Variable Expansion Tank Pressure Control for Pipe Surging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air pressure regulating systems for fluid pipes in buildings and large facilities are inefficient in responding to pressure changes, leading to pipe damage and surging issues, and are difficult to apply to large-scale systems due to high installation costs and vulnerability to vibration.
Innovation Solution
A variable air pressure regulating device for an expansion tank featuring a three-way ball valve, pressure gauge, and valve core, allowing for active pressure regulation and monitoring, with a flow path setting member and protective cap to manage air injection, discharge, and pressure checking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an air chamber is installed at the top of the pipe to prevent surging, then surging reduction effect is achieved, but the connector is frequently broken by vibration during pump operation
Solution Approach 1:
The device separates the air chamber from the pipeline by using a flexible hose connection, isolating the vibration-prone connector from the pump system while maintaining the surging reduction function of the air chamber
Solution Approach 2:
A flexible hose is introduced as an intermediary element between the air chamber and the pipeline, absorbing vibrations and preventing them from reaching the connector while still allowing the air chamber to function effectively
2Reliability
If a large amount of fluid is contained in the apparatus to prevent surging, then surging reduction effect is achieved, but the apparatus cannot actively respond to a small change in pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The device changes the physical parameters of the expansion tank by making it collapsible and adjustable, allowing the tank volume to dynamically adapt to pressure changes rather than remaining fixed, thereby enabling rapid response to small pressure variations while maintaining surging reduction capability
3Ease of operation
If the air injection port is directly connected between the airbag and the valve, then air injection function is achieved, but the apparatus cannot be variably applied according to the situation when air is injected or discharged
Solution Approach 1:
The air injection port is designed with a universal connection structure that can accommodate both air injection and air discharge operations, allowing the same port to serve multiple functions depending on the operational situation, thereby enhancing adaptability while maintaining 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 device effectively prevents pipe damage by actively responding to pressure changes, maintaining constant pressure in fluid pipes, and allowing convenient pressure regulation and monitoring, enhancing the reliability and adaptability of air pressure management.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic airbag is provided to compart the air and the fluid by the airbag while effectively responding to the pressure
Implementation Method 2
a valve core which is installed in a flow path other than the flow path in which the pressure gauge is installed to be capable of injecting or discharging air into or from the expansion tank so as to be capable of controlling the internal pressure of the expansion tank
Implementation Method 3
a pressure gauge which is installed in any one of flow paths of the three-way ball valve to check an internal pressure of the expansion tank
Data Source
AI summary
An air pressure regulating device comprises an expansion tank having air stored therein and having an air injection/discharge port at an outside thereof; and a pressure regulation unit provided with a three-way ball valve connected to the air injection/discharge port, a pressure gauge which is installed in any one of flow paths of the three-way ball valve to check an internal pressure of the expansion tank, and a valve core which is installed in a flow path other than the flow path in which the pressure gauge is installed to be capable of injecting or discharging air into or from the expansion tank so as to be capable of controlling the internal pressure of the expansion tank.