Rotatable Flexible Valve for Gentle Fish Pipeline Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Transporting large fish through pipelines poses challenges due to abrupt directional changes, which can cause stress and injury, and the use of large valves complicates meeting tight tolerance requirements, especially in aquaculture applications where fish are moved between large tanks.
Innovation Solution
A valve system with a flexible piping element and rotatable section allows for smooth redirection of liquid and fish flow between multiple outlets, incorporating a sorting unit and seals to prevent leakage and injury, functioning under both positive and negative pressure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If large valves are used to redirect fish in pipelines, then the ability to distribute fish to multiple pipelines is improved, but the difficulty of manufacturing and meeting tight tolerance requirements worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The valve is divided into multiple rotatable sections (first rotatable section and second rotatable section) that can independently control different outlet pipes. This segmentation allows each section to be manufactured and adjusted separately, reducing the overall manufacturing complexity and tolerance requirements while maintaining the ability to distribute fish to multiple pipelines.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve employs rotatable sections that can dynamically adjust their orientation to connect different outlet pipes to the inlet. This dynamic configuration allows the valve to adapt to multiple distribution scenarios without requiring a completely different valve design for each configuration, thereby reducing manufacturing precision requirements while maintaining versatility.
2Stability of the object's composition
If rigid piping with sharp bends is used to change direction, then the structural stability is improved, but the harm to fish from stress and injury worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The outlet pipes are designed with curved transitions instead of sharp bends, creating smooth directional changes that reduce stress and injury to fish. The curved geometry maintains structural stability while eliminating the harmful sharp edges and abrupt direction changes that would otherwise harm the fish.
3Reliability
If seals are added to prevent leakage under negative pressure, then the pressure integrity is improved, but the complexity of the valve structure worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The seal is designed to automatically engage and disengage based on the pressure differential. Under negative pressure, the seal is drawn into the sealing groove, creating a tight seal without requiring additional actuation mechanisms. This self-service sealing approach maintains pressure integrity while minimizing valve structure 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 system ensures gentle fish transfer without injury, maintains pressure integrity, and prevents air leakage, enhancing fish welfare and operational efficiency in aquaculture.
Implementation Method 1
a flexible piping element connecting one or more inlets to one or more outlets. The flexible piping element can be positioned between a chosen inlet and a chosen outlet
Implementation Method 2
The rotatable section can be turned to direct the liquid flow from the flexible piping element through a selected outlet
Implementation Method 3
Seals are arranged in the contact surfaces between the internal rotatable section(s), the flexible piping element, and the outlets or inlets of the valve housing
Implementation Method 4
The pressure in the liquid in the valve housing can be adjusted higher or lower than the pressure in the flexible piping element
Data Source
AI summary
The invention discloses a distribution unit for the distribution of a liquid flow to one of several selectable outlets. A flexible element is arranged in the distribution unit, which can be rotated and positioned to direct the liquid flow to the chosen outlet.