APPARATUS FOR MIXING AND PROPORTIONING OIL AND WATER

Abstract

An apparatus for mixing and proportioning oil and water comprises an upper lid, a first chunk member, a holder, a second chunk member and a base. The first chunk member and second chunk member have respectively an oil inlet, an oil-water mixture outlet and a water outlet that are connected with one another to receive and discharge oil and water. The first and second chunk members have respectively two oil flow gears and two water flow gears that engage with each other to control oil and water entering ratio to achieve optimal combustion efficiency. In the base, a located water regulation valve is adjusted to buffer water intake ratio responding to internal pressure alterations. The water regulation valve forms a buffer passage allowing different ratios of water to flow to the water in/out passage so that an improved oil-water mixture is achieved to enhance combustion efficiency of the combustion system.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an apparatus for mixing and proportioning oil and water, particularly to an apparatus to get a required oil-water ratio and rapidly mix the oil and water into a fine mixture.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The conventional system process of mixing oil and water for combustion, referring to FIG. 1, generally includes sending oil A (combustible oil such as diesel oil, heavy oil or the like) to a heater B to be heated to a required temperature; next, supplying water D according to a required combustion ratio into an oil and water proportioning device C; sending the oil and water to an oil-water mixer E for mixing; then sending the oil and water mixture into an oil and water mixture heater F to heat the mixture until reaching a burnable temperature; a small portion is first burned by a burner with small fire G; then a greater portion is burned by another burner with big fire H; the big fire H is ignited by the small fire G.

The conventional oil and water mixture combustion system like the one set forth above includes an oil and water proportioning device C and an oil and water mixer E, as shown in FIG. 2. The oil and water proportioning device C has an oil and water proportioning tank C1 which draws water and oil through a piston C3 via a cylinder C2 at a desired ratio, then the water and oil are pumped through the piston C3 via a water oil transport duct C4 to an oil and water mixer E for mixing.

Although the drawing proportion of oil and water through the piston C3 in the oil and water proportioning tank C1 is quite accurate, during combustion when the pressure generated by the combustion system changes constantly, the oil and water proportioning device C cannot buffer the oil and water ratio. Therefore, the oil and water proportioning device C further cannot fully meet burning requirement and result in incomplete combustion and poorer combustion efficiency. In addition, the equipment cost required by the oil and water proportioning device C also is higher.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The primary object of the present invention is to overcome the drawbacks of the conventional oil and water proportioning device that provides oil and water ratio not responsive to internal pressure change during burning of the combustion system and results in incomplete burning and undesirable combustion efficiency. Besides, the conventional oil and water proportioning device cost highly. Therefore, the present invention provides an apparatus for mixing and proportioning oil and water which includes a first chunk member and a second chunk member hold respectively a first oil flow gear and a second oil flow gear, and a first water flow gear and a second water flow gear located therein that engage with each other to control oil and water intake at a desired ratio to achieve optimal combustion efficiency. Before the oil and water reaching the combustion system a water regulation valve located in a base can buffer water intake proportion in response to pressure changes generated in the apparatus. The water regulation valve forms a buffer passage to provide water amount at varying ratios so that the apparatus for mixing and proportioning oil and water can mix again to make combustion smoother.

The apparatus according to the present invention comprises a upper lid, a first chunk member, a holder, a second chunk member and a base.

The upper lid has a plurality of fastening holes at the top and a coupling boss extended from the bottom of the upper lid.

The first chunk member is coupled and covered by the upper lid, and includes an oil intake passage, an oil-water mixture passage and a first gear chamber which communicates with the oil intake passage and oil-water mixture passage. The first chunk member also has a first vertical passage and a second vertical passage beneath the oil intake passage and oil-water mixture passage and communicating respectively therewith. The second vertical passage holds a water discharge duct with a water outlet and a water inlet formed thereon. The first gear chamber has a first arched recess and a second arched recess respectively at the front end and rear end, and a first elongate recess and a second elongate recess respectively at the left end and right end that communicate with one another. The first and second arched recesses hold a first oil flow gear and a second oil flow gear inside that engage with each other and are turnable. The first and second oil flow gears have respectively a first axle hole and a second axle hole. The first axle hole is movably coupled with a first axle, while the second axle hole is fixedly coupled with a second axle.

The holder is located between the first and second chunk members, and has a first hole and a second hole run through by the first and second axles, and a lubricant hole at one end communicating with the first hole and a water discharge passage at another end leading to the oil-water mixture passage.

The second chunk member is located between the holder and the base, and has a water intake passage and a water exit passage communicating with each other, and a second gear chamber communicating with the water intake passage and water exit passage, and a first water passage vertically leading to the water intake passage from below. Besides, the second chunk member has a second water passage and a third water passage above and below the water exit passage that communicate vertically therewith. The second gear chamber includes a first and a second arched recesses which are communicated with a first and a second elongate recesses at the left end and right end of the second gear chamber. The first and second arched recesses hold respectively a first water flow gear and a second water flow gear that engage with each other for turning. Inside the first water flow gear and second water flow gear there are a first axle hole and a second axle hole respectively. The first axle hole is movably coupled with the first axle, and the second axle hole is fixedly coupled with the second axle. The first and second water flow gears are formed at a thickness one third of the first and second oil flow gears to facilitate measuring the volume of water flow and oil.

The base is connected to a lower side of the second chunk member, and includes a water feedback passage leading vertically to the first and third water passages, and also contains a water regulation valve vertically positioned in the water feedback passage to buffer water intake proportion in response to the pressure alteration. The water regulation valve forms a buffer passage to supply water at different ratios.

The apparatus thus formed provides many advantages, notably:

1. The invention can provide a proportioning means simply structured to draw oil and water. Through rotation of the first and second oil flow gears, or first and second water flow gears oil and water can be squeezed and compressed to pass through, and the oil and water also can be drawn at a constant ratio. The first and second oil flow gears, or first and second water flow gears also can be linked to an external sensor to detect oil or water flow amount by the rotation number. The structure is simpler and the cost is lower.

2. The apparatus of the invention can evenly mix oil and water. During transporting of the oil a suction force is generated to suck the water from the water outlet of the water discharge duct in an atomized manner to be fully mixed with the oil. The structure is simpler and the oil and water can be mixed thoroughly in a fine state.

3. The invention also provides a lubrication mechanism. Lubricant can be directly drawn through the lubricant hole to lubricate the second axle without the trouble of the conventional technique of adding extra lubricant, thus can reduce operation cost.

4. The invention provides a water flow feedback passage communicating with the water intake passage and water discharge passage, water flowing out through the water outlet of the water discharge duct can be controlled from reaching too much that might result in non-uniform mixing of oil and water. Moreover, excessive water can flow back in circulation for reuse to save resources and prevent waste.

The foregoing, as well as additional objects, features and advantages of the invention will be more readily apparent from the following detailed description, which proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration of a conventional oil and water mixing combustion system.

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a conventional apparatus for mixing and proportioning oil and water.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the apparatus for mixing and proportioning the oil and water of the present invention.

FIG. 4A is a top view according to FIG. 3 with the upper lid removed and showing the first and second oil flow gears in an operating condition.

FIG. 4B is a cross section taken on line 4B-4B in FIG. 4A, and showing oil and water flow conditions.

FIG. 4C is a cross section taken on line 4C-4C in FIG. 4A, and showing the first and second oil flow gears and first and second water flow gears in an operating condition.

FIG. 5A is a schematic view of the present invention showing the first and second oil and water flow gears in an engaging condition.

FIG. 5B is a schematic view of the present invention showing the first and second oil and water flow gears in another engaging condition.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Please refer to FIGS. 3, 4A and 4B for an embodiment of the present invention. It provides an apparatus 10 for mixing and proportioning oil and water which comprises an upper lid 20, a first chunk member 30, a holder 40, a second chunk member 50 and a base 60.

The upper lid 20 has a plurality of fastening holes 21 formed on the top thereof and a coupling boss 22 at the bottom.

The first chunk member 30 has a first upper recess 31 at the top of the first chunk member 30 to be wedged in by the coupling boss 22 of the upper lid 20, and a first lower recess 32 at the bottom of the first chunk member 30, and a plurality of fixing holes 300 around the recesses 31 and 32 corresponding to the fastening holes 21 to receive fastening elements 23 such as screws to fasten the upper lid 20. The first chunk member 30 further has apertures 301 formed on the periphery to receive electric heating pipes 302 to provide heating to facilitate machine start. On two sides of the first chunk member 30 there are an oil intake passage 33 having an oil inlet 331 and an oil-water mixture passage 34 having an oil-water mixture outlet 341, and a first gear chamber 35 communicating with the oil intake passage 33 and oil-water mixture passage 34. The first gear chamber 35 has an oil intake/discharge passage 351 linking to the oil inlet 331 and the oil-water mixture outlet 341. Beneath the oil intake passage 33 and oil-water mixture passage 34 there are respectively a first vertical passage 332 and a second vertical passage 342 communicating with the oil intake passage 33 and oil-water mixture passage 34. The second vertical passage 342 holds a water discharge duct 36 inside. The water discharge duct 36 includes an upper duct 361 and a lower duct 362 with an inner hole 360 formed therein. The upper duct 361 has a water outlet 3611 on one side connecting to the inner hole 360, and the lower duct 362 has a water inlet 3621 on another side connecting to the inner hole 360. The lower duct 362 further has an aperture 3622 at the bottom. The first gear chamber 35 has a first arched recess 352 and a second arched recess 353 respectively at a front end and a rear end thereof, and a first elongate recess 354 and a second elongate recess 355 respectively at a left end and a right end thereof that are linked together. The first and second arched recesses 352 and 353 hold respectively a first oil flow gear 37 and a second oil flow gear 38 that engage with each other for rotating. The first and second oil flow gears 37 and 38 have respectively a first axle hole 371 and a second axle hole 381. The first axle hole 371 is movably coupled with a first axle 372, while the second axle hole 381 is fixedly coupled with a second axle 382. The first and second oil flow gears 37 and 38 further are connected to an external sensor (not shown in the drawings) which detects oil delivery amount through rotation number.

The holder 40 has an upper coupling boss 41 and a lower coupling boss 42 at the top and bottom thereof. The upper coupling boss 41 wedges in the first lower recess 32 of the first chunk member 30. The holder 40 also has a plurality of screw holes 400 surrounding the upper and lower coupling bosses 41 and 42 corresponding to the fixing holes 300 to receive the fastening elements 23 such as screws to fasten the upper lid 20, first chunk member 30 and holder 40 together. The holder 40 also has a first hole 43 and a second hole 44 in the middle run through by the first axle 372 and second axle 382. The second hole 44 is coupled with a wear-resistant sleeve 441 which has an oil injection port 442 formed thereon and is run through by the second axle 382. The holder 40 further has a lubricant hole 45 at one end communicating to the first vertical passage 332 and a water discharge passage 46 at another end communicating to the oil-water mixture passage 34. The water discharge passage 46 holds the lower duct 362 of the water discharge duct 36 and has a distal end holding a check valve 461. The holder 40 further has a round hole 47 on the periphery corresponding to the aperture 301 of the first chunk member 30 to receive the electric heating pipe 302.

The second chunk member 50 has a second upper recess 51 at the top thereof to be wedged in by the lower coupling boss 42 of the holder 40 and a second lower recess 52 at the bottom. It also has a plurality of fastening holes 500 surrounding the second upper and lower recesses 51 and 52, and an aperture 501 on the periphery corresponding to the round hole 47 of the holder 40 to allow the electric heating pipe 302 to run through the aperture 301 of the first chunk member 30, the round hole 47 of the holder 40 and reach the aperture 501 of the second chunk member 50. On two side of the second chunk member 50 there are a water intake passage 53 having a water inlet 531, a water exit passage 54 having a water outlet 541 and a second gear chamber 55 communicating with the water intake and exit passages 53 and 54. The second gear chamber 55 has a water in/out passage 551 to communicate with the water inlet 531 and water outlet 541. Beneath the water intake passage 53 is a first water passage 532 vertically communicating therewith. On the upper side and lower side of the water exit passage 54 there are a second water passage 542 and a third water passage 543 vertically communicating therewith. The second water passage 542 has a top end leading to the water discharge passage 46 and the check valve 461 located at the upper side to prevent oil from flowing back through the water discharge passage 46 to the second water passage 542 caused by internal oil pressure greater than water pressure when operation of the apparatus 10 stops.

The second gear chamber 55 includes a first arched recess 552 and a second arched recess 553 at the front end and rear end, and a first elongate recess 554 and a second elongate recess 555 at the left end and right end that communicate with one another. The first and second arched recesses 552 and 553 hold respectively a first water flow gear 56 and a second water flow gear 57 that engage with each other for rotating. The first and second water flow gears 56 and 57 have respectively a first axle hole 561 and a second axle hole 571. The first axle hole 561 is movably coupled with the first axle 372, while the second axle hole 571 is fixedly coupled with the second axle 382. The first and second water flow gears 56 and 57 are formed at a thickness one third of the first and second oil flow gears 37 and 38 to facilitate measurement of water flow and oil amount. The first and second water flow gears 56 and 57 also are connected to an external sensor (not shown in the drawings) to detect water flow amount through rotation numbers.

The base 60 is located beneath the second chunk member 50 and has a coupling boss 600 at the top to wedge in the second lower recess 52 of the second chunk member 50. It has a plurality of apertures 601 surrounding the coupling boss 600 to receive fastening elements 602 to fasten the fastening holes 500 of the second chunk member 50. The base 60 also has a water feedback passage 61 vertically communicating with the first and third water passages 532 and 543 of the second chunk member 50. The water feedback passage 61 has a water inlet 611 at one end communicating with the first water passage 532 and a water outlet 612 at another end communicating with the third water passage 543, and a water regulation valve 62 in the middle communicating therewith vertically to buffer water intake ratio in response to internal pressure change of the system. Through the water regulation valve 62 a buffer passage is formed to provide water at different ratios.

More details of the embodiment of the present invention are elaborated as follow by referring to FIGS. 3, 4A and 4B.

The upper lid 20 is fastened to the first chunk member 30 and the holder 40 below through the fastening elements 23.

The first chunk member 30 contains the first and second oil flow gears 37 and 38, and first and second axles 372 and 382 in the first gear chamber 35 that engage with each other to rotate in different directions as shown in FIG. 4C. During the oil is transported by rotation and pushing the first and second oil flow gears 37 and 38 form a gap 39 between them to squeeze the oil to get intake amount at a constant ratio. As the second axle 382 is fixedly coupled with the second oil flow gear 38 and second water flow gear 57 that rotate concurrently, and the first axle 372 is movably coupled with the first oil flow gear 37 and first water flow gear 56, the first oil flow gear 37 and first water flow gear 56 rotate freely.

The first chunk member 30, holder 40 and second chunk member 50 are run through by the electric heating pipes 302 on the periphery. The electric heating pipes 302 aim to heat the oil at the initial state to reach a duty temperature in a fluid state to prevent the oil from viscous at a lower temperature that could result in unsmooth flowing and difficulty to push the first and second oil flow gears 37 and 38. Hence, the apparatus 10 including the two electric heating pipes 302 does not need to add extra heating means like the conventional technique, and the oil can be effectively heated to the duty temperature at the initial state to facilitate oil transport. The water outlet 3611 at one side of the water discharge duct 36 aims to generate a suction force during discharge of the oil to draw and atomize the water from the water discharge duct 36, and also facilitate thorough mixing with the oil during transportation to reach fine and uniform oil-water mixture to form a more efficient oil and water mixture fuel in a downstream combustion system.

The wear-resistant sleeve 441 is held in the second hole 44 of the holder 40 and has the oil injection port 442 at one side to receive the oil through the lubricant hole 45 to the surface of the second axle 382 for lubrication purpose. Such a design directly channels the oil for lubrication without adding an extra lubrication means and lubricant, hence the structural complexity and cost would be reduced, and the second axle 382 from forming direct friction with the hole edge would be prevented. The water discharge passage 46 is located beneath the water discharge duct 36 to supply the water upwards to the water discharge duct 36 for mixing. The water discharge passage 46 also can hold the lower duct 362 of the water discharge duct 36 and hold a check valve 461 between the distal end of the water discharge passage 46 and the second water passage 542 of the second chunk member 50 to block the second water passage 542 to prevent the oil from flowing back through the water discharge passage 46 to the second water passage 542 caused by the oil pressure inside greater than water pressure when the apparatus 10 stops operation.

The first and second water flow gears 56 and 57 in the second chunk member 50 are held in the second gear chamber 55 and engage with each other to rotate in different directions as shown in FIGS. 4B and 4C. They are formed at a thickness one third of the first and second oil flow gears 37 and 38, and aim to control water intake at an amount one third of the oil so that the oil and water can be mixed at such a ratio to achieve desired combustion efficiency. During the water is transported and pushed by rotation, the water is squeezed through a gap 58 formed between the first and second water flow gears 56 and 57 to get water intake amount at a constant ratio. The second water flow gear 57 is fixedly coupled on the second axle 382 which also is coupled with the second oil flow gear 38 to form synchronous rotation to control the oil and water to flow at the same time at the same constant ratio, thereby can effectively control mixing proportion. The first water flow gear 56 rotates freely on the first axle 372 (as shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B).

The base 60 is fastened to the second chunk member 50 above through the fastening elements 602 to securely hold the entire apparatus 10 for mixing and proportioning oil and water. The base 60 contains a water feedback passage 61 with a water inlet 611 at one end connecting to the first water passage 532, and a water outlet 612 connecting to the third water passage 543. When water flows through the water feedback passage 61 to the third water passage 543, a portion of the water passes through the water discharge passage 46 to push the check valve 461 which blocks the aperture 3622 at the bottom of the water discharge duct 36 so that water enters through the water inlet 3621 thereof into the inner hole 360, and flows out through the water outlet 3611. Before reaching the combustion system 80% of the oil and 20% of the water are regulated. During combustion pressure changes take place inside the system, by adjusting in advance the water regulation valve 62 located in the middle of the water feedback passage 61 such as turning a knob, screw or adjustment element, water intake ratio can be buffered, and a buffer passage is formed through the water regulation valve 62 so that a portion of water flows through the buffer passage formed by the water outlet 612 and water feedback passage 61 and water inlet 611 back to the first water passage 532, while other portion of water flows out through the water outlet 3611 to supply water less than 20% (referring to FIG. 4B) to achieve a steadier and smoother combustion.

Please refer to FIGS. 5A and 5B for operation of the first and second oil flow gears 37 and 38 in the embodiment set forth above.

1. Also referring to FIGS. 5A and 4C, when no oil or water flows in, the first and second oil flow gears 37 and 38 coupled respectively with the first and second water flow gears 56 and 57 through the first and second axles 372 and 382, so that the first and second oil flow gears 37 and 38 are in a motionless condition. This is the first state.

2. Referring to FIG. 5B, oil is injected initially to gradually push the first and second oil flow gears 37 and 38 to rotate in opposite directions; rotation of the second oil flow gear 38 also drives the second water flow gear 57 to rotate at the same time that concurrently drives the first water flow gear 56 to rotate, also referring to FIG. 4C. This is the second state.

3. Referring to FIG. 5B, during the opposite rotation a gap 39 is formed between the first and second oil flow gears 37 and 38, and another gap 58 is formed between the first and second water flow gears 56 and 57. These gaps 39 and 58 squeeze a fixed amount of oil and water according to a set ratio to pass through. This is the third state.

4. Referring to FIG. 5B, after the first and second oil flow gears 37 and 38, and the first and second water flow gears 56 and 57 have squeezed the oil and water through the gaps 39 and 58 to pass through, the first and second oil flow gears 37 and 38, and first and second water flow gears 56 and 57 are driven by the continuous entering oil and water flow to squeeze a fixed amount of oil and water to pass through. This is the fourth state.

Claims

1. A apparatus for mixing and proportioning oil and water, comprising: an upper lid;a first chunk member which includes a top wedged in by the upper lid and an oil inlet at one side connecting to an oil intake passage and an oil-water mixture outlet at another side connecting to an oil-water mixture passage and a first gear chamber communicating with the oil intake passage and the oil-water mixture passage, the first gear chamber having an oil intake/discharge passage linking to the oil inlet and the oil-water mixture outlet, the oil intake passage being connected to a first vertical passage below, the oil-water mixture passage being connected to a second vertical passage below, the second vertical passage holding a water discharge duct, the first gear chamber containing a first arched recess and a second arched recess respectively at a front end and a rear end thereof, and a first elongate recess and a second elongate recess respectively at a left end and a right end thereof that are communicate with one another, the first and second arched recesses holding respectively a first oil flow gear and a second oil flow gear that are coupled respectively on a first axle and a second axle and engage with each other for rotating in opposite directions, the first oil flow gear and the second oil flow gear forming a gap therebetween to control oil flow at an amount of a constant ratio at the same time, the first oil flow gear being movably coupled on the first axle, the second oil flow gear being fixedly coupled on the second axle;a holder which includes a top wedging in the first chunk member and a first hole and a second hole in the middle run through respectively by the first axle and the second axle, and a lubricant hole at one end communicating with the first vertical passage and a water discharge passage at another end communicating with the oil-water mixture passage;a second chunk member which is wedged in by the holder and includes a water inlet at one side connecting to a water intake passage and a water outlet at another side connecting to a water exit passage and a second gear chamber communicating with the water intake passages and the water exit passage, the second gear chamber having a water in/out passage connecting to the water inlet and the water outlet, the water intake passage communicating with a vertical first water passage below, the water exit passage being interposed vertically by a second water passage and a third water passage at an upper side and a lower side of the second gear chamber, the second gear chamber further including a first arched recess and a second arched recess at a front end and a rear end, and a first elongate recess and a second elongate recess at a left end and a right end that communicate with one another, the first and second arched recesses holding respectively a first water flow gear and a second water flow gear that are coupled respectively on the first axle and the second axle and engage with each other for rotating in opposite directions, the second water flow gear and the second oil flow gear being fixedly coupled to rotate synchronously to drive the first water flow gear to rotate, the first and second water flow gears forming another gap therebetween to control water flow amount at a constant ratio at the same time; anda base which is located beneath the second chunk member and contains a water feedback passage vertically connecting to the first water passage and the third water passage, the water feedback passage holding a vertical water regulation valve in the middle to buffer water intake ratio in response to internal pressure alterations, the water regulation valve forming a buffer passage to allow a portion of water flowing back to the water in/out passage through the water feedback passage to supply water amount at varying ratios.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the upper lid contains a plurality of fastening holes on the top thereof and a coupling boss extended from the bottom; the first chunk member including a first upper recess at the top wedged in by the coupling boss of the upper lid and a first lower recess at the bottom, and a plurality of fixing holes surrounding the first upper and lower recesses; the holder including an upper coupling boss and a lower coupling boss at the top and bottom of the holder, the upper coupling boss wedging in the first lower recess of the first chunk member, the holder further containing a plurality of screw holes surrounding the upper and lower coupling bosses to fasten to the upper lid and the first chunk member through a plurality of fastening elements; the second chunk member containing a second upper recess at the top wedged in by the lower coupling boss of the holder and a second lower recess at the bottom, and a plurality of fastening holes surrounding the second upper and lower recesses; the base containing a coupling boss at the top to wedge in the second lower recess of the second chunk member and a plurality of apertures surrounding the coupling boss to receive fastening elements to fasten to the second chunk member.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 further including an electric heating pipe to heat the oil to a fluid state to facilitate machine start.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the water discharge duct includes an upper duct and a lower duct that contain an inner hole, the upper duct containing a water outlet on one side communicating with the inner hole, the lower duct containing a water inlet on another side communicating with the inner hole and an aperture at the bottom thereof.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the water discharge passage includes a distal end holding a check valve to block the second water passage of the water exit passage to prevent oil from entering the second water passage when the apparatus stops operation.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first and second oil flow gears and the first and second water flow gears are connected to an external sensor to detect oil and water flow amount through rotation numbers.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second hole holds a wear-resistant sleeve run through by the second axle.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first and second water flow gears are formed at a thickness one third of the first and second oil flow gears to facilitate measurement of water flow amount and oil flow amount.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the water feedback passage contains a water inlet at one end communicating with the first water passage and a water outlet at another end communicating with the third water passage, and a water regulation valve to buffer water intake ratio in response to the internal pressure alterations.