Pressure Regulator Drain Check Shuttle for Debris-Free Flow
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional drain check valves in pressure regulators for irrigation systems often obstruct water flow with radially extending support structures, which can catch debris and hinder performance, especially when the system is turned off and water drains through the sprinklers or nozzles, leading to unwanted flooding.
Innovation Solution
A drain check shuttle mechanism within the pressure regulator that does not require supporting struts extending through the flow passage, featuring a housing with a plunger and annular drain check shuttle that moves reciprocally to prevent water flow when inlet pressure is below a threshold, ensuring water retention in the piping system when it is off.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If radially extending support structures (ribs, beams, spokes) are used in drain check valves, then the valve can support the check mechanism, but these structures create obstructions in the flow path that hinder water flow and catch debris
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the radially extending support structures (ribs, beams, spokes) that were traditionally used to support the check mechanism. Instead, the check valve utilizes the housing walls and inlet cap as support surfaces, eliminating the obstructing elements while maintaining the drain check function. This extraction of harmful support structures resolves the contradiction by preserving reliability without compromising flow rate.
2Reliability
If radially extending support structures are used in drain check valves, then the valve can support the check mechanism, but these structures catch debris such as grasses in the flowing water
Solution Approach 1:
The invention eliminates the radially extending support structures that serve as debris traps. By supporting the check mechanism on the housing walls and inlet cap instead of using internal ribs or beams, the design removes the surfaces that would catch grasses and other debris, thereby maintaining reliability while reducing harmful debris accumulation.
3Loss of substance
If water is allowed to drain through sprinklers when pressure drops, then water is removed from low points in the pipe, but this causes unwanted flooding in applications where crops do not tolerate temporary flooding
Solution Approach 1:
The drain check valve performs preliminary anti-action by preventing water from draining through the sprinklers when inlet pressure drops below a threshold. The valve closes before drainage can occur, proactively blocking the harmful effect of water discharge that would cause flooding damage to crops. This anticipatory action resolves the contradiction by eliminating unwanted water loss while preventing crop damage.
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 prevents water drainage through the regulator without obstructing the flow path, reducing the risk of debris accumulation and maintaining uniform water pressure, thus addressing the issue of unwanted flooding and improving system efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
configured to move reciprocally with respect to both the housing and the plunger, wherein the drain check shuttle has a first position within the housing at which the drain check shuttle annularly abuts the regulator valve seat and closes the flow passage
Data Source
AI summary
A pressure regulator includes a housing having an inlet cap with an inlet flow passage and an outlet cap with an outlet flow passage. A plunger is reciprocally mounted in the housing. A stationary regulator valve seat is disposed between the inlet flow passage and an inlet to the plunger. A drain check shuttle is disposed in the inlet cap and positioned downstream of the regulator valve seat to prevent water from draining out of the regulator when an inlet water pressure is below a predetermined threshold.