Check Valve Spring Damping for Wastewater Lifting Systems

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wastewater lifting systems experience violent flap impacts and high pressure surges when closing the check valve, leading to noise and potential damage, which requires robust metal housings and results in annoying noise propagation.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a spring element connected to the check valve that exerts a force in the direction of its closed position, reducing the opening angle and closing time, and using a symmetrical spring design to minimize pressure surges and noise, allowing for a plastic housing instead of metal.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a check valve with a large ball passage is used to easily pump out solids, then the ball passage is large, but the flap impact is violent causing high pressure surge and noise

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveball passageVSAvoidpressure surge
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A rubber cushion element is positioned between the flap and the closure surface of the ball passage. When the flap closes, the rubber cushion absorbs the impact energy through deformation, cushioning the violent impact before it reaches the metal housing and riser pipe, thereby reducing pressure surge and noise while maintaining the large ball passage opening for solid waste removal

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

2Ease of operation

If a check valve with a large ball passage is used to easily pump out solids, then the ball passage is large, but the flap impact noise spreads through pipelines

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveball passageVSAvoidnoise
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The rubber cushion element is positioned between the flap and the closure surface of the ball passage. When the flap closes, the rubber cushion absorbs the impact energy through deformation, cushioning the violent impact before it reaches the metal housing and riser pipe, thereby reducing pressure surge and noise

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Strength

If the check valve housing is made of metal to withstand pressure surge, then the strength is high, but the weight and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehousing strengthVSAvoidhousing weight
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

A rubber cushion element is positioned between the flap and the closure surface of the ball passage. When the flap closes, the rubber cushion absorbs the impact energy through deformation, cushioning the violent impact before it reaches the metal housing and riser pipe, thereby reducing pressure surge and noise while allowing use of lighter materials

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses a composite construction combining rubber (elastic material) for the cushion element with metal or plastic for the housing. This composite approach allows the housing to be made of lighter materials like plastic while the rubber cushion provides the necessary shock absorption, reducing overall weight and cost while maintaining strength

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

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 significantly reduces closing noise and pressure surges, extends the service life of the valve and associated components, and prevents noise propagation through connected pipes, enabling the use of plastic materials for the valve housing.

Implementation Method 1

a spring element which is operatively connected to the check valve in such a way that it exerts a force on it in the direction of its closed position

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpring force: Spring

Implementation Method 2

the weight of the water column in the riser pipe causes the last waste water to flow back into the container

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydrostatic pressure: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 3

releases a feed channel as a result of the feed pressure of the feed pump

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFeed pressure: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentEP4006244B1Check valve unit for a lifting system and associated lifting system
Publication Date: 2023.12.27 WILO SE
  • EP4006244B1 patent drawingFigure 1a~1b
  • EP4006244B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2b
  • EP4006244B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~3b

AI summary

The invention relates to a check valve assembly (10) for a domestic or commercial wastewater pumping station (1) with a collection tank (2) and a pump (3) for pumping wastewater from the collection tank (2) via a riser pipe (7) into a sewer, comprising a check valve (19) to prevent backflow into the collection tank (2) from the riser pipe after deactivation of the pump (3) and a base body (11) to which the check valve (19) is movably attached such that, starting from a closed position due to the delivery pressure of the pump (3), it opens a delivery channel (8). A spring element (14) is operatively connected to the check valve (19) in such a way that it exerts a force on it in the direction of its closed position.