Variable Orifice Water Meter With Flexible Vanes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Fire hydrant water meters experience abnormally high flow rates and premature wear due to low back pressure when used without a hose, leading to over-speeding and potential catastrophic failure of internal components.
Innovation Solution
A water meter with a flow restricting device featuring flexible vanes that create a variable orifice, providing adjustable back pressure based on water pressure, formed from materials with a known spring rate to manage flow rates effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a small, solid orifice is used to restrict flow rate, then flow rate is reduced, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by replacing a static solid orifice with dynamic flexible vanes that automatically adjust the orifice size based on water pressure. The vanes bend under pressure to increase flow area, eliminating the need for complex mechanical control systems while maintaining appropriate flow rates across varying pressure conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by utilizing the physical property of flexible materials with known spring rates. The vanes' deflection characteristics are predetermined through material selection, allowing the orifice geometry to automatically change with pressure without requiring external control mechanisms, thus reducing device complexity.
2Productivity
If a pressure release valve with multiple moving parts is used, then flow rate control is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the extraction principle by removing the complex pressure release valve mechanism with multiple moving parts, springs, and elastomers. Instead, it extracts only the essential flow restriction function and implements it through simple flexible vanes that rely on their inherent elastic properties rather than complex mechanical systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible vanes perform flow control autonomously based on their material properties and the applied water pressure. The system is self-regulating without requiring external control mechanisms, sensors, or actuation systems, thereby eliminating the need for complex pressure release valves.
3Ease of operation
If the meter operates without back pressure, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to over-speeding
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by incorporating the flow restriction function directly into the meter housing through flexible vanes. This preliminary restriction creates necessary back pressure to prevent over-speeding before it can occur, protecting the meter's internal components while maintaining ease of operation without requiring external pressure control devices.
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 adjustable back pressure limits flow rates, preventing over-speeding and damage, while allowing increased flow as pressure increases, enhancing measurement accuracy and extending the meter's lifespan.
Implementation Method 1
The flow restricting device, including each of the plurality of flexible vanes, is formed from a material that has a known spring rate. The variable orifice is centered along the center flow axis and the size of the variable orifice increases or decreases depending upon the pressure of water flowing against the individual flexible vanes.
Data Source
AI summary
A fire hydrant water meter having a flow restricting device that creates back pressure to restrict the flow of water through the fire hydrant water meter. The flow restricting device includes a plurality of flexible vanes that combine to define a variable orifice. As the flow of water through the meter increases, the individual flexible vanes move away from each other to expand the size of the flow orifice. The flow restricting device provides a source of back pressure to water flowing through the meter to restrict the flow rate of water and thus protect the metering device contained within the fire hydrant water meter.