Piston Valve Flow Routing for Multi-Condition Water Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing valve arrangements for controlling liquid flow in water treatment systems are complex, especially when multiple flow paths and sequences are required, and they face challenges in handling different water use conditions and mixing with other fluids.
Innovation Solution
A piston valve with annular passages that includes a movable piston with longitudinally spaced recessed annular flow cavities, allowing for selective positioning to control liquid flow through multiple paths, and a valve controller that operates the piston to manage different flow conditions, including treatment, regeneration, and bypass operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional valve arrangements are used to control liquid flow through multiple flow paths, then the system can handle different water use conditions, but the device complexity increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The piston valve is designed with multiple annular passages and positioning mechanisms that enable a single valve to perform multiple functions: directing flow through different paths, mixing liquids, and handling various water use conditions. The piston can be positioned at multiple locations along the bore to selectively open different passages, allowing one component to replace what would traditionally require multiple separate valves.
Solution Approach 2:
The piston is positioned within the bore of the valve body, with annular passages nested around the piston. The piston itself contains internal passages that are nested within the valve body passages. This nested arrangement allows multiple flow paths to be integrated in a compact structure, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining versatility.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple flow paths and sequences are required for different process steps, then the system can perform complex treatment operations, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The single piston valve integrates multiple flow path control capabilities into one component. By positioning the piston at different locations, the system can execute various process steps including treatment, regeneration, and bypass operations without requiring separate valves for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The piston is designed to be movable along the bore, allowing dynamic reconfiguration of flow paths based on process requirements. This dynamic positioning capability enables the same valve to adapt to different process steps and flow sequences, providing operational flexibility without increasing hardware complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If liquids are required to be mixed with other fluids, then the system can perform treatment operations, but additional mixing components increase device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The mixing function is merged into the piston valve structure itself. The piston contains internal passages that can direct different liquids to converge and mix within the valve body, eliminating the need for separate mixing components. The annular passages and piston internal passages work together to facilitate liquid mixing as part of the flow control mechanism.
Data Source
AI summary
A water delivery control system operates to selectively deliver water from a water source to water use devices. The system includes at least one controller that wirelessly communicates messages with a portable user device. The system includes a water control valve and a motor that is operative to selectively move at least one valve element of the valve. A water meter is operative to measure water flow that corresponds to flow through the valve. The controller is operable to cause the valve to enable or prevent flow through the valve responsive at least in part to water flow data. The controller is operative to determine a water use condition responsive to a water usage pattern, and to cause at least one message to be sent to the portable user device responsive to the determined water use condition.