Elastically Displaceable Wall Fluid Meter for Pressure Transient Absorption
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Solution Overview
Problem
Fuel dispensing units face component wear and potential malfunctions due to high pressure peaks when the nozzle valve is abruptly closed, leading to inaccurate readings and safety issues, and existing solutions like flexible hoses compromise durability and longevity.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating elastically displaceable wall portions in the fluid meter to absorb pressure transients, which are made from materials like rubber, spring steel, plastic, or metal, allowing the system to deform and absorb pressure variations without affecting normal operation or increasing component count.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a rigid hose is used in the fuel dispensing system, then the structural strength and durability are improved, but the system is vulnerable to damage from pressure peaks when the nozzle valve is abruptly closed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a flexible bladder element within the fuel dispenser housing that can expand and contract to absorb pressure peaks. This flexible membrane allows the system to accommodate sudden pressure changes without damaging rigid components, resolving the contradiction between structural strength and pressure peak resistance.
2Reliability
If a flexible hose is used to absorb pressure transients, then the system reliability under pressure peak is improved, but the hose durability and longevity deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a bladder element as an intermediary pressure-absorbing component that is better suited for withstanding repeated pressure transients than a flexible hose. The bladder can be made from durable elastomeric materials designed specifically for pressure containment, thereby protecting the fuel hose from excessive stress while extending overall system life.
3Reliability
If additional pressure absorption components are added to the fuel dispensing system, then the system protection against pressure peaks is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the pressure absorption function directly into the existing fuel dispenser housing by incorporating a bladder element within the same enclosure. This merges the pressure containment and pressure absorption functions into a single integrated structure, avoiding the need for separate external pressure relief devices and minimizing overall system complexity.
4Ease of manufacture
If the fuel dispenser housing is made rigid for structural stability, then the manufacturing precision and assembly ease are improved, but the ability to absorb pressure transients deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the housing structure into rigid outer walls for structural stability and a flexible inner bladder for pressure absorption. This segmentation allows the majority of the housing to be manufactured using conventional rigid materials and methods, while only a specific internal component requires flexible material properties, thereby maintaining manufacturing ease while adding pressure transient absorption capability.
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 elastically displaceable wall portions effectively absorb pressure transients, reducing wear on other components, maintaining measurement accuracy, and preventing malfunctions, while allowing for retrofitting of existing systems without additional components, thus enhancing safety and reducing maintenance costs.
Implementation Method 1
The walls comprise an elastically displaceable wall portion arranged to be elastically displaced in response to a pressure variation propagating into the measurement volume
Data Source
AI summary
A fluid meter is described having certain elastically displaceable wall portions arranged to be elastically displaced in response to a pressure variation propagating into the measurement volume.