Variable Drain Flow Restrictor With Sealed RO Wastewater Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing reverse osmosis (RO) systems face issues with waste water generation, contamination of internal components due to exposure to reject water, inability to adjust to variations in RO systems, and mechanical component degradation over time.
Innovation Solution
A proportioning valve design with a cylindrical housing, slider mechanism, and reverse pressure mechanism that keeps reject water from entering the internal cavity, featuring a needle valve assembly responsive to sensors for adjusting water flow, and a tension adjustment assembly to accommodate different RO systems and extend component life.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of substance
If a proportioning valve is used to reduce waste water flow, then waste water generation is reduced, but internal components are exposed to reject water causing contamination and degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The valve body is divided into a reject water passage and an internal cavity separated by a seal. The slider moves within the reject water passage while the reverse pressure mechanism resides in the protected internal cavity. This segmentation allows the waste reduction function to operate while isolating sensitive components from contaminating reject water.
Solution Approach 2:
A seal acts as an intermediary barrier between the reject water passage and the internal cavity. The seal prevents reject water from entering the internal cavity while still allowing the slider to transmit force to the reverse pressure mechanism. This intermediary protects internal components from contamination while maintaining the proportioning function.
2Ease of manufacture
If fixed proportioning valve design is used, then manufacturing is simplified, but inability to adjust to variations in RO systems reduces adaptability
Solution Approach 1:
The valve incorporates adjustable elements including a tension adjustment assembly that allows modification of the reverse pressure mechanism's characteristics. This dynamic adjustability enables the valve to adapt to different RO system variations while maintaining a relatively simple basic design structure that is easy to manufacture.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve allows adjustment of operational parameters such as spring tension and slider positioning to accommodate different RO system configurations. By enabling parameter changes rather than requiring complete redesign for different systems, the valve maintains manufacturing simplicity while achieving broad adaptability.
3Productivity
If mechanical components are exposed to reject water, then waste water flushing function is maintained, but component degradation over time reduces reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The valve structure segments the flushing function from the reverse pressure mechanism by placing the slider in the reject water passage while keeping the spring and other mechanical components in the protected internal cavity. This segmentation allows continuous flushing operation while extending component lifespan through protection from degradative reject water exposure.
Solution Approach 2:
The seal serves as an intermediary that maintains the flushing function by allowing reject water to flow through the slider while preventing contact between reject water and internal mechanical components. This intermediary protection significantly extends the duration of action of stationary components.
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 solution effectively reduces waste water flow in proportion to product water flow, protects internal components from contamination, and adapts to variations in RO systems, enhancing the longevity and efficiency of the RO system.
Implementation Method 1
a reverse pressure mechanism designed to partially counter the pressure provided by the product water
Implementation Method 2
a slider within the housing responsive on a first end to pressure provided by the product water inlet and on a second end responsive to pressure provided by a reverse pressure mechanism
Implementation Method 3
at least one seal to keep reject water from entering a portion of the internal cavity that houses the reverse pressure mechanism
Implementation Method 4
the slider having a channel exposed to the reject water inlet, the channel slidably exposed to the reject water outlet when the slider moves
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3
AI summary
A proportioning valve for a reverse osmosis system that controls the production of product water by the differential pressure across the purification membrane. By sensing increasing tank pressure to actuate the proportioning valve, the flow of waste water is restricted. Placement of seals within the cavity of the valve, as well as placement of waste water inlet and outlet ports, protects tension components that provide reverse tank pressure from waste water exposure. A needle valve assembly responsive to an actuating assembly that senses tank pressure removes the need for an inlet tank water port while restricting water flow.