Hydraulic Substance Dispensing System with Variable Pressure Valve
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing substance dispensing systems face issues with controlling the flow of substances due to time delays in force generation systems, leading to waste and messy leaks, and require manual operation and pump recirculation, which can cause substance residue and equipment damage.
Innovation Solution
A hydraulic drive system with a variable pressure hydraulic valve and actuation member that recirculates hydraulic fluid instead of substance, allowing for precise and instantaneous control of the dispensing process, enabling operation from a distal location without manual controls.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If existing force generation systems are used to stop substance flow, then the system can be controlled, but the substance flow continues due to time delay causing waste and messy leaks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces electrical force generation systems with a hydraulic system. The hydraulic actuator responds instantaneously to pressure changes without the feedback time delays inherent in electrical systems. When the valve closes, hydraulic pressure immediately stops the actuator movement, thereby stopping substance flow without waste or messy leaks.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a hydraulic drive system where a hydraulic valve controls fluid flow to a hydraulic actuator. The hydraulic system provides instantaneous response when the valve closes, eliminating the time delay problems of electrical systems and preventing substance waste and leakage during flow stoppage.
2Ease of operation
If manual controls are used for operation, then the system can be operated, but the operator must hold controls in hand which is undesirable
Solution Approach 1:
The hydraulic system is designed to be automatically controllable through the valve mechanism. The valve can be actuated remotely or automatically, and the hydraulic system self-regulates the actuator movement based on pressure feedback, eliminating the need for continuous manual control input.
Solution Approach 2:
The hydraulic valve acts as an intermediary between the control system and the actuator. It translates control signals into precise hydraulic pressure changes, enabling remote or automated control without requiring the operator to directly manipulate controls during operation.
3Productivity
If pump recirculation is used to stop substance flow, then the system can be controlled, but the substance contacts pump components requiring disposal or cleaning
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the substance from the recirculation path entirely. Instead of using a pump to recirculate substance back to the container, the system uses a valve to stop flow at the source and a hydraulic actuator that can be precisely positioned, preventing substance contact with recirculation components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the pump-based recirculation system with a hydraulic actuator system. The hydraulic actuator provides controlled substance dispensing without requiring substance recirculation, eliminating the maintenance issues associated with substance contact in pump components.
4Productivity
If pump recirculation is used to stop substance flow, then the system can be controlled, but substance left in pump components cures causing delays and ruining expensive parts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the substance from the recirculation path entirely. Instead of using a pump to recirculate substance back to the container, the system uses a valve to stop flow at the source and a hydraulic actuator that can be precisely positioned, preventing substance contact with recirculation components.
Solution Approach 2:
The hydraulic valve stops substance flow immediately when activated, preventing substance residue from remaining in the system. This preliminary action of stopping flow at the source eliminates the need for later cleaning or disposal operations, avoiding time delays and protecting expensive components.
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 provides precise, accurate, and instantaneous control of substance flow, reducing waste and equipment maintenance issues, while allowing for efficient and controlled dispensing of substances without manual operation or pump recirculation.
Implementation Method 1
a hydraulic drive system having a hydraulic pressure
Implementation Method 2
the hydraulic pump moves the hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic cylinder
Implementation Method 3
the actuation member deforms the container thereby expelling the substance from the container
Implementation Method 4
the hydraulic valve moves to the open position in which the hydraulic pump moves the hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic reservoir thereby relieving the hydraulic fluid pumped to the hydraulic cylinder
Data Source
AI summary
A substance dispensing system that includes a hydraulic drive system is disclosed. The hydraulic drive system includes a hydraulic valve having a variable pressure setting, the hydraulic valve operable between a closed position in which a hydraulic pump moves hydraulic fluid to a hydraulic cylinder and an open position in which the hydraulic pump moves the hydraulic fluid to a hydraulic reservoir. The substance dispensing system of the present disclosure provides a system that recirculates hydraulic fluid in a hydraulic drive system instead of recirculating a substance back to a container via a pump. The substance dispensing system of the present disclosure allows for precise, accurate, and instantaneous control of an external force in a substance dispensing system.