Pressure Reducing Element With Bellows Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional pressure reducing devices in irrigation systems are prone to damage and leakage due to sensitivity to dirt and abrasive particles, which affects their pressure regulating performance.
Innovation Solution
A pressure reducing device utilizing bellows as resilient elements instead of traditional spring and sealing rings, with a feedback mechanism that controls fluid flow through an inlet orifice, reducing the risk of damage from abrasive particles and allowing for robust and reliable pressure regulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional spring and sealing rings are used in pressure reducing devices, then the device can be easily manufactured, but the sealing elements are sensitive to dirt and abrasive particles causing damage and leakage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional sealing rings with a flexible bellows element that provides sealing through its deformable structure. The bellows folds create a sealing mechanism that is inherently resistant to abrasive particles, as the flexible material can accommodate contamination without the same vulnerability as rigid sealing rings. This flexible shell approach eliminates the sliding friction and dirt sensitivity of conventional seals.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention utilizes hydraulic pressure differentials across the bellows to drive the pressure reduction function. The bellows responds to pressure changes in the fluid stream, using the hydraulic force to move the piston and regulate flow. This pneumatic/hydraulic coupling allows the sealing element to work in harmony with the fluid medium rather than resisting it, reducing wear from abrasive particles.
2Reliability
If sealing elements with sliding friction are used, then the device can maintain sealing, but the sliding friction makes the device sensitive to abrasive particles carried by the fluid
Solution Approach 1:
The bellows serves as both a resilient element and a sealing element, using its flexible shell structure to provide sealing without sliding friction. The folds of the bellows create sealing surfaces that deform elastically rather than slide against each other, eliminating the primary mechanism by which abrasive particles cause damage to traditional sealing elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The bellows structure provides multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as the resilient element for pressure reduction, the sealing element for preventing leakage, and the piston for movement. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate sealing rings that would require sliding contact, thereby eliminating the vulnerability to abrasive particles.
3Device complexity
If conventional pressure reducing devices are used, then the structure is simple, but the device suffers from leakage and deterioration of pressure regulating behavior due to sealing element damage
Solution Approach 1:
The bellows provides a durable sealing solution that maintains pressure regulating behavior over time. Its flexible structure resists damage from abrasive particles, preventing the leakage and deterioration that plagues conventional devices with sliding sealing elements. The bellows maintains its sealing capability throughout the device's operational life.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges the resilient element and sealing element into a single integrated bellows structure. This combination eliminates the interface between separate components where leakage could occur, and simplifies the overall structure while improving reliability. The unified design reduces the number of potential failure points.
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 device provides reliable and dirt-resistant pressure reduction, maintaining performance even in the presence of abrasive particles, with a feedback mechanism that effectively regulates fluid pressure and flow, enhancing durability and ease of production.
Implementation Method 1
at least one first bellows (12) having folds (112) and an inner space or chamber (22) for receiving and guiding the liquid L... which supports or causes with its resilient force, in particular upon compressing or stretching deformation, the decrease movement between the passage element (14) and the orifice element (19)
Implementation Method 2
The decrease movement followed by an increase movement in a repetitive or feedback or cycle mechanism or loop depending on the pressure of the fluid inside the passage element and the bellows leads to a control of the flow of fluid through the inlet orifice and thus to reduction of the outlet pressure
Data Source
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AI summary
A pressure reducing device (7) for reducing pressure in a fluid, in particular a liquid (L) such as water, preferably for use in an irrigation device, comprises: a) at least one passage element (14) for passage of the fluid (L) between at least one inlet orifice (32) and at least one outlet orifice (38), b) at least one orifice element (19) and c) at least one resilient element (12), d) wherein the passage element (14) and the orifice element ( 19) are movable relative to each other in such a way, that, preferably in a feedback-loop, the inlet orifice (32) is decreased by moving the passage element (14) and the orifice element (19) towards each other in a decrease movement (DM) when the pressure of the fluid (L) is in a first pressure range and/or equal to or above a given pressure threshold, and that the inlet orifice (32) is increased by moving the passage element (14) and the orifice element (19) away from each other in an increase movement (IM), when the pressure of the fluid (L) is in a second pressure range below the first pressure range and/or below the pressure threshold, e) wherein the at least one resilient element (12) supports or causes with its resilient force, in particular upon stretching or compressing deformation, the increase movement (IM) between the passage element (14) and the orifice element (19), f) wherein at least one resilient element (12) is formed as a first bellows (12) having several folds (112), g) wherein an interior space (22) of the first bellows (12) forms a passage for the fluid (L), the folds (112) forming a closed or sealing wall or casing of the interior space (22) impermeable for the fluid (L), h) wherein the first bellows (12) is mechanically connected with the passage element (14) or is mechanically connected with the orifice element (19) or forms at least a part of the passage element (14).