Adjustable Fluid Pressure Amplifier with Venturi Obturator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid pressure amplifiers are not compact, cost-effective, and do not efficiently operate over a wide range of conditions, particularly when the inlet pressure is low, such as in submerged applications.
Innovation Solution
A compact fluid pressure amplifier design featuring a housing with a chamber, a projecting inlet pipe, a resilient obturator ring, and an annular exhaust aperture, where the inlet pipe terminates within the chamber and the delivery outlet is fixed, allowing for adjustable projection of the inlet pipe to optimize the distance between the obturator ring and the exhaust aperture, creating a venturi effect to enhance efficiency and reduce turbulence and gas accumulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the inlet pipe projects further into the chamber to reduce the distance to the obturator ring, then the pressure increase efficiency is improved, but the device complexity and adjustment difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by making the projection distance of the inlet pipe adjustable rather than fixed. This allows optimization of the distance between the inlet pipe and obturator ring for different operating conditions, improving pressure increase efficiency while maintaining simple device structure through a straightforward adjustment mechanism.
2Speed
If the obturator ring opening is reduced to decrease closure time, then the response speed is improved, but the impact force and valve wear increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies curvature by shaping the obturator ring and exhaust aperture to create a venturi effect with gradual convergence and divergence. This curved geometry reduces turbulence and impact forces compared to sharp-edged openings, allowing fast closure without excessive wear or damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the potentially harmful impact force of rapid closure into a beneficial venturi effect. By designing the obturator ring and aperture geometry to create controlled flow convergence, the closure action generates useful pressure increase while minimizing harmful wear and water hammer effects.
3Productivity
If the chamber volume is increased to reduce turbulence and friction, then the fluid flow efficiency is improved, but the device size and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by optimizing specific regions of the chamber rather than uniformly increasing overall volume. The internal surface is shaped with specific curvature in key flow regions to reduce turbulence and friction, achieving improved fluid flow efficiency without proportionally increasing the total chamber volume.
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 design achieves significantly improved efficiency and pressure increase, reducing valve wear and increasing the pressure achievable at the delivery outlet, allowing for efficient operation over a greater range of conditions while minimizing air ingress during adjustments.
Implementation Method 1
The exhaust aperture is preferably shaped to provide a gradual reduction in cross-sectional area leading smoothly into a section of gradually increasing cross sectional area, thereby creating a venturi effect as fluid flows through the aperture. The obturator ring may also be shaped in relation to the annular exhaust aperture to create a venturi effect as fluid flows between the two.
Data Source
AI summary
The amplifier includes a housing containing a chamber with a delivery outlet containing a non-return delivery valve. An inlet pipe projects into the chamber and a resilient obturator ring is engaged with and located about the pipe to be resiliently-movable in the chamber. An annular exhaust aperture surrounding the pipe can be sealed by the obturator ring, the obturator ring being responsive to fluid flow in the inlet pipe such that fluid flow causes the obturator ring to oscillate between conditions which alternately permit and prevent fluid from leaving the chamber through the exhaust aperture thereby causing a pulsed pressure increase in the fluid flowing through the delivery outlet. An adjuster is provided for adjusting the distance by which the fluid inlet pipe projects into the chamber and moves the pipe using co-operably inclined faces. The obturator ring and the delivery valve are shaped to create a venturi effect.