WO2024074479A1 - Dispositif de régulation de débit pour réguler un écoulement de fluide à travers celui-ci - Google Patents

Dispositif de régulation de débit pour réguler un écoulement de fluide à travers celui-ci Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2024074479A1
WO2024074479A1 PCT/EP2023/077308 EP2023077308W WO2024074479A1 WO 2024074479 A1 WO2024074479 A1 WO 2024074479A1 EP 2023077308 W EP2023077308 W EP 2023077308W WO 2024074479 A1 WO2024074479 A1 WO 2024074479A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
fluid
flow regulating
inlet
flow
pressure
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/EP2023/077308
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Sandip Sankar
Original Assignee
Cenergist Limited
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from EP22212871.2A external-priority patent/EP4350464A1/fr
Application filed by Cenergist Limited filed Critical Cenergist Limited
Publication of WO2024074479A1 publication Critical patent/WO2024074479A1/fr

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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G05—CONTROLLING; REGULATING
    • G05D—SYSTEMS FOR CONTROLLING OR REGULATING NON-ELECTRIC VARIABLES
    • G05D7/00—Control of flow
    • G05D7/01—Control of flow without auxiliary power
    • G05D7/0106—Control of flow without auxiliary power the sensing element being a flexible member, e.g. bellows, diaphragm, capsule
    • G05D7/0113—Control of flow without auxiliary power the sensing element being a flexible member, e.g. bellows, diaphragm, capsule the sensing element acting as a valve

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a flow regulating device for regulating a fluid flow therethrough.
  • the invention further relates to a pressure enhancing device and a method of regulating a flow of fluid.
  • Pressure-independent flow regulators or limiters are marketed very successfully by applicant, particularly in the United Kingdom and other countries. Such flow limiters are for instance described in EP 1.131.687 A and the Netherlands patent application no. 1010592.
  • a flow regulating device for regulating a fluid flow therethrough, comprising a fluid inlet for fluid to flow into the flow regulating device, a fluid outlet for the fluid to flow out of the flow regulating device, and a fluid channel extending from the fluid inlet to the fluid outlet, wherein the flow regulating device further comprises: a flow regulating element provided with a regulator inlet and arranged in the fluid channel to regulate a flow rate of the fluid flowing through the fluid outlet; a pressure enhancing device arranged to increase the pressure of the fluid in the regulator inlet relative to the pressure of the fluid flowing through the fluid inlet.
  • a flow regulating element for providing an accurate flow rate at an operating pressure in a particular range can be operated in lower pressure applications and, as such, in a broad field of use.
  • flow regulating elements for instance those as referred to in the introduction, operate well under normal conditions, i.e., output a substantially constant flow rate under varying pressures, the operation can be improved in lower pressure ranges.
  • a pressure enhancing device a lower inlet pressure can be enhanced, i.e., increased to an inlet pressure within the optimal working pressure range of the flow regulating element.
  • the pressure enhancing device comprises a tubular member having an inlet end and an outlet end having a cross-sectional area exceeding the cross-sectional area of the inlet end, wherein the flow regulating element is fluidly connected with the outlet end of the tubular member.
  • the cross-sectional area of the tubular member smoothly increases along the tubular member as seen from the fluid inlet to the regulator inlet. A non-turbulent flow is thus obtained, which increases the reliability of the downstream flow regulating element.
  • the pressure enhancing device is arranged to increase the pressure of the fluid in the regulator inlet by at least 25 percent, preferably at least 50 percent, relative to the pressure of the fluid flowing through the fluid inlet.
  • the pressure enhancing device is arranged for increasing a fluid pressure of 1.0- 1.4 bar in the fluid inlet to at least 1.8 bar in the regulator inlet, more preferably of 1.2 bar in the fluid inlet to 2 bar in the regulator inlet.
  • a preferred embodiment further comprises a housing for housing the flow regulating element and the flow regulator.
  • the housing may comprise an inlet and an outlet, arranged to fluidly couple to the inlet of the pressure enhancing device and the outlet of the flow regulating element.
  • the housing is tubular, making it efficient to couple the housing in a liquid ducts, such as water piping or hoses.
  • the housing, or the flow regulating device in general, is preferably provided with suitable coupling means, for instance threading or operating by a snap-fit connection, to couple to a liquid duct system.
  • the housing comprises an inlet segment, a regulator segment, and an outlet segment, wherein the pressure enhancing device is arranged in the inlet segment, the flow regulating element is arranged in the regulator segment, and the outlet segment defines the fluid outlet.
  • the pressure enhancing device is arranged upstream of the flow regulating element.
  • the inner diameter of the tubular housing varies stepwise across the segments. This allows efficient fitting of the components.
  • the flow regulating element is preferably snugly, i.e., without substantial play, arranged in the flow regulator segment of the tubular housing and preferably has an outer diameter exceeding the inner diameter of the outlet segment of the tubular housing.
  • the pressure enhancing device is snugly arranged in the inlet segment of the tubular housing and preferably has an outer diameter exceeding the inner diameter of the regulator segment.
  • the steps between the segments i.e., the change of diameter of the segments as mentioned above, may serve to accurately place the components in the housing by receiving an end face of these components.
  • the tubular housing and/or the pressure enhancing device is manufactured via an additive manufacturing technique.
  • the housing, the pressure enhancer and the flow limiting element are preferably separate parts which are received in the housing.
  • at least some of the components may be formed integrally.
  • the pressure enhancer for instance in the form of the tubular member as explained above, may be formed integrally with the housing.
  • a flow regulating element can also be fitted into the housing.
  • the flow limiting element may be formed integrally or the flow limiting element may be integrally provided with a pressure enhancer as described.
  • the flow regulating element defines a throughflow opening and is arranged to adjust the size of the throughflow opening in dependence of a pressure of the fluid flowing through the flow regulating element to regulate the flow rate of the fluid flowing through the fluid outlet.
  • such a flow regulating element has an optimal working range in terms of inlet pressures, wherein the pressure enhancer is preferably arranged to enhance an inlet pressure to within said optimal working range.
  • the flow regulating element comprises a valve seat and a resilient plate-like valve element defining the throughflow opening therebetween, wherein the valve element is arranged movable to and from the valve seat under the influence of the pressure of the fluid flowing through the flow regulating element to adjust the size of the throughflow opening.
  • the flow limiting element works by restricting the throughflow opening between the resilient plate-like valve element and the valve seat when the pressure increases. Such an increased pressure will act on the upstream side of the resilient plate-like valve element whereby it will bend, such that the resilient plate-like valve element moves towards the valve seat, whereby the throughflow opening is reduced and the flow is limited, or at least kept substantially constant with increasing pressure.
  • a flow limiting element is described in EP 1.131.687 A and the Netherlands patent application no. 1010592, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.
  • the flow regulating element is arranged to regulate the fluid flowing through the fluid outlet to flow at a predefined flow rate, preferably substantially independent of the inlet pressure.
  • the predefined flow rate is in the range of 5 to 15, more preferably 7 to 9, litres per minute.
  • a pressure enhancing device in particular for use in a flow regulating device according to any of the above embodiments, is provided.
  • a preferred embodiment comprises a tubular member having an inlet end for defining a fluid inlet, and an outlet end having a cross-sectional area exceeding the cross-sectional area of the inlet end to increase the pressure of a fluid flowing through the outlet end relative to the pressure of the fluid flowing through the fluid inlet.
  • the cross-sectional area of the tubular member smoothly increases along the tubular member as seen from the inlet end to the outlet end.
  • the cross-sectional area of the outlet end is at least 4, more preferably at least 5, times the cross-sectional area of the inlet end.
  • the tubular member is manufactured via an additive manufacturing technique.
  • the pressure enhancer may be provided with a housing, more preferably integrally, as described above. In the alternative, the pressure enhancer is arranged to cooperate with the housing as separate constructional elements.
  • a kit of parts comprising at least two components chosen from the group consisting of a flow limiting element, a pressure enhancer and a housing, each preferably as described above.
  • a liquid duct system for instance a water piping system or water duct system, is provided with at least one flow regulating device as described above.
  • a system is then capable of providing a substantially constant flow rate, irrespective of the inlet pressures.
  • great water savings can be achieved.
  • an irrigation system is provided comprising at least one flow regulating device as described above.
  • this goal is met by a method of regulating a flow of fluid, comprising the steps of providing a flow regulating device, preferably as discussed above, and arranging the flow regulating device for the fluid to flow into the fluid inlet of the flow regulating device and out of the fluid outlet of the flow regulating device.
  • Figure 1 shows a flow regulating device
  • Figure 2 shows the flow regulating device in cross-section
  • Figure 3 shows a pressure enhancer in cross-section
  • Figure 4 show a tubular housing in cross-section, and
  • Figure 5 shows a cross-sectional view of a flow limiting element as used in the flow limiting device.
  • Figures 1 and 2 show a flow regulating assembly 1 for regulating a fluid flow therethrough, comprising a tubular housing 20 (illustrated by dashed lines), provided with an inlet 21 and an outlet 22, and a flow regulating element 100 arranged in the housing 20 to regulate a flow rate of fluid flowing therethrough.
  • the flow regulating element is illustrated in more detail in Figure 5, which shows a cross-sectional view of the flow limiting element 100 according to a first embodiment.
  • the flow regulator 100 comprises a regulator housing 101 which has, as a regulator inlet 102, a fluid opening on the upstream side and, as a regulator outlet 103, a fluid opening on the downstream side.
  • the direction of flow is indicated by the different arrows A and is in the direction as seen from the inlet 102 to the outlet 103.
  • a resilient plate-like valve element 104 is arranged, comprising a retained section 107 and a resiliently movable section 108.
  • the plate-like resilient valve element 104 is supported on a support part 105 in the central downstream part of housing 101, wherein said support part 105 and a cushion part 106 in the peripheral upstream part of housing 101 hold in place the retained section 107 of resilient plate-like valve element 104.
  • This fixation is brought about as follows.
  • the resilient valve element 104 in principle lies unattached in housing 101 and is supported on one side over the whole width by support part 105 and held in place by a pin 116 on support part 105 which fits loosely in a hole arranged in resilient element 104. Both sides, i.e. the smaller retained section 107 and the larger resilient section 108 of the resilient element are exposed to the water pressure and a force is therefore exerted on both sides.
  • the outer end of retained section 117 on the opposite side of resilient valve element 104 rests against cushion 106, whereby the resilient valve element 104 is fixed in its position by the flow of the liquid.
  • the size of the throughflow opening 111 can be adjusted in the rest state of valve element 104 by adjusting the thickness of cushion 106.
  • the resilient section 108 of plate-like valve element 4 determines, together with a valve seat 109 with thickness 110 inclining downward to the outer end of resilient part 8, the width and length of the throughflow opening 111, wherein said opening 111, together with the space 112 lying on the liquid outlet side of resilient element 104, realizes a pressure drop such that the liquid flow rate at the outlet 103 is constant.
  • the assembly 1 further comprises a pressure enhancing device in the form of a tubular member 10.
  • the tubular member 10 has an inlet end 11 with a constant inner diameter Du along its length Li 3 and an outlet end 12 with a constant outer diameter D13 and a constant inner diameter D ? along its length L12.
  • the inner diameter D12 of the outlet end 12 exceeds the inner diameter D 11 of the inlet end 11. From the inlet end 11 to the outlet end 12, the inner diameter of the tubular member 10 smoothly increases along a midsection 13 of the tubular member 10.
  • the diameter increase rate is substantially constant, while neighbouring curved regions 15, 16 of the midsection 13 at either side of the central region 14, smoothly connect the central region 14 to the inlet end 11 and the outlet end 12, respectively.
  • the tubular member 10 is arranged to increase the pressure of a fluid flowing therethrough by more than 25 percent, specifically from 1.2 bar in the inlet end 11 to 2 bar in the outlet end 12.
  • the inner diameter Du of the inlet end 11 is between 5 and 15 mm, specifically 9 mm, while the inner diameter Du of the outlet end 12 is between 10 and 30 mm, specifically 21 mm. More generally, the inner diameter Du of the outlet end 12 is preferably about twice the inner diameter Du of the inlet end 11.
  • the length Lu of the inlet end 11 may be between 10 and 20 mm, specifically 17 mm, while the length Lu of the outlet end 12 may be between 10 and 30 mm, specifically 23 mm.
  • the central region 14 has a length Ln of between 1 and 10 mm, specifically 4 mm, and extends at an angle with the inlet end 11 of between 110 and 170 degrees, preferably between 130 and 150 degrees, specifically 142 degrees.
  • the tubular member 10 has a wall thickness of about 4 mm.
  • the diameter of the tubular housing 20 varies stepwise over its length, thereby defining in order of decreasing diameter, with reference to Figure 4, an inlet segment 23 with a first inner diameter D23, a midsegment 24 with a length L21 and a second inner diameter D22, and an outlet segment 25 with a third inner diameter D21.
  • the pressure enhancer 10 having an outer diameter D corresponding to the first inner diameter D23 is snugly held in the inlet segment 23, with its outlet end 12 abutting a shoulder 241 of the midsegment 24.
  • the flow regulating element 100 having an outer diameter and a length corresponding to the second inner diameter D22 and the length L21 of the midsegment 24, is snugly held in the midsegment 24, with its outlet 103 abutting a shoulder 251 of the outlet segment 25.
  • the flow regulating element 100 can be secured between the outlet end 12 of the pressure enhancer 10 and the shoulder 251 of the outlet segment 25 of the housing 20 for an efficient assembly of the assembly 1.
  • the assembly 1 can be conveniently assembled by first inserting the flow regulating element 100 into the housing 20 via the inlet 21 and installing the inserted regulator 100 in the midsegment 24 of the housing 20 and, lastly, installing the pressure enhancer 10 in the inlet segment 23 via the inlet 21.
  • the housing 20 therewith functions as a holding jacket.
  • the inner diameter D23 of the inlet segment 23 is between 10 and 50 mm, specifically 25 mm.
  • the inner diameter D22 of the midsegment 24 is between 10 and 40 mm, specifically 21 mm.
  • the inner diameter D21 of the outlet segment 25 is between 10 and 30 mm, specifically 19 mm.
  • the length L21 of the midsegment 24 is between 10 and 30 mm, specifically 16 mm.
  • the flow regulating assembly 1 can be installed in a water installation, particularly a tubing system thereof (not shown), to keep the flow rate of water flowing therethrough constant, e.g. at a rate of 7.8 1pm.
  • the inlet end 11 of the pressure enhancer 10 and the outlet 22 are fluidly connected to respective tubes of the system.
  • the flow regulating element 100 has shown to optimally operate at higher pressures, in particular pressures of above 2 bar. For applications of the flow regulating element 100 in a lower operating pressure range, it was found that the flow rate ultimately falls below the desired flow rate.
  • a relatively low inlet pressure of, e.g., 1-1.2 bar can be increased to, e.g., 2 bar, such that the flow regulating element 100 can operate within its optimal pressure range.
  • the modular configuration of the assembly 1 allows the retrofitted pressure enhancer 10 to be replaced, depending on the specific flow limiting element 100 and its application, flow rate and optimal operating pressure range.
  • Test 1 includes starting from a minimum pressure of 50kPa, and increasing with 50kPa intervals to a maximum pressure of 500kPa.
  • the flow rate results are given in Table 1:
  • Test 2 includes determining the flow rate at the same pressures, but this time decreasing from 500kPa. The results are given in Table 2:
  • Flow regulating device for regulating a fluid flow therethrough, comprising a fluid inlet for fluid to flow into the flow regulating device, a fluid outlet for the fluid to flow out of the flow regulating device, and a fluid channel extending from the fluid inlet to the fluid outlet, wherein the flow regulating device further comprises:
  • a flow regulating element provided with a regulator inlet and arranged in the fluid channel to regulate a flow rate of the fluid flowing through the fluid outlet;
  • a pressure enhancing device arranged to increase the pressure of the fluid in the regulator inlet relative to the pressure of the fluid flowing through the fluid inlet.
  • the pressure enhancing device comprises a tubular member having an inlet end and an outlet end having a cross-sectional area exceeding the cross-sectional area of the inlet end, wherein the flow regulating element is fluidly connected with the outlet end of the tubular member.
  • Flow regulating device according to embodiment 1, 2 or 3, wherein the pressure enhancing device is arranged to increase the pressure of the fluid in the regulator inlet by at least 25 percent, preferably at least 50 percent, relative to the pressure of the fluid flowing through the fluid inlet.
  • Flow regulating device wherein the pressure enhancing device is arranged for increasing a fluid pressure of 1.0- 1.4 bar in the fluid inlet to at least 1.8 bar in the regulator inlet, preferably of 1.2 bar in the fluid inlet to 2 bar in the regulator inlet.
  • Flow regulating device according to any of the preceding embodiments, further comprising a tubular housing comprising an inlet segment, a regulator segment, and an outlet segment, wherein the pressure enhancing device is arranged in the inlet segment, the flow regulating element is arranged in the regulator segment, and the outlet segment defines the fluid outlet.
  • Flow regulating device wherein the inner diameter of the tubular housing varies stepwise across the segments, wherein the flow regulating element is snugly arranged in the flow regulator segment of the tubular housing and has an outer diameter exceeding the inner diameter of the outlet segment of the tubular housing, wherein the pressure enhancing device is snugly arranged in the inlet segment of the tubular housing and has an outer diameter exceeding the inner diameter of the regulator segment.
  • Flow regulating device according to embodiment 6 or 7, wherein the tubular housing and/or the pressure enhancing device is manufactured via an additive manufacturing technique.
  • the flow regulating element defines a throughflow opening and is arranged to adjust the size of the throughflow opening in dependence of a pressure of the fluid flowing through the flow regulating element to regulate the flow rate of the fluid flowing through the fluid outlet.
  • the flow regulating element comprises a valve seat and a resilient plate-like valve element defining the throughflow opening therebetween, wherein the valve element is arranged movable to and from the valve seat under the influence of the pressure of the fluid flowing through the flow regulating element to adjust the size of the throughflow opening.
  • Flow regulating device wherein the flow regulating element is arranged to regulate the fluid flowing through the fluid outlet to flow at a predefined flow rate.
  • Flow regulating device wherein the predefined flow rate is in the range of 5 to 15, preferably 7 to 9, litres per minute.
  • Pressure enhancing device for use in a flow regulating device according to any of the preceding embodiments comprising a tubular member having an inlet end and an outlet end having a cross-sectional area exceeding the cross-sectional area of the inlet end to increase the pressure of a fluid flowing through the outlet end relative to the pressure of the fluid flowing through the inlet end. 14.
  • Pressure enhancing device according to embodiment 13, wherein the cross-sectional area of the tubular member smoothly increases along the tubular member as seen from the inlet end to the outlet end.
  • Pressure enhancing device according to any of the embodiments 13 - 16, including a housing as defined in any of the embodiments 6 - 8.
  • Kit of parts comprising at least two components chosen from the group consisting of a flow limiting element, a pressure enhancer and a housing, each as defined in any of the preceding embodiments.
  • Irrigation system comprising a pressure enhancing device according to any of the preceding embodiments.
  • Method of regulating a flow of fluid comprising the steps of providing a flow regulating device according to any of the preceding embodiments 1-12 and arranging the flow regulating device for the fluid to flow into the fluid inlet of the flow regulating device and out of the fluid outlet of the flow regulating device.

Abstract

La présente invention concerne un dispositif de régulation de débit pour réguler un écoulement de fluide à travers celui-ci, comprenant une entrée de fluide pour l'écoulement du fluide dans le dispositif de régulation de débit, une sortie de fluide pour l'écoulement du fluide hors du dispositif de régulation de débit, et un canal de fluide s'étendant de l'entrée de fluide à la sortie de fluide, le dispositif de régulation de débit comprenant en outre : un élément régulateur de débit pourvu d'une entrée de régulateur et disposé dans le canal de fluide pour réguler le débit du fluide s'écoulant par la sortie de fluide ; et un dispositif d'augmentation de la pression disposé de manière à augmenter la pression du fluide dans l'entrée de régulateur par rapport à la pression du fluide s'écoulant par l'entrée de fluide.
PCT/EP2023/077308 2022-10-04 2023-10-03 Dispositif de régulation de débit pour réguler un écoulement de fluide à travers celui-ci WO2024074479A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
IN202221057018 2022-10-04
IN202221057018 2022-10-04
EP22212871.2A EP4350464A1 (fr) 2022-10-04 2022-12-12 Dispositif de régulation de débit pour réguler un écoulement de fluide à travers celui-ci
EP22212871.2 2022-12-12

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2024074479A1 true WO2024074479A1 (fr) 2024-04-11

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PCT/EP2023/077308 WO2024074479A1 (fr) 2022-10-04 2023-10-03 Dispositif de régulation de débit pour réguler un écoulement de fluide à travers celui-ci

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WO (1) WO2024074479A1 (fr)

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
BE540965A (fr) * 1954-09-08 1956-02-29
NL1010592A1 (nl) 1998-11-19 1999-08-18 Cornelis Maria Kipping Doorstroombegrenzer.
US20120180875A1 (en) * 2009-07-14 2012-07-19 Belimo Holding Ag Flow limiter
US20220252168A1 (en) * 2019-07-12 2022-08-11 Hagepe International B.V. Check Valve
US20220275875A1 (en) * 2019-07-12 2022-09-01 Hagepe International B.V. Device for Limiting or Keeping Constant a Flowing Quantity of Fluid

Patent Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
BE540965A (fr) * 1954-09-08 1956-02-29
NL1010592A1 (nl) 1998-11-19 1999-08-18 Cornelis Maria Kipping Doorstroombegrenzer.
EP1131687A1 (fr) 1998-11-19 2001-09-12 Cornelis Maria Kipping Limiteur de debit
US20120180875A1 (en) * 2009-07-14 2012-07-19 Belimo Holding Ag Flow limiter
US20220252168A1 (en) * 2019-07-12 2022-08-11 Hagepe International B.V. Check Valve
US20220275875A1 (en) * 2019-07-12 2022-09-01 Hagepe International B.V. Device for Limiting or Keeping Constant a Flowing Quantity of Fluid

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