Animal Drinker Check Valve With Deflector Plate Against Gas Locking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing check valves in water supply systems for animals, such as poultry, can become stuck in a closed configuration due to high velocity and/or high pressure gas streams, preventing gas venting as intended.
Innovation Solution
A valve design featuring a housing with a first and second ball, and a deflector plate, where the balls are linearly aligned and movable to seal the outlet, and the deflector plate deflects incoming gas to prevent it from driving the balls upward, thus preventing the valve from locking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a floating ball seals the outlet to prevent water escape, then water containment is improved, but high velocity gas can drive the ball upward causing the valve to stick closed
Solution Approach 1:
The valve separates the water sealing function (first ball on outlet seat) from the gas venting path by introducing a second ball and deflector plate. The deflector plate segments the gas flow direction, allowing gas to bypass the first ball while the second ball provides an additional sealing mechanism that responds to gas pressure changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The deflector plate serves as an intermediary structure that modifies the gas flow path. It redirects high velocity gas away from the first ball, preventing the gas stream from directly impacting and displacing the water-sealing ball. This maintains the first ball's responsiveness to water pressure while allowing gas to vent through the system.
2Device complexity
If the valve uses a simple floating ball design, then device complexity is reduced, but the valve becomes susceptible to becoming stuck when high pressure gas enters
Solution Approach 1:
The valve structure is segmented into two balls with distinct functions and a deflector plate, creating a more complex but reliable system. The first ball handles water sealing, the second ball handles gas sealing, and the deflector plate manages gas flow direction. This segmentation increases component count but dramatically improves reliability under mixed fluid conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The deflector plate is introduced as an intermediary component between the inlet and the first ball. This plate redirects high velocity gas flow away from the first ball, preventing gas pressure from displacing the water-sealing ball. While this adds a component, it significantly enhances operational reliability without requiring complex control systems.
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 valve effectively prevents locking during high pressure and velocity gas inflows, ensuring reliable operation and reducing servicing needs by allowing gas venting while maintaining water containment.
Implementation Method 1
The deflector plate deflects gas that enters through the inlet to prevent the gas from driving the first and second balls upward toward the second position
Implementation Method 2
The first ball is raised above the seat toward the outlet urging the second ball to engage the outlet and seal the outlet
Data Source
AI summary
A valve includes a housing, a first ball, a second ball, and a deflector plate. The housing defines an inner chamber and has an inlet and an outlet providing fluid communication into the inner chamber. A longitudinal axis extends between the inlet and outlet. The first ball is disposed in the inner chamber between the inlet and outlet and rests on a seat extending into the inner chamber. The second ball is disposed in the inner chamber between the first ball and outlet and rests on the first ball. The deflector plate is disposed in the inner chamber and positioned between the inlet and first ball. The first ball, second ball, and deflector plate are aligned so that their centers lie on the longitudinal axis. The deflector plate is configured to deflect gas entering through the inlet to prevent the gas from driving the first and second balls upward.