Dynamic Proportioner for High-Viscosity Foam Systems
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional foam proportioners fail to maintain the proper percentage of foam concentrate in fire protection solutions across a wide range of flow rates, especially when using high-viscosity foam concentrates, leading to non-compliance with UL and FM standards.
Innovation Solution
A proportioner design with a restrictor assembly and orifice plate configuration that allows for precise control of foam concentrate flow, maintaining the desired percentage within a wide range of flow rates, including those exceeding 10 times the minimum rated flow, and accommodating high-viscosity foam concentrates up to 3500 mPas.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a conventional proportioner is used with high-viscosity foam concentrates, then the foam concentrate flow can be controlled, but the proportioner cannot maintain the proper foam concentrate percentage across a wide range of flow rates
Solution Approach 1:
The proportioner employs a movable restrictor disk that can dynamically adjust its position relative to the orifice plate based on flow conditions. The rod member connected to the restrictor disk moves in response to pressure differential changes, allowing the restrictor to adapt its opening size dynamically across different flow rates while maintaining proper foam concentrate percentage control
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the geometric parameter of the flow passage by moving the restrictor disk to different positions. This adjusts the effective flow area through the orifice plate, enabling the proportioner to maintain accurate foam concentrate metering across an extended flow rate range from 30 gpm to 2000 gpm
2Productivity
If the restrictor disk is moved away from the orifice plate opening, then the foam concentrate flow increases, but the control precision decreases for high-viscosity foam concentrates
Solution Approach 1:
The proportioner incorporates a feedback mechanism where the movable restrictor disk responds to pressure differential changes caused by flow variations. The rod member moves in response to these pressure changes, automatically adjusting the restrictor position to maintain precise foam concentrate flow control even at higher flow rates
Solution Approach 2:
The restrictor assembly is designed with dynamic components that adjust in real-time based on operating conditions. The movable restrictor disk and rod member configuration allows the system to adapt the flow restriction dynamically, maintaining control precision across the full operating range from minimum to maximum flow rates
3Ease of manufacture
If a conventional proportioner design is used, then the structure is simple, but it cannot accommodate high-viscosity foam concentrates up to 3500 mPas across the full flow range
Solution Approach 1:
The proportioner uses a dynamic restrictor assembly with a movable disk and rod member that responds to pressure differential changes. This dynamic adjustment capability enables reliable foam concentrate percentage maintenance for high-viscosity concentrates (up to 3500 mPas) across the full flow range while keeping the overall structure relatively simple
Solution Approach 2:
The proportioner leverages hydraulic principles by using the pressure differential generated by the fluid flow itself to move the restrictor disk and rod member assembly. This self-actuating hydraulic mechanism provides reliable control for high-viscosity foam concentrates without requiring complex external actuation systems
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 proportioner ensures effective fire protection by maintaining the target foam concentrate percentage within specified ranges for various flow rates, meeting UL and FM standards, even with high-viscosity foam concentrates, thereby ensuring reliable fire suppression systems.
Implementation Method 1
a restrictor assembly having a restrictor disk and an orifice plate to control a flow of the foam concentrate through the foam passage
Implementation Method 2
A proportioner that mixes the foam concentrate and the fire protection fluid (e.g., water) is used to ensure that the concentration of foam in the fire protection solution is at the proper ratio or percentage
Data Source
AI summary
A proportioner having a body portion that defines a foam passage and a fluid passage. The proportioner also includes a restrictor assembly having a restrictor disk and an orifice plate having an opening for receiving the restrictor disk. The proportioner can further include a rod member connected to the restrictor disk and a clapper assembly connected to the rod member via a sliding interface. The clapper assembly can be configured to control a flow of the foam concentrate through the foam passage in proportion to a flow of the fire protection fluid through the fluid passage by moving the rod member to vary the distance between the restrictor disk and the orifice plate. The sliding interface can be disposed between a first guide and a second guide, and at least a portion of the restrictor disk is disposed in the opening.