Individualized flow regulation system and method
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing flow-regulated dispensing systems are inadequate for managing multiple volumetric flow rates, are difficult to maintain, and often result in inaccurate dilution ratios due to their placement at the inlet manifold, which limits their effectiveness in commercial cleaning applications.
Innovation Solution
A flow regulator and standpipe assembly are positioned upstream of the backflow preventer and eductor system, downstream of individual diluent outlets, allowing for individualized and interchangeable regulation of volumetric flow rates to each eductor system, ensuring accurate and consistent dilution ratios across a range of pressures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single flow regulator is installed at the inlet manifold to regulate volumetric flow rate to the entire system, then flow regulation is achieved, but it proves insufficient when multiple volumetric flow rates are required and results in inaccurate dilution ratios
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the single flow regulation function into multiple individual flow regulators, each assigned to a specific eductor system. This segmentation allows each regulator to be optimized for its specific eductor's requirements, enabling multiple different volumetric flow rates to be provided to different eductors simultaneously, while maintaining accurate dilution ratios for each individual system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements flow regulation at the local level by placing individual flow regulators directly at each eductor system rather than at the central inlet manifold. This local quality approach allows each eductor to receive precisely controlled flow rates tailored to its specific requirements, improving both adaptability to different flow rate needs and accuracy of dilution ratios for each individual dispensing point.
2Ease of operation
If flow regulators are installed at the inlet manifold, then flow regulation is provided, but they are expensive and difficult to access for maintenance and cleaning
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the flow regulators from the centralized inlet manifold location and relocates them to individual eductor systems. This extraction makes each flow regulator independently accessible for maintenance and cleaning operations, eliminating the difficulty of accessing regulators buried within the inlet manifold assembly, while also reducing the overall system complexity by distributing components rather than concentrating them.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of the conventional approach of having a single centralized flow regulator at the inlet manifold, the patent inverts the architecture by placing multiple decentralized flow regulators at the individual eductor points. This inversion improves accessibility for maintenance since each regulator is independently accessible, and simplifies the system by allowing modular servicing of individual components without affecting the entire system.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a single flow regulator is used for the entire system, then cost is reduced, but it cannot provide multiple volumetric flow rates required for different dispensing points
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the flow regulation system into multiple independent regulators, each serving a specific eductor. This segmentation enables the system to provide multiple different volumetric flow rates simultaneously to different dispensing points, meeting the adaptability requirements while keeping each regulator simple and standardized for ease of implementation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs universal flow regulator components that can be used across multiple eductor systems. By using standardized, interchangeable regulators with common mounting and adjustment mechanisms, the system achieves multi-functionality where the same type of regulator serves multiple different dispensing points with varying flow rate requirements, thereby managing complexity through standardization rather than customization.
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
This configuration enables precise control of volumetric flow rates, maintaining laminar flow and accurate dilution ratios, making it easier to maintain and clean, while allowing for multiple flow rates to be managed efficiently, thus improving the overall performance of the dispensing system.
Implementation Method 1
the liquid concentrate is drawn from a source and mixed, via an eductor utilizing Venturi action, with a diluent water stream to form the overall diluted detergent or other effluent mixture
Implementation Method 2
a flow regulator or flow regulator and standpipe assembly located upstream of the dispenser's backflow preventer and eductor system
Implementation Method 3
The flow regulator of the dispenser may further comprise a standpipe to define a flow regulator and standpipe assembly, with the flow regulator or flow regulator and standpipe assembly positioned within the dispenser to ensure a laminar fluid flow to the backflow preventer and eductor system
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid dispenser for dispensing an effluent mixture comprises a manifold inlet connectable to a pressurized liquid source, at least one individual diluent outlet in fluid communication with the manifold inlet, and at least one backflow preventer and eductor system in fluid communication with the at least one individual diluent outlet. A flow regulator is in fluid communication with the at least one individual diluent outlet and the at least one backflow preventer and eductor system, located upstream of the at least one backflow preventer and eductor system and downstream of the at least one individual diluent outlet. The flow regulator is preferably individualized for the at least one backflow preventer and eductor system and interchangeable within the dispenser to facilitate a plurality of volumetric flow rates to the at least one respective backflow preventer and eductor system.