Alternating Additive Valve for Continuous Pressurized Fluid Mixing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems for mixing pressurized fluid and additives, such as abrasives, face interruptions and inefficiencies in additive supply, particularly when switching between containers, which can disrupt fluid treatment processes like water cutting and firefighting.

Innovation Solution

A valve arrangement system with two additive containers and a mechanism for alternating additive supply, allowing seamless switching without interrupting the fluid flow, using a rotatable spindle valve structure to manage pressure and additive flow efficiently.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a single additive container is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the productivity is interrupted when the container is empty

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontinuous operationVSAvoidnumber of containers

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The additive container is divided into multiple separate containers (first additive container and second additive container). Each container can be independently filled and used, allowing the system to switch between containers when one is empty, thereby maintaining continuous operation without interruption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple additive containers are prepared in advance, with at least one container ready to be used when another is empty. This preliminary preparation ensures that the additive supply never runs out, maintaining continuous productivity without requiring complex real-time monitoring or refilling mechanisms during operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Loss of time

If manual switching between additive containers is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the loss of time increases during container switching

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveswitching timeVSAvoidvalve arrangement

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The valve arrangement automatically switches between additive containers based on their pressure states without requiring manual intervention. The system self-regulates by detecting which container is pressurized and which is depressurized, automatically directing additive flow from the appropriate container, thereby eliminating switching time loss.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses pressure differential (one container pressurized, one depressurized) to control the automatic switching mechanism. When one container is empty, its pressure state changes, and the valve arrangement responds by switching to the other container, enabling seamless, interruption-free operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

3Ease of operation

If additive containers are pressurized continuously, then the additive flow is maintained, but the ease of operation decreases when adding additive

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadditive refillingVSAvoidadditive supply

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The additive containers operate in periodic cycles of pressurization and depressurization. When one container is being used (pressurized), the other is being refilled (depressurized), and vice versa. This periodic alternation ensures continuous additive supply while simplifying the refilling operation, as operators only need to refill containers during their depressurized phase.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

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

Ensures reliable and continuous mixing of pressurized fluid and additives, enabling efficient use in applications like water cutting and firefighting without interruptions, with the ability to adjust additive concentration and switch between containers without halting operations.

Implementation Method 1

the additive container, from which the additive is fed at the time, is pressurised and, at the same time, pressure in the other additive container is depressurised

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure differential: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentEP4052845A1Apparatus and method for mixing pressurized fluid and additive, work machine, fire fighting equipment, and rescue vehicle

Publication Date: 2022.09.07 DYNASET OY

Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4

AI summary

Here, an apparatus for mixing pressurised fluid and an additive is presented. The apparatus (2) includes an inlet (5) for the feed-in of pressurised fluid, an additive container (10a, 10b) and an outlet (6) for the output of the mixture of the pressurised fluid and the additive. The pressurised fluid is divided into a part conveyed to the additive container and a remaining part. The additive container (10a, 10b) is pressurised and additive is conveyed from the additive container (10a, 10b) into connection with said remaining part to form a mixture of the pressurised fluid and the additive, which mixture is conveyed to said outlet (6). The apparatus includes at least two additive containers (10a, 10b). By a valve arrangement (14), the additive is fed alternately from different additive containers (10a, 10b) into connection with the pressurised fluid.