Fluid Coupling Poppet Valve Assembly for Spill-Free Disconnection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Fluid handling components often experience spillage when disconnected, leading to material loss, soiling, and increased costs due to residual fluid escaping through open ends, and there is a need to prevent air from entering the internal volume.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of an anti-spillage poppet valve assembly with strategically designed apertures and a sealing surface within the fluid coupling device, where the apertures allow fluid flow in a connected configuration while preventing spillage in a disconnected state, using a closure member and piston head with apertures that control fluid communication and retention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the coupling is disconnected to allow quick connection or disconnection, then ease of operation is improved, but fluid spillage occurs from residual fluid in the coupling housing
Solution Approach 1:
The valve assembly is pre-configured to automatically close upon disconnection, preventing spillage before it can occur. The spring-loaded mechanism ensures the valve is ready to seal the internal volume immediately when the coupling is disconnected, eliminating the need for manual intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve assembly creates a counter-action to the disconnection event by automatically sealing the internal volume. This preliminary anti-action prevents the harmful effect of fluid spillage that would otherwise result from the coupling disconnection.
2Loss of substance
If a valve assembly is added to prevent fluid spillage, then fluid retention is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The valve assembly is integrated into the coupling housing structure, merging the valve components with the existing coupling architecture. This integration reduces overall device complexity by eliminating separate valve housings and mounting mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring-loaded valve assembly is self-actuating, using the spring force to automatically open and close the valve based on coupling connection status. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for external actuators, control systems, or manual operations, thereby reducing device complexity.
3Loss of substance
If the aperture size is reduced to prevent spillage, then fluid spillage is reduced, but fluid flow restriction increases
Solution Approach 1:
The valve assembly dynamically adjusts the aperture state based on coupling connection status. When connected, the valve opens to allow full fluid flow; when disconnected, the valve closes to prevent spillage. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction by providing both full flow and spillage prevention at different operational states.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve assembly periodically transitions between open and closed states corresponding to connection and disconnection events. This periodic action ensures that during fluid transfer operations, full flow is maintained, while during storage or transport, spillage is prevented.
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 effectively reduces fluid spillage and air ingress, maintaining fluid retention within the coupling device without excessive flow restriction, ensuring efficient fluid handling and minimizing material loss and soiling.
Implementation Method 1
The one or more apertures have a size, shape and configuration that readily allows fluid to flow through the fluid coupling device when in a connected configuration, while reducing spillage of fluid out of an open end of the fluid coupling device when in a disconnected configuration
Data Source
AI summary
This document describes devices and methods for reducing liquid spillage, such as fluid coupling devices that include one or more apertures that reduce spillage when the fluid coupling devices are disconnected. In some embodiments, the one or more apertures are designed with features to increase a level of acceleration that liquid within an internal volume of the fluid coupling devices would need to be exposed to in order to spill from the internal volume via the one or more apertures.