Pressure reducer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pressure reducers in industrial and residential water supply systems face challenges in reliably detecting leaks downstream, which can cause significant damage, and are often disabled by frost, requiring manual emptying outdoors.
Innovation Solution
Integration of a capacitive or inductive sensor within the non-fluid-carrying area of the pressure reducer, interacting with the spring plate facing the membrane, to detect leakage-related movements in the micrometer range, coupled with a control unit to automatically close the valve when a leak exceeds a threshold, preventing further damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a separate leakage detection device is installed in the water supply system, then leak detection capability is improved, but device complexity and installation effort increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the leakage detection function with the existing pressure reducer by integrating a sensor into the spring plate assembly. The sensor detects movements of the spring plate caused by leakage, eliminating the need for a separate leakage detection device and reducing overall system complexity while maintaining reliable leak detection capability
2Measurement precision
If the sensor is integrated in the non-fluid-carrying area with the spring plate, then measurement precision for leakage detection is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The spring plate serves dual functions: it provides mechanical support for the spring element and acts as a movable target for the sensor to detect leakage. The spring plate's natural movements in response to leakage conditions provide the measurement signal, eliminating the need for separate measurement mechanisms and reducing overall device complexity while maintaining high measurement precision
3Reliability
If manual emptying of pressure reducer is performed outdoors to prevent frost damage, then reliability in frost conditions is improved, but loss of time and operational convenience deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical emptying operation with an automated sensor-based detection and alarm system. The sensor continuously monitors for leakage and frost-related conditions, automatically triggering alerts that eliminate the need for manual intervention and repeated emptying operations, saving time while maintaining reliability in frost conditions
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 reliable detection and immediate prevention of leaks, reducing potential damage and eliminating the need for separate leakage detection assemblies, while ensuring the pressure reducer remains functional in frost conditions.
Implementation Method 1
a capacitive sensor or inductive sensor is used, which detects a leakage-related movement of the spring plate facing the membrane in the micrometer range
Implementation Method 2
a capacitive sensor or inductive sensor is used, which detects a leakage-related movement of the spring plate facing the membrane in the micrometer range
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
Pressure reducing valve (10), comprising a housing (11), with a valve (12) positioned in the housing (11), wherein the valve (12) in the closed state separates a pre-pressure chamber (13) of the housing (11) from a back-pressure chamber (14) of the housing (11) and in the open state connects the pre-pressure chamber (13) and the back-pressure chamber (14), wherein the valve (12) has a diaphragm (16) acting on a valve plunger (15), on which, in order to provide a pressure reducing function, on the one hand a spring force of a spring element (17) acting in the opening direction of the valve (12) and on the other hand a force acting in the closing direction of the valve (12), dependent on a pressure prevailing in the back-pressure chamber (14), acts, wherein the valve (12) has a valve body (21) attached to the valve plunger (15), which in the closed state abuts a valve seat (22) in a sealing manner and which in the open state is opened by the valve seat (22) is lifted,and wherein the spring element (17) is arranged between spring plates (18, 19), namely between a spring plate (18) facing the diaphragm (16) and a spring plate (19) facing away from the diaphragm (16). A sensor (27) for leak detection is integrated into the pressure reducer.