Hydraulic Pressure Reducer Adjustment for Animal Drinking Troughs
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pressure reducers for animal water troughs are cumbersome to adjust manually and require additional energy sources like compressed air, making them inefficient and time-consuming, especially in larger stables with multiple units.
Innovation Solution
A pressure reducer that uses the energy from the liquid supply to automatically adjust the pressure, incorporating a force-measuring mechanism and hydraulic spring element, allowing precise control of the pressure reduction without external energy sources, and featuring solenoid valves for independent control of inlet and outlet channels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If pressure reducers are manually adjusted, then the pressure can be changed, but it is very time-consuming and requires entering the barn
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure reducer uses the liquid pressure itself to automatically adjust the regulating device. The liquid in the water supply acts on the diaphragm, which is connected to the regulating device, enabling automatic pressure adjustment without manual intervention or external energy sources.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical adjustment with an automatic hydraulic control system. The force measuring device detects pressure changes and automatically actuates the regulating device through hydraulic forces, eliminating the need for manual mechanical adjustment.
2Extent of automation
If pneumatic adjustment is used to eliminate manual adjustment disadvantages, then adjustment is automated, but it requires compressed air supply and complex network of compressed air lines
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses hydraulic principles instead of pneumatic systems. The liquid pressure from the water supply directly acts on the diaphragm and regulating device, eliminating the need for separate compressed air lines and equipment while achieving automatic adjustment.
Solution Approach 2:
The liquid serving as the working fluid performs multiple functions: it is both the substance being pressure-reduced and the medium that provides the energy for automatic adjustment of the regulating device, eliminating the need for separate control systems.
3Measurement precision
If pressure reducers are manually adjusted precisely, then the desired reduced liquid pressure can be achieved, but it requires entering the barn and is time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The force measuring device continuously monitors the force on the diaphragm and provides feedback to the control system. Based on this feedback, the regulating device automatically adjusts the pressure to maintain the desired setpoint, achieving precise control without manual intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical adjustment with an automatic electronic control system that uses force measurements and electronic actuators to precisely control the pressure, eliminating the need for manual operation while maintaining high precision.
4Adaptability or versatility
If several pressure reducers are installed in larger barns, then each drinking line can be supplied, but the adjustment effort increases further
Solution Approach 1:
Each pressure reducer automatically adjusts itself using its own liquid pressure, eliminating the need for manual adjustment of each unit. This self-service capability scales efficiently to multiple pressure reducers without increasing operational effort.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes each pressure reducer an independent, self-contained unit with automatic adjustment capability. This segmentation allows each unit to operate autonomously, so adding more units to supply additional drinking lines does not increase the adjustment effort for existing units.
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 simple, precise, and energy-efficient adjustment of pressure reduction, reducing operational effort and complexity, ensuring consistent pressure delivery to animal drinking troughs while maintaining reliability even in case of control failures.
Implementation Method 1
A pressure reducer (15) is disclosed, in which the regulating device (33) is designed to be actuated and/or adjusted by the liquid in the water supply
Implementation Method 2
A means for measuring force and/or mechanical pressure (force measuring device) between the regulating device and a diaphragm acted upon by it
Implementation Method 3
The diaphragm is pre-tensioned by a compression spring in the direction of closing the valve
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
Animal drinking troughs have pressure reducers (15) for reducing the relatively high pressure of the liquid supply to a low liquid pressure for supplying the animal drinking troughs. It is desired for various reasons to change the reduced pressure. This takes place by way of adjustment of the pressure reducers (15). It is known to perform an adjustment of this type by way of compressed air. This requires a separate compressed air source and a corresponding line system. The invention provides adjusting the pressure reducers (15) hydraulically by way of the relatively high pressure of the liquid of the liquid supply. As a result, the energy which is required to adjust the pressure reducers (15) supplies the liquid pressure of the liquid supply. As a result, the pressure reducers (15) according to the invention operate autonomously. A separate energy source for adjusting the pressure reducers (15) is not required.