Adjustable Poppet Flow Valve for Accurate Water Metering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing water flow meters can be inaccurate due to turbulent water flow introducing large air pockets, which are detected as water, leading to overbilling of property owners.
Innovation Solution
A flow regulation valve with a poppet valve and adjustable spring tension is used to reduce fluid turbulence by oscillating to break up air pockets, ensuring more accurate water flow measurement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If water flow meters measure all fluid flow including air, then the measurement covers all fluid movement, but air pockets are detected as water causing measurement inaccuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful effect of air pockets by using a poppet valve that intentionally introduces air bubbles into the water flow. These introduced air bubbles interact with existing air pockets to break them into smaller segments, transforming the harmful large air pockets into beneficial small bubbles that rise and escape, thereby improving measurement accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The poppet valve oscillates mechanically at a frequency of 0.5 to 5 Hz, creating vibrations that disrupt and break up air pockets in the water flow. This mechanical vibration causes the air pockets to fragment into smaller bubbles that can more easily rise and escape, eliminating the measurement interference caused by large air pockets
2Measurement precision
If a poppet valve oscillates to break up air pockets, then air pocket size is reduced improving measurement accuracy, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamic poppet valve that oscillates between open and closed positions rather than remaining static. This dynamic operation allows the valve to actively disrupt air pockets through repeated opening and closing motions, creating the mechanical vibration needed to break up air pockets while maintaining a relatively simple valve structure
Solution Approach 2:
The oscillation frequency of the poppet valve is controlled within a specific range of 0.5 to 5 Hz, optimizing the breakdown of air pockets while minimizing unnecessary complexity. By tuning this parameter, the system achieves effective air pocket disruption with a simple oscillating mechanism rather than requiring complex control systems
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 flow regulation valve significantly reduces the size of air pockets in the water flow, leading to more accurate water flow measurements and preventing overbilling.
Implementation Method 1
A poppet valve disposed in the housing includes a crown and a spring that biases the crown into engagement with the valve seat
Implementation Method 2
Turbulent water flow can introduce large pockets of air into the water flow meter
Data Source
AI summary
A flow regulation valve includes a housing having a valve seat within the housing. A poppet valve disposed in the housing includes a crown and a spring that biases the crown into engagement with the valve seat. An abutment surface is situated to engage an end of the spring distal from the crown. An adjustor that is accessible from outside the housing selectively sets a tension on the spring by moving the abutment surface relative to the crown.