Combination Flow Control and Reverse Check Valve

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing liquid handling systems face challenges in compact valve designs that prevent backflow and leakage, especially in confined spaces and chemical applications where reverse flow must be avoided, and where separate valves are not feasible due to size, cost, or leakage concerns.

Innovation Solution

A combination flow control valve and reverse flow check valve is designed with a housing, a shiftable ball valve for flow control, and a check element to prevent backflow, along with a blocking element to manage the check element's movement, ensuring liquid flows only in one direction while preventing leakage and contamination.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If separate valves are used for flow control and backflow prevention, then reliability of preventing reverse flow is improved, but device complexity and size increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprevention of reverse flowVSAvoidnumber of valves

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines a flow control valve and a check valve into a single integrated device. The housing contains both a shiftable valve element for flow control and a check element for backflow prevention, allowing both functions to be performed by one valve assembly rather than requiring separate valves.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The single valve assembly performs multiple functions: the shiftable valve element controls flow direction and rate, while the check element simultaneously prevents backflow. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate dedicated valves for each function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If separate valves are used for flow control and backflow prevention, then reliability of preventing leakage is improved, but ease of manufacture worsens due to increased assembly complexity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprevention of leakageVSAvoidassembly complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent integrates multiple sealing functions into a single housing assembly. Seals are provided between the ball valve and the housing, and the check element seals against the upstream end, creating multiple leakage prevention points within one manufactured unit rather than requiring assembly of separate valves.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Volume of moving object

If a compact valve design is used, then ease of installation in confined spaces is improved, but reliability of backflow prevention may worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevalve sizeVSAvoidbackflow prevention

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The check element is positioned within the housing in an upstream position relative to the flow control valve element. The blocking element extends into the channel to prevent excessive downstream movement of the check element. This nested arrangement allows both backflow prevention and flow control functions to be integrated in a compact configuration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

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 solution provides selective control of liquid flow in one direction while inhibiting reverse flow, effectively preventing leakage and contamination, and is compact enough for use in confined spaces, addressing the need for a single valve solution that meets size and cost constraints.

Implementation Method 1

the reverse flow of the liquid within the channel causes the check element to seal against the first upstream end of the valve housing

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure gradient: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 2

a blocking element is preferably provided to extend into the channel and prevent excessive downstream movement of the check element

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical constraint: Mechanical Force

Implementation Method 3

the shiftable valve element is moved to partially or fully close the channel

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical blocking: Mechanical Force

Data Source

PatentUS8312889B2Combination flow control valve and reverse flow check valve

Publication Date: 2012.11.20 TANK HLDG CORP

AI summary

A combination flow control and reverse flow check valve provides a compact valve unit for controlling the flow of fluid in a downstream direction and limiting undesired backflow of liquid into a source such as a reservoir. The flow control and reverse flow check valve may be provided as a unitary member having a housing with an upstream end configured for mounting to the liquid source, a fluid conveying channel within the housing, and a check element positioned in the channel between the flow control valve, such as a ball valve, and a seat which is complementally configured with the check element to normally seal against backflow. A blocking element may be provided to prevent interference of the check element with the operation of the flow control valve while permitting liquid to flow in an intended downstream direction. Because the occurrence of a backflow event is an undesired and infrequent event which may necessitate investigation, the check element may be sized and made of a material which will move past the seat during pressurized flow, thereby providing an indicator that a backflow event has occurred when the check element is found within the source.