Fluid Flow Limiter with Segmented Metal Arms
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid flow limiters for water, particularly in irrigation systems, face issues such as costly and complex manufacturing, difficulty in replacing damaged components, risk of malfunction under high pressure, and susceptibility to fraud due to deformable parts.
Innovation Solution
A fluid flow limiter design featuring spaced apart metal arms connected by a ring, allowing for easy replacement and secure positioning, preventing deformation and fraud, and simplified manufacturing through molding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If metal rods are brazed on the seat to form abutment means, then the limiter can control water flow, but the assembly becomes complex and costly to manufacture
Solution Approach 1:
The abutment means are divided into separate metal rods that can be independently replaced. Each rod is a discrete component connected to the seat, allowing individual replacement without replacing the entire limiter assembly. This segmentation simplifies manufacturing and maintenance while maintaining flow control functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The metal rods are designed as replaceable, relatively simple components that can be manufactured inexpensively. When a rod breaks or becomes deformed, only that single rod needs to be replaced rather than the entire complex brazed assembly, reducing both manufacturing costs and maintenance costs.
2Reliability
If metal rods are brazed on the seat to form abutment means, then the limiter can control water flow, but replacement of damaged rods becomes difficult and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The abutment means are divided into separate metal rods that can be independently replaced. Each rod is a discrete component connected to the seat, allowing individual replacement without replacing the entire limiter assembly. This segmentation simplifies manufacturing and maintenance while maintaining flow control functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The metal rods are designed to be extractable from the seat without requiring complex disassembly procedures. The connection between rods and seat is simplified to allow easy removal and installation, enabling maintenance personnel to replace damaged rods quickly without specialized equipment or procedures.
3Reliability
If the washer deforms under strong axial pressure, then it limits water flow, but the thrust rods get crushed and deformed causing malfunction
Solution Approach 1:
The abutment means use a composite structure combining metal rods with a ring connecting them. This composite design distributes the axial water pressure across multiple components rather than concentrating it on the thrust rods alone. The ring provides additional structural support and load distribution, preventing rod deformation even under strong pressure conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The ring connecting the metal rods acts as a pre-designed structural reinforcement that cushions and distributes axial loads before they can crush the rods. This preventive design ensures that even under maximum water pressure, the rods remain structurally intact and functional.
4Ease of operation
If the rods are separated by a tool, then the semi-circular shape can be enlarged, but fraud occurs and maximum limited flow rate increases
Solution Approach 1:
The ring connects all metal rods together into a unified, rigid structure that forms a complete circle. This merging of separate rods into an integrated assembly prevents individual rod manipulation or separation, eliminating the possibility of fraudulently enlarging the semi-circular shape to increase flow rate beyond the licensed limit.
Solution Approach 2:
The abutment means use a composite structure combining metal rods with a ring connecting them. This composite design distributes the axial water pressure across multiple components rather than concentrating it on the thrust rods alone. The ring provides additional structural support and load distribution, preventing rod deformation even under strong pressure conditions.
5Reliability
If cross blades are used as abutment means, then the limiter can control flow, but assembly requires skilled operators and welding
Solution Approach 1:
The abutment means are divided into separate metal rods that can be independently replaced. Each rod is a discrete component connected to the seat, allowing individual replacement without replacing the entire limiter assembly. This segmentation simplifies manufacturing and maintenance while maintaining flow control functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The metal rods are designed as replaceable, relatively simple components that can be manufactured inexpensively. When a rod breaks or becomes deformed, only that single rod needs to be replaced rather than the entire complex brazed assembly, reducing both manufacturing costs and maintenance costs.
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 cost-effective and secure operation with reduced risk of malfunction and fraud, facilitating easy maintenance by allowing individual component replacement and ensuring consistent flow regulation.
Implementation Method 1
The principle of operation of such a limiter is based on the deformation of this washer subjected to an axial pressure of water flow coming from the pipe and which, by deforming, causes a reduction in its central passage orifice, thus limiting outgoing water flow
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
AI summary
The limiter has a support (1) installed at an end of a channel of a tube (2), and stop units arranged in an opening of a deformable ring (3), where the stop units are integrally formed. The stop units form a spout (4) including an annular flange (4A) that is arranged between the support and the deformable ring. A body of the spout includes a cylindrical section (4E) bearing the annular flange, where the spout is made of metal.