Flexible Pressure Compensator Body for Stable Water Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current water-saving devices, such as flow compensators, are unable to maintain stable flow rates under varying water pressures, limiting their water-saving efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A miniature pressure compensator with a flexible elastomer body, featuring water compensating channels and flow orifices, that adjusts its structure to maintain consistent flow rates by compressing at higher pressures, using nitrile butadiene rubber and specific geometric configurations like a quincunx shape, to control water flow effectively across a range of pressures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of substance
If conventional flow compensators are used to limit water flow rate for water saving, then water consumption is reduced, but flow rate stability under varying water pressures deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The flow compensator body is made from a flexible material that can dynamically change its shape and internal channel geometry in response to varying water pressures. This dynamic adaptation allows the device to maintain stable flow rates across different pressure conditions while still limiting overall water consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible material properties and the geometric configuration of water compensating channels are specifically designed to change flow resistance parameters in response to pressure variations. This allows the device to automatically adjust its flow characteristics to maintain stability without external control mechanisms.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the pressure compensator body is made from flexible material to enable pressure compensation, then flow rate stability improves, but manufacturing precision and material selection complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The flow compensator body is constructed from flexible material such as elastomer or rubber, forming a flexible shell that can deform elastically under pressure. This approach replaces rigid precision-manufactured components with a flexible structure whose geometric configuration and material properties are optimized to provide inherent pressure compensation capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The use of flexible materials like nitrile butadiene rubber combines elasticity with durability and chemical resistance, creating a composite solution that achieves both flow stability and manufacturing feasibility through material selection rather than complex geometric precision.
3Productivity
If multiple water compensating channels and flow orifices are incorporated to control flow rate, then flow control capability improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The flow compensator incorporates multiple water compensating channels and flow orifices distributed throughout the flexible body, segmenting the flow control function across multiple pathways. This segmentation allows sophisticated flow control capability while maintaining a relatively simple integrated structure without moving parts.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible flow compensator body with its integrated channels and orifices performs multiple functions simultaneously: flow rate limiting, pressure compensation, and flow distribution. This multi-functionality is achieved through a single integrated component rather than multiple separate devices, reducing overall system complexity.
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 solution ensures stable flow rates between 30 to 80 psi, allowing for higher flow rates at lower pressures and maintaining efficiency across pressure variations, enhancing water-saving capabilities in devices like shower heads and kitchen aerators.
Implementation Method 1
a flexible material. Preferably, the flexible material comprises an elastomer, preferably rubber, and most preferably nitrile butadiene rubber
Data Source
AI summary
Pressure compensators (1) for stabilizing a flow of water are disclosed. The pressure compensator (1) includes water compensating channels (3) formed on the outer periphery of their body (2), and flow orifices (4) passing through the pressure compensator (1), so that the water compensating channels and the flow orifices control the flow rate of the water at varying pressures. The body of the pressure compensator (1) preferably comprises a flexible material, such as rubber.