Low-Flow Pump Pressure Cycling for Water-Efficient Cleaning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing washing or cleaning systems require high flow rates of water, which is resource-intensive and impractical in situations where water is scarce or unavailable, necessitating a need for low-flow washing systems that can effectively clean without excessive water usage.
Innovation Solution
A low-flow fluid delivery system comprising a pump assembly with a near-zero pressure cycle and adjustable flow rates, utilizing a pressure-actuated controller and variable flow valves to manage fluid delivery to low-flow devices such as wet combs, sponges, and brushes, allowing for efficient water use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If high flow rates are used to deliver sufficient water for effective cleaning, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but water consumption and resource usage increase
Solution Approach 1:
The pump operates in intermittent cycles rather than continuously, delivering water in periodic pulses. This allows the system to maintain adequate water delivery for effective cleaning while dramatically reducing overall water consumption by allowing the pump to cycle off between deliveries.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts flow rate parameters based on actual cleaning needs and pressure conditions. The pump can vary its delivery parameters (flow rate, pressure) to optimize both cleaning effectiveness and water efficiency, delivering higher flow when needed and lower flow when sufficient.
2Productivity
If high flow rates are used to ensure sufficient water delivery, then cleaning performance is improved, but system complexity and resource requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates automatic pressure sensing and flow control mechanisms that self-regulate water delivery without requiring complex manual control systems. The pressure-actuated controller automatically adjusts pump operation based on real-time pressure feedback, simplifying the overall system while maintaining cleaning performance.
3Quantity of substance
If continuous high flow delivery is used, then adequate water supply is ensured, but water waste increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pump delivers water in periodic intervals rather than continuously, maintaining adequate water supply for cleaning operations while eliminating water waste during non-operational periods. The intermittent delivery pattern ensures water is available when needed but prevents unnecessary consumption during idle time.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses pressure sensors to monitor water delivery conditions and feeds this information back to the controller, which adjusts pump operation accordingly. This feedback mechanism ensures adequate water supply is maintained only when and where needed, preventing water waste by automatically reducing or stopping flow when pressure conditions indicate sufficiency.
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 system enables effective cleaning with minimal water consumption by maintaining fluid pressure within preselected set points, providing adjustable flow rates and reducing water usage while maintaining cleaning efficacy.
Implementation Method 1
a pump assembly with a near-zero pressure cycle and adjustable flow rates, utilizing a pressure-actuated controller and variable flow valves to manage fluid delivery
Implementation Method 2
maintaining fluid pressure within preselected set points
Data Source
AI summary
The system includes a pump assembly comprising a pump mechanism having an inlet side that fluidly couples to a fluid supply, and an outlet side. A pressure sensor is coupled to the outlet side and configured to measure fluid pressure. An actuator is coupled to the pump mechanism. A controller is coupled to the pressure sensor and is configured with a preselected set of fluid pressure set points and one or more preselected sets of fluid flow rates and to control the actuator to increase a fluid flow rate to a first flow rate when the fluid pressure at the outlet side falls to a lower one of corresponding fluid pressure set point. The controller controls the actuator to reduce the fluid flow rate to a second fluid flow rate, when the fluid pressure at the outlet side rises to an upper one of a corresponding fluid pressure set point.