Annular-Passage Piston Valve for Water Treatment Regeneration
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing valve systems for controlling liquid flow in water treatment processes are complex due to the need for selective direction of liquids to multiple flow paths, mixing with other fluids, and managing different process steps, often requiring separate valves and piping for functions like regeneration and shutoff.
Innovation Solution
A control valve with a movable piston and annular flow cavities that allows selective fluid communication between multiple ports, enabling the valve to direct liquids through various flow paths, integrate functions like regeneration and shutoff, and eliminate the need for separate valves and piping by using a single valve body with a controller that can be readily installed, removed, and modified for maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate valves and piping are used to control liquid flow to multiple flow paths, then flow control functionality is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple valve functions (inlet valve, outlet valve, bypass valve, shutoff valve) into a single integrated valve body with a piston element. The piston selectively positions flow paths between different ports (inlet, outlet, bypass, drain) to achieve multiple flow control functions that previously required separate valves and piping arrangements.
Solution Approach 2:
The single valve body with piston mechanism performs multiple functions: controlling flow to the treatment tank, providing bypass flow, shutting off flow, and enabling regeneration. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for multiple specialized valves while maintaining all necessary flow control capabilities.
2Adaptability or versatility
If separate valves are used for shutoff and bypass functions, then specific flow control is achieved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to multiple controls
Solution Approach 1:
The piston mechanism integrates shutoff, bypass, and main flow control functions into a single operational element. By moving the piston to different positions, all flow control functions are achieved through one coordinated action rather than requiring separate controls for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The single piston element serves as a universal control that can selectively activate any combination of flow paths (main flow, bypass, shutoff, drain) depending on its position, simplifying operation while maintaining precise flow control capabilities.
3Device complexity
If integrated valve functions are combined into one valve body, then device complexity is reduced, but ease of repair deteriorates due to limited access
Solution Approach 1:
The valve body is designed as a separable assembly with the piston element that can be removed from the valve body. This segmentation allows the piston to be accessed, inspected, and replaced independently without replacing the entire valve assembly, facilitating easier maintenance and repair.
Solution Approach 2:
The piston is designed to be extractable from the valve body through a removal opening. This extraction capability allows the movable valve element to be taken out for cleaning, inspection, or replacement while leaving the valve body in place, improving accessibility for maintenance operations.
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid control valve (320) that is utilized in a liquid treatment system includes a valve body (322). The valve body includes a plurality of liquid ports (A, B, C D, E, F) and a plurality of annular flow cavities. A piston (328) which includes at least one annular flow passage and a longitudinal flow passage, is selectively movable within a bore (324) within the valve body responsive to operation of at least one motor. The piston is selectively axially positionable within the bore to enable liquid flow through a plurality of flow paths. The exemplary valve enables treatment material housed in an associated liquid treatment tank to undergo a regeneration cycle as a result of liquid flow though the valve, while the valve outlet port that is operable in a valve service condition to deliver treated liquid, is continuously not in fluid flow connection with any other port the valve during the regeneration cycle.