Air Admittance Valve Layout for Liquid Rise Sealing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing air admittance valves in drainage systems are prone to contamination and non-guaranteed sealing due to liquid rise and clogging, leading to potential leaks and sanitary issues, especially when mounted in low spaces with limited height.

Innovation Solution

A valve device incorporating a chamber with a check valve and a float valve, featuring a movable valve member with a convex top surface and flat bottom surface, which allows one-way fluid communication to equalize pressure while preventing liquid from entering the chamber, thereby reducing turbulence and ensuring effective sealing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a traditional air admittance valve is used in a drainage system, then pressure equalization is achieved, but the valve is prone to contamination from liquid rise and clogging, leading to non-guaranteed sealing and potential leaks

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing reliabilityVSAvoidliquid contamination
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The valve device is divided into two separate functional chambers: a first chamber containing a check valve for pressure equalization, and a second chamber containing a float valve for liquid prevention. This segmentation isolates the sealing components from liquid contamination, ensuring reliable sealing without the risk of liquid rise affecting the valve mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A separation wall with a communication aperture connects the two chambers, acting as an intermediary structure. The check valve in the first chamber equalizes pressure while the float valve in the second chamber prevents liquid from entering the communication path, allowing air flow while blocking liquid contamination.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If the valve is mounted low in a space with limited height, then installation flexibility is improved, but the risk of liquid rise contaminating the valve increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation flexibilityVSAvoidliquid rise
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

By dividing the valve into two chambers with distinct functions, the design allows low-level installation while protecting the critical sealing components. The float valve specifically addresses liquid rise protection, enabling flexible mounting positions without compromising sealing reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Device complexity

If a check valve alone is used for pressure equalization, then the structure is simple, but liquid can enter the chamber and affect sealing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevalve structureVSAvoidsealing guarantee
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The valve device segments the single chamber into two separate chambers, each with a dedicated valve type. The first chamber handles pressure equalization with a check valve, while the second chamber prevents liquid ingress with a float valve, achieving reliable sealing without excessive complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention merges two different valve mechanisms (check valve and float valve) into a single integrated device with a shared housing and communication path, achieving both pressure equalization and liquid prevention functions in one compact unit.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 valve device effectively equalizes pressure between the piping system and the atmosphere, prevents liquid from reaching the chamber, and minimizes turbulence, ensuring efficient and noise-free operation with low flow resistance, thus preventing water trap drainage and odor leaks.

Implementation Method 1

The chamber comprises a check valve arranged to allow fluid communication between the chamber and the surrounding atmosphere when the pressure difference between the surrounding atmosphere and the pressure within the chamber reaches a predetermined value

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure difference: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 2

The float valve is arranged to allow fluid communication within the valve device in an inactive state, and, when a liquid enters the pipe through a lower end of the pipe, engage the valve seat to stop fluid communication

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectBuoyancy: Archimedes' Principle (Buoyancy)

Data Source

PatentEP3365503B1Valve device
Publication Date: 2021.03.24 DURGO
  • EP3365503B1 patent drawingFigure 1a~1b
  • EP3365503B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2B
  • EP3365503B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~3h

AI summary

The object of the present invention is to provide a valve device (1) for pressure equalization of the pressure within said device (1) and the surrounding atmosphere. The device (1) comprises a chamber (7) and a pipe (5), the chamber (7) being inselectively fluid communication with the pipe (5). The chamber (7) comprises a check valve (9) arranged to allow fluid communication between the chamber (7) and the surrounding atmosphere when the pressure difference between the surrounding atmosphere and the pressure within the chamber (7) reaches a predetermined value. The device (1) further comprises a float valve (11), being arranged to, when a liquid enters the pipe (5) stop fluid communication and prevent the liquid to reach the chamber (7). Another object of the present invention is to provide a piping system comprising at least one waste water generator connected to the waste water piping system. The piping system further comprises at least one valve device according to the invention.