Curved-Flange Check Valve for Low-Pressure Opening and Backflow Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing check valves fail to effectively prevent backflow while allowing normal fluid flow at low pressures and are not easily installable in various pipe systems.
Innovation Solution
A check valve design featuring a tubular housing with a resilient flexible valve element having a tapered body and a radially outward flange with a curved outer surface, combined with a curved surface protrusion in the housing, allows easy opening at low fluid pressures and efficient backflow prevention, along with a snap-fit locking mechanism for secure installation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional check valve design is used, then backflow prevention is achieved, but the valve requires high fluid pressure to open for normal flow
Solution Approach 1:
The valve element incorporates a curved outer surface portion with a degree of curvature of 85 to 95 degrees on the flange, which interacts with a corresponding curved surface protrusion in the housing. This curved geometry distributes the opening force more effectively, allowing the valve to open at lower fluid pressures while maintaining reliable backflow prevention through the same curved sealing interface.
2Reliability
If a conventional check valve design is used, then backflow prevention is achieved, but the valve is difficult to install in various pipe systems
Solution Approach 1:
The check valve is designed as a modular assembly with distinct components: a tubular housing, a separate valve element with flange, and a snap-fit locking mechanism. This segmentation allows the valve to be installed in various orientations and adapted to different pipe system configurations, improving installation ease while maintaining the integrated curved surface design for reliable backflow prevention.
3Stress or pressure
If the valve element is made more resilient for easier opening, then opening at low pressure is improved, but backflow sealing capability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The valve element features a tapered body with varying wall thickness and a flange with a curved outer surface portion that has specific geometric properties (85 to 95 degrees curvature). This local quality variation allows the valve to open easily at low pressures through the resilient tapered body while the precisely engineered curved flange interface maintains strong backflow sealing capability through optimal contact geometry.
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 design enhances the ability to withstand backflow pressure without leakage, improves normal flow operation, and allows for easy and reliable installation in various orientations within pipe systems.
Implementation Method 1
a resilient flexible valve element arranged at least partially inside the housing... the valve element is deformable by a predetermined fluid pressure from the inlet to open the check valve
Implementation Method 2
the flange comprises a curved outer surface portion having a degree of curvature of 85 to 95 degrees, and that the housing is formed with a protrusion having a curved surface for engaging the curved outer surface portion of the flange
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~8
AI summary
A check valve (10) for controlling a flow of fluid by fluid pressure, comprising a housing (11) and a resilient flexible valve element (12) inside the housing (11), wherein the valve element (12) is formed as a hollow and longitudinally tapered body (16) with an open wide end (18) and a closed narrow end (19), and wherein the wide end (18) of the valve element (12), in a default configuration, engages an inner surface of the housing (11) to close the check valve (10) and is deformable by a predetermined fluid pressure from the inlet (13) to open the check valve (10). The tapered body (16) comprises a radially outwardly projecting flange (17) at the wide end (18), which flange comprises a curved outer surface portion (20) having a degree of curvature of 85 to 95 degrees, wherein the housing (11) is formed with a protrusion (29) having a curved surface (30) for engaging the curved outer surface portion (20) of the flange (17).