Water-on-water RO Valve Pressure Regulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current water-on-water filtration systems face issues such as reduced pressure differential, variable flow rates, and difficulty in maintaining constant water quality due to backpressure and air compartment pressure loss, especially in residential systems with frequent water draw-offs.
Innovation Solution
A reverse osmosis filtration system with a water-on-water storage tank and a shuttle valve that regulates flow based on product line pressure, featuring at least three states to manage feed, reject, and product water flow efficiently, preventing valve chatter and stall conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If air-on-water systems are used to store product water, then the storage tank can be filled with product water, but the air compartment creates back pressure that reduces pressure differential across the filter module
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the air compartment from the storage tank system entirely, replacing it with a water-on-water configuration where both product water and squeeze water are stored in separate compartments within the same tank. This extraction of the air compartment eliminates the back pressure problem while maintaining storage capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameter of the storage medium from air to water. By using water instead of air in the storage system, the compressibility parameter is changed, eliminating the pressure buildup that occurs when air is compressed by incoming product water.
2Ease of operation
If air-on-water systems are used, then product water can be discharged using air pressure, but the air compartment gradually loses pressure causing variable flow rates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-regulating system where the squeeze water compartment automatically discharges product water when the product compartment level rises. The system uses the weight and pressure of the squeeze water itself to control the discharge, eliminating the need for external air pressure and achieving consistent flow rates.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a feedback mechanism where the product water level in the product compartment directly controls the discharge process. When product water accumulates and increases pressure against the partition, it automatically triggers discharge through the control valve, maintaining stable flow rates.
3Productivity
If water-on-water systems are used with a control valve, then product water can be discharged on demand, but valve chatter and stall conditions occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism - a control valve positioned at the bottom of the tank that mediates between the product water compartment and the discharge outlet. This intermediary component allows precise control of water discharge while preventing direct contact between high-pressure product water and the valve mechanism, reducing chatter and stall conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the control system into distinct functional zones: the product water compartment, the squeeze water compartment, and the control valve mechanism. This segmentation allows each component to operate independently within its optimal pressure range, improving valve reliability.
4Adaptability or versatility
If frequent water draw-offs occur in household systems, then household water needs are met, but pressure differential across the filter module is reduced lowering water quality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent maintains continuous pressure differential across the filter module by using the constant head pressure from the squeeze water compartment. This continuous pressure drive ensures that filtration effectiveness is maintained regardless of draw-off frequency, allowing frequent water dispensing without quality degradation.
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 maintains consistent water quality and flow rates by using product line pressure to control the valve states, reducing valve chatter and stall risks, and simplifying startup procedures by utilizing a shuttle valve with multiple sections and check valves to manage fluid paths effectively.
Implementation Method 1
a reverse osmosis filtration system with a water-on-water storage tank
Implementation Method 2
the pressure differential across the filtering portion of the system
Implementation Method 3
water-on-water systems that discharge product water into an enclosed pressure vessel and into a flexible water compartment that can be compressed by a separate source of water
Data Source
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AI summary
Described are water-on-water valves for use in reverse osmosis filtration systems. The water-on-water valves are regulated by the pressure in a product line, which contains fluid from a product line of the filter module and/or the product side of a water-on-water storage tank. Exemplary valves are shuttle valves that are regulated by the pressure downstream of the product side of a reverse osmosis filter module. The valves may comprise a piston within a housing, and an end of the piston may have an enlarged diameter relative to the maximum diameter of the remainder of the piston. The body of the piston may have sections of differing diameters, where the smaller diameter sections form flow channels, or the body may a diameter that is substantially the same along its length in conjunction with gratings and flow channels.