Chlorine Assembly Low Flow Detection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing chlorine-generating assemblies fail to accurately detect water flow at low rates, typically below 30 gallons per minute, due to gas buildup breaking the connection between the flow sensor and electrode plates, leading to erroneous 'no flow' readings.
Innovation Solution
The assembly incorporates a narrowing flow channel and a water delivery mechanism to increase water velocity and ensure continuous contact between the flow sensor and electrode plates, along with a keying feature for correct orientation, allowing reliable flow detection even at low flow rates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a gas trap sensor is used to detect water flow, then flow detection is enabled, but at low flow rates gas buildup breaks the connection between the sensor and electrode plates causing false no-flow readings
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the gas accumulation problem from the flow sensor chamber by providing a separate gas vent path. The gas trap sensor electrode is separated from the gas accumulation zone, allowing gas to be vented through a dedicated channel while maintaining the electrical connection between the electrode and the electrode plates. This resolves the contradiction by removing the harmful gas buildup that caused false no-flow readings at low flow rates.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a gas vent channel as an intermediary element between the flow sensor chamber and the external environment. This channel acts as a mediator that allows gas to escape without disrupting the electrical connection between the flow sensor electrode and the electrode plates. The intermediary gas vent path enables the system to maintain reliable flow detection at low flow rates while still allowing gas to be removed from the system.
2Use of energy by moving object
If water flow rate is low, then energy consumption is reduced, but gas buildup in the flow sensor prevents accurate flow detection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the gas removal function from the water flow itself by providing a separate gas vent channel. This allows the system to operate at low water flow rates (conserving energy) while still effectively removing gas from the flow sensor chamber through the dedicated vent path. The gas extraction function is decoupled from the water flow, enabling accurate flow detection even at low energy-consuming flow rates.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the flow sensor chamber into distinct functional zones: a water flow detection zone and a gas venting zone. The gas vent channel creates a separate pathway for gas removal that is independent of the water flow path. This segmentation allows the system to maintain accurate flow detection at low water flow rates by managing gas and water flows through separate channels.
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
Enables accurate detection of water flow in low flow situations, preventing false 'no flow' readings and ensuring continuous operation by maintaining conductivity between the flow sensor and electrode plates, even at rates as low as 10 GPM.
Implementation Method 1
a flow sensor that senses if water is flowing through the assembly... includes an electrode that detects flow so long as there is conductivity between the electrode and one of the chlorine-generating electrode plates
Implementation Method 2
a flow stream from a body of water is passed through an electrolytic cell or other chlorine-generating assembly to oxide halide ions of the water by electrolysis to form hypohalic acid, hypohalite ions or both
Data Source
AI summary
Assemblies designed to facilitate detection of water flow in low water flow situations. In some embodiments, the assembly includes a channel that narrows from an inlet end of the assembly to an outlet end of the assembly to increase the velocity of water flowing through the channel. In some embodiments, the assembly may also include a water delivery mechanism that delivers water flowing through the channel to a flow sensor and enables the detection of water flow, even in low flow situations.