Leakage-Based Piston Accumulator for Noise Filtering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing accumulators, such as diaphragm, spring, and pneumatic types, face limitations including restricted volume changes, non-linear responses, and maintenance requirements for sealing and leakage prevention.
Innovation Solution
The proposed accumulator design includes a spring-loaded piston with a guide rod and a baffle, allowing for controlled leakage through a gap between the piston and the sleeve, which enables filtering of frequency noise and improves dynamic response.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If sealing elements are used to prevent leakage in existing accumulators, then leakage prevention is improved, but device complexity and maintenance requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes sealing elements entirely from the accumulator design. The piston is designed with intentional gaps that allow controlled leakage, eliminating the need for seals, gaskets, or other sealing components that would increase device complexity and maintenance requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful effect of leakage into a beneficial feature by designing controlled leakage paths through gaps in the piston. This intentional leakage serves to reduce pressure buildup and improve dynamic response, transforming what is typically considered a defect into an advantageous characteristic.
2Reliability
If sealed pistons are used to prevent fluid passage, then leakage prevention is improved, but dynamic response and flow rate transitions deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful effect of leakage into a beneficial feature by designing controlled leakage paths through gaps in the piston. This intentional leakage serves to reduce pressure buildup and improve dynamic response, transforming what is typically considered a defect into an advantageous characteristic.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic characteristics by allowing the piston to move with controlled leakage rather than maintaining a static sealed position. The gaps enable fluid to pass through during piston movement, creating a dynamic response that adapts to changing pressure conditions and improves flow rate transitions.
3Reliability
If complete sealing is implemented in accumulators, then leakage prevention is improved, but noise filtering capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful effect of leakage into a beneficial feature by designing controlled leakage paths through gaps in the piston. This intentional leakage serves to reduce pressure buildup and improve dynamic response, transforming what is typically considered a defect into an advantageous characteristic.
Solution Approach 2:
The gaps in the piston act as intermediary elements that allow controlled fluid passage. These gaps serve as a mediator between the sealed chambers, enabling noise filtering through controlled leakage while maintaining overall system pressure balance.
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 design eliminates the need for sealing elements, reduces maintenance, and enhances the dynamic response of the accumulator by allowing controlled leakage, thereby improving flow rate transitions and noise filtering.
Implementation Method 1
a spring-loaded piston with a guide rod
Implementation Method 2
allowing for controlled leakage through a gap between the piston and the sleeve
Data Source
AI summary
A apparatus and a method are described in which the apparatus includes a spring-loaded piston that is configured to move within a passageway. A gap may be formed between the piston and the passageway that enables a resource to leak past the piston. The gap may be configured to enable an amount of leakage of the resource that may filter a frequency or frequency band that may be generated by the operation of the apparatus. The frequency or the frequency band may relate to noise or a sampling rate of a water meter.