Application of Auxetic Tubular Structure in Flow Control of the Throttle Valve

Abstract

Compressed-air energy storage and other energy storage technologies play crucial roles in the use of renewable energy sources. As a key component in energy storage technology, the throttle valve plays an important role in throttling and reducing the pressure. The proposed method incorporates a throttle valve without relative motion based on the auxetic tubular structure. The fundamental principle of the method is to exploit the elastic deformation characteristics of the auxetic tubular structure to achieve flow control. When the structure is subjected to tension or compression, its diameter changes, thereby altering the dimensions of the valve, and regulating the flow rate. To assess the efficacy of the proposed method, a geometrical analysis is conducted. A prototype of the flow control device, incorporating an auxetic tubular structure, is fabricated using 3D printing technology. Experimental tests substantiate the performance of the proposed flow control method, demonstrating excellent linearity and repeatability. The results of this study indicate the potential applications of this method in throttling, further highlighting the importance and feasibility of the utilization of elastic deformation in auxetic structures as a method to achieve predictable motion.

Keywords

• flow control
• throttle valve
• auxetic tubular structure
• negative Poisson’s ratio
• energy storage