Flow Control Valve with Adjustable Float for Heavy Equipment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing flow control valve systems for containers, such as fuel tanks on heavy equipment, often result in overfilling and over-pressurization due to premature shut-off and lack of durability, leading to damage and fuel loss.
Innovation Solution
A flow control valve system featuring an inlet valve with a piston and float valve assembly that allows adjustable placement, minimizing turbulence and ensuring a positive shut-off mechanism, along with a bleed line for fluid level sensing, preventing overfilling and over-pressurization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If high pressure pumping is used to rapidly fill containers, then filling speed is improved, but risk of overfilling and over-pressurization increases
Solution Approach 1:
The float valve is positioned to close the inlet valve before the container reaches full capacity, preventing overfilling and over-pressurization before they can occur. This preliminary protective action allows high-pressure rapid filling to proceed safely.
Solution Approach 2:
The float valve provides continuous feedback on the fluid level in the container, automatically closing the inlet valve when the predetermined level is reached, thereby preventing overfilling while maintaining high-speed filling operation.
2Reliability
If shut-off valves are provided to prevent overfilling, then reliability is improved, but operators manually override them causing over-pressurization
Solution Approach 1:
The float valve is pre-positioned at a predetermined height that closes the inlet valve before over-pressurization can occur, eliminating the need for operator intervention and preventing the harmful action of manual override.
Solution Approach 2:
The float valve automatically monitors fluid level and closes the inlet valve without operator intervention, making the system self-regulating and preventing the problem of operators overriding the shut-off mechanism.
3Adaptability or versatility
If float valve is placed at various heights in tank, then adaptability is improved, but installation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The float valve assembly is designed as a separate, modular unit that can be independently positioned at different heights in the tank, allowing adaptability to different applications without complicating the overall system design.
Solution Approach 2:
The float valve assembly includes an adjustable mechanism that allows the float valve to be positioned at various heights within the tank, providing versatility for different fluid levels and tank configurations while maintaining a unified design.
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 effectively prevents overfilling and over-pressurization by ensuring accurate fluid level detection and minimizing turbulence, enhancing the durability and reliability of the valve assembly.
Implementation Method 1
liquids are pumped under pressure into the containers
Implementation Method 2
A float valve includes a float and a valve which seals when a predetermined fluid level is reached
Implementation Method 3
A bleed line is used to connect the receiver to the float valve
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and apparatus for controlling the flow of fluid into a tank, such as a fuel tank on heavy equipment. An inlet valve includes a head portion for making connection with a nozzle, a receiver attached thereto and a piston which closes against a face in the head portion. A float valve includes a float and a valve which seals when a predetermined fluid level is reached. A bleed line is used to connect the receiver to the float valve. The unique design allows placement of the float valve at any desired height within the tank, and placement of the bleed line inside or outside of the tank as may be desired for the application.