Handheld Fluid Meter Nozzle and Valve Sealing for Stable Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current handheld fluid meters face issues with valve seal displacement due to high-velocity fluid impingement, scarfing from sharp edges, minor leakage during valve reciprocation, pressure imbalances causing the valve to stick open, and residual oil migration leading to false leak indications during valve replacement, as well as nozzle leakage and fluid sputtering at high flow rates.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a valve cartridge with a control seal and valve stem featuring an annular control seal groove, a nozzle with an overmolded tip to seal against a cone-shaped passage, and a nozzle stem with an overmolded tip seal to prevent fluid leakage and ensure precise fluid dispensing, along with a ergonomic user interface and improved fluid management system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a manual valve with trigger control is used, then the valve can be easily operated, but the control seal becomes displaced and unseated due to high-velocity fluid impingement
Solution Approach 1:
The valve is divided into a valve body and a separate control seal assembly. The control seal is retained by a seal retainer that prevents displacement, allowing the seal to be replaced independently without replacing the entire valve assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The control seal is pre-positioned and retained by the seal retainer before fluid flow begins. This preliminary retention prevents the seal from being displaced by high-velocity fluid impingement during operation.
2Speed
If the valve is quickly modulated between slightly-open and slightly-closed positions, then the valve responds quickly to user input, but the control seal experiences scarfing from sharp edge geometry
Solution Approach 1:
The control seal is designed with a cushioning feature that absorbs the impact forces generated during quick valve modulation. This cushioning prevents scarfing by reducing the shock loads on the seal during rapid opening and closing operations.
3Reliability
If the top dynamic seal contacts the cast housing, then the seal provides sealing function, but leakage occurs due to porosity of the cast housing
Solution Approach 1:
The top dynamic seal is designed as a replaceable component that can be replaced when wear or leakage occurs. This allows the sealing system to maintain reliability over time by replacing the consumable seal rather than replacing the entire valve assembly.
4Productivity
If dynamic pressure forces act on the upper portion of the valve, then the valve can open under pressure, but the valve becomes stuck in the open position due to pressure imbalances
Solution Approach 1:
A spring mechanism is introduced to counterbalance the dynamic pressure forces acting on the valve. The spring provides a closing force that opposes the pressure-driven opening force, allowing the valve to open when needed but ensuring reliable closure when the trigger is released.
5Ease of repair
If the valve cartridge is replaced, then the valve can be maintained, but residual oil migrates through the valve and appears as a new leak
Solution Approach 1:
The control seal and seal retainer are designed as separately replaceable components that can be removed and cleaned independently. This allows residual oil to be completely extracted from the sealing surfaces during maintenance, preventing false leak indications after reassembly.
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2A
AI summary
A handheld fluid meter includes a cartridge valve controlling the flow of fluid through the handheld meter. The cartridge valve includes a valve cartridge and a valve stem disposed within the valve cartridge. The cartridge valve guides the valve stem and provides the only sealing surface for the dynamic seals and control seal disposed on the valve stem. The handheld meter dispenses through a nozzle, which includes an overmolded stem tip that generates a laminar fluid flow as the fluid exits the nozzle. The overmolded stem tip is a compliant material. The handheld fluid meter includes circuitry configured to invert the orientation of a visual output provided by a display of the handheld fluid meter to facilitate installation of the handheld fluid meter for use in an oil bar application.