Anti-flow structure of reverse osmosis device flowmeter
By installing a spring-loaded check valve upstream of the vertical riser of the reverse osmosis unit, backflow of water is prevented, thus solving the problem of flow meter damage caused by water hammer effect and achieving stable operation and reduced maintenance costs.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- ANSHI PHARM (ZHONGSHAN) INC
- Filing Date
- 2025-05-20
- Publication Date
- 2026-06-12
AI Technical Summary
When the reverse osmosis unit stops operating, the backflow of water generates air, which causes high pressure to damage the flow meter cap when restarting, leading to water leakage, increased maintenance costs, and downtime risks.
A spring-loaded check valve is installed upstream of the vertical pipe to prevent backflow of water, ensuring that the valve core opens when the water flows in the forward direction and closes when it flows in the reverse direction. Combined with clamps or flanges, it enables quick installation and disassembly.
Eliminate water hammer effect, prevent flow meter cap damage, ensure continuous water production, reduce maintenance costs, and improve the stability and sealing performance of the device.
Smart Images

Figure CN224353874U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This utility model belongs to the field of reverse osmosis device technology, specifically relating to a reverse osmosis device flow meter anti-backflow structure. Background Technology
[0002] Currently, the primary and secondary RO membrane systems of reverse osmosis (RO) units typically use flow meters installed in vertical risers to monitor water flow data.
[0003] The multifunctional reverse osmosis (RO) test device disclosed in CN207726777U includes a frame-type frame 1 with wheels 2 at the bottom. A control panel 1-1 for controlling the opening and closing of a high-pressure water pump is installed on the upper part of the frame. The device includes a high-pressure water pump 3 mounted on the frame, a vertical RO membrane 4 mounted on the frame, a raw water supply branch 6 connecting the high-pressure water pump and the RO membrane inlet, a product water branch 7 connecting the RO membrane product water outlet and product water discharge outlet 7-3, and a concentrate branch 8 connecting the RO membrane concentrate outlet and concentrate discharge outlet 8-4. The raw water supply branch includes a raw water control valve 6-1 and an inlet pressure gauge 6-2. The product water branch 7 is equipped with a product water pressure gauge 7-1 and a product water flow meter 7-2. The concentrate branch 8 is equipped with a concentrate pressure gauge 8-1, a concentrate regulating valve 8-2, and a concentrate flow meter 8-3. A flow meter is also installed on a vertical riser to monitor water flow data.
[0004] When the reverse osmosis unit stops operating, the water flow in the vertical pipe flows backward due to gravity, causing air to be generated in the pipe; when the reverse osmosis unit restarts, the water flow impacts the pipe and flow meter instantly, causing a water hammer effect.
[0005] Disadvantages and shortcomings of reverse osmosis systems:
[0006] Water hammer effect: The air generated by the backflow of water creates a high-pressure impact when restarting, which can easily damage the cap that is fastened to the flow meter screw threads, causing water leakage;
[0007] Downtime risk: Water leakage may cause the reverse osmosis unit to malfunction and produce water normally, posing a risk of interruption in the purified water supply;
[0008] High maintenance costs: Frequent replacement of damaged flow meters increases operation and maintenance costs, and downtime for maintenance affects production efficiency. Utility Model Content
[0009] The problem this invention aims to solve is that the air generated by the backflow of water creates a high-pressure impact during restart, which easily damages the cap that secures the flow meter's screw threads, leading to water leakage.
[0010] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, this utility model provides the following technical solution:
[0011] A reverse osmosis device flow meter anti-backflow structure includes a vertical riser and a one-way valve. The flow meter is installed on the vertical riser, and the one-way valve is located upstream of the vertical riser and at the inlet end of the flow meter on the vertical riser. The valve core of the one-way valve is a spring-loaded structure. When water flows in the forward direction through the one-way valve into the flow meter, the valve core automatically opens, and when the flow is reversed, the valve core closes.
[0012] Furthermore, the check valve is a quick-install check valve.
[0013] Furthermore, it also includes clamps, with the valve body of the one-way valve connected to the vertical riser via clamps.
[0014] Furthermore, it also includes flanges, with the valve body of the check valve connected to the vertical riser via flanges.
[0015] Furthermore, it also includes another one-way valve located downstream of the vertical riser.
[0016] Furthermore, the one-way valve downstream of the vertical riser is 300-500mm away from the flow meter.
[0017] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following beneficial effects:
[0018] 1. By using a one-way valve to prevent backflow of water, there is no air in the vertical pipe, and there is no impact force during restart, eliminating the water hammer effect and preventing damage to the cap tightening the flow meter screws, thus preventing water leakage.
[0019] 2. Leakage is avoided, which improves the operational stability of the reverse osmosis unit, ensures continuous water production, and eliminates the risk of interruption of purified water supply.
[0020] 3. Eliminates water hammer effect, avoids damage to the cap of the flow meter's screw thread, extends the flow meter's lifespan, and reduces annual maintenance costs.
[0021] 4. The clamp connection design enables quick installation and disassembly of the check valve, reducing maintenance difficulty. During water production, the water flow generates certain pressure and impact forces. The clamp connection ensures that the connection between the check valve and the vertical riser remains tight under these conditions, preventing loosening and leakage. This effectively improves the sealing performance of the check valve, ensuring reliable operation under various working conditions.
[0022] 5. The spring-loaded valve core ensures reliable sealing of the one-way valve, effectively preventing backflow of water. The sealing performance is reliable, with no leakage when the reverse pressure reaches 2MPa, avoiding the easy damage problem of traditional threaded fasteners.
[0023] 6. By using a one-way valve to force the vertical pipe to remain full, the air accumulation and water hammer effect are completely eliminated. Attached Figure Description
[0024] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the anti-backflow structure of the flow meter in Embodiment 1 of this utility model;
[0025] Figure 2 This is a structural diagram of the internal structure of the one-way valve of this utility model;
[0026] Figure reference numerals: 10 Flow meter; 20 Vertical riser; 30 Check valve; 31 Valve body; 32 Valve core; 321 Spring; 40 Clamp. Detailed Implementation
[0027] The technical solution of this utility model will be clearly described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are not all embodiments of this utility model. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the protection scope of this utility model.
[0028] It should be noted that the terms "center", "upper", "lower", "horizontal", "left", "right", "front", "back", "lateral", "longitudinal", etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing this utility model and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this utility model.
[0029] Example 1
[0030] Combination Figure 1 , Figure 2 As shown, this utility model provides a flow meter anti-backflow structure for a reverse osmosis device, including a vertical riser 20 and a one-way valve 30. A flow meter 10 is installed on the vertical riser 20, and the one-way valve 30 is installed at the inlet end of the flow meter 10 on the vertical riser 20 to prevent water backflow and eliminate water hammer effect.
[0031] One-way valve 30 is made of 304 stainless steel.
[0032] The one-way valve 30 is located at the inlet end of the flow meter 10, upstream of the vertical riser 20.
[0033] The one-way valve 30 is a quick-install one-way valve. The valve body 31 of the one-way valve 30 is connected to the vertical pipe 20 by a clamp 40. The valve core 32 of the one-way valve 30 is a spring-loaded structure.
[0034] When the water flows in the forward direction, the valve core 32 of the one-way valve 30 automatically opens; when the water flows in the reverse direction, the valve core 32 of the one-way valve 30 closes. The spring-loaded structure of the valve core 32 prevents backflow.
[0035] Working principle:
[0036] When the reverse osmosis unit is running, the water flows forward through the one-way valve 30 into the flow meter 10, and the valve core opens to ensure full pipe flow.
[0037] When the reverse osmosis unit is shut down, the spring 321 in the spring-loaded structure pushes the valve core 32 to close, preventing water backflow and avoiding air from entering the pipeline.
[0038] Upon restart, the full pipe of water flows smoothly through the flow meter 10, eliminating water hammer impact.
[0039] Test steps:
[0040] Shut down the reverse osmosis unit and drain any residual water from the pipes. Cut a pre-reserved installation position in the vertical riser 20 at the inlet end of the flow meter 10. Use clamps 40 to secure the one-way valve 30 to the cut position. Restart the reverse osmosis unit and test the forward flow and reverse closure effects. Table 1 provides a comparison of key performance indicators of the vertical riser of the reverse osmosis unit before and after the improvement.
[0041] Table 1: Comparison of Key Performance Indicators Before and After Improvement
[0042]
[0043] As can be seen, the peak water hammer pressure changed from 1.2 MPa before the improvement to 0.5 MPa after the improvement. The breakage frequency of the cap with the 10-thread fastening of the flow meter changed from 3 times per month before the improvement to 0 times after the improvement.
[0044] Therefore, the flow meter anti-backflow structure has the following beneficial effects:
[0045] Eliminating water hammer effect: The one-way valve 30 prevents backflow of water, and there is no air in the vertical pipe 20. There is no impact force when restarting, thus eliminating the water hammer effect and preventing damage to the cap of the flow meter screw fastening, thereby preventing water leakage.
[0046] Ensuring continuous water production: Leaks are avoided, the operational stability of the reverse osmosis unit is improved, ensuring continuous water production and eliminating the risk of interruption in purified water supply.
[0047] Reduced maintenance costs: Extended flow meter lifespan reduces annual maintenance costs.
[0048] Example 2
[0049] Unlike Example 1, this example uses a flange connection instead of a clamp connection, which is suitable for high-pressure pipeline environments, provides stronger sealing, better adapts to high-pressure environments, and reduces the risk of leakage. However, this increases installation time and may affect project progress.
[0050] Example 3
[0051] Unlike Example 1, this example employs a dual-valve redundancy design, with one-way valves 30 installed upstream and downstream of the vertical riser 20. The one-way valves on the vertical riser 20 are 300-500mm away from the flow meter. This design is suitable for scenarios with high requirements for backflow prevention reliability, providing dual backflow prevention protection and significantly improving system reliability. However, this also increases the cost, potentially exceeding the budget.
[0052] The above technical features constitute the preferred embodiment of this utility model, which has strong adaptability and optimal implementation effect. Non-essential technical features can be added or removed according to actual needs to meet the needs of different situations.
[0053] Finally, it should be noted that the above content is only used to illustrate the technical solution of this utility model, and is not intended to limit the scope of protection of this utility model. Simple modifications or equivalent substitutions made by those skilled in the art to the technical solution of this utility model do not depart from the essence and scope of the technical solution of this utility model.
Claims
1. A backflow prevention structure for a flow meter in a reverse osmosis device, characterized in that, It includes a vertical riser and a one-way valve. A flow meter is installed on the vertical riser, and the one-way valve is located upstream of the vertical riser and at the inlet end of the flow meter on the vertical riser. The valve core of the one-way valve has a spring-loaded structure. When water flows in the forward direction through the one-way valve into the flow meter, the valve core automatically opens, and when the water flows in the reverse direction, the valve core closes.
2. The anti-backflow structure for the flow meter of the reverse osmosis device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The check valve is a quick-install check valve.
3. The anti-backflow structure for the flow meter of the reverse osmosis device according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes clamps, with the valve body of the one-way valve connected to the vertical pipe via clamps.
4. The anti-backflow structure for the flow meter of the reverse osmosis device according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes flanges, with the valve body of the one-way valve connected to the vertical riser via flanges.
5. The anti-backflow structure for the flow meter of the reverse osmosis device according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes another check valve located downstream of the vertical riser.
6. The anti-backflow structure for the flow meter of the reverse osmosis device according to claim 5, characterized in that, The one-way valve downstream of the vertical riser is 300-500mm away from the flow meter.