Dosing Device for Solid Additives in Waterworks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing waterwork equipment fails to effectively introduce additives into hydraulic circuits without spillage, accidental contact with water, or pressure-related issues, leading to operational and environmental problems, especially with solid additives.
Innovation Solution
A device comprising a hollow column connected to the waterwork supply conduit with a dosing valve and pressurized air system to introduce additives directly and maintain optimal water levels, utilizing the Venturi effect for air introduction to manage pressure changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If open containers are used to add products to waterworks, then the products can be easily introduced, but accidental spillage occurs causing environmental and operational problems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a dosing device as an intermediary component between the product container and the waterwork system. This device includes a dosing chamber, control valve, and metering mechanism that precisely controls product release, eliminating the direct open container approach while maintaining ease of operation through automated or semi-automated dosing controls
Solution Approach 2:
The harmful aspect of direct product introduction is extracted by separating the storage function (container) from the introduction function (dosing device). The dosing device extracts only the necessary amount of product through controlled dispensing, preventing the spillage issues inherent in open container systems while preserving operational simplicity
2Device complexity
If products are added using open containers, then the addition process is simple, but the products may come into contact with water in undesirable ways especially under pressure changes
Solution Approach 1:
The dosing device serves as a controlled intermediary that manages the product-water contact interface. It includes a dosing chamber that receives product and a controlled release mechanism that ensures product is introduced only under appropriate conditions, preventing premature or uncontrolled contact with water even when system pressure fluctuates
Solution Approach 2:
The device applies preliminary control measures by incorporating pressure-sensitive control mechanisms and controlled release valves before product-water contact occurs. These mechanisms preemptively prevent undesirable contact scenarios by monitoring system conditions and only allowing product introduction when appropriate, thus maintaining reliability without excessive complexity
3Loss of substance
If products are introduced directly into the hydraulic circuit, then losses are minimized and dosing accuracy is improved, but the system becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The dosing device merges multiple functions into a single integrated unit: product storage, metering, dosing control, and direct introduction to the hydraulic circuit. This consolidation achieves precise dosing and minimal product loss while limiting the increase in system complexity through functional integration rather than adding separate components for each function
Solution Approach 2:
The dosing device incorporates self-regulating mechanisms that automatically adjust dosing based on flow conditions and system pressure. The device serves itself by using the hydraulic circuit's own flow characteristics to control the dosing rate, eliminating the need for complex external control systems while maintaining dosing accuracy and minimizing product loss
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 dosing and minimizes losses by ensuring additives mix directly with water while preventing undesirable contact and maintaining system stability through controlled air introduction and level management.
Implementation Method 1
equipment intended for introducing pressurised air with the aim of lowering the level of water contained in the column 11
Implementation Method 2
The air vacuum that is created in the column 11 and 15 should be maintained... by taking advantage of the Venturi effect as shown in more detail in Figure 3
Implementation Method 3
an electrically or manually controlled dosing valve 16, with the aim of dosing desired amounts of the products introduced into the column 11
Implementation Method 4
the products descend by gravity into column 11, mixing with the liquid flowing at the opposite end of the column
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
An equipment is described that allows the direct dosage of the additives necessary for managing the circuit itself.