Variable-Orifice Flow Control for Stable Cooling Water Refilling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Manual refilling of cooling water in lens cooling water cabinets (LCWCs) leads to rapid refilling velocity and drastic water temperature fluctuations, causing productivity losses and affecting the normal operation of machine tables.
Innovation Solution
A flow control equipment and automatic refilling system that includes a housing with a discharge hole, a liquid inlet tube, a motor, flow locking and control blades with leakage holes of varying sizes, and a liquid outlet tube, which adjusts liquid flow to prevent temperature fluctuations and ensure stable refilling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual refilling is performed, then the refilling operation is simple and quick, but the refilling velocity is too fast causing drastic water temperature fluctuations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an automatic refilling system with flow control equipment as an intermediary between the water source and the lens cooling water cabinet. This system includes a flow controller that regulates water flow rate, preventing direct high-velocity refilling that causes temperature fluctuations. The automatic system acts as a mediator to smooth out the refilling process while maintaining operational simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the flow rate parameter of refilling water from high velocity to controlled low velocity. The flow control equipment adjusts the water flow parameters to ensure gradual temperature changes during refilling, preventing drastic temperature fluctuations that would otherwise occur with manual fast refilling.
2Ease of operation
If manual refilling is performed, then the operation is straightforward, but productivity is lost due to machine downtime of 3-5 hours
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements an automatic refilling system that performs the refilling operation without human intervention. The system automatically detects when refilling is needed and executes the controlled refilling process, freeing operators from manual refilling tasks and eliminating the associated productivity losses while maintaining ease of operation through automation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates a feedback mechanism where the system monitors water levels and temperature in the lens cooling water cabinet. When refilling is required, the system receives feedback and automatically initiates the refilling process with controlled flow rates, ensuring minimal disruption to machine operation and maintaining productivity.
3Loss of time
If fast refilling velocity is used, then the refilling time is reduced, but the water temperature fluctuates drastically affecting machine operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the flow rate parameter to achieve an optimal balance between refilling speed and temperature stability. Rather than using the maximum possible flow rate, the system controls the water flow to maintain a moderate refilling velocity that prevents temperature shocks while still completing refilling efficiently.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a controlled flow regime that acts as a cushion against temperature fluctuations. By regulating the water flow rate before it enters the cooling system, the system prevents thermal shocks that would occur with fast refilling, thereby protecting machine operation while maintaining reasonable refilling speed.
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 system effectively controls the refilling velocity of cooling water, stabilizes water temperature, and reduces productivity losses by ensuring a consistent and gentle refilling process, allowing machine tables to return to production state quickly.
Implementation Method 1
a flow locking blade and a plurality of flow control blades connected to the motor, where leakage holes of different sizes are formed in the flow control blades, and the motor drives the flow control blades and the flow locking blade to rotate to align the different leakage holes with the discharge hole, or to seal the discharge hole
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides a flow control equipment and an automatic refilling system. The flow control equipment includes: a housing, including a discharge hole in a bottom of the housing; a liquid inlet tube connecting with a top of the housing; a motor located in the housing; a flow locking blade and a plurality of flow control blades connected to the motor, where leakage holes of different sizes are formed in the flow control blades, and the motor drives the flow control blades and the flow locking blade to rotate to align the different leakage holes with the discharge hole, or to seal the discharge hole; and a liquid outlet tube connecting with the discharge hole.