Mechanical Water Flow Regulator for Off-Grid Hydraulic Heating Units
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hydraulic units for remote hot water production and domestic use are limited by their reliance on electrical power supplies and are complex and costly, making them unsuitable for environments without electricity and difficult to implement.
Innovation Solution
A mechanical domestic water flow regulator that operates without electrical power, using a combination of ring nuts, a driving shaft, a flexible membrane, and a spring mechanism to control the flow of heated and domestic water, allowing for efficient heating of domestic water through pressure regulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If electrical valves and thermostats are used in flow regulators, then the regulation precision and control capability are improved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces electrical valves and electronic thermostats with a purely mechanical regulation system. The flow regulator uses a mechanical needle valve controlled by a spring-loaded piston that responds to pressure differences, eliminating the need for electrical components while maintaining effective flow control capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The regulator employs a self-regulating mechanism where the spring-loaded piston automatically adjusts the needle valve position based on pressure differential across the exchanger. The system self-adjusts without external control signals, using the fluid pressure itself to drive the regulation action.
2Ease of operation
If electrical power supply is required for flow regulation, then the control functionality is improved, but the adaptability to different environments deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates electrical power requirements by substituting electronic control with a mechanical system. The spring-loaded piston and needle valve mechanism operates purely on hydraulic principles, enabling deployment in remote locations without electrical infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The regulator is self-powered by the pressure differential of the fluid flow itself. The spring mechanism stores potential energy that is converted to mechanical work for valve adjustment, requiring no external power source and enabling operation in off-grid environments.
3Measurement precision
If thermostats and electrically controlled valves are used, then the temperature control accuracy is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive electronic thermostats and controlled valves with inexpensive mechanical components. The spring-loaded piston and needle valve assembly uses basic mechanical elements that are cheaper to manufacture while providing sufficient temperature control through flow rate adjustment.
Solution Approach 2:
The regulator uses simple, inexpensive mechanical components that can be easily manufactured and replaced if needed. The spring, piston, and needle valve are basic parts with low material and manufacturing costs compared to electronic alternatives.
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 the use of hydraulic units in environments without electrical power, simplifies the system, reduces costs, and provides reliable, efficient heating of domestic water by regulating the flow of heated water based on domestic water pressure, ensuring consistent temperature and comfort.
Implementation Method 1
a spring (40) which acts on a body (41) fitted on the shaft (29) and on a closing element (42)
Implementation Method 2
the action of the water on the membrane (36) leads to the flexure towards the ring nut (27) with the ensuing movement of the driving shaft (29)
Implementation Method 3
a domestic water flow regulator within an exchanger to which there reaches and in which there also circulates the heated water
Implementation Method 4
the production of hot water occurs in remote through various techniques such as heat recovery from waste disposal plants
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4
AI summary
Domestic water flow regulator (2) associated to a hydraulic unit comprising a heat exchanger (3) to which there reaches heated water produced in remote, the regulator having a body (17) with an inlet for domestic water (18), an outlet (50) for such water towards the exchanger (3), at least one inlet (63) for the heated water and one outlet (66) of the latter, between the inlet (18) for the domestic water and the outlet (50) towards the exchanger (3) such domestic water being intercepted by a first autonomous valve member (26, 27, 29, 35, 36), between the inlet and the outlet of the heated water there being present a second valve member (60), the first valve member being moved only by the domestic water flowing into the regulator (2). Such valve member comprises ring nuts (26, 27) spaced from each other and defining a chamber (22) connected to the inlet for the domestic water in said body (17), in the ring nuts (26, 27) there traversing a driving shaft (29) integral with a membrane (36) moveable under the action of the domestic water flowing into such body.