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EP-4215788-B1 - FLOW CONTROL DEVICES

EP4215788B1EP 4215788 B1EP4215788 B1EP 4215788B1EP-4215788-B1

Inventors

  • RUTAR, MATEJ

Dates

Publication Date
20260513
Application Date
20230120

Claims (13)

  1. A flow control device (200, 300, 400, 500), comprising: a first plate (202) having more than one window (204) defining a flow path therethrough; a second plate (208) configured to abut the first plate; and an actuator (210, 510) operatively connected to one or more of the first plate and/or the second plate, configured to drive the first plate and/or the second plate relative to one another to enlarge or reduce the flow path through the more than one window in the first plate; characterised in that : the second plate (208) does not include any window, the second plate (208) includes more than one protrusion (218) configured to align with and insert into the more than one window (204) of the first plate (202), wherein in a closed state, the more than one protrusion is configured to block the flow path through the more than one window in the first plate.
  2. The flow control device of claim 1, further comprising a force sensor (112) operatively connected between the actuator and the first plate to sense a force applied to the first plate.
  3. The flow control device of any preceding claim, wherein the second plate (208) is stationary relative to the first plate (202).
  4. The flow control device of any of claims 1 to 2, wherein the actuator is a first actuator (110, 210) operatively connected to the first plate (202), and further comprising a second actuator (510) operatively connected to the second plate (208) to drive the second plate relative to the first plate.
  5. The flow control device of claim 2, wherein a total valve window area of the flow control device (200, 300, 400, 500) is determined as a function of a number of windows in the first plate (202) and the second plate (208).
  6. The flow control device of any preceding claim, wherein the actuator (210) is operatively connected to the second plate (208) to drive the second plate relative to the first plate (202), parallel to the flow path, to enlarge or reduce the flow path through the more than one window (204) in the first plate and the more than one protrusion in the second plate.
  7. The flow control device of any preceding claim, wherein the first plate (202) is stationary relative to the second plate (208).
  8. The flow control device of any of any preceding claim, wherein a curtain area of the flow control device is determined as a function of a number of windows in the first plate.
  9. The flow control device of any preceding claim, wherein the actuator (210, 510) includes a piezoelectric actuator.
  10. The flow control device of claim 9, wherein the piezoelectric actuator (210) is configured to actuate a lever arm (322), wherein the lever arm is operatively connected to the first plate (202) or the second plate (204) to drive the first plate or second plate.
  11. The flow control device of claim 9, wherein the piezoelectric actuator (210) is configured to actuate a cam (426), wherein the cam is operatively connected to the first plate (202) or the second plate (204) to drive the first plate or second plate.
  12. A flow control system (600), comprising: a fluid source (628) configured to provide fluid to a fluid destination (630) via a fluid line (630); a flow control device (200, 300, 400, 500) as defined in any preceding claim, the flow control device being disposed in the fluid line configured to control flow from the fluid source to the fluid destination, and wherein total flow through the flow control device is controlled as a function of a number of the more than one window in the first plate.
  13. A method comprising: controlling, with a piezoelectric actuator (210, 510), a flow control device (200, 300, 400, 500) disposed in a fluid system, wherein controlling includes, driving one or more of a first plate (202) and/or a second plate (208) of the flow control device to allow flow to pass through the more than one window (204) in the first plate and around the more than one protrusion (218) in the second plate; characterised in that : the second plate (208) does not include any window, the second plate (108, 208) includes more than one protrusion (218) configured to align with and insert into the more than one window (204) of the first plate (202), wherein in a closed state, the more than one protrusion is configured to block the flow path through the more than one window in the first plate.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The present disclosure relates to flow control devices. BACKGROUND Typical flow control devices may include a poppet style or spool and sleeve configuration where a relatively large displacement is needed to achieve a sufficient flow area. Such devices conventionally are used in conjunction with a hydraulic control valve or can be moved through electro-hydraulic items such as an EHSV or solenoid. However, such conventional methods can be improved to have faster dynamic response and better steady state accuracy, for example in systems where the limitations of purely hydraulic or electro-hydraulic designs has been reached. There remains a need in the art of flow control for utilizing actuation devices that offer faster response rates, high output forces, nanometer positional accuracy, but limited displacement. This disclosure provides a solution for this need. GB 678 124 A relates to a gate valve with a fixed grid structure to regulate fluid flow. DE 10 2014 204120 A1 relates to a valve which regulates flow of a medium. DE 39 17 423 C1 relates to a microvalve arrangement with a high degree accuracy of fit of sealing surfaces. US 11 067 187 B2 relates to a fluid control valve which small displacement actuators. US 2021/348689 A1 relates to a pressure reduction device which can control flow rate and/or pressure. SUMMARY In accordance with a first aspect of the invention, a flow control device includes, a first plate having more than one window defining a flow path therethrough, a second plate configured to abut the first plate, and an actuator operatively connected to one or more of the first plate and/or the second plate. The actuator is configured to drive the first plate and/or the second plate relative to one another to enlarge or reduce the flow path through the more than one window in the first plate. The second plate does not include any window. The second plate includes more than one protrusion configured to align with and insert into the more than one window of the first plate. In a closed state, the more than one protrusion is configured to block the flow path through the more than one window in the first plate. In certain embodiments, a force sensor can be operatively connected between the actuator and the first plate to sense a force applied to the first plate, where readings from the force sensor can be used to compensate for any friction or other forces that could cause deflection in the system. In certain embodiments, not according to the invention, the second plate can include one or more windows offset from the one or more windows in the first plate, such that the actuator is configured to drive the first plate and/or the second plate relative to one another, perpendicular to the flow path, to enlarge or reduce the flow path through the one or more windows in the first plate and the one or more windows in the second plate. In certain such embodiments, the actuator may be connected only to the first plate, and the second plate can be stationary relative to the first plate. In certain embodiments, the actuator can be a first actuator operatively connected to the first plate, and a second actuator can be operatively connected to the second plate to drive the second plate relative to the first plate. In embodiments, a total valve window area of the flow control device can be determined as a function of a number of windows in the first plate and the second plate, for example rather than a size of the flow control device, or the displacement of a single orifice. In certain embodiments, the first plate and the second plate can include a grate profile. In embodiments, the actuator can be operatively connected to the second plate to drive the second plate relative to the first plate, parallel to the flow path, to enlarge or reduce the flow path through the one or more windows in the first plate and around the one or more protrusions in the second plate. In certain embodiments, the actuator may be operatively connected only to the second plate, and the first plate can remain stationary relative to the second plate. In embodiments, a curtain area of the flow control device can be determined as a function of a number of windows in the first plate. In certain embodiments, the first plate and the second plate form a poppet flow control device. In embodiments, the actuator can include a piezoelectric actuator. In certain embodiments, the piezoelectric actuator can be configured to actuate a lever arm, where the lever arm is operatively connected to the first plate or the second plate to drive the first plate or second plate. In certain embodiments, the piezoelectric actuator can be configured to actuate a cam, where the cam is operatively connected to the first plate or the second plate to drive the first plate or second plate. In certain embodiments, the piezoelectric actuator can be a first piezoelectric actuator, and a second piezoelectric actuator can be operatively connected to the first