Fluid dose dispensing apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for dosing fluids in pressurized central heating systems are inefficient and wasteful, as they require significant water flow to flush chemicals into the system, and piston-operated devices lack control for sequential delivery of different materials.
Innovation Solution
A dispensing apparatus with a piston and bypass passage that allows for sequential and controlled dispensing of fluids, using a valve actuated by a plunger to ensure accurate and efficient delivery of chemicals into the system, and a handheld device with multiple chambers for staged dispensing of different materials.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If water flow is used to flush chemicals into the pressurized system, then the chemicals are delivered into the system, but significant water consumption and time waste occur
Solution Approach 1:
The device segments the chemical delivery process into two distinct phases: a first phase where chemicals are delivered directly into the pressurized system through a bypass passage, and a second phase where the vessel is flushed with water. This segmentation allows chemical delivery without requiring excessive flush water, as the chemicals are injected directly during the first phase before the flush phase begins.
Solution Approach 2:
The bypass passage is pre-configured to allow direct chemical injection into the pressurized system before the main flush operation. The valve mechanism is pre-arranged to open the bypass passage during the initial chemical delivery phase, enabling chemicals to enter the system without requiring the subsequent high-volume water flush that would otherwise be necessary.
2Quantity of substance
If water flow is used to flush chemicals into the pressurized system, then the chemicals are delivered into the system, but operator time is significantly wasted
Solution Approach 1:
The chemical delivery process is segmented into a rapid first phase through the bypass passage and a subsequent second phase. This segmentation enables the majority of chemical delivery to occur quickly in the first phase without requiring prolonged flushing operations, thereby significantly reducing the time service engineers must spend on this task.
Solution Approach 2:
The bypass passage enables the system to skip the traditional lengthy flush operation by providing a direct injection route for chemicals. The valve mechanism allows the bypass to be opened temporarily for rapid chemical delivery, then closed and sealed, eliminating the need for prolonged flushing and dramatically reducing operator time requirements.
3Device complexity
If a single chamber vessel is used, then the structure is simple, but sequential delivery of multiple materials is not possible
Solution Approach 1:
The vessel is segmented into multiple chambers separated by pistons, with each chamber capable of holding different materials. The pistons can move independently to deliver contents of each chamber sequentially through the same bypass passage, enabling multi-material delivery without proportionally increasing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The bypass passage and valve mechanism serve multiple functions: they can deliver chemicals from any of the multiple chambers sequentially, and the same structural components handle different materials. This multi-functionality allows sequential dispensing of multiple materials without requiring separate delivery systems for each material.
4Quantity of substance
If traditional flushing method is used, then chemicals are delivered into the system, but excessive water is wasted
Solution Approach 1:
The bypass passage is pre-configured to enable direct chemical injection into the pressurized system before the main flush operation begins. This preliminary action allows chemicals to be delivered efficiently without requiring the subsequent high-volume water flush, thereby preventing excessive water waste while ensuring complete chemical delivery.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve mechanism enables the system to skip the traditional excessive flush operation by providing a direct injection route through the bypass passage. Chemicals are rushed through the bypass into the system, then the bypass is sealed, eliminating the need for wasteful prolonged flushing and preventing excessive water waste.
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
Enables rapid, accurate, and minimal water usage for chemical dosing in fluid systems, and allows for sequential delivery of multiple materials in a controlled manner, reducing waste and operator time.
Implementation Method 1
the vessel having a piston and the vessel wall defining a cylinder in which the piston may move under pressure from a first position to a second position
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatus for dispensing a dose of fluid, the apparatus comprising a dispensing vessel with a dispensing outlet, the vessel having a piston and a vessel wall defining a cylinder in which the piston may move under pressure from a first position to a second position, wherein the apparatus has a bypass passage that extends through the first piston and has a valve member that is opened by a valve actuating plunger in the piston that moves within the piston to push the valve open when the valve actuating plunger abuts a shoulder at or near the second position in the vessel; wherein the shoulder at the second position is an annular shoulder and the apparatus is adapted to dispense fluid in a sequence of stages comprising a mixing stage and a dispensing stage.