WO2023099614A1

WO2023099614A1 - Control valve

Info

Publication number: WO2023099614A1
Application number: PCT/EP2022/083942
Authority: WO
Inventors: Sebastian Krause; Andreas Sander
Original assignee: Samson Aktiengesellschaft
Priority date: 2021-12-01
Filing date: 2022-11-30
Publication date: 2023-06-08
Also published as: DE202021106564U1

Abstract

The invention relates to a control valve (10) for regulating a process fluid, comprising a valve housing (22) with a valve inlet and a valve outlet (14, 18), a valve element (28) which is arranged between the valve inlet and the valve outlet (14, 18), and a throttle element (12) which is introduced into the valve housing (22), wherein the throttle element (12) comprises multiple channels (36) which extend from an inlet side to an outlet side. The invention is characterized in that the channels (36) are designed such that a backflow of the process fluid is fluidically blocked by the channels (36).

Description

control valve

The invention relates to a control valve of the type specified in the preamble of patent claim 1.

In process engineering plants, as is known, process fluid flows in process fluid lines are supplied to process engineering processes via control valves. The process fluid streams are to be set according to the process and operation according to certain control variables, including with regard to the flow rate. It is also well known to provide so-called throttle elements for pressure reduction in process engineering systems.

Throttle elements of this type are sufficiently known from the prior art and generally include a throttle body having a plurality of flow channels and through which a process fluid can flow. Such a generic throttle element is for example in

DE 10 2015 005 611 A1 discloses.

It is also known that an appropriate design of the flow channels in the throttle body enables a targeted influence on the flow, the pressure reduction and cavitation. In addition to designing the cross-sectional profile of the flow channels as round, square or oblong holes with a straight or spiral course over the entire length, cf. DE 10 2015 005 611 A1, flow channels with curved, inclined, conical and/or with edges and / or known undercuts provided inner walls, see

DE 10 2016 102 756 A1.

Tesla valves are also well known. Tesla valves are mainly used in microfluidics to set a predetermined direction of flow and to block the flow in the opposite direction. The Tesla valve is disclosed in US Pat. No. 1,329,559. In order to prevent a backflow, nonreturn valves are often used, which have a mechanically movable component, for example a nonreturn flap, for closing a flow direction. The process fluid exerts a large force on the moving component. The moving part is prone to wear damage.

The invention is based on the object of further developing a control valve according to the type specified in the preamble of claim 1 in such a way that a backflow of the process fluid is inhibited while avoiding the disadvantage mentioned.

The object is achieved by the characterizing features of claim 1 in conjunction with the preamble features.

According to the invention, the channels are designed in such a way that a fluidic inhibition of a backflow of the process fluid through the channels is realized.

The channels preferably each have a main channel and a secondary channel. As a result, the flow through the main channel and the flow through the secondary channel can be influenced differently by the corresponding channel courses.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the secondary channel has a smaller diameter than the main channel.

The channels are preferably designed as Tesla valves. Due to the design of the channels as Tesla valves, the flow resistance against the process flow direction is strong.

The Tesla valve preferably has a main channel and a number of secondary channels depending on the desired backflow inhibition, ie the flow counter to the process flow direction. The more side channels are provided, the greater the inhibition of the backflow.

The throttle element is preferably designed as a solid cylinder with a cylinder height, with the channels penetrating the solid cylinder axially to a cylinder axis. In a further embodiment of the invention, the length of the channels is greater than the height of the cylinder. As a result, more secondary channels can be introduced into the channels and thus the backflow inhibition can be increased.

The throttle element is preferably arranged in the valve inlet or in the valve outlet. The arrangement in the valve inlet or valve outlet can prevent a backflow from the valve or into the valve.

According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the throttle element is designed as a hollow cylinder with a wall thickness, with the channels penetrating the hollow cylinder radially to a cylinder axis.

The length of the channels is preferably greater than the wall thickness of the throttle element. A longer channel can increase backflow resistance for a process fluid.

The throttle element is preferably formed from a number of partial elements, with a partial element comprising a number of channels. As a result, the size and the throttling effect of the throttling element can be adjusted depending on the application.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the partial elements are designed as disks. This enables simple and targeted maintenance. Damaged discs can be easily replaced.

The channels are preferably introduced into the partial elements by removing the material. This enables the partial elements to be manufactured simply and inexpensively.

The control valve can be designed as a cage valve and the throttle element can be designed as a valve cage encompassing the valve member. The throughput of the valve can also be set using a cage valve.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, the throttle element is designed in one piece.

Due to the one-piece design of the throttle element, there are no components that are susceptible to wear, such as seals between two component parts. The throttle element with the multiple channels is preferably produced in layers by an additive method. With this additive process, complex channel structures can be manufactured precisely, quickly and without loss of material.

A further aspect of the invention relates to a fluidic system comprising a line and a control valve connected thereto according to claim 1, wherein a process fluid is guided through the line and the control valve and the channels are formed on the process fluid with regard to the return flow inhibition.

Further advantages, features and application possibilities of the present invention result from the following description in connection with the exemplary embodiments illustrated in the drawings.

In the description, in the claims and in the drawing, the terms used in the list of reference numbers given below and associated reference numbers are used. In the drawing means:

1 shows a side sectional view of a cage valve with a multi-part throttle element according to a first embodiment of the invention;

2 shows a sectional view from above of a cage valve with a throttle element according to a second embodiment of the invention, the channels being designed as Tesla valves;

FIG. 3 shows a detailed view according to FIG. 2 of the Tesla valves;

4 shows a side sectional view of a control valve with a throttle element arranged in the inlet according to a third embodiment of the invention;

5 shows a side sectional view of a control valve with a schematic course of the channels in the throttle element, and

6 shows a sectional view from above of a control valve with a schematic course of the channels in the throttle element. 1 to 4 each show a control valve 10 which has a throttle element 12 .

The control valve 10 comprises an inlet 14 with an inlet chamber 16, an outlet 18 with an outlet chamber 20, a valve housing 22 and a drive rod 24 which is connected to a valve member 28.

1 shows a side sectional view of a control valve 10 with a throttle element 12 according to a first embodiment of the invention. The control valve 10 is designed in such a way that the inlet 14 with the inlet chamber 16 is arranged on the left-hand side and the outlet 18 with the outlet chamber 20 on the right-hand side. The throttle element 12 is rotationally symmetrical to a cylinder axis 32 as a hollow cylinder. The valve member 28 is piston-shaped and is mounted in the throttle element 12 so that it can be displaced in the axial direction along the cylinder axis 32 via the drive rod 24 . At the lower end, the throttle element 12 is fluidically connected to the inlet space 16 via a valve seat 33 . The valve member 28 is shown in the open position in FIG. 1, i.e. above the throttle element 12.

The throttle element 12 comprises a plurality of sub-elements 35 at least in regions in the axial direction along the cylinder axis 32. The sub-elements 35 are designed in the shape of disks. The partial elements 35 are arranged one above the other in the axial direction along the cylinder axis 32 . Each sub-element 35 has a plurality of throttle inlet openings 34, to which the sub-element 35 penetrating channels 36 connect. The channels 36 open into throttle outlet openings 37. The arrangement of the partial elements 35 one above the other means that a large number of throttle inlet openings 34 with the assigned channels 36 are assigned to the inlet space 16 and the throttle outlet openings are assigned to the outlet space 20. The process fluid thus flows through the throttle element 12 from the inlet chamber 16, through the throttle inlet openings 34, the channels 36 and the throttle outlet opening 37 into the outlet chamber 20.

In another embodiment, not shown, the throttle element 12 is formed in one piece.

The throttle element 12 formed by the partial elements 35 is of hollow-cylindrical design. In the axial direction along the cylinder axis 32, the cylinder inner wall forms a guide area 38 for the valve member 28, which can be moved between the open position, as shown in FIG. 1, and a closed position. The closed position is reached by the valve member 28 after is moved down and covers all throttle inlet openings 34 and closes them fluidically. In the open position, the inlet 14 is fluidically connected to the outlet 18 via the channels 36 .

By axial displacement of the valve member 28 in the throttle element 12 by means of the drive rod 24 driven by a drive (not shown), several positions of the control valve 10 for controlling a process fluid can be realized: an open position, several partially open positions and a closed position.

In Fig. 1 an open position of the control valve 10 is shown. The valve member 28 is arranged in the axial direction along the cylinder axis 32 in the guide area 38 . As a result, all the throttle inlet openings 34 are fluidly connected to the channels 36 and the throttle outlet openings 37 to the inlet 14 and the outlet 18 .

According to the partially open position, not shown, the valve member 28 is partially arranged in the area of the throttle inlet openings 34 . A part of the throttle inlet openings 34 is closed by the valve member 28 . As a result, the passage cross section formed by the individual cross sections of the throttle inlet openings 34 is reduced in comparison to the open position.

The closed position, not shown, is characterized by a valve member 28 that is fully introduced into the throttle element 12 . The valve member 28 terminates with the valve seat 33 at a lower free end. This arrangement of the valve member 28 closes all the throttle inlet openings 34 . The fluidic connection of the inlet space 16 to the throttle element 12 is closed by the interaction of the valve member 28 with the valve seat 33 .

The process fluid in the control valve 10 is conducted through the inlet 14 into the inlet space 16 in a predetermined process flow direction. The process fluid then enters the interior of throttle element 12 in an open position or partially open position. From the interior of throttle element 12, the process fluid is conducted via throttle inlet openings 34 and channels 36 through throttle element 12 via throttle outlet openings 37 into outlet chamber 20 and can then flow through the Outlet 18 are derived.

In another embodiment, the process flow direction can also be from the outlet 18 to the inlet 14 . The process flow direction is determined by the formation of the channels 36 or is determined by the design of the channels 36. The channels 36 are designed in such a way that a backflow counter to the predetermined process flow direction is inhibited, with the process fluid not being inhibited in the process flow direction.

The partial elements 35 with the introduced channels 36 are produced in particular by removing material.

FIG. 2 shows a sectional view from above of a further embodiment of a throttle element 12 introduced into a control valve 10 . The inlet 14 is arranged on the left side and the outlet 18 on the right side of the control valve 10 . The throttle element 12 is placed in the center of the control valve 10 .

The channels 36 penetrating the throttle element 12 each have the shape of a Tesla valve. Depending on the application, the channels 36 designed as Tesla valves can also run in the axial direction to the cylinder axis 32 and in the circumferential direction to the cylinder axis 32 in the throttle element 12 in order to increase the channel length.

The control valve 10 is designed as a cage valve and the throttle element 12 as a cage throttle. The cage valve with the cage throttle is manufactured using an additive manufacturing process.

FIG. 3 shows a detailed view of FIG. The Tesla valve includes a main channel 40 and several secondary channels 42. The main channel 40 has an almost straight course. The secondary channel 42 is characterized by a loop shape.

The direction of process flow here is from the interior of the throttle body 30 via the channels 36 to the outlet 18 . The Tesla valves are designed in such a way that the process fluid follows the main channel 40 in the process flow direction. The flow resistance is minimal due to the shape of the main channel 40. The process fluid is preferably conducted through the secondary channels 42 counter to the process flow direction. Due to the shape of the secondary channels 42, a smaller channel diameter of the secondary channels 42 compared to the main channel 40 and the longer flow path associated with the shape, the flow resistance is considerably greater than in the process flow direction. Due to the crossings of the secondary channels 42 with the main channel 40, vortices arise at the crossings, which additionally inhibit a backflow. Due to the different characteristics of the flow resistance depending on the process flow direction, a preferred and an inhibited process flow direction is formed.

4 shows a further embodiment of a control valve 10 with a throttle element 12 in a closed position. The throttle element 12 is arranged in the inlet space 16 of the inlet 14 . The throttle element 12 is in this case designed as a tubular throttle. In this embodiment, the control valve 10 acts in the axial direction along the cylinder axis 32 , the process fluid being regulated by the positioning of the valve member 28 in the axial direction along the cylinder axis 32 .

In a further development that is not shown, the throttle element 12 is arranged in the outlet space 20 of the control valve 10 .

5 and 6 each show schematically the course of the channels 36 in the throttle element 12 of a control valve 10 according to a further embodiment.

In FIG. 5, the courses of the channels 36 each have a portion in the y-direction and in the z-direction.

In FIG. 6, the courses of the channels 36 each have a portion in the x-direction and in the y-direction.

By forming the channels 36 in several directions within the throttle element 12, the length of the channels 36 relative to the wall thickness of the throttle element 12 is increased. A greater length of the channels 36 is given by the inventive design of the channels 36 a greater backflow inhibition.

A further embodiment is a fluidic system comprising a valve 10, a throttle element 12 and a process fluid flowing through the fluidic system. The channels 36 of the throttle element 12 are designed in such a way that a backflow against the process flow direction is inhibited.

The control valve 10 with the throttle element 12 has an inhibition of the process fluid counter to the process flow direction due to the formation of the channels 36 as Tesla valves, without significantly influencing the flow in the process flow direction and without considering moving parts for the inhibition. reference list

10 control valve

12 throttle element

14 inlet

16 inlet room

18 outlet

20 outlet space

22 valve body

24 drive rod

28 valve member

32 cylinder axis

33 valve seat

34 throttle inlet opening

35 sub-element

36 channel

37 throttle exit port

38 management area

40 main channel

42 secondary channel

Claims

Patent claims Control valve (10) for regulating a process fluid, comprising a valve housing (22) with a valve inlet and valve outlet (14, 18), a valve member (28) arranged between the valve inlet and valve outlet (14, 18) and an in the throttle element (12) introduced into the valve housing (22), the throttle element (12) comprising a plurality of penetrating channels (36) from an inlet side to an outlet side, characterized in that the channels (36) are designed in such a way that fluidic inhibition of a backflow of the process fluid is realized through the channels (36). Control valve according to Claim 1, characterized in that the channels (36) each have a main channel (40) and a secondary channel (42). Control valve according to Claim 2, characterized in that the secondary channel (42) has a smaller diameter than the main channel (40). Control valve according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the channels (36) are designed as a Tesla valve. Control valve according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the ducts (36) have a main duct (40) and a plurality of secondary ducts (42) depending on a desired backflow inhibition. Control valve according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the throttle element (12) is designed as a solid cylinder with a cylinder height, the channels (36) penetrating the solid cylinder axially to an axis (32). Control valve according to Claim 6, characterized in that the length of the channels (36) is greater than the height of the cylinder. Control valve according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the throttle element (12) is arranged in the valve inlet or in the valve outlet (14, 18). Control valve according to one of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the throttle element (12) is designed as a hollow cylinder with a wall thickness, the channels penetrating the hollow cylinder radially to an axis (32). Control valve according to Claim 9, characterized in that the length of the channels (36) is greater than the wall thickness. Control valve according to one of Claims 9 to 10, characterized in that the throttle element (12) is designed to have a plurality of sub-elements (35), one sub-element (35) comprising a plurality of Tesla valves. Control valve according to Claim 11, characterized in that the partial elements (35) are designed as discs. Control valve according to Claim 12, characterized in that the Tesla channels are introduced into the partial elements (35) by removing the material. Control valve according to one of Claims 9 to 13, characterized in that the control valve (10) is designed as a cage valve and the throttle element (12) is designed as a valve cage surrounding the valve member (28). Control valve according to one of Claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the throttle element (12) is designed in one piece. Control valve according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the throttle element (12) with the several Tesla valves is produced in layers by an additive process. Fluidic system, comprising a line and a control valve (10) connected thereto according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a process fluid is guided through the line and the control valve (10) and the channels (36) on the process fluid with regard to the return inhibition are formed.