Float-Actuated Overflow Valve for Light Liquid Recovery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for catching light liquids and precipitation water from equipment are complex, inefficient, and prone to overfilling, with risks of light liquids entering the overflow due to rigid arrangements and fixed installation heights, limiting their capacity and safety.
Innovation Solution
A device with a variable overflow line and an automatic closure element, utilizing a float that generates buoyancy in water but sinks in lighter liquids, ensuring only water reaches the overflow and allowing the closure element to adjust positions to prevent light liquids from entering, along with a multi-stage filtering system to ensure safety and maximum collection capacity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a rigid overflow arrangement with fixed installation height is used, then the device structure is simple, but the collection tray volume is not fully utilized and light liquids may enter the overflow causing safety issues
Solution Approach 1:
The overflow line is made adjustable in height rather than fixed, allowing dynamic adaptation to different liquid levels and collection requirements. This enables the system to prevent light liquids from entering the overflow while maximizing collection tray capacity, resolving the contradiction between safety and structural simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The overflow line height parameter can be changed to optimize performance. By adjusting the overflow height, the system ensures that only water (heavier liquid) reaches the overflow while light liquids remain in the collection tray, improving safety without requiring complex additional structures
2Quantity of substance
If the collection tray volume is increased to accommodate maximum light liquid flow, then the collection capacity is improved, but the risk of overfilling and light liquid escape increases
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustable overflow line is positioned in advance at an optimal height to prevent overfilling before it occurs. This preliminary configuration ensures that the collection tray can hold maximum light liquid volume while the overflow line acts as a preventive measure, resolving the contradiction between collection capacity and overfilling risk
3Reliability
If a separate oil separator with sensor and quick-closing gate valve is installed, then the separation functionality is improved, but the device complexity and maintenance requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The overflow prevention function is merged into the existing collection tray structure through the adjustable overflow line, eliminating the need for separate oil separators, sensors, and gate valves. This integration maintains separation functionality while significantly reducing device complexity and maintenance requirements
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 device enhances safety by preventing light liquids from entering the overflow, optimizing the collection pan's volume, and ensuring only water is routed through the overflow, thereby increasing the device's efficiency and reliability in capturing light liquids and precipitation water.
Implementation Method 1
The float is designed to float in water, thus generating buoyancy, while it sinks in a light liquid, such as oil, and no longer generates buoyancy. Oil, for example, has a density of 0.6 to 0.9 g/cm3, while water has a density of 1 g/cm3. This density difference is used to hold the closure element in an open position via buoyancy forces when the float is submerged in water.
Data Source
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AI summary
A device for collecting light liquids leaking from a technical equipment or apparatus comprises a collection tray (1) arranged beneath the equipment or apparatus for receiving light liquids and rainwater, and a separator arranged in the collection tray (1) for retaining the leaked light liquids. The separator has a container (9) with a drain chamber in which an opening (21) of an overflow pipe (10) is arranged, and the container (9) is connected to the collection tray (1) via an inlet. An automatic closing element (20) is provided for closing the overflow pipe (10), which can be moved from an open position to a closed position when light liquid leaks into the collection tray (1). This ensures reliable closure of the overflow pipe (10) using simple means.