Dual Air Admittance Valve Locking for High-Flow Leak Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current air admittance valves fail to meet high air flow demands, leading to premature failure and allowing corrosive environments to enter piping systems, causing strain and potential water damage due to inadequate sealing and detection of leaks.
Innovation Solution
A dual-sealing mechanism with locking mechanisms and pressure-sensitive design that allows air to enter or exit an enclosed environment, ensuring a proper seal and detecting pressure changes to prevent leaks, using a housing with multiple flow passages and sealing members that move based on pressure differences.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a single air admittance valve is used, then the device complexity is low, but it cannot meet high air flow demands and fails prematurely
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides a single air admittance valve into two separate valves: a first air admittance valve and a second air admittance valve. Each valve handles specific pressure conditions independently, allowing the system to meet high air flow demands while maintaining manageable complexity in each individual valve component.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a pressure differential dimension by operating the two valves at different pressure thresholds. The first valve operates at a first pressure condition while the second valve operates at a second pressure condition, creating a multi-level pressure response system that increases air flow capacity without proportionally increasing complexity.
2Reliability
If no locking mechanism is used, then the device complexity is low, but the sealing reliability is insufficient under high pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is pre-configured to automatically engage when pressure differential exceeds a threshold. This preliminary action ensures sealing reliability is maintained before failure can occur, with the lock member positioned to seal the outlet passage if the diaphragm fails or pressure becomes excessively high.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism acts as a safety cushion against catastrophic failure. By having the lock member ready to seal the outlet passage in advance, the system protects against potential diaphragm failure or extreme pressure conditions without requiring complex active control systems.
3Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If air admittance valves are used without pressure indicators, then the device complexity is low, but leak detection capability is absent
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a pressure-sensitive color-changing element that visually indicates pressure conditions and potential leaks. When pressure differential exceeds a threshold or leaks occur, the color changes provide immediate visual detection without requiring complex electronic sensors or indicators.
4Productivity
If a dual pressure system is implemented, then the air flow demand is met, but the device complexity increases with multiple sealing members and passages
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines two air admittance valves into a single integrated housing with shared components. The first and second air admittance valves operate within the same housing structure, sharing common elements while maintaining separate flow paths, thereby meeting high air flow demands without proportionally increasing overall device 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
The solution effectively manages high air flow demands, prevents corrosive gases from entering the system, and ensures continuous protection against leaks, reducing the risk of system failure and water damage.
Implementation Method 1
wherein the first diaphragm moves when the second pressure is greater than the first pressure in a predetermined pressure difference; wherein the second diaphragm moves when the third pressure is greater than the second pressure in a predetermined pressure difference
Implementation Method 2
at least one locking mechanism configured to limit a movement of the first diaphragm and/or the second diaphragm
Implementation Method 3
A further aspect of the invention relates to a pressure indicator that is responsive to a pressure in the enclosed environment or piping system
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus to allow or stop an air flow into an enclosed environment or piping system comprises (a) a housing, (b) a first valve seat, (c) a first sealing member, (d) a second valve seat, (e) a second sealing member, (f) at least one locking mechanism configured to limit a movement of the first sealing member and/or the second sealing member; wherein the first sealing member moves away from the first valve seat when the second pressure is greater than the first pressure in a predetermined pressure difference; wherein the second sealing member moves away from the first valve seat when the third pressure is greater than the second pressure in a predetermined pressure difference; wherein the first pressure communicates with a system pressure in the piping system; and wherein the third pressure communicates with an ambient air pressure.