Pressure Regulator Seat Assembly for Uniform Flow Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pressure regulators in irrigation systems suffer from uneven water distribution due to varying water pressures, leading to inconsistent water discharge, and are prone to failure from debris in the water source, causing leaks or complete failure.
Innovation Solution
A pressure regulator seat assembly with a flange and base forming a chamber, featuring projections to separate fluid flow into laminar paths, reducing turbulence and wear, and using a unitary or separate components for enhanced durability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If water flows through a single passageway in existing pressure regulators, then the structure is simple, but water pressure varies causing uneven distribution
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the single passageway into multiple separate passageways (first passageway, second passageway, third passageway) that flow around different portions of the seat. This segmentation allows each passageway to handle specific flow paths, reducing turbulence and maintaining more consistent pressure throughout the system, thereby improving water distribution uniformity.
2Reliability
If debris is present in the water source, then the regulator must handle contaminated water, but the seat wears down causing leaks or failure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a dampening member or pressure controller that cushions and dampens oscillations in the throttling stem before they can cause damage. Additionally, the multi-passageway design reduces turbulence and debris impact on the seat, providing protective action in advance to prevent wear, leaks, or complete failure.
3Device complexity
If a single throttling stem is used, then the structure is simple, but oscillations cause instability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a dampening member or pressure controller as an intermediary element between the throttling stem and the seat. This mediator dampens oscillations and stabilizes the throttling stem's movement, reducing instability while maintaining the simplicity of the single-stem design.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If passageways go around the seat in a circuitous passage, then the seat is protected, but turbulence increases causing wear
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs each passageway with specific local characteristics - the first passageway flows around a first portion of the seat, the second passageway around a second portion, and the third passageway around a third portion. This localized flow path design protects different areas of the seat while minimizing turbulence in each specific region, reducing overall energy loss and wear.
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 assembly maintains consistent water pressure and reduces turbulence and wear, ensuring uniform water distribution and preventing failure from debris, enhancing hydraulic efficiency and durability.
Implementation Method 1
a projection disposed on an upstream surface of the flange and extending in an upstream direction so as to separate the flow of fluid into the at least two flow paths
Implementation Method 2
The flange and the base form a chamber therebetween. The at least two flow paths are configured to enter the chamber.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a pressure regulator seat that includes a seat body and a base. The seat body can include a flange that extends radially from an upstream edge of the seat body. In some configurations the pressure regulator includes a first projection disposed on an upstream surface of the flange and that extends in an upstream direction so as to separate a flow of fluid flowing in a downstream direction into at least two flow paths. In some configurations, a throttling seat is disposed on a downstream surface of the flange and has a second projection. The flange and the base can form a chamber therebetween. The at least two flow paths can enter the chamber. In some configurations, the second projection can extend in the downstream direction and into the chamber.