Check Valve Mechanism Prevents Backflow in Animal Watering Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing animal watering systems fail to prevent contaminated water from being sucked back into the main water supply during flushing cycles, posing a risk of contamination.
Innovation Solution
An animal watering device equipped with a check valve mechanism, comprising a valve body, check ball, screen disc, and retention tail, which includes a compression spring and o-rings to prevent backflow by using a valve device with specific geometries and components to ensure clean water separation during flushing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a flushing cycle is implemented in the animal watering system, then water quality in the trough is improved, but contaminated water may be sucked back into the main water supply
Solution Approach 1:
A check valve is introduced as an intermediary component between the main water supply and the watering trough. The valve includes a valve body, check ball, screen disc, and retention tail that work together to allow water flow in one direction only, preventing contaminated water from being sucked back into the main supply during flushing cycles.
Solution Approach 2:
The harmful backflow is extracted or separated from the system by using the check valve to isolate the main water supply from the trough. The valve effectively removes the contamination risk by blocking the reverse flow path while maintaining normal water delivery.
2Reliability
If a check valve mechanism is added to prevent backflow, then water quality is protected, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The check valve is divided into separate, modular components including the valve body, check ball, screen disc, and retention tail. This segmentation allows for easier manufacturing, assembly, and maintenance while achieving the backflow prevention function. Each component has a specific role and can be replaced independently if needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The check valve operates automatically using the flow of water itself to open and close the valve mechanism. The check ball is lifted by incoming water pressure to allow flow, and automatically closes when flow stops or reverses, requiring no external control or additional energy input.
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
Effectively prevents contaminated water from entering the main water supply during flushing cycles, maintaining water quality and system hygiene.
Implementation Method 1
a compression spring and o-rings to prevent backflow
Implementation Method 2
comprising a valve body, check ball, screen disc, and retention tail
Implementation Method 3
a compression spring and o-rings to prevent backflow
Data Source
AI summary
An animal watering valve preferably includes a valve device, a check ball, a screen disc and retention tail. The valve device preferably includes a valve body, a valve stem, a retention plug, a stem o-ring and a compression spring. The valve body preferably includes a threaded shank. A valve bore is formed in the valve body to receive the valve stem. A plug bore is formed in the threaded shank. The retention plug preferably is threaded into the plug bore. The retention tail preferably includes a receiver body and an attachment shaft. The receiver body includes a ball tapered counter bore to receive the check ball and a screen counter bore to receive the screen disc. The threaded shank tap is sized to threadably receive the threaded shank of the valve body. A valve extender is used to increase a length of the animal watering valve.