Dialysis Water Constant Flow Regulator for Fluctuating Supply Pressure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Dialysis machines require manual adjustment of pressure reducers by service engineers to adapt to varying external water supply pressures, leading to suboptimal performance and unnecessary load on the water supply.
Innovation Solution
A constant flow regulator is integrated between the water connection and the dialyzate system, which adjusts flow resistance based on pressure differences to maintain a consistent flow, eliminating the need for manual settings and ensuring performance across different water supply conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a pressure reducer is used to adapt to different water supply pressures, then the dialysis machine can operate with varying external pressures, but manual adjustment by service engineers is required and no adaptation to fluctuating pressures during operation is provided
Solution Approach 1:
The constant flow regulator is designed to automatically adapt to different water supply pressures without requiring manual adjustment. The device uses a spring-loaded plunger mechanism that self-regulates based on the pressure differential, eliminating the need for service engineers to manually set the pressure reducer for different installation sites.
Solution Approach 2:
The pressure reducer is replaced with a dynamic constant flow regulator that automatically adjusts its flow resistance in response to fluctuating pressures during operation. The plunger moves dynamically based on pressure differential to maintain constant flow, providing real-time adaptation rather than static manual setting.
2Reliability
If a pressure reducer is manually set to a desired pressure value, then the inflow pressure into the inlet chamber can be adapted, but feed flows may be too low or too high producing additional load on water supply
Solution Approach 1:
The constant flow regulator incorporates a feedback mechanism where the pressure differential across the device automatically controls the plunger position. When inlet pressure increases, the plunger moves to reduce flow resistance; when pressure decreases, the spring returns the plunger to increase resistance, maintaining constant feed flow and preventing water supply overload.
Solution Approach 2:
The device changes the flow resistance parameter dynamically based on the pressure differential. The plunger position, which determines the annular gap size and thus the flow resistance, is automatically adjusted according to pressure conditions to maintain optimal feed flow within the dialyzate system.
3Productivity
If a constant flow regulator is designed for high flow rates to be used in dialysis machines, then it can replace the pressure reducer, but the structure becomes more complex compared to simple pressure reducers
Solution Approach 1:
The constant flow regulator uses hydraulic principles with a fluid-filled housing and spring-loaded plunger mechanism to achieve constant flow control. The pressure differential directly acts on the plunger through hydraulic force, eliminating the need for complex electronic sensors or actuators while maintaining high flow rate capability suitable for dialysis applications.
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 constant flow regulator ensures reproducible flow to the dialyzate system, optimizing dialysis machine performance and preventing unnecessary water supply loads, regardless of fluctuating external pressures.
Implementation Method 1
a constant flow regulator which changes its flow resistance in dependence on the applied pressure difference such that an approximately constant flow independent of the pressure difference results over a predefined operating range
Data Source
AI summary
A dialysis machine, in particular for hemodialysis and/or hemofiltration, having a dialyzate system and having a water inlet via which the dialyzate system can be connected to an external water supply. The dialysis machine includes a constant flow regulator that is arranged between the water connection and the dialyzate system.