Actuated Fish Pump Retention Valve for Obstruction-Free Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current fish pumps face issues with valve obstruction and fish damage due to untimely closure, especially in vacuum-pressure systems, where the return of water and fish columns cause suction effects that prevent proper valve sealing, leading to inefficiencies and increased operational costs.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a flapper-type check valve with an external actuation mechanism featuring stopper elements that block the closing path of the flapper when activated, allowing manual or automatic control to keep the valve open or closed on demand, preventing untimely closure and maintaining seal integrity without relying on the actuation mechanism for tightness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a flapper-type check valve is used in a vacuum-pressure fish pump, then the valve can operate automatically with fluid flow direction control, but the valve closing path becomes obstructed by fish, preventing proper valve seating and causing untimely closure
Solution Approach 1:
A stopper element is introduced as an intermediary component between the fish and the valve closing path. The stopper element blocks the closing path to prevent fish from obstructing the valve seat, while allowing the valve to close properly when needed. This mediator resolves the conflict between automatic operation and reliable sealing.
2Productivity
If the valve closes automatically due to suction effect when vacuum is no longer applied, then the pump returns to atmospheric pressure, but the valve closes untimely when fish are in the vicinity, causing fish damage
Solution Approach 1:
The stopper element applies preliminary anti-action by blocking the valve closing path before the suction effect can cause untimely closure. When activated, the stopper prevents the flapper from reaching the closed position, thereby preventing fish damage while allowing controlled closure when desired.
3Reliability
If an actuation mechanism is added to control valve opening and closing, then untimely closure can be prevented, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The actuation mechanism is designed to be self-service by utilizing the existing fluid flow and pressure differences within the pump system to activate the stopper element. The mechanism responds automatically to pressure changes, eliminating the need for external actuators or complex control systems while maintaining reliable controlled closure.
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 prevents valve obstruction and fish damage by ensuring controlled valve closure, minimizing energy requirements for restarting the pumping cycle, and optimizing suction efficiency by maintaining constant vacuum pressure, thus reducing operational inefficiencies and costs.
Implementation Method 1
pivoting freely between an open position and a closed position according to the direction of fluid and/or pressure difference on either side of the valve
Implementation Method 2
pivoting freely between an open position and a closed position according to the direction of fluid and/or pressure difference on either side of the valve
Implementation Method 3
producing a suction effect on the check valve that is open, causing its closure by means of this suction effect
Data Source
Figure 1a
Figure 1b~1c
Figure 2a
AI summary
The present invention relates to a fish pump, comprising a main tank with a feeding inlet which is opened and closed by an actuated check valve. Said check valve, also known as a non-return valve or retention valve, comprises an actuation mechanism that holds the valve open upon user demand. The present invention also relates to the features of said check valve. The main object of the invention is to avoid one of the main problems in current fish pumps, associated with the obstruction of the closing path of a valve due to the presence of fish between said valve and its seat, preventing the proper closing of the valve, i.e., the valve from properly seating in its seat.