Wax-Actuated Rotary Valve Fail-Safe Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing valves in cooling water circuits of combustion engines lack versatility and reliability in their fail-safe functions, particularly in temperature-dependent operations, as they often require separate valve elements and pneumatic drives, leading to complexity and inefficiency.
Innovation Solution
A single, temperature-dependent wax element expands to open a rotary-actuated valve element, allowing precise temperature control and force application to ensure fail-safe operation, with a spring mechanism for forced closure and a pressure-limiting valve for flow regulation, functioning purely electrically without pneumatic drives.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a sliding member is used within the rotating valve member to open the exit to the radiator, then the fail-safe function is achieved, but the structure becomes complex with multiple separate valve elements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the temperature element and the valve element into a single integrated component. The temperature element with extendable section directly forms part of the valve structure, eliminating the need for separate sliding members within the rotating valve member. This merging maintains the fail-safe function while significantly simplifying the overall structure.
2Adaptability or versatility
If separate valve elements are used for temperature control and fail-safe functions, then each function can be optimized, but the overall device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated valve element is designed to perform multiple functions: it serves as both the temperature-controlled valve and the fail-safe valve. The single valve element can be actuated by the extendable section of the temperature element to open the radiator exit, while also being controllable by the valve drive motor for regulated operation, thus achieving versatility without requiring separate specialized components.
3Force
If pneumatic drives are used for valve operation, then sufficient force can be applied, but the system requires additional infrastructure and becomes less reliable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the pneumatic drive system with a purely electrical actuation system. The valve drive motor directly actuates the valve element, and the temperature element with extendable section provides additional mechanical force when needed. This substitution eliminates the need for pneumatic infrastructure (compressors, hoses, regulators) while maintaining sufficient actuation force through the combined electrical and thermal-mechanical actuation mechanisms.
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 enhances the valve's versatility and reliability by enabling precise temperature control, efficient flow regulation, and forced closure capabilities, improving response behavior and reducing complexity, while maintaining a simple structure and eliminating the need for pneumatic drives.
Implementation Method 1
the temperature element (12) contains wax which expands as a function of temperature in such a way that an extendable section (14) can be extended as a result
Implementation Method 2
The force applied to the temperature element by the spring element is greater than the force required to open the valve element, so that despite the fact that the temperature element can be moved, the overall function of the temperature element with regard to opening the valve
Data Source
AI summary
A valve (10) has at least one temperature-dependent expanding temperature element (12), in particular made of wax, which has a section (14) that extends when expanded and opens a rotary-operated valve element, wherein the temperature element (12), even when the section (14) is extended, is displaceable such that the valve (16) remains closed or is closed.