring assembly including a spring and a seat, the spring being disposed between the diaphragm assembly and the cap
Data Source
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AI summary
A volume booster for a fluid flow control device comprises a supply path for supplying a fluid boost to facilitate actuation of an actuator in a first direction, and an exhaust path for enabling controlled exhaust to facilitate actuation of the actuator in a second direction. The supply path defines a supply resistance that is set by the geometry of a supply trim component. The exhaust path includes an exhaust resistance that is set by the geometry of an exhaust trim component. The supply and exhaust trim components are independently removable and replaceable with replacement components to customize the exhaust and supply resistances, and therefore, the exhaust and supply capacities for specific applications.