Flow Regulator Using Rotary Pump for Precise Volume Flow Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing flow regulators face challenges in reliably regulating small volume flows and pre-pressures, with passive pre-pressure regulators exhibiting hysteresis, poor resolution, and inability to reverse flow direction or set volume flow to zero, leading to unstable and non-linear behavior, especially in medium regulating ranges.
Innovation Solution
A flow regulator design featuring a rotary pump that produces a limiting pressure against the pre-pressure, allowing for precise control of volume flow, including the ability to reverse flow direction, using a bearing-free motor for sensitive liquids and a single-use pump configuration for cost-effectiveness and contamination prevention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a passive pre-pressure regulator is used, then the structure is simple, but the regulation of small volume flows and pre-pressures is unreliable with hysteresis and poor resolution
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the passive mechanical pre-pressure regulator with an active regulating pump system that uses electrical control and feedback from flow sensors to actively maintain pre-pressure, eliminating hysteresis and improving resolution for small flow regulation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback control by using flow sensors to detect actual flow parameters and adjusting the regulating pump operation accordingly, ensuring reliable and precise regulation of small volume flows that passive regulators cannot achieve
2Device complexity
If a passive pre-pressure regulator is used, then the device is simple, but the volume flow cannot be set to zero or reversed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the static passive regulator into a dynamic system where the regulating pump can adjust its speed and direction of rotation to achieve full flow control range including zero flow and flow reversal, providing versatility impossible with passive mechanical regulators
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables flow reversal by allowing the regulating pump to rotate in reverse direction, completely changing the flow direction capability that passive regulators fundamentally lack
3Device complexity
If a passive pre-pressure regulator is used, then the system is simple, but the behavior is unstable and non-linear in medium regulating ranges
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses feedback from flow sensors to continuously monitor and adjust the regulating pump operation, stabilizing the system behavior in medium regulating ranges where passive regulators exhibit non-linear and unstable characteristics
Solution Approach 2:
The regulating control system automatically adjusts the regulating pump based on sensor feedback to maintain stable pre-pressure and flow conditions without external intervention, eliminating the instability inherent in passive regulator 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 solution ensures reliable and linear regulation of volume flow across a wide range, including zero, with improved accuracy and stability, especially for small flows and pressures, and can be retrofitted into existing systems without complete renewal, while handling sensitive or aggressive liquids effectively.
Implementation Method 1
The rotor is held contactless in the stator with respect to three further, non-actively controllable degrees of freedom, by passively acting reluctance forces
Implementation Method 2
a torque acting in the circumferential direction on the rotor can be produced by means of electromagnetic forces
Data Source
AI summary
A flow regulator includes a first sensor determining a first actual value of a first flow parameter of the fluid, a pre-pressure regulator setting a predefinable pre-pressure at a pre-pressure outlet of the pre-pressure regulator, and a regulating pump. The fluid is capable of being supplied to the pre-pressure regulator at a plant pressure in an operating state via an inflow line and a pre-pressure inlet and capable of being conducted further to the regulating pump at the pre-pressure via a flow connection disposed between the pre-pressure outlet and the regulating pump, the pre-pressure outlet being connected to a high pressure connection of the regulating pump in a flow communicating manner via the flow connection such that the fluid is capable of being supplied from the pre-pressure regulator of the regulating pump and guided away from the regulating pump via a low pressure connection into an outflow line.