Water Circulation Valve Insert With Adjustable Regulating Gap

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing regulating valves for water circulation systems are not robust enough and lack faultlessness in their regulatory function, making them difficult to use effectively.

Innovation Solution

A regulatory valve with a valve seat element that is axially interspersed and axially postponable in the valve insert to deflect a regulatory gap, allowing for easy adjustment of the KV value and residual volume flow by presetting the regulatory gap.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a conventional regulating valve design is used, then the structure is simpler, but the reliability of the regulating function is insufficient and the valve is not robust enough

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereliability of regulating functionVSAvoidstructural complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The valve insert is divided into multiple parts (upper part, middle part, lower part) that can be adjusted relative to each other. The valve seat element is separated and can be axially displaced independently. This segmentation allows for more reliable regulation by enabling precise adjustment of the regulating gap while maintaining a manageable structural complexity through modular design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The valve introduces dynamic adjustability by allowing axial displacement of the valve seat element and relative rotation between valve insert parts. This dynamic capability enables the regulating gap to be precisely preset and adjusted during operation, significantly improving the reliability of the regulating function compared to static conventional designs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of operation

If the valve seat element is fixed in position, then the structure is simpler, but the ability to preset the regulating gap and control water flow rate is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of presetting regulating gapVSAvoidcomplexity of valve insert structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The valve seat element is designed to be axially displaceable within the valve insert, and the valve insert parts can rotate relative to each other. This dynamic mechanism allows the regulating gap to be easily preset by simple axial movement or rotation, greatly improving ease of operation without requiring complex external adjustment mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The valve structure enables self-adjustment capabilities where the valve seat element can be axially displaced and the regulating gap preset through the inherent mechanical design of the valve insert. This self-service feature allows operators to control water flow rate directly at the valve without requiring complex external adjustment systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Measurement precision

If the control element does not penetrate the valve seat, then the sealing is simpler, but the precision of water temperature-dependent regulation is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprecision of temperature-dependent regulationVSAvoidcomplexity of control element and valve seat interaction
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The valve design allows the control element to penetrate the valve seat element locally at the regulating gap area, enabling precise temperature-dependent regulation where needed. The penetration is limited to specific regions rather than the entire structure, maintaining simplicity in non-penetrating areas while achieving high regulation precision at the critical interface.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The control element's penetration of the valve seat is designed to be dynamic and variable, allowing the degree of penetration to change with water temperature. This dynamic interaction enables precise temperature-dependent regulation, with the penetration depth automatically adjusting based on thermal conditions while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 provides a robust and non-faultless regulatory function, allowing for precise control of water flow rates in water circulation systems, especially in hot water pipes, while ensuring continuous hot water circulation by compensating for heat losses.

Implementation Method 1

a water temperature-controlled expansion element (48) as a temperature sensor for a control element (26) for water temperature-dependent regulation

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal expansion: Thermal Expansion

Implementation Method 2

the valve seat element deforms elastically, preferably upon axial displacement, thereby changing the size of the regulating gap

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP4246277B1Control valve for water circulation systems
Publication Date: 2025.05.07 GEBR KEMPER GMBH CO
  • EP4246277B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4246277B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4246277B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

Control valve for water circulation systems, comprising a valve body (70) with an inlet channel (76) and an outlet channel (78) and a valve insert (2) inserted into the valve body (70), which fluidically connects the inlet channel (76) with the outlet channel (78) and in which a control element (26), which is adjustable to regulate a water flow rate relative to a valve seat, and a water temperature-controlled expansion element (48) are provided as an actuator for the control element (26).