Membrane Pressure Equalizer With Forced Water Exchange
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pressure compensation devices in liquid flow systems, used as pressure shock absorbers and expansion vessels, face challenges in preventing germ contamination and maintaining low germ loads, especially during periods of constant operation without significant pressure fluctuations, and they often incur pressure losses due to complex designs.
Innovation Solution
A pressure compensation device with a pressure vessel and an elastic membrane, featuring a separate pipe surrounded by a sieve-like hollow cylinder, allowing for forced flow through the vessel while minimizing germ contamination and pressure losses, with the pipe acting as either an inlet or outlet depending on flow direction, enabling flexible installation and operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a membrane with germ growth-inhibiting lining is used, then germ contamination is reduced, but the problem of protruding non-exchanged water volume during constant operation is not sufficiently solved
Solution Approach 1:
The connecting piece is segmented into multiple functional zones: an inlet zone with inlet opening, an outlet zone with outlet opening, and a central cavity. The inlet and outlet openings are positioned at different locations and orientations, creating distinct flow paths that facilitate complete water exchange while maintaining the germ-inhibiting membrane lining throughout the structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The inlet and outlet openings are arranged in different spatial dimensions and orientations within the connecting piece. The inlet opening receives water from one direction while the outlet opening discharges water in a different direction, creating a three-dimensional flow pattern that ensures complete evacuation of water from the cavity, thereby preventing stagnant non-exchanged water volume.
2Productivity
If complex flow generation structures are used to force water exchange through the pressure vessel, then water exchange is improved, but pressure losses increase
Solution Approach 1:
The flow generation function is merged directly into the connecting piece structure itself, eliminating the need for separate complex flow generation devices. The inlet and outlet openings are integrated into the connecting piece body, creating a streamlined flow path that forces water exchange through the pressure vessel cavity without introducing additional components that would cause pressure losses.
Solution Approach 2:
The connecting piece serves multiple functions simultaneously: it connects the pressure vessel to the water supply system, provides the inlet and outlet openings for forced water exchange, and houses the membrane assembly. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for additional dedicated flow generation structures, thereby maintaining low pressure losses while achieving effective water exchange.
3Productivity
If the entire water flow is routed through the expansion tank, then forced water exchange is achieved, but pressure losses occur
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of routing the entire water flow through the expansion tank cavity, the invention uses the connecting piece to create a forced exchange mechanism where a portion of the water flow is directed through the inlet opening, across the membrane, and out through the outlet opening. This partial action approach achieves sufficient water exchange to prevent stagnant volume without the excessive pressure losses that would result from routing all water through the tank.
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 solution effectively prevents bacterial growth and reduces pressure losses, allowing for efficient and flexible use in various applications, including drinking water and food supply systems, while maintaining structural simplicity and independence from local conditions.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic membrane (3), which forms a cavity (5) for receiving the liquid, and a compressed gas space (7) adjoining the cavity
Implementation Method 2
the tube (21) is surrounded concentrically by a sieve-like hollow cylinder (25), so that between the outer circumference of the tube (21) and the hollow cylinder (25) an annular space (27) is defined, which opens into a cover-shaped, hollow end piece (29), into which the tube (21) opens and which has sieve-like openings (31) for the liquid to flow out into the cavity (5)
Implementation Method 3
a compressed gas space (7) adjoining the cavity
Implementation Method 4
The separately guided tube in the operating state protrudes into the system through which the liquid flows
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
The pressure balance device has a pressure container (1) for a pressure balance. A flexible membrane (3) is provided, which forms a cavity (5) for the admission of the liquid. A compressed gas area (7) is provided adjacent to the cavity. The membrane is connected with a connection pipe (17) for the liquid by a connecting medium.