Bi-Fold Pipe Valve Barrier With Cable Actuation for Jam-Free Flow Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid control mechanisms in irrigation and similar environments face challenges with efficient and reliable operation, particularly in harsh conditions, due to issues like gear jamming and wear, which affect accuracy and longevity.
Innovation Solution
The development of a bi-foldable fluid control barrier with a hinge and pivotally mounted struts, combined with a cable drive device that uses a cable drum and arcuate segment drive member, allows for precise control of fluid flow by minimizing the force required to open or close the barrier, and is designed to be resistant to harsh environments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional gear mechanisms are used for actuation, then mechanical advantage is achieved, but gear jamming and wear occur reducing reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional gear mechanisms with a cable-driven pulley system. The actuation member rotates a pulley that winds or unwinds a cable, directly moving the barrier member without mechanical gears. This substitution eliminates gear jamming and wear while maintaining mechanical advantage through the pulley's rotational mechanics and cable tension system.
2Ease of operation
If barrier member is mounted away from centroidal axis, then control is achieved, but excessive force is required to open or close
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions the barrier member and its support structure to balance the hydraulic forces acting on it. By carefully designing the mounting location and support geometry, the system creates a counterbalancing effect where the barrier's weight and hydraulic pressure are offset, minimizing the net force required by the cable actuation system to move the barrier between open and closed positions.
3Power
If cable drum is used for actuation, then mechanical advantage is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the cable drum actuation system directly into the existing barrier structure. The pulley is mounted on the barrier member itself, and the cable is anchored to the pipe or support structure, merging the actuation mechanism with the barrier assembly. This integration reduces overall device complexity compared to separate actuation systems while maintaining the mechanical advantage of the drum/cable arrangement.
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
This solution provides a reliable and accurate method for controlling fluid flow, reducing the risk of mechanical failure and maintaining efficiency even in harsh conditions, while minimizing the power required to operate the fluid control barrier.
Implementation Method 1
a cable drum attached to a support bracket adapted to be affixed to a surface, said cable drum having an axle supported by said support bracket to allow rotation of said cable drum
Implementation Method 2
said cable drum having a cable affixed at either end of said linear drive member and tautly wrapped around said cable drum, said cable drum located between said ends of said linear drive member to, in use, allow said linear drive member to be guided through said bracket to move said linear drive member longitudinally when said axle is rotated
Implementation Method 3
a bi-foldable barrier member controls movement of said fluid, said bi-foldable barrier member having a pair of plates with a hinge along their straight edges to allow for opening and closing of said fluid control barrier
Implementation Method 4
at least one pair of struts pivotally mounted to said plates at one end and pivotally attached to a fixed position shaft or cross member at the other end thereof, said struts mounted to said plates along or near to the centroidal axes of said plates to minimize the force required to open or close said bi-foldable barrier member
Data Source
AI summary
An arrangement for controlling and measuring flow. The arrangement includes a fluid control barrier and a flow-measuring apparatus upstream of the fluid control barrier. The fluid control barrier includes a pair of plates for opening and closing a pipe, and the plates are movable towards a center line of the pipe to open the pipe and produce a symmetrical flow profile for the flow-measuring apparatus.