Flow Rate Regulator With Variable Projection Spacing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing flow rate regulators fail to provide a pressure-independent flow rate over a wide range, as their control behavior is largely determined by the spacing of control projections, which either deform at low or high pressures, limiting their operational flexibility.
Innovation Solution
A flow rate regulator design featuring control projections with varying distances between them, allowing for distinct control behaviors in different pressure ranges, with a region spanning a large distance defining the behavior at low pressures and a region with closely spaced projections defining it at high pressures, enabling a pressure-independent flow rate plateau.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If control projections are arranged at regular intervals, then the structure is simple and manufacturing is easy, but the control behavior cannot be optimized for both low and high pressure ranges simultaneously
Solution Approach 1:
The control projections are arranged with different spacing in different circumferential regions of the groove. Specifically, the spacing between adjacent control projections varies along the circumference, creating zones with different deformation characteristics. This local variation in geometry allows the control body to exhibit different control behaviors in different pressure ranges, resolving the contradiction between manufacturing simplicity and control adaptability.
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 achieves a working range where the desired flow rate is pressure-independent, allowing for a wide spread of control behavior and reduced noise, particularly through the use of intermediate projections that contribute to noise reduction without altering control behavior.
Implementation Method 1
a deformable, preferably ring-shaped, regulating body (3) which is inserted into a corresponding groove (5), with a regulating profile (8) being formed on at least one side wall of the groove (5)... the regulating body and the regulating profile delimit a control gap (11) between them in such a way that a change in shape of the control body (3) causes a change in a size of the control gap (11)
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~6
Figure 7~9
AI summary
In a flow rate regulator (1) with 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 to arrange control projections (9) such that adjacent control projections (9) enclose different distances (10, 13) between them (Fig. 7).