A freeze prevention valve
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Solution Overview
Problem
Solar collector panels are prone to damage due to freezing of water within them, especially in locations with cold ambient temperatures, as existing solutions do not effectively prevent freezing without manual intervention or are inefficient in controlling fluid flow.
Innovation Solution
A freeze prevention valve with a piston member and temperature sensing device that automatically opens to drain water when temperatures drop below a certain level, using a return spring and temperature-sensitive element to control fluid flow, and allows manual override for flushing, ensuring water is replaced by warmer water from a hot water storage tank.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a freeze prevention valve is installed in a solar collector panel to prevent freezing damage, then the reliability of the solar collector panel is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional components needed for automatic temperature sensing and actuation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the temperature sensing function and valve actuation function into a single integrated freeze prevention valve assembly. The temperature sensing device is operatively associated with the piston member, allowing automatic valve operation based on temperature changes without requiring separate control systems or multiple discrete components.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve employs a self-actuating mechanism where the temperature sensing device automatically detects temperature changes and triggers the piston member to open or close the valve without external intervention. The return spring provides automatic reset functionality, allowing the valve to close when temperatures rise above the freezing point, eliminating the need for manual operation or external power sources.
2Ease of operation
If manual intervention is required to open the valve for flushing operations, then the ease of operation is improved, but the productivity decreases due to loss of time for manual intervention
Solution Approach 1:
The temperature sensing device continuously monitors the temperature of water in the solar collector panel and provides feedback to the piston member. When the temperature drops below a predetermined level, the sensing device automatically triggers the valve to open, enabling rapid response to freezing conditions without waiting for manual intervention. The system maintains readiness for manual flushing operations while providing automatic protection during normal operation.
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
Effectively prevents water from freezing in solar collector panels by automatically controlling fluid flow based on temperature changes, reducing the risk of damage and ensuring efficient operation by using a combination of automatic and manual control mechanisms.
Implementation Method 1
the temperature sensitive element contracts when the temperature of a fluid sensed by the temperature sensing device decreases and expands when the temperature of the fluid sensed by the temperature sensing device increases
Data Source
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AI summary
A freeze prevention valve comprising a body having an inlet (14) and an outlet (16) for fluid to exit the valve in an open condition, a valve seat (18) provided adjacent an opening (22) of the valve, a piston member (20) that is movable in the body, the piston member comprising a piston shaft and a piston head (24), the piston head (24) arranged to seat against the valve seat (18) in a closed condition of the valve, a temperature sensing device (26) comprising a temperature sensitive element (28), operatively associated with the piston head (24), wherein the temperature sensitive element contracts and expands when the temperature of the fluid sensed by the temperature sensing device decreases or increases, wherein contraction of the temperature sensitive element allows the return spring (30) to move the piston member to unseat the piston head from the valve seat and thereby open the valve.