Float-Controlled Reservoir Inlet Valve for Impure Water Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing water distribution systems struggle with managing rainwater and surface water, which often contain impurities, leading to malfunctioning valves, clogging, and wear issues, especially in populated areas where space is limited and water needs to be transported over long distances.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising an intermediate reservoir with a valve mechanism using a float to control the flow between a first reservoir for rainwater storage and a second reservoir for controlled water supply, designed to operate reliably with impure water and featuring a simple, low-maintenance design without mechanically connected moving parts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional valves are used in water distribution systems for rainwater and surface water, then the system can control liquid flow between reservoirs, but the valves malfunction, become clogged, and wear out easily due to impurities in the water
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the problematic mechanical moving parts from the valve system. The valve consists of a float that moves vertically to open or close the valve body, with no mechanically connected mutually moving parts. This extraction of complex mechanical components removes the sources of malfunction, clogging, and wear while maintaining the essential flow control function.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces complex mechanical valve mechanisms with a simplified float-based system. Instead of using traditional mechanically connected moving parts that are prone to failure, the system uses a float that responds to liquid level changes to control the valve opening, eliminating the need for complex mechanical linkages and reducing susceptibility to impurity-related failures.
2Ease of operation
If complex valve mechanisms with mechanically connected moving parts are used, then precise flow control can be achieved, but the system becomes prone to wear and requires frequent maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes all mechanically connected mutually moving parts from the valve system, retaining only the essential float that moves vertically in response to liquid level changes. This extraction simplifies the system to the point where there are no moving parts requiring maintenance or repair, while the float still effectively controls the valve opening to achieve the desired flow control.
Solution Approach 2:
The float-based valve system is self-regulating and requires no external control mechanisms or maintenance. The float automatically responds to liquid level changes and controls the valve opening without requiring mechanical linkages, sensors, or actuating mechanisms, making the system self-service and maintenance-free.
3Productivity
If traditional water distribution systems are used in populated areas, then water can be transported, but the systems require significant space and infrastructure that is difficult to implement in already highly populated areas
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the water distribution system into modular components: a first reservoir for collecting rainwater and surface water, an intermediate reservoir, and a second reservoir for controlled water supply. This segmentation allows the system to be distributed across available spaces in populated areas rather than requiring a single large centralized facility, enabling implementation in urban environments with limited space.
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 provides a reliable, efficient, and low-maintenance solution for controlling the flow of impure water between reservoirs, preventing malfunctions and wear, while allowing for remote operation and easy inspection, maintenance, and repair.
Implementation Method 1
the valve comprises a float that is configured to float on liquid present in the intermediate reservoir when the system is in use and thereby control the position of the valve dependent on the liquid level in the intermediate and second reservoirs
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a system for controlling a flow of liquid from a first to a second reservoir (1,2). The system comprises an intermediate reservoir (4) having an inlet (5) in fluid communication with the first reservoir and an outlet (6) in fluid communication with the second reservoir. A valve (7) at the inlet moves between an open position in which liquid can flow from the first reservoir to the intermediate reservoir via the inlet and a closed position. The valve comprises a float (7a) that floats on liquid present in the intermediate reservoir and thereby controls the position of the valve dependent on the liquid level in the intermediate and second reservoirs. The closing is provided by the buoyant force of the float moving a closing surface (10) of the valve into a liquid tight engagement with the inlet thereby providing a liquid tight closure between the first and intermediate reservoirs.