Staged Flow Regulator Closure for Water Hammer Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing flow regulators struggle to control water hammers generated by sudden interruptions in high-flow fluid systems, leading to potential pipe explosions and lamination effects.
Innovation Solution
A flow regulator with a housing, valve head, and engaging pin that allows for controlled fluid communication through three positions: open, closed, and sealed, using a resilient element to gradually transition from open to closed positions, preventing sudden closures and water hammer effects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the main valve is closed suddenly to interrupt high-flow fluid, then the flow rate is reduced, but water hammer pressure shock waves are generated that can cause pipe explosions
Solution Approach 1:
The valve head is divided into two functional parts: a main valve head for primary flow control and a secondary valve head for pressure equalization. This segmentation allows the main valve to close quickly while the secondary valve gradually equalizes pressure, preventing water hammer effects.
Solution Approach 2:
The secondary valve head performs preliminary pressure equalization between chambers before the main valve closes completely. By opening the secondary valve first, pressure differences are reduced in advance, making the main valve easier to close and preventing pressure shock waves.
2Ease of operation
If a check valve is added to re-balance pressure between chambers, then the re-opening of the main valve becomes easier, but water hammer pressure shocks are not controlled
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using a check valve that opens only in one direction, the invention uses a secondary valve head that can be actively controlled to open in the reverse direction. This allows deliberate pressure equalization to prevent water hammer, rather than merely responding to pressure differences.
3Productivity
If the valve head is designed with a through-hole for fluid communication, then flow rate is maintained, but pressure difference accumulation during closure becomes problematic
Solution Approach 1:
The secondary valve head acts as an intermediary mechanism between the two chambers. It provides a controlled path for pressure equalization through its sealing surface engagement, mediating the pressure difference that would otherwise accumulate during main valve closure.
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
Effectively controls water hammers and prevents lamination effects by gradually reducing flow, enhancing the robustness and ease of operation of the flow regulator.
Implementation Method 1
a resilient element which acts counter to the movement of the engaging pin from the at least one non-sealed position to the sealed position
Data Source
AI summary
A flow regulator comprising a housing having a first chamber, a second chamber and a valve seat which is arranged between these chambers, a valve head which is arranged in the first chamber and which has at least a first surface which faces the first chamber, a second surface which faces the second chamber when the valve head is in a closed position and a through-hole between the first surface and second surface, the valve head being movable between an open position and a closed position, a shaft which is capable of moving the valve head between the open and closed positions, and an engaging pin which is at least partially received in the hole of the valve head in a sliding manner, the engaging pin being capable of moving with respect to the valve head between at least one non-sealed position and one sealed position, and being in this at least one non-sealed position when the valve head is in the open position and being capable of moving into the non-sealed position when the valve head is in the closed position.