Adjustable Float Assembly for Tank Overfill Valve Calibration
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional overfill prevention valves for tanks lack flexibility in adjusting the target fill level and often require complex calibration processes, making them less adaptable to various tank sizes and shapes.
Innovation Solution
An overfill prevention valve with a float assembly that includes a repositionable float and actuator, allowing for easy adjustment of the target fill level by shifting the float relative to the actuator, and utilizing buoyant components to shift in correspondence with the actual fill level, ensuring the valve element transitions to a closed position when nearing the target fill level.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional overfill prevention valves are used, then overfill prevention function is provided, but the valve lacks flexibility in adjusting target fill level and requires complex calibration processes
Solution Approach 1:
The float assembly is designed to be repositionable along the actuator, allowing the target fill level to be dynamically adjusted by moving the float to different positions. This dynamic adjustment capability eliminates complex calibration procedures while maintaining adaptability to various tank sizes and shapes.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve design incorporates a universal float assembly that can be positioned at multiple locations along the actuator, enabling a single valve design to serve multiple tank configurations and fill level requirements without requiring complex calibration for each application.
2Ease of operation
If the float assembly uses discrete buoyant components, then the float can shift relative to the actuator for easy adjustment, but the components need to be securable to maintain operation
Solution Approach 1:
The float assembly is segmented into discrete buoyant components that can be independently positioned and secured. This segmentation allows easy adjustment of the target fill level by repositioning individual components while maintaining operational reliability through secure attachment mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The actuator serves as an intermediary element between the float and the valve element, providing a secure attachment point for the float while allowing relative movement. This intermediary structure enables both easy adjustment and reliable operation of the float assembly.
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
The solution provides a simple and adaptable mechanism for setting the target fill level, minimizing the need for tools and allowing easy calibration, while ensuring reliable overfill prevention across different tank configurations.
Implementation Method 1
The float is configured to be buoyantly supported by the fluid such that the float and the actuator are shiftable in correspondence with the actual fill level
Data Source
AI summary
An overfill prevention valve for use with a tank includes a valve element disposed in a fluid fill path and a float assembly including an actuator and a repositionable float. The float is selectively fixed relative to and moveable relative to the actuator to adjust a target fill level. The float is buoyantly supported by the fluid such that the float and the actuator are shiftable in correspondence with an actual fill level. The actuator is coupled with the valve element such that the valve element shifts to a closed position when the actual fill level nears a target fill level. The float includes discrete buoyant components that are shiftable away from each other and from the actuator to facilitate shifting of the float relative to the actuator and that are securable relative to each other and relative to the actuator to facilitate operation of the float assembly.