Integral Piston Connecting Rod Fluid Meter Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid meters, such as those described in Ainsworth and Spalding patents, face challenges including complex manufacturing processes, high component count leading to increased costs and potential robustness issues, and difficulties in aligning crankshafts with precise angles for phase differences between pistons.
Innovation Solution
The design integrates pistons and connecting rods as a single, molded component with angled yoke slots to achieve out-of-phase piston movement using a single crank arm and pin, simplifying manufacturing and reducing the number of components, while maintaining robustness and precision.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If multiple separate components (pistons, connecting rods, crank arms) are used to achieve piston reciprocity, then the fluid meter can accomplish the required phase differences between pistons, but the number of components increases making assembly difficult and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the piston and connecting rod into a single integral component, eliminating the need for separate connecting rods and reducing the total number of parts. This merging directly addresses the assembly difficulty and cost issues while maintaining the functional requirements for piston reciprocity and phase differences.
Solution Approach 2:
The integral piston-connecting rod component performs multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as both the piston (sealing and moving within the cylinder) and the connecting rod (transmitting force to the crankshaft). This multi-functionality reduces component count and simplifies assembly while achieving the required mechanical operations.
2Reliability
If a crankshaft with two crank arms and two crank pins is used to achieve correct phase difference, then the pistons can reciprocate out of phase, but the crankshaft structure becomes complicated and less robust
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the two crank arms into a single crank arm by utilizing the integral piston-connecting rod design. Each piston-connecting rod assembly engages with the single crank arm at different angular positions, achieving the required phase differences without needing multiple crank arms. This simplifies the crankshaft structure and enhances robustness.
3Ease of manufacture
If angled cylinders are used to achieve piston phase differences, then the required piston reciprocity can be accomplished, but the construction becomes bulky and difficult to mould or cast
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the piston and connecting rod functions into a single component that can be easily molded or cast as one piece. This integral design eliminates the complexity of assembling multiple separate parts and simplifies the manufacturing process while achieving the required angled cylinder configuration for phase differences.
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 approach results in a more cost-effective, robust, and efficient fluid meter with simplified assembly and reduced material costs, capable of precise volume measurement and smooth operation, suitable for compact fuel dispenser designs.
Implementation Method 1
The crank pin engages a yoke slot in each connecting rod so that the reciprocating movement of the two pistons is transformed into a rotary motion of the crankcase in accordance with the Scotch Yoke type principle
Data Source
AI summary
A multiple piston type fluid meter is disclosed having a first connecting rod and a second connecting rod that are integral with their respective pistons. A multiple fluid meter assembly comprising at least two fluid meters, and a fuel dispensing unit comprising a fluid meter or multiple fluid meters are also disclosed.