Fluid Dispensing System with Vapor Separator and Temperature Differential Control
Solution Overview
Problem
Current fluid application systems for agricultural fields, particularly those using anhydrous ammonia as fertilizer, face inefficiencies and operational challenges due to particulates and vapor misapplication, which lead to misapplication and equipment damage, and existing strainers are not designed for volatile fluids, causing maintenance issues and safety risks.
Innovation Solution
A fluid dispensing system that includes a container to separate liquid and vapor, with sensors to detect temperature differentials and a controller to determine operational status, and a filtering system with vapor valves to manage vapor release and a collection mechanism to remove materials, ensuring efficient fluid application and reducing maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If strainers are used to remove particulates from fluid, then some materials are removed from fluid, but the strainers are plugged by particulates and additives causing operating inefficiencies and increased maintenance time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the harmful particulates and vapor from the fluid stream using a separator that removes these contaminants before the fluid reaches the strainer, preventing strainer plugging while maintaining fluid application reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The separator performs preliminary action by removing particulates and vapor from the fluid before it enters the strainer system, preventing the strainer from becoming plugged and reducing maintenance requirements
2Measurement precision
If sensors detect vapor flowing through outlet, then vapor flow is detected, but misapplication is not detected because sensors detect vapor instead of liquid
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a vapor separator as an intermediary component between the outlet and the sensor, which removes vapor from the fluid stream before it reaches the sensor, allowing the sensor to accurately detect liquid flow and identify misapplication conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the direct mechanical detection method with a modified system that uses vapor separation followed by sensor detection, improving the ability to distinguish between liquid and vapor flow for accurate application monitoring
3Reliability
If pressure vessels are pressure tested with water, then pressure testing is performed, but vessels rust and deteriorate over time forming particulates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the testing parameter from water to an alternative testing method or substance that does not cause rusting, eliminating particulate formation while maintaining pressure vessel reliability through regular testing
4Reliability
If additives are added to enhance fluid characteristics, then desirable characteristics are enhanced, but additives bond to particulates increasing particulate size
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts particulates from the fluid stream using a separator before they can bond with additives, preventing particulate size increase while maintaining fluid performance through additive incorporation
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 separates and manages liquid and vapor, preventing misapplication and equipment damage, while reducing maintenance and safety risks by efficiently filtering and handling volatile fluids like anhydrous ammonia.
Implementation Method 1
The container is configured to separate the fluid into a liquid and a vapor, with at least a portion of the vapor disposed above the liquid
Implementation Method 2
The first sensor is positioned adjacent to or upstream of the at least one fluid inlet and configured to detect a first temperature of the fluid
Implementation Method 3
The second sensor is positioned adjacent to or downstream of the at least one liquid outlet and configured to detect a second temperature of the fluid
Implementation Method 4
The controller is configured to determine a fluid temperature differential based on the first and second temperatures
Data Source
AI summary
A system for dispensing a fluid includes a container including a sidewall defining an interior space for holding the fluid and configured to separate the fluid into a liquid and a vapor. The system also includes at least one fluid inlet disposed in the sidewall, at least one liquid outlet disposed in the sidewall, a first sensor, a second sensor, and a controller. The first sensor is positioned adjacent to or upstream of the at least one fluid inlet and configured to detect a first temperature of the fluid. The second sensor is positioned adjacent to or downstream of the at least one liquid outlet and configured to detect a second temperature of the fluid. The controller is configured to determine a fluid temperature differential based on the first and second temperatures and determine an operational status of the system based on the fluid temperature differential.