U.S. patent application number 16/419615 was filed with the patent office on 2019-10-31 for multifunction valve.
This patent application is currently assigned to MAXITROL COMPANY. The applicant listed for this patent is MAXITROL COMPANY. Invention is credited to Mark Geoffrey Masen, Jason Sagovac.
Application Number | 20190331237 16/419615 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 59386489 |
Filed Date | 2019-10-31 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20190331237 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Masen; Mark Geoffrey ; et
al. |
October 31, 2019 |
MULTIFUNCTION VALVE
Abstract
A multifunction valve includes a valve body defining an inlet,
and outlet and an interior chamber. A flow control gate is disposed
within the interior chamber and is rotatable through an arcuate
range of positions relative to the outlet providing a high level of
precision control of a fluid flow rate through the multifunction
valve. A method of modulating a fluid flow rate includes directing
fluid flow through a multifunction valve from an inlet to an
outlet, the multifunction valve including a flow control gate,
adjusting the flow rate through the multifunction valve by rotating
a control shaft to position the flow control gate to variably
occlude the outlet of the fluid control valve.
Inventors: |
Masen; Mark Geoffrey;
(Leonard, MI) ; Sagovac; Jason; (Dearborn Heights,
MI) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
MAXITROL COMPANY |
Southfield |
MI |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
MAXITROL COMPANY
Southfield
MI
|
Family ID: |
59386489 |
Appl. No.: |
16/419615 |
Filed: |
May 22, 2019 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
15414797 |
Jan 25, 2017 |
10302204 |
|
|
16419615 |
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62288620 |
Jan 29, 2016 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F16K 5/0407 20130101;
F16K 5/0442 20130101; F16K 5/103 20130101 |
International
Class: |
F16K 5/04 20060101
F16K005/04 |
Claims
1. A multifunction valve system comprising: a valve comprising: a
valve body defining an inlet in fluid communication with an outlet,
the valve body further defining an interior chamber disposed in a
fluid flow pathway between the inlet and the outlet; a control
shaft disposed within the interior chamber and coupled to the valve
body for rotational movement relative thereto; a flow control gate
disposed within the internal chamber and coupled to the control
shaft for movement therewith, the flow control gate includes a full
occlusion section and a partial occlusion section, the flow control
gate rotatably adjustable through a arcuate range of positions
relative to the outlet of the valve body; and wherein when the full
occlusion section is adjacent to the outlet the fluid flow through
the valve body is prevented, and when the partial occlusion section
is adjacent to the outlet the fluid flow through the valve body is
diminished proportionately to the occlusion of the outlet by the
flow control gate; and a first force controller configured to
engage the control shaft of the valve to provide rotational motion
of the flow control gate.
2. The multifunction valve system of claim 1, further comprising
first and second retaining plates disposed adjacent to the flow
control gate.
3. The multifunction valve system of claim 2, further comprising
first and second guide plates disposed respectively adjacent to the
first and second retaining plates such that the first guide plate
forms a channel at the first retaining plate in which the flow
control gate is retained as it traverses rotatably through the
arcuate range of positions relative to the outlet of the valve
body.
4. The multifunction valve system of claim 1, wherein the partial
occlusion section of the flow control gate comprises a linear edge
profile.
5. The multifunction valve system of claim 1, wherein the partial
occlusion section of the flow control gate comprises a non-linear
edge profile.
6. The multifunction valve system of claim 1, further comprising a
second force controller configured to translational motion to the
control shaft along a longitudinal axis of the control shaft.
7. The multifunction valve system of claim 1, further comprising a
system controller in electronic communication with the force
controller, said system controller configured to generate
instructions to direct the force controller to rotate the flow
control gate to change the fluid flow rate.
8. The multifunction valve system of claim 7, further comprises a
sensor configured to measure at least one flow characteristics
chosen from a flow rate, a temperate, a pressure, and a viscosity;
and the sensor is configured to generate a signal based on the
measured at least one flow characteristics.
9. The multifunction valve system of claim 8, wherein the system
controller comprises a computing device configured to receive the
signal from the sensor and provide actuation control signal to the
force controller based, at least in part, on the signal from the
sensor.
10. The multifunction valve system of claim 8, wherein the sensor
is configured to measure a flow rate and generate a signal based on
the measured flow rate; and wherein the system controller is
configured to control the flow rate of fluid through the valve body
in response to the signal from the sensor that an attribute of the
fluid flow has deviated from a set point or set range.
11. The multifunction valve system of claim 7, wherein the system
controller is configured to control the flow rate through the valve
body based on a predetermined sequence of flow rate modulation over
time.
12. Method of operation a multifunction valve including a valve
body defining an inlet in fluid communication with an outlet, a
control shaft disposed within the valve body for rotational
movement relative thereto, and a flow control gate coupled to the
control, said method comprising: providing a force controller
configured to engage the control shaft of the valve to provide
rotational motion of the flow control gate to control the flow rate
of fluid through the valve body; providing a system controller in
electronic communication with the force controller, the system
controller configured to direct the force controller to rotate the
flow control gate to change the flow rate; sensing an attribute of
fluid flow through the valve body; and manipulating the flow
control gate based, at least in part, on the sensed attribute of
fluid flow to manipulate the flow rate through the valve body.
13. The method of claim 12, wherein the step of sensing an
attribute further comprises generating a sensor signal based on the
sensed attribute to be communicated to system controller.
14. The method of claim 12, wherein the step of manipulating the
flow control gate further comprises the system controller receiving
a sensor signal from a sensor, the sensor signal being based, at
least in part, on the sensed attribute of fluid flow.
15. The method of claim 14, furthering comprising the step of the
system controller generating a control signal in response to the
sensor signal received from the sensor.
16. The method of claim 15, further comprising the step of
communicating the control signal to the force controller, the
control signal being based on previously programmed operation
parameters for the force controller in response to the sensor
signal.
17. Method of operation a multifunction valve including a valve
body defining an inlet in fluid communication with an outlet, a
control shaft disposed within the valve body for rotational
movement relative thereto, and a flow control gate coupled to the
control, said method comprising: providing a force controller
configured to engage the control shaft of the valve to provide
rotational motion of the flow control gate to control the flow rate
of fluid through the valve body; providing a system controller in
electronic communication with the force controller, the system
controller configured to direct the force controller to rotate the
flow control gate to change the flow rate; and manipulating the
flow control gate using the system controller based on predefined
programming or instructions to control the flow rate through the
valve body.
18. The method of claim 17, wherein the step of manipulating the
flow control gate further comprises the system controller
generating a control signal based on the predefined programming or
instructions.
19. The method of claim 18, further comprising the step of
communicating the control signal to the force controller, the
control signal being based on the predefined programming or
instructions.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 15/414,797, filed on Jan. 25, 2017,
which claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent
Application No. 62/288,620, filed on Jan. 29, 2016, the contents of
which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their
entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates, generally, to fluid flow
control and, more specifically, to a multifunction valve.
2. Description of the Related Art
[0003] Fluid control systems use a variety of valve types to turn
fluid flow on and off, and also to modulate the flow rate through a
fluid circuit. Conventional control systems may include valves
having complex mechanisms including many components and complicated
assembly. These valves may suffer from a lack of fine precision
control, and require a larger volume within the fluid circuit.
[0004] There remains a need for improved valves for use in fluid
control systems that have a simple, compact design for a given
maximum flow rate (flow rate of gas at which a reasonable drop is
pressure is observed), providing easy assembly and a high precision
control of flow rate. A valve which causes the least amount of
pressure drop at a given flow rate can be sold to a wider range of
applications, or specifically, can be used where supply pressures
are lower or where packaging concerns can be overcome.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] The present disclosure overcomes the disadvantages in the
related art in providing a multi-function valve simple in design
and assembly, compact in size, and precise in flow rate
control.
[0006] In this way, a multi-function valve includes a valve body
defining an inlet and an outlet, and a flow control gate disposed
between the inlet and the outlet. The valve body may define an
upper inlet branch and a lower inlet branch, and an interior
chamber extending between the upper and lower inlet branches. The
valve may also include a control shaft disposed within the interior
chamber supporting the flow control gate. A radiused feature at the
inlet and outlet of the valve body may provide an increased surface
area at an interface with other fluid circuit components.
[0007] Also disclosed herein is an improved method of fluid
control. The method includes the steps of, first, directing fluid
flow through a multifunction valve from an inlet to an outlet, the
multifunction valve including a flow control gate, the flow control
gate supported on a control shaft in an interior chamber of a valve
body; and, second, adjusting the flow rate through the fluid
control valve by causing a rotation of the control shaft which
adjusts the position of the flow control gate to variably occlude
the outlet of the multifunction valve.
[0008] The radiused inlet and outlet are done also to increase open
area for a given cross-section. When a filter screen is used on the
design of the present disclosure, it will have more open area than
a flat opening and therefore be less restrictive to the fluid flow
through the filter (FIG. 1 at 14).
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] Other objects, includes, and advantages of the present
invention will be readily appreciated as the same becomes better
understood after reading the subsequent description taken in
connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
[0010] FIG. 1 shows an exemplary embodiment of a multifunction
valve according to the present disclosure.
[0011] FIG. 2 shows the multifunction valve of FIG. 1 in partial
cutaway view.
[0012] FIGS. 3A-3C shows multiple embodiments of a flow control
gate according to the present disclosure.
[0013] FIG. 4 shows an alternative embodiment of a multifunction
valve according to another aspect of the present disclosure.
[0014] FIG. 5 shows a second alternative embodiment of a
multifunction valve according to another aspect of the present
disclosure.
[0015] FIG. 6 shows a representative schematic of a portion of a
fluid circuit according to an aspect of the present disclosure.
[0016] FIG. 7 shows a flow chart illustrating steps of a process of
flow control.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0017] With reference now to the drawings, FIG. 1 shows an
exemplary embodiment of a multifunction valve 10 according to the
present disclosure, shown in an exploded view. The multifunction
valve 10 includes a valve body 12 that can be installed into a
fluid circuit to provide flow control. The valve body 12
facilitates fluid flow from an inlet 14 to an outlet 16. The rate
of fluid flow through the valve body is modulated by a flow control
gate 18 disposed in the valve body 10 and in the fluid flow pathway
between the inlet 14 and the outlet 16.
[0018] The valve body 12 defines the structure of the multifunction
valve, providing an enclosure to the fluid flow pathway secure
against fluid leakage and enabling the multifunction valve to be
integrated into a fluid circuit. The valve body 12 may be formed
from a variety of materials appropriate to the intended function of
the multifunction valve, including consideration of the choice of
fluid media to be communicated and the operating pressures and
velocity for the fluid flow. For example, a high strength material,
such as metal, may be selected to form the valve body 12 for the
communication of high pressure fluids. The material of the valve
body 12, or other components of the multifunction valve 10, may
optionally be surface treated to accommodate the communication of
the fluid. For example, a surface treatment may be applied to a
metal valve body for the communication of a corrosive fluid, or
operation in a corrosive environment. Alternatively, the valve body
12 may be formed of a ceramic material, a plastic material, a
composite material or other material known in the art to be
suitable for constructing valve bodies.
[0019] The valve body 12 is formed through conventional fabrication
processes appropriate to the material selected to form the valve
body 12. For example, a metal valve body 12 may be formed through a
process of casting, forging, or machining as appropriate to create
the features of the valve body 12. The valve body 12 may be
extruded and then machined as needed. Extrusion can provide a
capital cost reduction over cast tooling. Additionally, extrusion
may avoid common pitfalls of casting complex bodies, such as:
porosity, voids, flash and cold shot. Alternatively, a plastic
valve body may be formed through a molding process or a deposition
process.
[0020] The valve body 12 may be provided with attachment features
20 that can facilitate the mechanical retention of valve body 12 to
other components in a fluid circuit (not shown). Although depicted
with a series of parallel and perpendicular V-shaped and
semi-circular channels, the valve body 12 may be modified to
incorporate any of a variety of attachments features 20 known in
the art. Alternatively, the valve body may exclude attachment
features 22 and may be secured to the fluid circuit through other
means, such as: welding, brazing, soldering or the like. The
appropriate attachment features or securement to incorporate the
valve body to the fluid circuit is selected according to knowledge
and skill in the art based on the material and construction of the
valve body 12, the material of the fluid circuit components, as
well as the fluid to be communicated and the operating pressure and
flow rate of that fluid. The valve body 12 may also include other
advantageous features to integrate with other components in a fluid
circuit. Contoured exterior surfaces at the inlet 14 and the 16
maybe radiused, or curved, to increase the overall surface area at
the interface between the valve by 12 and another component. When
the multifunction valve 10 is used in conjunction with a filter
screen at the inlet 14 or outlet 16, this allows the surface area
of the filter to be increased, thus improving filter performance
and longevity, without requiring an increase in total
cross-sectional area at the interface with the multifunction
valve.
[0021] The multifunction valve 10 also includes cover plates 22
that are secured to the valve body 12 to enclose the fluid flow
pathway against communication of the fluid media outside the
multifunction valve 10. The cover plates 22 may be secured to the
valve body 12 through conventional means known in the art. For
example, as shown in FIG. 1, cover plates 22 may be secured against
the top and bottom surfaces (as depicted) of the valve body 12.
Bolts or other threaded fasteners (not shown) may be provided to
extend through the channels 24 and secure the cover plates 22 to
the valve body 12. Additionally, gaskets, adhesives, or other
filling materials (not shown) may be provided between the cover
plates 22 and the top and bottom surface of the valve body 12 to
ensure a fluid-tight seal. The selection of cover plate securement
is determined by those of skill in the art based on the material of
the valve body as well as the fluid to be communicated and the
operating pressure and flow rate of that fluid. As will be
described in further detail below, one or both of the cover plates
22 may be provided with an aperture 26 for the passage of a control
shaft 28.
[0022] Within the valve body 12, the flow control gate 18 is
provided to modulate the fluid flow rate through the multifunction
valve 10. The flow control gate 18 is disposed within an interior
chamber 30 of the valve body 12. The interior chamber 30 is
depicted in FIG. 1 as a generally cylindrical volume centrally
disposed within the valve body 12, although alternative structures
are possible without departing from the scope of the present
disclosure. The flow control gate 18 is supported within the valve
body 18 by a control shaft 28.
[0023] As indicated in FIG. 1 and shown in more detail in FIG. 3A.
The flow control gate 18 can be understood to comprise a plurality
of sections. Two end sections 32, 34 disposed at opposite ends of
the flow control gate 18 extend as tabs that can be secured to the
control shaft 28. A third section 36 of the flow control gate
provides full occlusion of the outlet 16 of the valve body 12. The
full occlusion section 36 of the flow control gate 18, when
disposed adjacent to the outlet 16 completely covers the outlet 16
thereby preventing fluid from flowing through the multifunction
valve 10. A fourth section of the flow control gate 18 is a partial
occlusion section 38. The partial occlusion section 38 provides a
variable amount of obstruction to the outlet 16 to reduce the flow
rate through the multifunction valve 10 from a maximum,
unobstructed, fluid flowrate to a terminated, fully-obstructed
flow.
[0024] In the exemplary embodiment, the flow control gate 18 is
formed of a resilient material from a flat stock, such as a planar
plastic sheet. In the alternative, the flow control gate may be
formed of a metal, polymer, or other suitable material. In curving
the flow control gate 18 to correspond to the surface of the
interior chamber 30 of the valve body 12, the tabs 32 and 34 can be
secured to the control shaft 28 with a pin 78, spring clip,
mounting block 79, or other mechanical means conventional in the
art so that as the control shaft 28 is rotated, a corresponding
rotation of the flow control gate 18 is achieved. In the embodiment
depicted in FIG. 1, the natural resiliency of the material, in the
curved configuration shown, urges the flow control gate 18 against
the surface of the interior chamber 30.
[0025] The flow control gate 18 is further secured within the
interior chamber against axial displacement by upper and lower
retaining plates 40 and 42. The upper and lower retaining plates 40
and 42 are annular plates configured to secure to the valve body
12, retaining the control shaft 28 and flow control gate 18 in
place within the interior chamber 30. In the exemplary embodiment,
the upper and lower retaining plates 40 and 42 include threaded
portions 44 and 46. These threaded portions 44 and 46 allow the
upper and lower retaining plates 40 and 42 to be threaded into
engagement with corresponding threaded portions on the valve body
12.
[0026] The upper and lower retaining plates 40 and 42 may be formed
of a suitable material and by conventional means consistent with
the selection of material for the valve body 12 and the intended
application of the multifunction valve 10. The upper and lower
retaining plates 40 and 42 may be formed of the same materials as
the valve body 12, or alternatively may be formed of a different
material. Upper and lower gaskets 50 and 52, shown in FIG. 2, may
also be provided at the base of the threaded portions 44 and 46 for
ensuring a fluid tight seal between the upper and lower retaining
plates 40 and 42 once installed. Upper and lower gaskets 50 and 52
may be provided in the shape of a torus, such as an O-ring, as
depicted, or any other suitable gasket or mechanical seal.
[0027] Further provided within the inner chamber 30 are upper and
lower guide plates 54 and 56. The upper and lower guide plates 54
and 56 create an upper and lower channels 58 and 60 between the
outer edges of the guide plates 54 and 56 and the surface of the
interior chamber 30 in which edges of the flow control gate 18 can
be retained. The guide plates 54 and 56, in forming the upper and
lower channels 58 and 60, provide a running and retaining surface
for the flow control gate 18. The guide plates 54 and 56 further
include support apertures 55 and 57, respectively. The support
apertures 55 and 57 are centrally disposed guides for the control
shaft 28, which radially constrain the control shaft 28 while
permitting axial and rotational freedom. The upper and lower guide
plates 54 and 56 may be formed integrally with the upper and lower
retaining plates 40 and 42, or alternatively, may be formed as
separate components from the upper and lower retaining plates 40
and 42.
[0028] Referring now to FIG. 2, a second view of the multifunction
valve 10 is shown in partial cutaway. In the orientation shown in
FIG. 2, the inlet 14 of the valve body 12 is oriented into the
plane of the page, with the outlet 16 oriented out of the plane of
the page. In operation, the multifunction valve 10 is connected in
series to a fluid circuit at the inlet 14 and the outlet 16. The
fluid flowing through the multifunction valve 10 travels from the
inlet 14 and is directed into an upper inlet branch 62 and a lower
inlet branch 64. The fluid then flows into the interior chamber 30
through the upper and lower retaining plates 40 and 42 and past the
upper and lower guide plates 54 and 56 in to the interior chamber
30. Finally, the fluid flows through the outlet 16 and exits the
multifunction valve 10.
[0029] As described above, the flow control gate 18 is supported on
the control shaft 28 in the interior chamber 30 to modulate the
flow rate through the outlet 16 of the valve body 12. The control
shaft 28 is further configured to be coupled to a force controller
(not shown). The force controller may include, for example, a
motor, such as a stepper motor. The control shaft 28 may extend out
from the valve body 12 through the aperture 26 of the cover plate
22 to engage with the force controller. In an alternative
embodiment, the force controller may mount to the cover plate 22
and include a linkage extending through the cover plate 22 to
engage with the control shaft 28. In a further alternative
embodiment, the cover plate 22 may be integrated as a component of
the force controller, such as a motor housing. In such case, the
force controller secures directly to the valve body 12, forming a
fluid tight seal and engaging the control shaft 28.
[0030] The force controller operates to rotate the control shaft 28
and thereby position the flow control gate 18 within the inner
chamber 30. Through a portion of the range of rotation, the flow
control gate 18 does not cover any portion of the outlet 16, such
as is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. In this configuration the fluid flow
through the multifunction valve is at a maximum, unrestricted flow
rate. In another configuration where the force controller has
operated to position the flow control gate 18 such that the full
occlusion section 36 is adjacent to the outlet 16, the outlet 16 is
fully covered and no fluid may flow through the multifunction valve
10. In a further configuration, the force controller has operated
to rotate the flow control gate 18 such that a portion of the
partial occlusion section 38 is adjacent to the outlet 16. In such
manner, the fluid flow rate through the multifunction valve 10 can
be finely modulated with high precision. The high level of
precision control is achieved by selectively rotating the flow
control 18 to occlude the desired portion of the outlet 16.
[0031] In the exemplary embodiment, the flow control gate 18
includes a constant linear slope through the partial occlusion
section 38. This embodiment is shown in its flattened from in FIG.
3A, that is, before it has been curved to be assembled into the
valve body 12. As the flow control gate 18 is rotated through the
range where the partial occlusion section 38 is adjacent to the
outlet 16, the flow rate is modulated in a linear fashion. The edge
profile of the partial occlusion section determines profile of
modulation. As the partial occlusion section being to cover the
outlet 16, the flow rate would begin to decrease. As the flow
control gate is positioned to increasingly cover the outlet 16, the
flow rate would incrementally decrease proportionately.
[0032] Alternative embodiments of the flow control gate 18 are
depicted in FIGS. 3B- and 3C. In a first alternative embodiment as
shown in FIG. 3B, a flow control gate 65 is shown having a
nonlinear slope through the partial occlusion section 66. This
nonlinear slope defines an edge profile that may provide a higher
level of precision control through a mid-range of flow rates with
less precision control at higher-end or lower-end flow rates. In a
second alternative embodiment as shown in FIG. 3C, a flow control
gate 67 is shown having a nonlinear slope through the partial
occlusion section 68 different from that of the first alternative
embodiment. In this embodiment, the flow control gate 67 may
provide a higher level of precision control at lower-end flow
rates.
[0033] Further alternative embodiments, not shown, may provide
higher levels of increased precision control within specific ranges
by tuning the edge profile of the partial occlusion section of the
flow control gate. The tuning of the edge profile follows from the
principle that a smaller increment of change in the occlusion or
coverage of the outlet per an amount of rotation of the flow
control gate results in more precise control. That is, for
particular example, when using a stepper motor that provides a
finite number of discrete steps per revolution, providing a
shallower slope in the partial occlusion section of the flow
control gate adjacent to the outlet at that step results in a
smaller proportional change in occlusion when compared with a
steeper slope. Therefore, the higher level of precision in a
particular range of flow rates results from the shallower slope of
the partial occlusion section.
[0034] In further alternative embodiments of the present
disclosure, multiple force controllers may be provided in
engagement with the control shaft 28. In one such alternative
embodiment as shown in FIG. 4, a multifunction valve 70 includes a
valve body 72 generally similar to the valve body 12, but formed to
include only one inlet branch, for example, an upper inlet branch
62. In this embodiment, a control shaft 74 extends from the valve
body 72. A first force controller (not shown) engages the control
shaft 74 to provide rotational motion to a flow control gate 18. An
additional force controller (not shown) may be provided which
provides translational motion to the control shaft 74 along its
longitudinal axis. A sealing disk 76 may be further provided within
the valve body 12 supported on the control shaft 74 and disposed
between an upper retaining plate 40 and a cover plate 22 enclosing
the upper inlet branch. The second force controller may impart
axial displacement to the control shaft 74 urging the sealing disk
76 against the annular upper retaining plate 40 to close the fluid
flow pathway through the upper retaining plate 40. The sealing disk
76 may be formed of a resilient material suitable for forming a
seal against the upper retaining plate. In this way, the
multifunction valve 70 may be provided with a secondary closing
mechanism in addition to the full occlusion section 36 of the flow
control gate 18 to prevent fluid flow. It is readily apparent that
a single force controller capable of imparting both rotational and
axial movement may be used with the multifunction valve 70, in
addition to conventional mechanical linkages disposed between the
force controller and the multifunction valve 70. In an embodiment
where the control shaft translates along its axis, a spring, such
as a helical spring 29, may be provided disposed between the
control shaft and the guide plate, for example, to return the
control shaft to its original position once a sealing force is
removed. In alternative embodiments, the spring may be omitted and
the control shaft may be returned to its original position by the
resiliency of the flow control gate 18, and more specifically by
the resiliency of the tabs extending as end sections of the flow
control gate 18.
[0035] A further alternative embodiment of a multifunction valve 90
according to the present disclosure is shown in FIG. 5. The
multifunction valve 90 includes the valve body 12 having the inlet
14, and including upper and lower inlet branches 62 and 64. Similar
to the earlier described embodiment, a sealing disk 96 is supported
on the control shaft 28 between the upper retaining plate 40 and a
cover plate 22 (not shown). In this embodiment, a second sealing
disk 92 is supported on the control shaft 28 in the interior
chamber 30. In this way, the control shaft can be positioned such
that the sealing disk 96 and the second sealing disk 92 can be
simultaneously urged against both the upper and lower retaining
plates 40 and 42 as the sealing disks 96 and 92 move with the
control shaft 28. This seals the interior chamber 30 against both
the upper and lower inlet branches 62 and 64. Providing upper and
lower inlet branches assists in maintaining a high capacity through
the multifunction valve 90 and minimizes the introduction of
further pressure drops as a fluid flows through the multifunction
valve 90.
[0036] FIG. 6 depicts a schematic representation of a portion of a
fluid circuit 80 including a multifunction valve 10. A force
controller 82, for example a motor, solenoid, or combination
thereof, is coupled to the multifunction valve 12 for actuating the
multifunction valve 10 to control the fluid flow rate through the
fluid circuit 80. One or more sensors 84 and 86 may be provided in
the fluid circuit upstream and/or downstream of the multifunction
valve 10. Such sensors may be selected to measure a characteristic
of the fluid flow, such as flow rate, temperate, pressure,
viscosity or other physical attribute. Alternatively, a secondary
characteristic, or effect, resulting from the fluid flow may be
measured. For example, measuring a temperature rise in a combustion
process chamber (not shown) may be directly related to how much
fluid (e.g., fuel) has passed through the multifunction valve. The
sensors 84 and 86, or sensors associated with combustion process
chamber (if present), or other components in a fluid circuit, may
be in electronic communication with a system controller 88. The
system controller 88 may include a computing device, programmable
logic controller, or other system controller capable of receiving
sensor signals from the sensors 84 and/or 86, and providing
actuation control to the force controller 82.
[0037] The system controller 88 is in electronic communication with
the force controller 82. The system controller 88 includes control
instructions or programming that can generate instructions to
direct the force controller 82 to operate the multifunction valve
10 to change the fluid flow rate by rotating the flow control gate
18 or by translating the sealing disk or disks into engagement. In
some embodiments, the system controller 88 is configured to control
the fluid flow rate in response to a signal from one or more
sensors that an attribute of the fluid flow has deviated from a set
point or set range. In alternative embodiments, the system
controller may be configured to control the flow rate independent
of any sensor signal, for example, according to a predetermined
sequence of flow rate modulation over time. In some embodiments,
the system controller 88 may be integrated with the force
controller 82 as a single controller. In other embodiments, the
system controller 88 and force controller 82 are separate
components in electronic communication. Electronic communication
between the system controller 88 and the force controller 82, or
between the sensors 84 and 86, if present, and the system
controller 88 may be achieved through wired communication, wireless
communication, or a combination of wired and wireless
communication, and including through one or more intermediary
devices (not shown).
[0038] A method 100 of modulating a fluid flow rate is depicted in
FIG. 7. The method includes a first step 102 of sensing, at a
sensor, an attribute of fluid flow through a fluid circuit. The
sensor generates a sensor signal which is communicated to a system
controller as the second step 104. The system controller executes a
control operation at step 106, which is responsive to the sensor
signal. The execution of the control operation generates a control
signal based on previously programmed operation parameters
responsive to the sensor signal at step 108 that is communicated to
the force controller. Finally at step 110, the force controller
actuates in response to the control signal to adjust a flow control
gate position within the multifunction valve in the fluid circuit
to modulate the fluid flow rate through the fluid circuit.
[0039] Alternative methods of modulating a flow rate may exclude
the sensor and sensor signal, the system controller instead
generating control signals based on predefined programming or
instructions. In a further alternative embodiment, the system
controller and the force controller are integrated as a single unit
such that the sensors may communicate directly to the force
controller which can respond by directly actuating the force
controller to modulate the fluid flow rate. Further alternative
methods of control will be readily appreciated considering the
multiple embodiments described above.
[0040] The invention has been described in an illustrative manner.
It is to be understood that the terminology which has been used is
intended to be in the nature of words of description rather than of
limitation. Many modifications and variations of the invention are
possible in light of the above teachings. Therefore, within the
scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced other
than as specifically described.
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