Compact Sprinkler Pressure Regulator Module with Nested Venting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional pressure regulators for sprinklers are often bulky due to their design, which includes a spring and cavity that requires venting to prevent pressure differential, leading to potential dirt and grit entry, and are not compact enough for smaller applications, increasing installation costs and complexity.
Innovation Solution
A compact pressure regulator module with a nested bypass valve assembly and pressure regulating valve assembly, featuring a moveable member with a spring and venting mechanism that maintains atmospheric pressure within the cavity, reducing the risk of dirt entry and allowing for integration into smaller sprinkler designs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional pressure regulator is used with a spring and cavity design, then pressure regulation function is achieved, but the device size increases and dirt entry risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies nesting by placing the pressure regulator valve assembly inside the bypass valve assembly. The pressure regulator moveable member is positioned within the bypass valve cavity, and the spring is contained within the same cavity. This nested configuration allows both pressure regulation and bypass functions to be integrated in a compact structure, reducing the overall device volume while maintaining functionality.
2Stability of the object's composition
If a conventional pressure regulator with venting mechanism is used, then pressure differential is prevented, but dirt and grit can enter the cavity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the venting function from the traditional external vent configuration and integrates it into the nested cavity structure. The cavity itself serves as the venting mechanism, with the moveable member sealing against the valve seat to control pressure differential. This extraction of the venting function from external components eliminates the need for separate vent openings that would allow dirt entry.
Solution Approach 2:
The moveable member acts as a flexible sealing element that responds to pressure differential by moving toward or away from the valve seat. This flexible sealing mechanism maintains pressure balance within the cavity without requiring rigid vent openings, preventing dirt and grit from entering while allowing pressure equalization.
3Ease of operation
If pressure regulator is located away from sprinkler head, then installation is easier, but pressure regulation accuracy decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the pressure regulator valve assembly with the bypass valve assembly into a single integrated unit. This combined assembly can be installed as one component at the sprinkler head location, ensuring accurate pressure regulation while simplifying installation. The integration eliminates the need for separate pressure regulator and bypass valve installations, maintaining precision while improving ease of operation.
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 compact design ensures effective pressure regulation and flow control while minimizing the risk of contamination and stress concentrations, enabling the module to be retrofitted or integrated into smaller sprinklers, reducing installation complexity and costs.
Implementation Method 1
the moveable member is biased open and away from the valve seat... the spring bias away from the structure so as to maximize the size of the passage
Implementation Method 2
the water exerts a pressure against both the first and second faces. By providing a larger surface area on the upwardly-facing second face than on the downwardly facing first face, the pressure acting downwardly on the moveable member is greater than the force acting upwardly
Implementation Method 3
the passage between the moveable member and the stationary structure is decreased in size... maximize the size of the passage therebetween and to minimize the pressure drop across the interface
Data Source
AI summary
A sprinkler pressure regulator module has a compact arrangement with a shiftable member having an upper cavity for receiving water flow debris, and a portion of a bypass valve may reciprocate therein. The module includes a stator plate directing water into a drive mechanism, such as a turbine drive mechanism. The shiftable member receives fluid flow from a radially outboard direction and is sealed with a cup portion receiving the shiftable member to define a cup cavity. A module exterior surface is separated from a sprinkler housing to define a vent cavity. A pressure release vent communicates with the cup cavity, a vent channel between the cup portion and the exterior surface, the vent cavity, and the exterior environment. The vent cavity and cup portion provide receptacles for debris deposit. Ribs around an opening of the vent channel with the vent cavity generally prevent debris from entering the vent channel.