Automated Backwater Gate Valve for Flooding Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing backwater valve assemblies are manually operated and require constant attention during prolonged backups, which can lead to inefficiencies and potential flooding issues.
Innovation Solution
An automated backwater gate valve assembly that includes a motor-driven actuator, fluid level sensor, and controller to automatically move the gate valve between open and closed positions based on detected fluid levels, along with additional sensors for obstruction detection and manual override capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a manual backwater valve is used, then the device structure is simple, but it requires constant manual attention during prolonged backups leading to inefficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The backwater valve assembly is configured to automatically detect fluid levels through sensors and actuate the gate valve without human intervention. The control system monitors the fluid level and autonomously opens or closes the valve based on predetermined thresholds, enabling the system to serve itself and eliminate the need for constant manual attention during prolonged backups.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the purely mechanical manual operation with an automated control system that uses electronic sensors to detect fluid levels and an actuator mechanism (motor-driven or solenoid-operated) to move the gate valve. This substitution of mechanical manual control with electromechanical automation resolves the contradiction by improving operational efficiency while accepting increased device complexity.
2Extent of automation
If manual operation is used, then the device is simpler to manufacture, but it cannot respond automatically to fluid level changes
Solution Approach 1:
The control system incorporates fluid level sensors that continuously monitor the fluid level in the drainage system and provide feedback to the control logic. When the fluid level reaches a predetermined threshold, the sensor triggers the actuator to open or close the gate valve automatically. This feedback mechanism enables automatic response to fluid level changes while systematically managing the increased device complexity through structured control logic.
3Productivity
If automated sensors and actuators are added, then operational efficiency improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system is designed to perform multiple functions: monitoring fluid levels, determining valve actuation timing, controlling the actuator, and providing status feedback. By integrating these functions into a single multi-functional control unit, the patent improves operational efficiency while managing device complexity through functional consolidation rather than adding separate independent systems for each function.
Data Source
AI summary
A backwater gate valve assembly having a gate valve movable between a closed position where the gate occludes an outlet opening and an open position where the gate valve does not occlude the outlet opening. The gate valve is coupled to a motorized actuator that is configured to move the gate valve between the open and closed positions upon sensing of a predetermined level of water in the body of the backwater gate valve assembly.