Inline Pressure Regulator for Dispenser Leakage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing proportioning dispensers face issues with leakage and inconsistent dilution ratios due to pressure regulators constantly exposed to incoming water pressure, leading to increased costs and reduced accuracy across varying flow rates and pressures.
Innovation Solution
An inline water pressure regulator is positioned downstream of the water valve and upstream of the eductor, ensuring the regulator is only subjected to water pressure when the valve is open, providing consistent flow and reducing leakage, while maintaining accurate dilution control across a wide range of pressures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stress or pressure
If a pressure regulator is positioned upstream of the water valve, then water pressure can be regulated before the valve, but the regulator is constantly subjected to incoming water pressure leading to leakage and reduced reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional arrangement by positioning the pressure regulator downstream of the water valve instead of upstream. This reversal ensures the regulator is only exposed to water pressure when the valve is open and dispensing is active, rather than being constantly pressurized. This positional inversion directly resolves the leakage and reliability issues while maintaining pressure regulation functionality.
2Productivity
If flow washers or restrictors are used to control flow rate to eductors, then flow control is achieved at lower rates, but dilution ratio consistency deteriorates at higher flow rates of three gallons per minute or more
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the operating parameters of the pressure regulator by positioning it downstream of the valve, allowing it to operate across a wider pressure range (30-120 psi) that corresponds to higher flow rates. This parameter change enables the system to maintain consistent dilution ratios at flow rates of three gallons per minute or more, overcoming the limitations of flow washers and restrictors.
3Ease of operation
If devices downstream of the regulator are used to control water flow, then flow control is achieved, but pressure variations introduced by these devices disrupt the uniformity of regulated flow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by establishing pressure regulation downstream of the valve at the point where consistent pressure is most needed for the eductor. This preliminary pressure stabilization occurs before the water enters the eductor mixing chamber, ensuring that subsequent flow control operations do not disrupt the uniformity of the regulated flow. The regulator prepares the water flow with stable pressure characteristics in advance.
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 reduces leakage, enhances dilution accuracy, and maintains consistent pressure regulation from 30 psi to 120 psi, achieving linear dilution ratios without the need for flow washers or expensive regulators, thus reducing costs and improving performance.
Implementation Method 1
an inline water pressure regulator downstream of said water valve and upstream of a chemical eductor
Implementation Method 2
Suction created by the water flow through the venturi draws the chemical into the water flow
Data Source
AI summary
A proportioning dispenser of concentrated chemical mixed in a diluent such as water includes a water valve, an in-line water pressure regulator downstream of the valve and an eductor downstream of the regulator. When the valve is open, water flows to the regulator, and a pressure regulator water flow passes to the eductor. When the valve is closed, no water flows to the regulator, which sees pressurized water only when the water valve is open during a dispensing cycle. More accurate dilution ratios are achieved over a wide range of incoming water line pressures. In an alternate embodiment, a water valve and a regulator are formed in a common housing with the regulator operationally downstream of the valve.