Buffer Tank Water Supply with Pressure Relief Bypass Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional aircraft water supply systems struggle to maintain a constant water pressure level for consumers, leading to potential waste of potable water due to pressure fluctuations and inefficiencies in managing excess water.
Innovation Solution
A water supply system with a buffer tank, discharge pipe, conveying device, and bypass pipe with a pressure relief valve, which maintains pressure by redirecting excess water back to the buffer tank, reducing waste and ensuring consistent pressure levels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional centralized water tank system is used to distribute water at consumer pressure level, then the water network can supply water to consumers, but the system cannot maintain constant water pressure level leading to pressure fluctuations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the centralized water supply system into multiple decentralized buffer tanks, each serving a specific monument or consumer group. This segmentation allows each buffer tank to independently maintain pressure using its own conveying device, eliminating pressure fluctuations caused by centralized distribution while reducing overall system complexity through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
The buffer tanks are filled with water in advance before water is requested by consumers. The conveying devices are pre-positioned and ready to convey water when needed. This preliminary preparation ensures that water is immediately available at the correct pressure when consumers activate their water outlets, maintaining constant pressure without complex active control systems.
2Productivity
If high pressure is used to convey water through flexible hoses of smaller diameter, then the water can be delivered to consumers, but excess water is wasted due to pressure fluctuations
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure relief valve provides feedback control by monitoring the pressure in the water network and automatically opening to release excess water when pressure exceeds the threshold. This feedback mechanism prevents water waste by only discharging the minimal amount of water needed to maintain proper pressure levels, rather than continuously wasting water as in conventional systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the pressure parameter dynamically by using the pressure relief valve to maintain pressure below a specific threshold level. This parameter control ensures water is conveyed efficiently through the flexible hoses while preventing excessive pressure that would cause water waste, optimizing both delivery efficiency and water conservation.
3Loss of substance
If a bypass pipe with pressure relief valve is added to maintain pressure, then water waste is reduced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure relief valve is designed as a self-regulating component that automatically opens and closes based on pressure conditions without requiring external control systems. The bypass pipe self-adjusts to release excess water when needed and closes when pressure is adequate. This self-service capability reduces water waste while minimizing the need for additional complex control components.
Solution Approach 2:
The bypass pipe acts as an intermediary element that provides a controlled path for excess water to return to the buffer tank. This simple intermediary component, combined with the pressure relief valve, enables pressure regulation and water waste reduction without requiring complex electronic controls or additional active components, thus limiting the increase in device complexity.
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 system effectively maintains consistent water pressure at water consumers, reduces water waste, and optimizes water usage by recycling excess water, thereby enhancing efficiency and reducing the overall weight of the system.
Implementation Method 1
a pressure relief valve arranged in the bypass pipe and configured to open when a pressure of the water in the bypass pipe exceeds a threshold pressure level and to block water from flowing through the bypass pipe when the pressure of the water in the bypass pipe is below the threshold pressure level
Implementation Method 2
a conveying device connected to the discharge pipe and configured to convey water from the buffer tank through the discharge pipe... the conveying device is configured to maintain a pressure of water in the discharge pipe below a threshold pressure level
Data Source
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AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a water supply system and water consumer assembly having a buffer tank (110) and a conveying device (120). The water supply system further comprises a bypass pipe (124) fluidly coupled to a discharge pipe (116) upstream and downstream of the conveying device (120). A pressure relief valve (125) arranged in the bypass pipe (124) is configured to open when a pressure of the water in the bypass pipe exceeds a threshold pressure level and to block water from flowing through the bypass pipe when the pressure of the water in the bypass pipe is below the threshold pressure level.