Integrated Water Fitting Pressure Control Under High Flow

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional water fitting systems face challenges in efficiently regulating output pressure and flow resistance, leading to pressure drops and increased flow resistance during high volume flows, which can result in suboptimal pressure delivery and increased installation complexity.

Innovation Solution

A water fitting arrangement that integrates a pressure reducer, pressure sensor, flow sensing means, and a common control device, allowing for simultaneous monitoring and regulation of hydraulic conditions, including the use of a turbine for flow measurement and a shut-off motor for leakage protection, enabling cost-effective and simplified installation by combining functionalities into a single unit.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stress or pressure

If a conventional pressure reducer is used to regulate outlet pressure, then the static pressure can be set to a desired value, but the flow pressure drops significantly during high flow rates due to additional flow resistance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoutlet pressureVSAvoidflow resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
Stress or pressureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines a pressure reducer with a flow measurement device (turbine) and a common control unit into a single integrated water fitting. The control unit receives signals from both the pressure sensor and flow-sensing means, enabling coordinated control of the pressure reducer motor and shut-off motor to maintain optimal pressure while compensating for flow resistance effects

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback from the pressure sensor and flow-sensing means to continuously monitor outlet pressure and flow rate. The control unit processes these signals and adjusts the pressure reducer motor and shut-off motor accordingly, creating a closed-loop control system that compensates for pressure drops during high flow rates

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If separate pressure reducer and leakage protection devices are installed, then each function can be independently optimized, but installation effort and system complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveleakage protectionVSAvoidinstallation effort
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent integrates the pressure reducer, flow measurement device, and shut-off valve into a single water fitting unit. The common control unit controls both the pressure reducer motor and shut-off motor, combining leakage protection and pressure regulation functions in one device, thereby simplifying installation while maintaining independent optimization of each function

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The integrated water fitting performs multiple functions simultaneously: pressure reduction, flow measurement, leakage detection, and automatic shut-off. The common control unit manages multiple functions through a single interface, making the device universal and reducing the number of separate components needed

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

This integrated solution provides better control over hydraulic conditions, reduces installation effort, and ensures consistent pressure delivery by adjusting the pressure reducer based on real-time flow and pressure data, minimizing pressure drops and flow resistance, while also offering remote access and energy-saving features.

Implementation Method 1

The flow-sensing means can include a turbine

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTurbine: Turbine

Implementation Method 2

a pressure sensor for detecting the outlet pressure

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure detection:

Implementation Method 3

A pressure reducer typically consists of a spring-loaded valve. The spring force is adjusted to achieve the desired outlet pressure

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpring force: Spring

Data Source

PatentEP3637216B1Arrangement and method for regulating the output flow pressure of a water fitting
Publication Date: 2023.01.25 HANS SASSERATH GMBH & CO KG
  • EP3637216B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3637216B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3637216B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A water fitting assembly comprises a water-carrying fitting body with an inlet pressurized by an inlet and an outlet pressurized by an outlet; a pressure reducer arranged between the inlet and outlet with an actuator for adjusting the outlet pressure; a pressure reducer motor for moving the actuator; a pressure sensor for detecting the outlet pressure; and a control device for controlling the pressure reducer motor according to the outlet pressure detected by the pressure sensor. The assembly is characterized in that the water fitting assembly includes flow-sensing means; and the control device is supplied with the signals from the flow-sensing means.