Combination Flow Control and Reverse Check Valve

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Solution Overview

Problem

In liquid handling systems, compact valves are needed to prevent reverse flow and leakage, especially in sanitary or chemical applications where reverse flow can contaminate upstream sources, and existing solutions often fail to effectively manage backflow and fouling of flow control valves.

Innovation Solution

A combination flow control valve and reverse flow check valve is designed with the check element positioned downstream of the flow control valve, allowing selective downstream flow while preventing upstream flow by containing backflow liquids near the downstream end, thus preventing contamination of the flow control valve.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If separate valves are used for flow control and reverse flow prevention, then reliability is improved, but device complexity and size increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereverse flow preventionVSAvoidvalve configuration

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines a flow control valve and a reverse flow check valve into a single integrated unit. The housing contains both the flow control valve assembly and the check valve assembly, allowing simultaneous flow regulation and reverse flow prevention without requiring separate valve components. This merging resolves the contradiction by maintaining reliability while reducing device complexity and space requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If check element is positioned upstream of flow control valve, then reverse flow prevention is improved, but flow control valve becomes susceptible to fouling

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereverse flow preventionVSAvoidfouling of flow control valve

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional arrangement by positioning the check element downstream of the flow control valve rather than upstream. This reversal ensures that during reverse flow conditions, the check element blocks backflow before it can reach and foul the flow control valve. The flow control valve remains protected from contaminants while the check element effectively prevents reverse flow into the fluid source.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Volume of moving object

If compact valve design is used, then space requirements are reduced, but risk of leakage and contamination increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevalve sizeVSAvoidleakage prevention

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

By integrating the flow control valve and check valve into a single compact unit with shared housing and sealed internal passages, the patent reduces the overall valve size while maintaining leakage prevention. The combined design eliminates additional external connections and potential leak paths that would exist with separate valves, thereby reducing contamination risk despite the compact form factor.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 configuration effectively prevents backflow contamination of the flow control valve and upstream fluid sources, ensuring safe and reliable operation in compact, cost-effective designs.

Implementation Method 1

a check element positioned within the housing for preventing backflow of liquid through the channel

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectReverse flow prevention:

Implementation Method 2

a shiftable flow control valve element positioned within the housing for controlling the flow of liquid through the channel

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFlow control:

Data Source

PatentUS8985145B2Combination flow control valve and reverse flow check valve

Publication Date: 2015.03.24 TANK HLDG CORP

AI summary

A combination flow control and reverse flow check valve controls the flow of fluid in a desired downstream direction and limits undesired backflow of liquid in an upstream direction into a fluid source such as a reservoir. The flow control and reverse flow check valve may include a housing having a fluid conveying channel with an upstream end configured for mounting to the liquid source and a downstream end for discharging fluids, a flow control valve positioned between the ends, and a check element positioned in the channel between the flow control valve and the downstream end. The check element is advantageously positioned between the flow control valve and the downstream end of the housing to prevent possible contaminants in a backflow liquid from reaching the flow control valve.