Backwater Valve Cam Locking for Automatic Flood Closure
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing backwater valves lack effective mechanisms to automatically switch from a normally open to a normally closed position in response to rising water levels, potentially allowing backflow during flooding events.
Innovation Solution
A backwater valve design featuring a pivotally movable valve member, a rotatable cam, counterweights, and floats that automatically pivot the valve member to a closed position when water levels rise, with a control system to activate the cam and secure the valve shut, and a method for retrofitting existing valves with a backwater valve insert that includes a cam locking mechanism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a backwater valve is designed to be normally open to allow free water flow, then water flow efficiency is improved, but the valve cannot automatically close to prevent backflow during flooding events
Solution Approach 1:
The valve incorporates floats that automatically rise with water levels to trigger closure, and a cam mechanism that self-actuates to lock the valve shut without external intervention. The system serves itself by detecting backwater conditions and automatically responding to prevent flooding.
Solution Approach 2:
The cam mechanism is pre-positioned in an open state, and the valve is designed to transition to a locked closed state when needed. The counterweights are pre-configured to bias the valve toward the open position during normal operation, with the cam ready to engage and secure closure when water levels rise.
2Reliability
If a cam mechanism is added to secure the valve in closed position, then backflow prevention reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cam mechanism is integrated with the existing valve body and valve member, combining the locking function with the closure mechanism. The cam, counterweights, and floats work as a unified system rather than separate add-on components, reducing overall complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The cam acts as an intermediary element that translates the rising water level (detected by floats) into a secure locked closed position. The counterweights serve as intermediaries that provide mechanical advantage and bias the valve toward open position during normal operation.
3Ease of operation
If counterweights are used to bias the valve member toward open position, then ease of operation is improved, but the valve cannot maintain closed position during backwater events
Solution Approach 1:
Counterweights are strategically positioned to provide mechanical advantage that biases the valve toward the open position during normal operation, reducing the force needed to keep the valve open. During backwater events, the cam mechanism overrides this counterweight effect to securely lock the valve in the closed position.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve system transitions dynamically between two states: normally open biased by counterweights for easy operation, and securely closed when the cam engages during backwater events. The system adapts its mechanical characteristics based on operating conditions.
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 effectively prevents backwater flow by automatically switching to a closed position in response to rising water levels, enhancing flood protection and reducing the risk of water damage.
Implementation Method 1
A cam may be rotatably mounted above the inlet, the cam having a first rotary position in which the valve member is permitted to move to the open position and a second rotary position in which the cam engages the valve member to secure the valve member in the closed position. With the valve member in the open position, the cam may push the valve member toward the close position as the cam moves toward the second rotary position.
Implementation Method 2
the valve member may be biased toward the open position by one or more counterweights
Implementation Method 3
there may be one or more floats that, in the presence of water, rise and engage a valve member actuator, such as the counterweights, to pivot the valve member toward the closed position
Data Source
AI summary
A backwater valve has a hollow valve body having an inlet and an outlet, and a valve member pivotally movable about a pivot axis disposed above the inlet. The valve member pivots between an open position in which the valve member is away from the inlet and a closed position in which the valve member closes the inlet. A cam is rotatably mounted above the inlet. The cam has a first rotary position in which the valve member is permitted to move to the open position and a second rotary position in which the cam engages the valve member to secure the valve member in the closed position. With the valve member in the open position, the cam pushes the valve member toward the close position as the cam moves toward the second rotary position.