Clip-On Valve Actuator for Automatic Water Shut-Off
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a delay in closing the water supply when a leak is detected in a property, leading to potential damage due to the lack of automated and reliable valve control systems.
Innovation Solution
A valve control apparatus comprising an actuator part connected to a closure member, a motor part with a motor and fluid-flow sensor, and a mounting member for secure attachment to the conduit, which automatically closes the valve when fluid flow is detected.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If automated valves are installed to detect and respond to leaks automatically, then the response time is improved and property damage is reduced, but the device complexity and installation difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The automated valve system is divided into separate functional modules: a sensor unit for detecting leaks, a control unit for processing sensor data, and an actuator unit for executing valve closure. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and simplifies installation and maintenance while achieving rapid automated response to leaks.
2Reliability
If automated valves with complex sensing and actuation systems are used, then reliability of automatic leak response is improved, but ease of installation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The valve control apparatus is designed with multi-functional components that can perform multiple operations. The sensor unit detects various types of leaks (water, gas), the control unit handles different sensor signals and communication protocols, and the actuator works with various valve types. This universality reduces the number of separate components needed, simplifying installation while maintaining high reliability through comprehensive leak detection and response capabilities.
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 apparatus effectively reduces the delay in shutting off the water supply by automatically detecting fluid flow and initiating valve closure, thereby minimizing property damage from leaks.
Implementation Method 1
the sensor is an acoustic sensor arranged to sense the flow of fluid in the conduit acoustically
Data Source
AI summary
In a valve control apparatus, a water pipe is designated P and a shut-off valve portion is designated V. The valve control apparatus comprises two main parts: a valve actuator part, shown generally at 100 and which is connected mechanically to the valve closure member inside the pipe, and a motor part, shown generally at 200 which is arranged to engage the actuator 100 to operate the valve in use.The actuator part 100 includes an actuator disc portion 110 through which passes a spindle 112 that engages, and is arranged to turn, the closure member. The spindle is connected to the disc by a nut 114. The disc 110 has an arcuate slot 116 for engaging with the motor part. Integral with the disc portion is a handle portion 120 which is sized and shaped to allow easy manual operation. The motor part 200 comprises a housing 210 in which is located an electric motor and control circuitry (not shown in this figure). The motor is arranged to drive a rotating drive disc 220 which has a drive pin 222 on an under side and which is radially spaced from the axis of rotation of the drive disc. A mounting portion 230, on the underside of the motor part 200 is arranged in use to grip the pipe P. The mounting portion comprises three resiliently deformable individual clips 232 which grip the pipe P via an optional intermediary sleeve S. The clips 222 are of plastics material and as they are introduced to the pipe/sleeve they initially deform to as to accommodate the width of the pipe/sleeve before closing again somewhat to form a tight engagement with the pipe/sleeve at spaced intervals along the pipe. Control buttons 240 and a comms/charging port 250 are located on the exterior of the housing 210. When the motor part is mounted on the pipe, the drive pin 222 locates in the arcuate slot 116 to allow the motor to drive the actuator.