Hydraulic Flow Shutoff Using Non-Mechanical Metering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hydraulic control devices for liquid-conducting appliances face issues with sticking due to impurities and imprecision in detecting low flow-rates, leading to inadequate interruption of liquid flow when safety limits are reached.
Innovation Solution
A hydraulic control device with a non-mechanical flow meter and an electro-thermal actuator, featuring a shape-memory alloy wire actuator and an electromagnetic-induction flow meter, which reduces the risk of sticking and improves precision in detecting flow-rates, including low values, and allows for external reset without disconnecting from the hydraulic system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a mechanical flow meter is used, then the device structure is simple, but it suffers from sticking due to impurities and imprecision in detecting low flow-rates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical flow meter with a non-mechanical flow meter that uses electromagnetic induction to detect flow rate. This eliminates moving parts that can stick due to impurities, thereby improving reliability while maintaining acceptable device complexity through electronic sensing mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses the hydraulic principle of electromagnetic induction where a magnetic field interacts with the conductive liquid flow to generate an electrical signal proportional to flow rate. This non-contact sensing method avoids mechanical sticking issues while accurately detecting even low flow rates.
2Reliability
If a mechanical valve arrangement is used, then the device structure is simple, but it suffers from sticking due to impurities
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical valve control mechanism with an electro-thermal actuator that uses shape-memory alloy wire. This actuator responds to thermal stimulation to displace the valve member, eliminating mechanical linkages that can stick due to impurities while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operating parameter of the valve control from mechanical force transmission to thermal parameter changes. The shape-memory alloy wire undergoes phase transformation at specific temperatures, causing displacement to open or close the valve, thereby avoiding mechanical sticking while maintaining structural simplicity.
3Ease of operation
If the flow meter is reset internally, then the device structure is simple, but it requires disconnection from the hydraulic system for resetting
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an external reset device that acts as an intermediary to reset the flow meter without requiring disconnection from the hydraulic system. This external device communicates with the flow meter through the hydraulic medium, allowing convenient resetting while maintaining system connectivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables the flow meter to be reset through the hydraulic system itself, where the liquid flow or pressure can trigger the reset function. This self-service approach allows resetting without external intervention or system disconnection, improving ease of operation while avoiding additional complex reset mechanisms.
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 solution enhances the reliability and precision of flow detection and interruption, enabling effective management of liquid flow even at low rates and allowing for safe and efficient operation with reduced risk of mechanical failure and energy consumption.
Implementation Method 1
an electromagnetic-induction flow meter
Implementation Method 2
a shape-memory alloy wire actuator
Data Source
AI summary
A hydraulic control device for liquid-conducting appliances and systems is designed for connection between a source of liquid and an appliance or system using the liquid. The hydraulic control device (1) comprises: —a device body (2′, 3′) having a duct for the liquid (30a, 30b) that extends between an inlet connector (2a) and an outlet connector (3 a); —a flow meter (40, 50) associated to the device body (2\ 3′); and—a valve arrangement (31, 33-37) associated to the device body (2′, 3′), including a valve member (31), which is displaceable between an opening position and a closing position of the duct for the liquid (30a, 30b), and a control mechanism (33-37) for controlling the valve member (31). The control mechanism (33-37) is switchable on the basis of a detection made by the flow meter (40, 50) in order to displace the valve member (31) from the opening position to the closing position of the duct for the liquid (30a, 30b). The flow meter (40, 50) is a non-mechanical flow meter that includes at least two electrical detection elements (42) that are reachable by liquid that flows in the duct for the liquid (30a, 30b).