Flow Meter Manifold for Liquid Dispensing Resolving Repose Time Bottleneck
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for dispensing additive liquids into cementitious mixtures are slow, costly, and limited by large minimum batch volumes due to the need for precise measurement and flushing, which increases time and costs, and can result in inaccurate dosing and residual liquids.
Innovation Solution
A method and device involving a manifold and flow meter system that measures additive liquids in real-time during flow, allowing for precise dispensing and simultaneous purging with a purgative fluid to minimize residual quantities, using a Coriolis mass flow meter for accurate measurement and a manifold with equidistant flow paths to reduce purgative fluid volume and time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a weigh vessel is used to accumulate and measure additive liquid, then measurement precision is improved, but productivity deteriorates due to required repose time for liquid to come to rest
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical weighing system with a flow meter-based measurement system. Instead of accumulating liquid in a weigh vessel and measuring weight, the invention measures the flow rate of liquid through a flow meter and calculates volume from flow rate and time. This eliminates the need for repose time and allows continuous measurement during flow, thereby improving productivity while maintaining measurement precision.
2Measurement precision
If a weigh vessel is used to accumulate additive liquid, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time worsens due to repose time requirement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical weighing system with a flow meter-based measurement system. Instead of accumulating liquid in a weigh vessel and measuring weight, the invention measures the flow rate of liquid through a flow meter and calculates volume from flow rate and time. This eliminates the need for repose time and allows continuous measurement during flow, thereby improving productivity while maintaining measurement precision.
3Measurement precision
If a weigh vessel is used to measure additive liquid, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of substance worsens due to liquid remaining in the vessel
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the measurement function from a stationary container (weigh vessel) and implements it in a flow-through system. The flow meter measures liquid as it passes through, allowing complete discharge of the container without residual liquid remaining. This extraction of the measurement function from the containment function eliminates the problem of liquid adherence and ensures all measured liquid is delivered to the cementitious mixture.
4Reliability
If large volume purgative fluid is used to flush the weigh vessel, then reliability is improved by reducing residual liquid, but loss of substance worsens due to large purgative fluid consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the measurement function from a stationary container (weigh vessel) and implements it in a flow-through system. The flow meter measures liquid as it passes through, allowing complete discharge of the container without residual liquid remaining. This extraction of the measurement function from the containment function eliminates the problem of liquid adherence and ensures all measured liquid is delivered to the cementitious mixture.
5Productivity
If flow meter is used to measure additive liquid in real-time, then productivity is improved by eliminating repose time, but device complexity worsens due to flow meter and manifold system
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a manifold that serves multiple functions: it distributes liquid from multiple containers to the flow meter, provides purging capability, and enables flexible routing of liquid flow. This multi-functional design consolidates several operations into a single device, managing complexity while enabling the productivity improvements from real-time flow measurement.
6Manufacturing precision
If manifold with equidistant flow paths is used, then manufacturing precision is improved for consistent flow distribution, but device complexity worsens due to precise manifold design requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by ensuring that specific regions of the manifold (the flow paths from each container to the flow meter) have uniform characteristics. By making the flow paths equidistant and of equal volume, the system ensures consistent flow distribution from each container, which is critical for accurate measurement and reliable purging operations.
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
Enables efficient, accurate, and precise dispensing of additive liquids with reduced residual quantities and purgative fluid usage, allowing for smaller batch sizes and faster processing without compromising accuracy, thus improving operational efficiency and reducing costs.
Implementation Method 1
measuring the quantity of the additive liquid while the additive liquid is flowing through the flow meter
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a method and apparatus for dispensing a user-defined quantity of one or more liquids for use in a cementitious mixture. The method includes moving a liquid from a liquid supply to a manifold; moving the liquid from the manifold to a flow meter; measuring the liquid while it moves through the flow meter; moving the liquid to a cementitious mixture; repeating these steps for any additional liquids; flushing any remaining liquid from the manifold with a purgative fluid; and moving purgative fluid and flushed liquid to the cementitious mixture.