Multi-Spring Poppet Valve for Accurate Water Metering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Water meters inaccurately measure water flow due to entrapped gas bubbles, leading to increased costs and potential contamination from backflow, and traditional poppet valves are prone to spring-binding and wear from off-center hydraulic forces.
Innovation Solution
A poppet valve apparatus with multiple springs is used to create backward pressure in pipes, compressing gas bubbles for accurate water meter readings and providing backflow prevention by dispersing energy across multiple rods and springs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a traditional single-spring poppet valve is used, then the valve structure is simple, but the valve is prone to spring-binding and wear from off-center hydraulic forces
Solution Approach 1:
The single spring is divided into multiple springs (at least two) that are distributed around the valve stem. This segmentation allows the hydraulic forces to be distributed across multiple spring elements, preventing any single spring from binding while maintaining overall valve functionality and reducing wear on individual components.
2Reliability
If multiple springs are used in the poppet valve, then spring-binding is minimized and valve reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple springs are combined into a single integrated valve assembly where they work together as a unified system. The springs are positioned around the valve stem and function collectively to counteract off-center hydraulic forces, achieving improved reliability while keeping the overall valve structure compact and manageable.
3Measurement precision
If gas bubbles are present in the water flow, then water meter readings are inaccurate and volume is overestimated, but the measurement system cannot distinguish between water and air
Solution Approach 1:
The valve creates a backpressure condition that compresses gas bubbles in the water flow. By converting the harmful effect of gas bubbles (which cause measurement errors) into a compressed state, the bubbles occupy less volume and their negative impact on measurement accuracy is reduced, allowing the water meter to provide more accurate readings even in the presence of entrained gases.
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
This solution enhances the accuracy of water meter readings, reduces costs by eliminating false volume measurements, and extends the lifespan of the valve by distributing energy impact, while also preventing backflow and protecting water sources.
Implementation Method 1
the apparatuses of the present invention create a backward pressure in fluid traversing a pipe, wherein the backward pressure within the pipe provides compression to the fluid effectively compressing entrapped gas bubbles within the fluid
Implementation Method 2
The first spring of each of the rods, disposed on the first side of the flange, pushes the valve head against the valve seat. Water pressure pushes the valve head off the valve seat and compresses each of the springs on the first side of the flange.
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatuses of the present invention create a backward pressure in fluid traversing a pipe, wherein the backward pressure within the pipe provides compression to the fluid effectively compressing entrapped gas bubbles within the fluid, allowing more accurate water meter measurements. The apparatus comprises a poppet valve having multiple springs to minimize or eliminate spring-binding caused by off-center hydraulic force during use.