Dampening valve unit
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing liquid distribution system experiences pressure waves during refilling and risks water leakage when air is pushed out of conduits during the refilling process.
Innovation Solution
A dampening valve unit with a dampening chamber and a liquid stop valve forms a closed gas system, where the liquid stop valve remains closed until a threshold pressure is reached, allowing liquid to flow while preventing gas from passing through, and a gas stop valve manages gas compression in the dampening chamber to minimize leakage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the liquid stop valve is opened during refilling to allow liquid flow, then refilling speed is improved, but water leakage occurs when gas is pushed out of conduits
Solution Approach 1:
The dampening chamber acts as an intermediary between the feeding conduit and the liquid stop valve. It receives and compresses gas pushed out during refilling, preventing gas from reaching and opening the liquid stop valve prematurely. This allows the liquid stop valve to remain closed during gas displacement while still permitting rapid liquid flow when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The dampening chamber provides beforehand cushioning by capturing and compressing gas before it can reach the liquid stop valve. This pre-compression of gas in the dampening chamber prevents the gas from acting as a harmful intermediary that would cause premature valve opening and water leakage.
2Speed
If the liquid stop valve opens early during refilling, then liquid availability at tap unit is improved, but pressure waves are generated in the system
Solution Approach 1:
The dampening chamber serves as a mediator that buffers pressure changes during refilling. It absorbs the pressure wave generated when liquid rapidly enters the system and gradually transmits it, allowing the liquid stop valve to open early for quick liquid availability while preventing harmful pressure waves from propagating through the entire system.
3Reliability
If the dampening chamber volume is increased to compress more gas, then leakage prevention is improved, but device complexity and size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The dampening chamber is merged with the liquid stop valve unit, forming an integrated assembly. The dampening chamber housing also serves as part of the valve unit structure, eliminating the need for separate components. This integration provides effective gas compression for leakage prevention while maintaining a compact overall design.
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 reduces pressure waves and minimizes water leakage by ensuring gas is compressed in the dampening chamber, allowing for quick and efficient refilling with immediate liquid availability at the tap unit, while maintaining a compact design.
Implementation Method 1
The gas present in the closed system is pushed in front of the refilling liquid into the dampening chamber during refilling of the conduit. Thus the risk of water leakage is delimited.
Implementation Method 2
The liquid stop valve is kept closed until the refilling liquid has reached the inlet. Thereafter, the liquid stop valve is caused to open, for example by way of an increased pressure at said inlet, so as to let liquid flow via the liquid stop valve
Data Source
AI summary
A dampening valve unit (40) for use in a liquid distribution system, the liquid distribution system having a centrally located liquid source connected via a separate feeding conduit to a liquid tap unit. In the liquid distribution system each feeding conduit is evacuated of liquid when an associated tap unit is closed and refilled with liquid when the tap unit is opened. The unit (40) comprises a dampening chamber (26) which is connectable to said feeding conduit, and a liquid stop valve unit (1′, 18), connectable at an inlet end (22) thereof, to said associated feeding conduit and which has an outlet end (24) being connectable in use to said associated liquid tap unit. Said dampening chamber (26) is adapted to collect gas and is connectable to said associated feeding conduit via a passage (23) which is located at said inlet end (22) of said liquid stop valve unit (1′, 18). The dampening valve unit (40) and the feeding conduit in use form a closed system separated from the ambient air.