Dual Shutoff Valve Sequencing for Overflow-Safe Water Supply
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for interrupted water supplies, which rely on two hydraulically controlled shutoff valves in series, fail to ensure complete closure due to pressure differences and potential leaks, leading to unintended overflowing and water damage in storage tanks used in various applications.
Innovation Solution
A device featuring two hydraulic shutoff valves with a branch pipe that supplies water to the pressure chambers of both valves, where the furthest valve is equipped with a support spring to ensure early closure and the nearest valve's operation is delayed through constrictions, ensuring both valves close completely when the float shuts off the water supply, preventing overflow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If two hydraulically controlled shutoff valves are mounted in series on the supply pipe, then the security against overflowing is improved, but the valves fail to close reliably due to pressure differences
Solution Approach 1:
The branch pipe is configured to supply water to the pressure chamber of the furthest shutoff valve first, causing it to close before the nearest valve. This preliminary action ensures that pressure builds up in the main pipe before the nearest valve closes, creating the necessary conditions for both valves to close reliably when the control valve shuts off the branch pipe.
Solution Approach 2:
The branch pipe acts as an intermediary mechanism that creates a controlled pressure buildup path. By routing water through the branch pipe to the furthest valve's pressure chamber first, it mediates the pressure distribution between the two valves, ensuring proper closure sequence and reliability.
2Reliability
If the shutoff valve nearest to the nozzle closes first, then the pressure difference closes it effectively, but the furthest valve cannot close due to lack of pressure difference
Solution Approach 1:
The system is designed so that the furthest valve closes first as a preliminary action, before the nearest valve closes. The branch pipe supplies pressure to the furthest valve's pressure chamber first, enabling it to close while pressure difference still exists in the main pipe. After the furthest valve closes, pressure builds up further, enabling the nearest valve to close reliably when the control valve shuts off the branch pipe.
3Reliability
If a small leak occurs on the seal of the nearest valve, then water continues to flow into the reservoir, but the furthest valve cannot remedy this because it is not shut
Solution Approach 1:
The furthest valve is designed to close first as a preliminary protective action, before the nearest valve closes. This ensures that if the nearest valve develops a leak, the furthest valve is already closed and can prevent water from continuing to flow into the reservoir, providing backup protection against sealing failures.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides beforehand cushioning by having the furthest valve close first, creating a protective barrier before any potential leak from the nearest valve can cause damage. This prior cushioning ensures that even if the nearest valve fails, the reservoir is protected from overflow.
4Reliability
If the control valve shuts off the branch pipe, then water supply is stopped, but pressure buildup may prevent proper valve closure
Solution Approach 1:
The branch pipe is configured to supply pressure to the furthest valve's pressure chamber before the nearest valve's pressure chamber. When the control valve shuts off the branch pipe, pressure has already built up in the furthest valve, ensuring it closes first. The delayed pressure buildup in the nearest valve then ensures it closes completely after the furthest valve is already sealed.
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 guarantees double security against unintentional overflowing by ensuring both shutoff valves close reliably, even if one is defective, thereby preventing water damage and ensuring the storage tank is filled correctly.
Implementation Method 1
the shutoff valve located furthest from the nozzle is provided with a support spring which works in the close direction and can at least overcome the displacement resistance of the shutoff valve
Implementation Method 2
the pressure difference between both sides of the shutoff valve is greater than at the shutoff valve furthest from the nozzle
Implementation Method 3
The cistern is provided with a float that rises with the rising level of the water
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5
AI summary
Device (1") for securing an interrupted water supply (3), consisting of at least two hydraulic shutoff valves (2, 2') on a supply pipe (3) supplying water (5) to a storage tank (6) and of a branch pipe (9) on the supply pipe (3) which branches off water upstream from both shutoff valves (2, 2') and first supplies said water to the pressure chamber (10') of the shutoff valve (2') located furthest from the nozzle (4) and subsequently to the pressure chamber (10) of the shutoff valve (2) located nearest to the nozzle (4), whereby a float (7) in the storage tank (6) operates a control valve (8) which shuts off the mouth (11) of the branch pipe (9) when the water level in the storage tank (6) is high enough and whereby one shutoff valve (2') is provided with a support spring (13) which works in the close direction and two constrictions (12, 12') are provided in the branch pipe (9) upstream from the pressure chambers (10, 10') of the shutoff valves (2, 2').