Movable Plug Dispensing Unit for Sealed Flow Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Sealing and controlling the flow of substances in confined spaces, such as aircraft fuel chambers, is challenging due to the need for precise control of flow rates and prevention of leakage, especially when using viscous sealants.
Innovation Solution
A dispensing unit with a nozzle and plug mechanism, where the plug is movable within the nozzle, allowing for controlled flow through apertures based on its position, enabling varying flow rates and preventing leakage by complementary sealing surfaces, and a method to adjust the plug's position to control the flow rate and prevent substance from flowing out.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a plug with aperture is used to control substance flow, then flow rate control is improved, but the risk of leakage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The plug is made movable within the nozzle, allowing dynamic adjustment of the aperture opening to control flow rate. The plug can be positioned at different locations along the longitudinal axis, enabling variable flow control while maintaining sealing when closed.
Solution Approach 2:
A sealing surface is introduced as an intermediary element between the plug aperture and the nozzle outlet. This sealing surface prevents direct leakage paths while allowing controlled flow through the aperture, resolving the contradiction between flow control and leakage prevention.
2Productivity
If the plug aperture is opened to increase flow rate, then productivity is improved, but substance may leak out of the nozzle
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing surface acts as an intermediary that prevents substance leakage while allowing controlled flow through the plug aperture. When the plug is in the open position, the sealing surface ensures substance does not leak out of the nozzle, enabling high flow rate operation without harmful leakage.
3Device complexity
If the nozzle structure is simplified, then device complexity is reduced, but flow control precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of complex fixed geometric features, a simple movable plug is used to achieve precise flow control. The plug's position along the longitudinal axis dynamically adjusts the aperture opening, providing precise control with minimal structural complexity.
Data Source
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AI summary
A dispensing unit (100) for controlling flow of a substance (101) comprises a nozzle (102) and a plug (110). The nozzle comprises an outlet (122) and a channel (104) that comprises a longitudinal symmetry axis (130), a sealing surface (106), and an alcove surface (108), contiguous with the sealing surface (106) and outwardly recessed relative to the sealing surface (106); and a plug (110). The plug (110) comprises a wall (112) that comprises an outer surface (114) and that also comprises a first aperture (116), fully penetrating the wall (112) through the outer surface (114) of the wall (112) of the plug (110). The outer surface (114) of the wall (112), comprising the first aperture (116), is complementary with the sealing surface (106) of the channel (104). The plug (110) is movable in the channel (104).