Mobile Plate Flow Control Apparatus for Carrier Fluid
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Solution Overview
Problem
Tubular conveyance systems rely on simple valves for carrier fluid control, leading to inaccurate, slow, and inefficient adjustments, which hinder the continuous and steady transport of materials with minimal energy input.
Innovation Solution
A flow control apparatus with a mobile plate and drive mechanism that adjusts between open, closed, and intermediate positions based on pressure sensor readings to precisely control the carrier fluid flow into the system, ensuring a constant flow rate.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If simple valves are used to control carrier fluid inlet, then device complexity is reduced, but flow control precision and response speed deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces static simple valves with a dynamic mobile plate mechanism that can be positioned at multiple locations (fully open, fully closed, and intermediate positions) controlled by a drive mechanism. This dynamic positioning allows precise control of carrier fluid flow rates while maintaining relatively simple overall device structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates sensors that detect downstream flow conditions and feed this information back to a controller, which then adjusts the mobile plate position accordingly. This feedback loop enables accurate flow control by continuously monitoring and adjusting carrier fluid inlet based on actual system conditions.
2Device complexity
If simple valves are used to control carrier fluid inlet, then device complexity is reduced, but adjustment speed deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile plate is coupled to a drive mechanism that can rapidly reposition the plate between different locations. This dynamic system responds quickly to control signals, enabling fast adjustment of carrier fluid flow rates compared to traditional simple valves that lack rapid positioning capability.
Solution Approach 2:
Sensors detect downstream flow conditions and provide real-time feedback to the controller, which immediately adjusts the mobile plate position via the drive mechanism. This feedback-driven rapid response enables quick adaptation to changing flow requirements, significantly improving adjustment speed.
3Device complexity
If simple valves are used to control carrier fluid inlet, then device complexity is reduced, but energy efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile plate mechanism provides precise control over carrier fluid flow rates, allowing the system to optimize energy consumption by delivering only the necessary amount of carrier fluid to the conveyance tube. This prevents energy waste from excessive carrier fluid delivery while maintaining adequate flow for continuous material transport.
Solution Approach 2:
Downstream flow condition sensors provide feedback that enables the system to adjust carrier fluid inlet to match actual conveyance needs. This feedback control prevents energy waste by ensuring carrier fluid is delivered at optimal rates, avoiding both insufficient flow (which would require higher blower power) and excessive flow (which would waste energy on unused carrier fluid).
Data Source
AI summary
A tubular conveyance system includes a pressure sensor, a blower, a material feeder, and a flow control apparatus. The pressure sensor is configured to be associated with a conveyance tube. The blower is configured to accelerate a carrier fluid into the conveyance tube. The material feeder is disposed downstream of the blower and configured to add a conveyance material to the conveyance tube to be conveyed by the carrier fluid. The flow control apparatus is configured to control an amount of carrier fluid provided to the blower. The flow control apparatus includes a mobile plate having a mobile plate opening therein, and a drive mechanism configured to selectively place the mobile plate into an open position and a closed position.