Check Valve Water Storage Reserve and Return
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing water supply systems face challenges with fluctuating water pressure and emergency demand requirements, leading to service interruptions, which are not effectively addressed by current technologies that combine pressure tanks and check valves without a return mechanism.
Innovation Solution
The integration of multiple check valves with varying opening weights and captive air tanks in specific configurations allows for the storage and return of water during peak demand and emergency situations, mimicking a breathing mechanism to stabilize water supply.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If pressure tanks and check valves are combined without a return mechanism, then water storage is achieved, but water cannot be returned to the supply system during low pressure situations
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the water storage and return function into multiple segments: primary pressure tank for storage, multiple check valves with different weights for controlled release, and a return line for water recovery. This segmentation allows the system to store water during high pressure and selectively return it during low pressure, resolving the contradiction between storage reliability and return capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention makes the check valve system dynamic by using multiple check valves with varying weights that can open and close based on pressure conditions. This dynamic behavior enables the system to automatically switch between storage mode (valves closed) and return mode (valves open), achieving both reliable storage and adaptive return capability.
2Reliability
If multiple check valves with varying weights are used, then water can be stored and returned, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the parameter of check valve spring weights to create a graduated system where valves open at different pressure thresholds. By varying this single parameter (spring weight) across multiple identical valve components, the system achieves complex pressure-responsive behavior without increasing overall device complexity, as each valve unit remains structurally simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The multiple check valves automatically regulate water flow based on pressure conditions without external control. Each valve self-activates when pressure differential exceeds its spring weight, creating an autonomous system that manages water storage and return based on real-time pressure conditions, reducing the need for complex control mechanisms.
3Ease of manufacture
If decentralized water storage is implemented, then infrastructure costs are reduced, but water pressure fluctuation management becomes more challenging
Solution Approach 1:
Each decentralized storage unit incorporates self-regulating check valves that automatically respond to pressure fluctuations. This self-service capability allows individual units to manage their own pressure balance without centralized control, enabling cost-effective decentralized deployment while maintaining pressure stability through autonomous operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates pressure equilibrium by allowing water to flow from high-pressure zones to low-pressure zones through the check valve mechanism. This equipotential approach naturally balances pressure across decentralized units without requiring complex active control systems, reducing both infrastructure and operational complexity.
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 effectively mitigates water supply demand challenges by providing decentralized water storage and reducing infrastructure costs, benefiting both developed and developing countries by stabilizing water pressure and reducing hauling distances in rural areas.
Implementation Method 1
The apparatus utilizes pressure tanks and check valves to accomplish the intent of the method and apparatus
Implementation Method 2
receiving water from the water supply into the apparatus during normal or relatively higher pressure situations and releasing water to the water supply and/or to the water user during low pressure situations
Implementation Method 3
Prior art for reduced pressure backflow preventers, check valves and pressure tanks comprising captive air tanks, bladder tanks, hydro-pneumatic tanks and elevation tanks are abundant
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus consisting of check valves (1, 2, 3) and one or more pressure tanks (4) plumbed into a water service line to provide a method of storing, reserving and delivering said stored water through the water service line to both the water user and the water supply. This method and apparatus can be used for emergency water supply by the water user or reduce water peak demand challenges caused by fluctuating water pressure if used extensively throughout a water supply system. This method and apparatus can create individual water storage collectives that can share water between users.