WO2010053382A1 - Dispositif régulateur de débit - Google Patents

Dispositif régulateur de débit Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2010053382A1
WO2010053382A1 PCT/NZ2009/000239 NZ2009000239W WO2010053382A1 WO 2010053382 A1 WO2010053382 A1 WO 2010053382A1 NZ 2009000239 W NZ2009000239 W NZ 2009000239W WO 2010053382 A1 WO2010053382 A1 WO 2010053382A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
flow
piston
regulator
flow regulator
chamber
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Ceased
Application number
PCT/NZ2009/000239
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
John William Green
Ian Moran
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
HART DAVID STANLEY
Original Assignee
HART DAVID STANLEY
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by HART DAVID STANLEY filed Critical HART DAVID STANLEY
Priority to AU2009311788A priority Critical patent/AU2009311788A1/en
Publication of WO2010053382A1 publication Critical patent/WO2010053382A1/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G05—CONTROLLING; REGULATING
    • G05D—SYSTEMS FOR CONTROLLING OR REGULATING NON-ELECTRIC VARIABLES
    • G05D7/00—Control of flow
    • G05D7/01—Control of flow without auxiliary power
    • G05D7/0126—Control of flow without auxiliary power the sensing element being a piston or plunger associated with one or more springs
    • G05D7/0133—Control of flow without auxiliary power the sensing element being a piston or plunger associated with one or more springs within the flow-path
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16K—VALVES; TAPS; COCKS; ACTUATING-FLOATS; DEVICES FOR VENTING OR AERATING
    • F16K17/00—Safety valves; Equalising valves, e.g. pressure relief valves
    • F16K17/20—Excess-flow valves
    • F16K17/34—Excess-flow valves in which the flow-energy of the flowing medium actuates the closing mechanism

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a flow regulator device.
  • the invention relates to a compact flow regulating device suitable for domestic applications.
  • inlet pressure in domestic water delivery pipes may vary from location to location, and the water pressure may also decrease considerably during peak use hours such as early in the morning when much of the population is washing in preparation for their day. During these peak times, the inlet pressure and water flow rate may be considerably reduced.
  • the addition of a flow restrictor can result in further significant reductions in flow rate, and this can lead to unacceptable rates of flow being available for showers etc.
  • the deformable element is typically an O-ring, specifically sized and constructed from a material having carefully selected material properties.
  • O-ring specifically sized and constructed from a material having carefully selected material properties.
  • the device is only capable of maintaining a uniform flow rate across a relatively small inlet pressure range.
  • typical domestic installations such devices are fairly insensitive to pressure differentials below approximately 120 kPa. At pressures below this, the deformable element deforms very little, and the device essentially acts as a fixed restriction.
  • a flow regulator device that is sensitive to smaller pressure differentials and therefore capable of normalizing flow rate across a wider range of inlet pressures would be useful.
  • the present invention broadly consists in a flow regulator comprising: a body adapted to be mounted in a fluid conduit; a piston moveably mounted within said body and having an up-stream surface and a down-stream surface; a first fluid passageway from said up-stream surface to a throttle opening, said throttle opening restricting said flow through said body and wherein said opening varies in size as said piston moves such that said opening decreases in size as said piston moves in the direction of said flow; a chamber defined by said down-stream surface of said piston and a chamber wall such that said movement of said piston varies the volume of said chamber; a biasing element biasing said piston against the direction of said flow; a second passageway through said piston from said up-stream surface to said down-stream surface opening into said chamber.
  • the pressure in said chamber is substantially the pressure at said upstream surface.
  • said up-stream surface has a greater area than said down-stream surface
  • the only opening in said chamber is said second passageway so that said chamber is otherwise sealed.
  • the inlet flow to said regulator and the outlet flow from said regulator are substantially parallel with said movement of said piston.
  • said inlet flow and said outlet flow are substantially co-axial with said movement of said piston.
  • said throttle opening is an annular opening formed between a valve portion or shoulder of said piston and a stationary valve seat.
  • the area of the valve seat is substantially the same as the area of said downstream surface of said piston.
  • the opening of said second passageway is substantially in the full path of the fluid flowing through said regulator.
  • the diameter of said upstream surface of said piston is substantially as large as the diameter of said body.
  • said device includes a plurality of passageways from said up-stream surface to said throttle opening and said plurality of passageways are spaced about the axis of said piston.
  • said device including an aerator down-stream of said regulator.
  • said aerator includes a fluid inlet, at least one air inlet, a flow screen downstream of said fluid inlet to straighten the flow passing through it, and a baffle plate upstream of said screen to disrupt said flow before it impinges onto said screen.
  • said baffle plate is an annular ring having a flow orifice and a plurality of inward facing protrusions extending into said flow orifice.
  • the present invention broadly consists in an aerator assembly comprising: a fluid inlet; at least one air inlet; a flow screen downstream of said fluid inlet to straighten the flow passing through it; and a baffle plate located upstream of said screen to disrupt said flow before it impinges onto said screen.
  • said baffle plate is an annular ring having a flow orifice and a plurality of inward facing protrusions extending into said flow orifice.
  • baffle plate is spaced from said screen.
  • the invention consists in a fixture including a flow regulator as above.
  • the invention consists in an aerator as above.
  • the term "comprising” as used in this specification and claims means “consisting at least in part of. When interpreting each statement in this specification and claims that includes the term “comprising”, features other than that or those prefaced by the term may also be present. Related terms such as “comprise” and “comprises” are to be interpreted in the same manner.
  • Figure 1 is a perspective cut away view of a flow regulator according to one embodiment of the present invention shown with an aerator.
  • Figure 2 is a perspective view of the device of Figure 1 shown without an aerator.
  • Figure 3 is a cut away view of the device of Figure 1 shown installed in a tap fitting and with the piston undisplaced.
  • Figure 4 is a sectioned view of the flow regulator device of Figure 3 shown with the piston displaced downwards.
  • Figure 5 is a close-up cut-away view of a flow regulating device according to the present invention shown with the upper filter mesh, outer seal and aerator removed.
  • Figure 6 is a perspective cut away view of the device shown with an optional baffle included in the aeration assembly.
  • Figure 7 is a perspective view of the aerator assembly of Figure 6.
  • the flow regulator device of the present invention may be used in conjunction with an aerator device as described, or may be used without an aerator. It is most preferred that the flow regulator according to the present invention is compact enough for use in domestic tapware and shower mixers/fixtures and can be fit into the widely used M24 standard threaded hole commonly found in mixer spouts and shower head inlets etc. It will be appreciated that the device can be used in many applications where flow regulation is desired. Further examples could include mixing or non-mixing tapware and direct type water heating systems which may benefit from controlled maximum flow to maintain an acceptable delivery temperature. However it will also be appreciated that other embodiments of the present invention are contemplated in which the components of the flow regulator may be scaled up or down in size to make it suitable for other applications.
  • Flow regulator 1 is preferably adapted to be installed into a fixture such as a typical spout 2, via complementary screw threads (typically M24).
  • Compressible seal 3 is provided to seal between the spout 2 and the body of the regulator device 4.
  • Aerator device 5 is located downstream of the regulator body 4 and in use, draws air through inlets 6 which then becomes entrained in the flow of water.
  • Filter mesh 7 is preferably provided to protect the regulator assembly 1 from debris.
  • Piston 8 is moveably located within the body 4 of the regulator device. Piston 8, has an upper surface 9 which is exposed to the inlet stream, and a lower surface 10 which defines the upper surface of chamber 1 1. Piston 8 is moveably mounted with body 4, such that movement of the piston 8 varies the volume of the chamber 11. An O-ring type seal 12 is provided between the chamber wall 11 and the piston 8 to seal the chamber. There is a passageway 13 between the upstream surface 9 and the downstream surface 10 of piston 8, connecting chamber 11 to the upstream inlet pressure.
  • the upper surface 9 of piston 8 is preferably flanged as shown in the figures to present a large surface area to the inlet pressure.
  • the upper surface 9 of piston 8 is provided with flow apertures 15 to allow fluid flow through the device.
  • a spring 14 is provided to bias moveable piston 8 against the direction of flow through the device (biased upwards as shown in the figures). Down stream of the upper surface 9 of piston 8 is seat 16. A variable throttle opening 17 is formed between the seat 16 and a shoulder portion 18 of piston 8. Downward displacement of the piston 8, results in the restriction opening 17 becoming smaller. Similarly, upwards displacement of the piston 8 (via spring 14) results in the restriction opening 17 becoming larger. Piston 8 also includes hollow 19 to allow fluid flowing through the throttle opening 17 to exit the device without being further impeded.
  • body 4 includes exits 20 to allow fluid to leave the regulator device.
  • the device may also include an aerator 5 as previously described to entrain air into the fluid stream.
  • Chamber 21 is preferably the same diameter as orifice 22 in seat 16 so that a balancing force is generated. It is preferable to balance the force so that the device does not shut off the flow when the inlet pressure generates a force greater than the spring force.
  • a further improvement to the shape of the discharge stream can be achieved by inserting a baffle plate 26 in chamber 24, to create extra turbulence and spread the flow more evenly across the screen.
  • Plate 26 has a generally annular shape with a flow orifice for the flow to flow through.
  • a plurality of inwardly extending protrusions act on the fluid as it flows through the baffle plate 26. It has been found that the "toothed" baffle plate 26 can improve the performance of the aerator.
  • spring 14 can be substituted with a spring having a different spring constant. For example, a stronger spring will give more flow through the regulator. Similarly, a weaker spring will result in a lower preset flow rate.
  • the number and/or size of inlet ports 15 in the piston 8 can be varied. Larger total port area will give more flow, and smaller port area with result in a lower pre-set flow rate.
  • the flow regulator of the present invention also operates with a very short working stroke which contributes to the compact nature of the device.
  • embodiments of the invention suited to typical domestic plumbing applications may typically have a stroke as small as approximately 1- 1.5mm.
  • the device can function with a small pressure differential thereby enabling the device to work with low inlet pressures.
  • the flow regulator can operate with an inlet pressure range between approximately 50 — 500 kPa. This performance is aided by the large upper piston surface area (in relation to the throttling element) which maximises the force exerted on the piston by the inlet pressure and improves the sensitivity of the device.
  • the design of the present invention also allows friction to be minimized allowing the valve to respond quickly and smoothly to inlet pressure changes. The only significant source of friction is the seal 12 on the lower end of the piston as it slides in chamber 11. This feature is particularly important when the flow regulator is small and the actuating force is also small.
  • a common problem with conventional restriction designs is instability during the transition from fully open when the inlet pressure is lower than the minimum working pressure.
  • the preferred device of the present invention has been found to be stable due to there being only minimum restriction immediately down stream of the throttle area.
  • the device of the present invention is simple enough to lend itself to inexpensive mass production, thereby allowing the unit cost to be low.
  • most of the components can be constructed from plastic, for example acetal copolymer (POM), polyphenylene oxide (PPO) or ABS.
  • POM acetal copolymer
  • PPO polyphenylene oxide
  • ABS acrylonitrile butadiene styrene
  • the material used should be approved by a relevant authority for the type of application envisaged.
  • the device may be configured for snap-fit assembly, which is very quick, and may save space compared to screwed or bolted assembly.
  • the flow regulator device may be used in many different locations.
  • the spout of a basin or the outlet of a shower mixer In this type of application, the device typically would also incorporate an aerator.
  • Non-aerator versions may be used in in-line applications either within the end use fitting or located up-stream of it.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Automation & Control Theory (AREA)
  • Flow Control (AREA)
  • Safety Valves (AREA)

Abstract

La présente invention porte sur un dispositif régulateur de débit qui constitue un dispositif compact capable de normaliser des débits sur une large plage de pressions d'entrée, particulièrement adapté à des applications domestiques. Le dispositif régulateur de débit comporte un piston monté de façon mobile dans le corps, sollicité par un ressort. Des variations de la pression d'entrée se traduisent par un mouvement du piston faisant ainsi varier la surface d'une ouverture d'étranglement pour normaliser le débit.
PCT/NZ2009/000239 2008-11-05 2009-11-04 Dispositif régulateur de débit Ceased WO2010053382A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU2009311788A AU2009311788A1 (en) 2008-11-05 2009-11-04 Flow regulating device

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
NZ572607 2008-11-05
NZ57260708 2008-11-05

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2010053382A1 true WO2010053382A1 (fr) 2010-05-14

Family

ID=42153057

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/NZ2009/000239 Ceased WO2010053382A1 (fr) 2008-11-05 2009-11-04 Dispositif régulateur de débit

Country Status (2)

Country Link
AU (1) AU2009311788A1 (fr)
WO (1) WO2010053382A1 (fr)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN107377307A (zh) * 2017-08-25 2017-11-24 江苏瑞合硕电子科技有限公司 流体计量装置

Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CH676384A5 (en) * 1987-04-17 1991-01-15 Dusko Maravic Flow control valve - has valve piston guide to ensure correct flow rate and shuts off during leak or pipe fracture
US5904177A (en) * 1997-03-17 1999-05-18 Marotta Scientific Controls, Inc. Fluid flow control device
WO1999046652A1 (fr) * 1998-03-12 1999-09-16 Flow Design, Inc. Procede et dispositif de regulation et d'arret d'ecoulement de fluide
US5971012A (en) * 1993-06-01 1999-10-26 Skoglund; Paul K. Constant flow control valve having matable piston sleeve and outlet cover
AU746568B2 (en) * 1998-03-27 2002-05-02 Gsa Industries (Aust.) Pty Ltd Pressure control valve
EP1353254A2 (fr) * 2002-04-10 2003-10-15 Flow Design, Inc. Vanne de régulation de débit et procédé de régulation du débit d'un fluide

Patent Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CH676384A5 (en) * 1987-04-17 1991-01-15 Dusko Maravic Flow control valve - has valve piston guide to ensure correct flow rate and shuts off during leak or pipe fracture
US5971012A (en) * 1993-06-01 1999-10-26 Skoglund; Paul K. Constant flow control valve having matable piston sleeve and outlet cover
US5904177A (en) * 1997-03-17 1999-05-18 Marotta Scientific Controls, Inc. Fluid flow control device
WO1999046652A1 (fr) * 1998-03-12 1999-09-16 Flow Design, Inc. Procede et dispositif de regulation et d'arret d'ecoulement de fluide
AU746568B2 (en) * 1998-03-27 2002-05-02 Gsa Industries (Aust.) Pty Ltd Pressure control valve
EP1353254A2 (fr) * 2002-04-10 2003-10-15 Flow Design, Inc. Vanne de régulation de débit et procédé de régulation du débit d'un fluide

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN107377307A (zh) * 2017-08-25 2017-11-24 江苏瑞合硕电子科技有限公司 流体计量装置

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
AU2009311788A1 (en) 2010-05-14

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