Flow Rate Controller With Variable Projection Spacing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing flow rate regulators struggle to provide a consistent flow rate across varying pressure ranges due to their reliance on uniform control projection distances, which limits their ability to adapt to different pressure conditions effectively.

Innovation Solution

The flow rate regulator incorporates a deformable control body with varying distances between control projections, allowing for distinct control behaviors at different pressure ranges by utilizing a sequence of distances where at least three are of different sizes, enabling the control body to deform differently at low and high pressures, thus achieving a desired flow rate plateau regardless of pressure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If uniform control projection distances are used, then the device structure is simple, but the flow rate consistency across varying pressure ranges deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol projection arrangementVSAvoidflow rate consistency
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The control projections are arranged with different distances between adjacent projections at different locations around the circumference. Specifically, at least three different distances are used in the sequence of distances between adjacent control projections. This local variation in spacing creates different support conditions for the control body at different pressure ranges, enabling the control body to deform differently at low versus high pressures and achieve a desired flow rate plateau across varying pressure conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Adaptability or versatility

If the control body is made deformable to adapt to pressure changes, then the adaptability to different pressure conditions improves, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepressure range adaptabilityVSAvoidcontrol body structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control body is made from an elastic material, allowing it to deform flexibly in response to pressure changes. This deformable control body, combined with the non-uniform control profile featuring varying distances between control projections, enables the device to adapt to different pressure ranges without requiring multiple separate components or complex adjustment mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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

This design allows for a broader working range and fine-tuned control behavior, ensuring a consistent flow rate across pressure variations by adjusting the control body's deformation based on pressure, thereby optimizing the flow rate regulation.

Implementation Method 1

a deformable, preferably annular, control body (3) which is inserted into a corresponding groove (5), a control profile (8) being formed on at least one groove side wall (6), the control profile (8) being formed from a sequence of control projections (9) and control recesses and the control body (3) and the control profile (8) between them limit a control gap (11) in such a way that a change in shape of the control body (3) causes a change in the size of the control gap (11)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3590017B1Flow rate controller
Publication Date: 2023.10.04 NEOPERL GMBH
  • EP3590017B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP3590017B1 patent drawingFigure 4~6
  • EP3590017B1 patent drawingFigure 7~9

AI summary

The invention relates to a flow rate controller (1) having a control body (3) and a control profile (8), which form a control gap (12) between them, the clear width or opening cross-section of which is pressure-variable. It is proposed according to the invention that control projections (9) are arranged in such a way that adjacent control projections (9) have different distances (10, 13) between each other.