Multifunctional Shut-off Device with Integrated Flow-Rate Limiter
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current water dispensing systems for agricultural use are cumbersome due to separate components like shut-off devices, flow-rate limiters, and delivery nozzles that require laborious assembly, are heavy, and prone to tampering, with difficulties in directing water flow and high production and transportation costs.
Innovation Solution
A multifunctional shut-off device integrating a meter, valve, and flow-rate limiter within a single, compact body with a flexible throat and divergent portion, featuring direct retention means and a rotatable delivery nozzle to simplify assembly, reduce weight, and prevent tampering.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If separate water meter, flow-rate limiting device and delivery nozzle are connected in series with flanged connections, then each component can be independently manufactured and maintained, but assembly becomes laborious and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the water meter, flow-rate limiting device, and delivery nozzle into a single integrated body (440). The meter (420) and valve (430) are disposed in series within the same body, eliminating the need for separate flanged connections and gaskets between these components. This merging reduces assembly complexity and time while maintaining the functional independence of each component through internal design.
2Loss of time
If water meter and flow-rate limiting device are combined within a single body, then assembly is simplified, but the body becomes longer and heavier requiring two operators
Solution Approach 1:
The flow-rate limiting device is nested within the delivery nozzle structure. The flexible throat (405) of the flow-rate limiter is positioned inside the nozzle body, and the cage (407) is integrated into the nozzle's internal geometry. This nesting arrangement allows multiple functional components to occupy the same spatial envelope, preventing simple linear addition of lengths and weights while maintaining all required functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The flow-rate limiter uses a flexible throat made of rubbery material that can be contained within a compact housing. The flexibility of this component allows it to be stored in a compressed state within the integrated body, reducing the overall dimensions of the assembled device compared to rigid, space-consuming alternatives.
3Strength
If flow-rate limiter is made from rigid pipe with venturi conduit, then structural strength is ensured, but flexibility for directional delivery is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The flow-rate limiter's throat is made from flexible rubbery material instead of rigid pipe, allowing the delivery nozzle to be bent and positioned in different directions. The flexible material maintains sufficient structural integrity to withstand water pressure while enabling the adaptability needed for directional delivery. The cage provides external support to prevent excessive deformation while preserving flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The system combines flexible rubbery material for the throat with the rigid cage structure and integrated body. This composite approach allows the flexible component to provide directional adaptability while the rigid cage and body maintain structural strength and prevent failure under operating conditions.
4Ease of manufacture
If flow-rate limiter is externally mounted on delivery nozzle, then assembly is simple, but device becomes vulnerable to tampering
Solution Approach 1:
The flow-rate limiting device is nested within the delivery nozzle and integrated body structure. The flexible throat and cage are positioned inside the nozzle's internal passage, making them inaccessible from the exterior. This internal positioning protects the flow-rate limiter from tampering while maintaining functional integration with the delivery system.
Solution Approach 2:
The flow-rate limiting functionality is merged into the integrated body structure rather than being a separate external component. The cage and flexible throat are part of the internal architecture of the unified device, eliminating the vulnerability associated with externally mounted components that can be easily accessed and manipulated.
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 simplifies assembly, reduces weight and costs, and facilitates directional water delivery while protecting the flow-rate limiter from tampering, resulting in a more efficient and cost-effective water dispensing system.
Implementation Method 1
as the velocity of the fluid flowing therethrough increases, contracts due to the pressure reduction within the throat section
Implementation Method 2
an internal flow-rate limiter comprising a venturi conduit with a throat of flexible material
Data Source
AI summary
A multifunctional fluid shut-off device including an upstream shut-off element, a flow-rate limiter, and a downstream functional element. The upstream shut-off element presents a body in which at least one valve is disposed, and a downstream end includes an exit port to which the downstream functional element is operatively connected. At least one of the upstream shut-off element and the downstream functional element includes a retention mechanism for the flow-rate limiter. A unit including the downstream functional element is directly connected to the upstream shut-off element containing in its interior the flow-rate limiter.