Air opening negative pressure drainage device and drainage method

Abstract

A pneumatically activated negative pressure drainage device and method include a collection well, which is sealed and has a sewage inlet. A negative pressure drainage pipe is installed on the collection well, extending to the bottom of the collection well where a negative pressure drainage valve is located. The negative pressure drainage valve includes a cage-like chamber with a discharge port at its bottom. A float for sealing the discharge port is located inside the cage-like chamber. The device also includes a pneumatically activated valve assembly installed at a height higher than the negative pressure drainage valve. Pipes are connected to both ends of the pneumatically activated valve assembly, connecting to the atmosphere and the lower end of the discharge port, respectively. The pneumatically activated valve assembly opens when the liquid level reaches a first set height, making the buoyancy of the float greater than the suction force of the negative pressure drainage pipe. The pneumatically activated valve assembly closes when the liquid level reaches a second set height. Through the buoyancy-driven pneumatically activated valve assembly and the negative pressure drainage valve's dual-valve linkage design, fully automatic opening and closing triggered by liquid level is achieved, eliminating the need for external power control and significantly reducing energy consumption and maintenance costs.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of drainage system technology, and more specifically to a pneumatically activated negative pressure drainage device. Background Technology

[0002] A negative pressure drainage system utilizes negative pressure (below atmospheric pressure) as the driving force to transport sewage and wastewater from a collection point to a treatment or discharge point. Its working principle is as follows: a negative pressure source (such as a vacuum pump) creates negative pressure within the delivery pipeline network. Sewage enters the negative pressure drainer and is collected to a set level. Then, the negative pressure source draws the sewage into the pipeline network and transports it to the terminal. The main components include a negative pressure source providing power, a negative pressure drainage well, and a delivery pipeline network. Negative pressure drainage systems do not require gravity slope. The pipeline network typically connects multiple negative pressure drainage devices at different locations. The negative pressure source continuously supplies negative pressure. When a particular negative pressure drainage device reaches a specific level, it needs to be activated; when the level is not reached, the negative pressure drainage well needs to be closed to ensure sufficient pressure within the pipeline network to draw in other negative pressure drainage devices.

[0003] Existing negative pressure drainage systems suffer from several problems, including frequent valve opening and closing due to low single-volume water delivery, system instability caused by valve component jamming, excessive reliance on external power supply, and high energy consumption. Furthermore, the large size of the negative pressure drainage pipeline necessitates the installation of separate electrically controlled valves, which would be costly and power-intensive. Summary of the Invention

[0004] To address the shortcomings of existing negative pressure drainage systems, such as frequent opening and closing and reliance on external energy for control, this invention provides a negative pressure drainage device and drainage method employing a unique dual-valve linkage air-operated opening design.

[0005] The technical solution adopted in this invention is as follows: a pneumatically activated negative pressure drainage device, comprising a collection well with a sewage inlet, a negative pressure drainage pipe extending to the bottom of the collection well and ending with a negative pressure drainage valve, the negative pressure drainage valve comprising a cage-like chamber with a discharge port at the bottom, a float for sealing the discharge port inside the cage-like chamber, and a pneumatically activated valve assembly installed at a height higher than the negative pressure drainage valve, with pipes connected to both ends of the pneumatically activated valve assembly, the pipes being connected to the atmosphere and the lower end of the discharge port respectively; the pneumatically activated valve assembly opens when the liquid level reaches a first set height, introducing air to the discharge port, causing the suction force at the discharge port to decrease rapidly; when the buoyancy of the float exceeds the suction force and gravity, the float leaves the discharge port, and the negative pressure drainage valve opens; the pneumatically activated valve assembly closes when the liquid level reaches a second set height.

[0006] As a preferred embodiment of a pneumatically activated negative pressure drainage device, the pneumatically activated valve assembly is installed in the collection well. The pneumatically activated valve assembly includes a valve body with a valve hole in the middle. A sealing element is provided on the valve hole. The sealing element opens and leaves the valve hole when the liquid level in the collection well reaches a first set height. The sealing element closes when the liquid level in the collection well reaches a second set height.

[0007] As one of the preferred solutions for a pneumatically operated negative pressure drainage device, the valve body is provided with a guide rod, a float is movably inserted through the guide rod, the upper end of the sealing member is connected to a linkage member, the linkage member is located above the float, and when the float rises, it can drive the linkage member to cause the sealing member to leave the valve hole.

[0008] As one of the preferred solutions for a pneumatically activated negative pressure drainage device, the buoyancy force of the float when it is submerged in the water is F, the weight of the float is G1, the weight of the linkage is G2, and the float is located in the valve hole so that the suction force X of the negative pressure drainage pipe satisfies F>G1+G2+X.

[0009] As one of the preferred solutions for a pneumatically operated negative pressure drainage device, the first set height is the liquid level height when the float pulls the sealing element away from the valve hole, and the second set height is the liquid level height when the sealing element falls onto the valve hole.

[0010] As a preferred embodiment of a pneumatically activated negative pressure drainage device, the diameter of the float is larger than the diameter of the discharge port, and the buoyancy of the portion of the float extending beyond the discharge port is greater than the weight of the float.

[0011] As a preferred embodiment of a pneumatically activated negative pressure drainage device, the pneumatically activated valve group includes a solenoid valve, a liquid level sensor, and a controller. The controller is configured with a first set height and a second set height. The controller identifies the liquid level height through the liquid level sensor and opens the solenoid valve when the first set height is reached, and closes the solenoid valve when the second set height is reached.

[0012] As one of the preferred solutions for a pneumatically activated negative pressure drainage device, the pneumatically activated valve group is a float valve. One end of the float valve is connected to the atmosphere, and the other end is connected to the lower end of the discharge port. The end of the float valve connected to the atmosphere extends upward.

[0013] A negative pressure drainage method employs a pneumatically activated negative pressure drainage device, a negative pressure source, and a pipeline network located between the negative pressure source and the negative pressure drainage device. Drainage collection is initiated when the liquid level in the collection well reaches a first set height; gas-liquid mixed drainage collection is performed when the liquid level in the collection well is between the first set height and a second set height; and pure liquid drainage collection is performed when the liquid level in the collection well is between the second set height and the discharge port height. When the liquid level in the collection well is close to the discharge port, the float will block the discharge port.

[0014] As one of the preferred methods of negative pressure drainage, the difference between the first set height and the second set height in the pneumatically activated negative pressure drainage device located away from the negative pressure source is set to be greater than the difference between the first set height and the second set height in the pneumatically activated negative pressure drainage device located near the negative pressure source.

[0015] The beneficial effects of this invention are as follows: 1. Through the linkage design of the buoyancy-driven air-start valve group and the negative pressure drain valve, the liquid level triggers fully automatic opening and closing, without the need for external power control, which greatly reduces energy consumption and maintenance costs.

[0016] 2. The float and buoy structure adopt a purely mechanical action to avoid the jamming problem caused by frequent opening and closing of the solenoid valve; the cage-like chamber guides the float to accurately seal the discharge port, ensuring sealing reliability and reducing the risk of leakage.

[0017] 3. In the gas-liquid mixing drainage stage, air is introduced to reduce the fluid density inside the pipe, which significantly increases the negative pressure suction distance and allows for a longer discharge distance in a single operation.

[0018] 4. By setting different liquid level differences in different collection wells, the negative pressure distribution of the pipeline network is balanced, avoiding pressure fluctuations caused by the simultaneous opening of multiple wells, and ensuring the overall operational stability of the system.

[0019] 5. The valve assembly is integrated inside the collection well, and the guide rod linkage and float linkage design simplifies the mechanical transmission path and reduces failure points; the corrosion-resistant material is suitable for sewage environments and extends the service life of the device. Attached Figure Description

[0020] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the water collection state of the present invention.

[0021] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the pneumatic start valve assembly in the open state of the present invention.

[0022] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the gas-liquid mixed drainage state of the present invention.

[0023] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the pure liquid drainage state of the present invention.

[0024] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the cutoff state of the present invention.

[0025] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

[0026] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of Embodiment 3 of the present invention.

[0027] The components include: 1. Collection well; 2. Sewage inlet; 3. Negative pressure drain pipe; 4. Cage chamber; 5. Discharge outlet; 6. Float; 7. Air-activated valve assembly; 8. Air inlet pipe; 9. Connecting pipe; 10. Valve body; 11. Valve hole; 12. Sealing component; 13. Guide rod; 14. Float; 15. Linkage component; First set height; Second set height; 16. Solenoid valve; 17. Liquid level sensor; 18. Pull ring; 19. Float valve; 30. Negative pressure drain valve. Detailed Implementation

[0028] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0029] like Figure 1 As shown, a mechanical pneumatic-operated negative pressure drainage device mainly includes a collection well 1. The collection well 1 has a sewage inlet 2 for receiving collected sewage or wastewater. The collection well 1 is connected to a negative pressure pipe network (not shown in the figure) via a negative pressure drainage pipe 3, which extends to the bottom of the collection well 1, and its end is connected to a negative pressure drainage valve 30.

[0030] The negative pressure drain valve 30 includes a cage-like chamber 4 fixed to the bottom of the collection well. A discharge port 5 is provided at the center of the bottom of the cage-like chamber 4. The cage-like chamber 4 contains a float 6 for sealing the discharge port 5. The diameter of the float 6 is larger than the diameter of the discharge port 5, and the buoyancy of the part of the float 6 extending beyond the discharge port 5 in the liquid is greater than its own weight.

[0031] Inside the collection well 1, at a height higher than the negative pressure drain valve 30, there is a pneumatic start valve assembly 7. The pneumatic start valve assembly 7 is connected to the atmospheric environment through the air inlet pipe 8, and is also connected to the negative pressure drain pipe 3 through the connecting pipe 9.

[0032] like Figure 2The diagram illustrates a preferred mechanical structure embodiment of the air-start valve assembly 7. The air-start valve assembly 7 includes a valve body 10. A valve hole 11 is provided in the center of the valve body 10, which is sealed or opened by a sealing element 12, such as a valve plug or valve ball. A vertical guide rod 13 is fixedly mounted on the valve body 10. A float 14 is movably fitted onto the guide rod 13. A linkage 15 is connected to the upper end of the sealing element 12, located above the float 14 and passing through the guide rod 13 to connect with the sealing element. When the liquid level in the collection well 1 rises, the float 14 rises with the liquid surface, and its upper surface contacts and pushes up the linkage 15, thereby driving the sealing element 12 upwards, away from the valve hole 11, thus opening the air passage. At this point, gas-liquid mixture discharge occurs. As the liquid level drops, float 14 falls accordingly, and linkage 15 and sealing element 12 fall back under gravity, resealing valve hole 11 and closing the gas path, thus initiating pure liquid discharge. When the air-activated valve assembly 7 opens, sealing element 12 leaves valve hole 11, and external air flows through inlet pipe 8 through valve hole 11 to outlet 5. At this time, the suction force of outlet 5 on float 6 decreases, and the buoyancy of float 6 is greater than its weight and suction force, causing float 6 to leave outlet for liquid discharge. Since air-activated valve assembly 7 is not closed at this time, gas and liquid will be mixed and discharged together at outlet, achieving gas-liquid mixture discharge. For negative pressure drainage devices close to the gas source station, the opening time of air-activated valve assembly 7 can be reduced by adjusting the size of float 14 (increasing width and decreasing height). For negative pressure drainage devices far from the gas source station, the gas-liquid mixture discharge time can be adjusted by decreasing width and increasing height. The pull ring 18 is used for routine maintenance. In case of problems, such as debris between the drain port and the float, the air start valve assembly can be manually opened by pulling the pull ring.

[0033] The first set height is the liquid level when the float 14 rises to just enough to lift the linkage 15 and make the sealing member 12 leave the valve hole 11. The second set height is the liquid level when the liquid level drops to the point where the float 14 falls and the sealing member 12 just sits back down under the action of gravity and seals the valve hole 11.

[0034] Combination Figure 3 The diagram shown illustrates the working principle of the negative pressure drainage device of the present invention, and its drainage method is as follows: The liquid level in collection well 1 is lower than the first set height. The air-start valve assembly 7 is in the closed state, and the sealing element 12 seals the valve hole 11. The negative pressure in the negative pressure drain pipe 3 acts on the float 6 through the discharge port 5, overcoming the buoyancy of the float 6 and adsorbing it onto the discharge port 5 to achieve a seal. At this time, the device is closed and no drainage is performed.

[0035] As sewage continues to flow in, the liquid level in collection well 1 rises to the first set height. At this time, float 14 rises and drives the air-activated valve assembly 7 to open the sealing element 12 and leave the valve hole 11. External air enters below the discharge port through the air inlet pipe 8. The introduction of air disrupts the negative pressure environment at discharge port 5, causing the negative pressure adsorption force on float 6 to decrease sharply. At this time, float 6 floats upward under the action of its own buoyancy being greater than its weight and the suction force at the discharge port, detaching from discharge port 5, and the device starts.

[0036] Gas-liquid mixed drainage (liquid level between 0 and 1): After the device is turned on, the negative pressure source forcefully draws in air through the negative pressure drain pipe 3. When the liquid level is between 0 and 1, the air-start valve group 7 remains open, and air is continuously introduced. At this time, the sewage and air mix to form a gas-liquid two-phase flow, which is drawn into the negative pressure drain pipe 3 and transported away. The introduced air reduces the average density of the fluid in the pipe, effectively reducing flow resistance and significantly improving the effective operating distance and efficiency of a single suction.

[0037] Pure liquid drainage (liquid level between the float sealing height): As sewage continues to be pumped out, the liquid level in collection well 1 drops. When the liquid level drops below the second set height but is still above the minimum liquid level required for float 6 to block discharge port 5, float 14 drops with the liquid level, air-activated valve assembly 7 closes (blocking element 12 blocks valve orifice 11), and air introduction stops. At this time, if... Figure 4 As shown, the negative pressure source continues to draw through the negative pressure drain pipe 3, and the device enters the pure liquid drainage stage, efficiently emptying the remaining sewage in the well.

[0038] Close (liquid level close to sealing height): like Figure 5 As shown, when the sewage is about to be drained and the liquid level drops to the point where the float 6 cannot be completely submerged, the buoyancy of the float 6 is insufficient to overcome gravity, and it falls under the influence of gravity. At the same time, the negative pressure in the negative pressure drain pipe 3 generates an adsorption force on the float 6 through the discharge port 5, eventually adsorbing the float 6 and sealing it tightly against the discharge port 5, thus closing the device and completing one drainage cycle.

[0039] In practical implementation, for negative pressure drainage devices far from the negative pressure source, the difference between their first and second set heights should be set relatively large; while for negative pressure drainage devices close to the negative pressure source, the difference should be set relatively small. This differentiated setting can adjust the liquid level at the start of drainage and the liquid level at the stop of air introduction for different devices, which helps to balance the negative pressure distribution in the pipe network, reduce pressure fluctuations caused by multiple devices draining large amounts of water simultaneously, and ensure the stability of the entire system operation.

[0040] Example 2: like Figure 6As shown: The core difference between this embodiment and Embodiment 1 lies in the gas-activated valve assembly 7, which mainly consists of a solenoid valve 16, a liquid level sensor 17, and a controller. One end of the solenoid valve 16 is connected to the bottom of the discharge port, and the other end is connected to the atmosphere. The solenoid valve 16 is used to precisely control the gas flow, while the liquid level sensor 17 monitors the liquid level changes in the container in real time. The controller has a first set height and a second set height preset internally, corresponding to the lower and upper limits of liquid level control, respectively. In actual operation, the controller continuously collects liquid level data through the liquid level sensor. When the liquid level drops to the first set height, the controller immediately triggers the solenoid valve to open, introducing gas to adjust the liquid level; conversely, when the liquid level rises to the second set height, the controller promptly closes the solenoid valve to ensure system stability and prevent overflow. This design optimizes the liquid level management process and improves the overall automation level. The solenoid valve can be installed outside the negative pressure drainage device, requiring only a small voltage and current, and can be independently powered by a small solar panel and battery, resulting in low cost.

[0041] Example 3: The core difference between this example and Example 1 lies in the difference in the air-start valve assembly 7. This air-start valve assembly is a float valve, with one end of the float valve opening connected to the atmosphere. The float valve is connected to the negative pressure drain valve through a pipeline. When the liquid level reaches the first set height, the float valve... A drainage method, comprising a mechanically pneumatically activated negative pressure drainage device, includes the following steps: When the liquid level in the collection well (1) reaches a first set height, drainage collection is initiated; When the liquid level in the collection well (1) is between the first set height and the second set height, gas-liquid mixed drainage is collected; when the liquid level in the collection well (1) is between the second set height and the height of the discharge port 5, pure liquid drainage is collected; when the liquid level in the collection well (1) is close to the discharge port 5, the float 6 blocks the discharge port 5.

[0042] In this embodiment, the difference between the first set height and the second set height in the negative pressure drainage device located far from the negative pressure source is set to be greater than the difference between the first set height and the second set height in the negative pressure drainage device located close to the negative pressure source.

[0043] Example 3: like Figure 7As shown: The core difference between this embodiment and Embodiment 1 lies in the difference in the air-activated valve assembly 7. This valve assembly mainly consists of a float valve 19. One end of the float valve 19 is connected to the atmosphere, and the other end is connected to the lower end of the discharge port. When the liquid level is low, the float of the float valve descends due to gravity, closing the float valve 19. When the liquid level rises, the float valve 19 opens. At this time, the first set height is when the buoyancy of the float is greater than the gravity and the negative pressure suction, and the second set height is the height at which the float naturally droops to close the float valve. When using a float valve, the distance between the negative pressure received by the valve body from the negative pressure pipeline and the float lever is almost negligible, and the first set height and the second set height are close.

[0044] Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of this application, not all of them. Listing all technical features of the dependent claims in a certain embodiment does not mean that such features are essential; this embodiment is for the purpose of simply and clearly describing the technical solution. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of this application without inventive effort are within the scope of protection of this application.

Claims

1. A pneumatically operated negative pressure drainage device, comprising a collection well (1), wherein the collection well (1) is provided with a sewage inlet (2), and a negative pressure drainage pipe (3) is provided on the collection well (1), the negative pressure drainage pipe (3) extending to the bottom of the collection well (1), and having a negative pressure drainage valve (30) at its end, characterized in that: The negative pressure drain valve (30) includes a cage-shaped chamber (4), with a discharge port (5) at the bottom of the cage-shaped chamber (4). A float (6) for sealing the discharge port is provided inside the cage-shaped chamber (4). It also includes an air-activated valve assembly (7), which is installed at a height higher than the negative pressure drain valve (30). Pipes are connected to both ends of the air-activated valve assembly (7), which are connected to the atmosphere and the lower end of the discharge port (5), respectively. When the liquid level reaches the first set height, the air-activated valve assembly (7) is opened, introducing air to the discharge port (5) so that the suction force of the discharge port (5) decreases rapidly. When the buoyancy of the float (6) is greater than the suction force and gravity, the float (6) leaves the discharge port (5), and the negative pressure drain valve (30) opens. The air-activated valve assembly (7) closes when the liquid level reaches the second set height. The air-start valve assembly (7) is installed in the collection well (1). The air-start valve assembly (7) includes a valve body (10). The valve body (10) has a valve hole (11) in the middle. A sealing element (12) is provided on the valve hole (11). The sealing element (12) is open when the liquid level in the collection well (1) reaches a first set height and leaves the valve hole (11). The sealing element (12) is closed when the liquid level in the collection well (1) reaches a second set height. The valve body (10) is provided with a guide rod (13), and a movable float (14) is passed through the guide rod (13). The upper end of the sealing member (12) is connected to a linkage member (15). The linkage member (15) is located above the float (14). When the float (14) floats up, it can drive the linkage member (15) so that the sealing member (12) leaves the valve hole (11). A pull ring (18) is also connected above the linkage member (15). The first set height is the liquid level height when the float (14) pulls the sealing member (12) away from the valve hole (11), and the second set height is the liquid level height when the sealing member (12) falls on the valve hole (11); The diameter of the float (6) is larger than the diameter of the discharge port (5), and the buoyancy of the part of the float (6) that extends beyond the discharge port (5) is greater than the weight of the float (6).

2. A negative pressure drainage method, employing the pneumatically activated negative pressure drainage device as described in claim 1, and further employing a negative pressure source and a pipe network located between the negative pressure source and the negative pressure drainage device, characterized in that: a. When the liquid level in the collection well (1) reaches the first set height, drainage collection is initiated; b. When the liquid level in the collection well (1) is between the first set height and the second set height, gas-liquid mixing drainage collection is carried out; c. Pure liquid drainage collection is carried out when the liquid level in the collection well (1) is between the second set height and the height of the discharge port (5); d. When the liquid level in the collection well (1) is close to the discharge port (5), the float (6) blocks the discharge port (5).

3. The negative pressure drainage method according to claim 2, characterized in that: The difference between the first set height and the second set height in the pneumatically activated negative pressure drainage device located far from the negative pressure source is set to be greater than the difference between the first set height and the second set height in the pneumatically activated negative pressure drainage device located near the negative pressure source.

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