Throttle Valve Cone Control for Stable Reverse Osmosis Pressure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing throttle valves in reverse osmosis systems are unable to maintain constant system pressure as the feed flow and reject volume vary, leading to inefficiencies and the hunting phenomenon where the valve abruptly opens and closes.
Innovation Solution
A spring-actuated throttle valve with a cone that adjusts the flow opening in response to changes in flow volume, featuring a motion restrictor and support plate to counteract the spring force and maintain constant system pressure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If constant throttling is used on the reject side, then the structure is simple, but the system pressure changes as feed flow and reject volume vary
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the throttle valve opening adjustable through a motion restrictor mechanism. The valve opening area changes dynamically in response to flow volume variations, allowing the system to maintain constant pressure despite changes in feed flow or reject volume. This resolves the contradiction by transforming a static, simple structure into a dynamic one that adapts to varying conditions.
2Stress or pressure
If a spring-actuated valve is used to maintain constant pressure, then pressure stability is improved, but the valve exhibits hunting phenomenon where it abruptly opens and closes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a motion restrictor as an intermediary mechanism between the spring force and the valve cone. This motion restrictor gradually limits the valve opening area, preventing abrupt movements. By adding this intermediate element, the system maintains pressure stability while eliminating the hunting phenomenon, thus resolving the contradiction between pressure stability and operational reliability.
3Stress or pressure
If the cone opens fully in response to spring force, then pressure regulation is achieved, but the valve cannot adapt to varying flow volumes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the valve opening area dynamic through the motion restrictor mechanism, which adjusts the opening based on flow volume conditions. Instead of the cone opening fully or staying fixed, the opening area continuously adapts to match varying flow volumes while maintaining constant pressure. This dynamic adjustment capability resolves the contradiction between pressure regulation and flow adaptability.
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 valve effectively maintains constant system pressure across varying flow volumes, preventing the hunting phenomenon and ensuring stable operation of reverse osmosis systems, even when powered by variable energy sources like solar panels.
Implementation Method 1
A spring-actuated throttle valve with a cone that adjusts the flow opening in response to changes in flow volume, featuring a motion restrictor and support plate to counteract the spring force
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
AI summary
A fluid flow throttle valve that keeps the pressure of a fluid flow pumped into a system by a high-pressure pump constant and that is particularly suitable as a reject valve for maintaining the system pressure of a reverse osmosis device at a pressure level of <20 bar. The flow pressure is regulated by a spring-actuated cone (3) that is partially within the outflow channel (2) of the throttle valve at any given time. A motion restrictor (7;8) is supported to the wider end of the cone (3) such that in its lowest position, the cone (3) permits a bypass flow of a predetermined volume up to the target pressure of the system. As the flow volume increases further and the cone (3) rises as a result, the force exerted on the restrictor member (7) by the flow pressure contributes to preventing the valve from closing.