Externally Adjustable Flow Valve for Laminar Water Metering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing valve assemblies are overly complex, require lubrication that can contaminate water, need to be installed upstream of a meter, and are difficult to maintain or adjust, leading to inefficiencies and inaccuracies in water meter readings due to entrained air and turbulence.
Innovation Solution
A self-lubricating, externally adjustable flow management valve assembly with a minimal number of moving parts, constructed from polymers like Acetron GP or Delrin, that promotes laminar flow and removes entrained air by using a spring-biased plunger and adjustable threaded connections, allowing for external tuning and maintenance without shutting off the water flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a valve assembly with multiple moving parts is used to control water flow, then the valve can achieve sealing and flow control functions, but the device becomes complex and requires lubrication that can contaminate water
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes unnecessary moving parts from the valve assembly, extracting only the essential components needed for sealing and flow control. The design eliminates complex mechanisms while retaining the core sealing function through a simplified structure with fewer moving parts.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve assembly is designed to be self-lubricating, eliminating the need for external lubrication that could contaminate water. The materials and design enable the valve to maintain its sealing function without requiring additional lubricating substances.
2Measurement precision
If the valve assembly is installed upstream of the meter to remove air, then air can be compressed out of water, but the installation becomes problematic due to legal and safety issues
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of installing the valve upstream of the meter as in conventional designs, this patent inverts the installation approach by positioning the valve downstream of the meter. This reversal eliminates the legal and safety issues associated with upstream installation while still achieving the function of removing air from water to improve meter accuracy.
3Ease of operation
If a valve with many interconnected moving parts is used, then flow control is achievable, but the valve requires lubrication and has increased wear leading to maintenance needs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates unnecessary moving parts from the valve assembly, reducing the number of components that require lubrication and maintenance. The simplified design retains sufficient flow control capability while minimizing wear and maintenance needs.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve is designed with self-lubricating properties through material selection and structural design, enabling it to operate without external lubrication. This self-service characteristic reduces wear on moving parts and eliminates the need for periodic maintenance and repair.
4Ease of operation
If the valve assembly uses external lubrication to reduce friction, then moving parts operate smoothly, but lubrication can contaminate the associated water
Solution Approach 1:
The valve assembly employs self-lubricating materials and design features that eliminate the need for external lubrication. The moving parts are designed to operate smoothly through inherent self-lubrication mechanisms, preventing contamination of water while maintaining operational smoothness.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution increases the accuracy of water meter readings by removing air, reducing maintenance needs, and ensuring only water is metered, leading to more efficient and cost-effective water usage.
Implementation Method 1
compress the air out of the water as it is being metered
Implementation Method 2
promotes the laminar flow of a gas or fluid traveling through the valve
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a system and valve assembly that can be used to promote the laminar flow of a variety of fluids and gases. In one embodiment, the valve assembly can be used to remove entrained water bubbles from a water supply. This, in turn, increases the density of water running through an associated water meter. This ensures that the water meter is not inaccurately including entrained air as metered water. The result is more accurate water readings and reduced utility bills. The assembly can be externally adjusted using an adjustment tool so as to increase or decrease the tension on an interior spring which, in turn, increases or decreases the rate at which the interior block oscillates.