Variable Venturi Flow Switch with Adjustable Spring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fluid flow switches lack the ability to accurately and adjustably detect varying fluid flow rates and pressures across a wide range, often resulting in inefficient operation and limited adaptability.
Innovation Solution
A variable Venturi flow switch design featuring a poppet valve with a helical spring, actuator pin, and adjustment screw, which allows the poppet valve to move in response to fluid flow rates, adjusting the spring rate to control fluid flow through a Venturi tube, and actuating a micro-switch to open or close electrical contacts at specific pressure limits.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a conventional fluid flow switch uses a fixed spring rate, then the switch structure is simple, but the flow detection range is limited and cannot adapt to varying flow rates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the spring rate adjustable rather than fixed. The adjustment screw allows the spring rate to be dynamically changed to match different flow rate requirements, enabling the flow switch to adapt to varying flow conditions while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the spring rate parameter through the adjustment screw mechanism. By rotating the adjustment screw, the spring rate can be modified to detect different flow rates, thereby expanding the detection range without requiring multiple different switch designs.
2Measurement precision
If the poppet valve is positioned to detect high flow rates, then high flow detection is accurate, but low flow detection becomes inaccurate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction by allowing the spring rate parameter to be changed. Different spring rates are selected based on the desired detection range, enabling accurate detection across different flow rates from low to high without compromising precision in either range.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the spring rate is increased to detect higher flow rates, then the upper detection limit increases, but the sensitivity to lower flow rates decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the spring rate dynamic and adjustable. Users can select appropriate spring rates based on whether they need to detect low flow rates (higher sensitivity) or high flow rates (higher upper limit). This dynamic adjustment capability resolves the trade-off between sensitivity and upper detection limit.
4Ease of manufacture
If the flow switch body is designed with a fixed geometry, then manufacturing is simple, but the flow characteristics cannot be optimized for different applications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent maintains a fixed geometry flow switch body for ease of manufacture, but compensates for lack of geometric optimization by allowing the spring rate parameter to be adjusted. This approach keeps manufacturing simple while still enabling adaptation to different flow characteristics through parameter changes rather than geometric changes.
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
Enables precise detection and adjustment of fluid flow rates between 1 GPM and 15 GPM, allowing for reliable operation across different flow conditions and pressures, enhancing the switch's adaptability and accuracy in fluid flow sensing applications.
Implementation Method 1
a helical spring disposed about the actuator pin, wherein the poppet valve is spring-loaded via the spring
Implementation Method 2
variable Venturi flow switch
Data Source
AI summary
A flow switch including: a fluid inlet for receiving fluid in-line relative to a flow switch body; a poppet valve disposed in the fluid inlet and having a variable location relative to the flow switch body; an actuator pin affixed to the poppet valve; a helical spring disposed about the actuator pin, where the poppet valve is spring-loaded via the spring; and where the spring-loaded poppet valve is configured to move away from the fluid inlet with increasing volumetric fluid flow and towards the fluid inlet with decreasing volumetric fluid flow.