Weighted Paddle Blocking Valve With Hitch Lock Against Fluid Loss
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional blocking valves fail to prevent fluid loss when the flow of fluid is unexpectedly cut and then restored, leading to potential flooding and financial losses due to their mechanical and physical vulnerabilities.
Innovation Solution
A blocking valve with a weighted paddle and locking mechanism that automatically rotates to block fluid flow when the flow stops, using a horizontal pivot and hitch groove system, integrated with a horizontal fluid passageway to prevent backflow until manually released.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional blocking valves are used, then manual control is simple, but they fail to prevent fluid loss when flow stops and restarts automatically
Solution Approach 1:
The valve automatically detects flow cessation through the weighted paddle mechanism and closes without human intervention. The weighted paddle rotates vertically when flow stops, triggering the locking mechanism to seal the valve, and remains closed until manually opened, providing self-protecting functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
A weighted paddle is used to detect flow conditions. When fluid flows horizontally, the paddle remains horizontal; when flow stops, gravity causes the weighted paddle to rotate vertically, providing the mechanical signal to close the valve and prevent fluid loss upon restart.
2Reliability
If a locking mechanism is added to prevent automatic reopening, then fluid loss is prevented, but the valve cannot be quickly reopened when needed
Solution Approach 1:
The valve operation is segmented into two distinct modes: automatic closing triggered by flow cessation (detected by the weighted paddle), and manual reopening requiring deliberate user action. This segmentation ensures the valve cannot accidentally reopen while maintaining ease of intentional operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism is pre-configured to engage automatically when the weighted paddle rotates vertical, sealing the valve before any potential fluid loss can occur. The valve remains in this locked state until manually released, ensuring protection is already in place before a restart event occurs.
3Measurement precision
If the weighted paddle remains horizontal during flow, then flow detection is accurate, but the valve may not close reliably when flow stops
Solution Approach 1:
The weighted paddle uses gravity as a reliable closing force. When flow stops, the horizontal stabilizing force disappears, and the weighted paddle rotates vertical under gravity, providing a positive mechanical action to trigger the locking mechanism and ensure reliable valve closure.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using flow pressure to actively close the valve, the system inverts the approach: the absence of flow pressure allows gravity to rotate the weighted paddle vertical, which then triggers the closing action. This inversion provides more reliable closure since it depends on gravity rather than variable flow pressure.
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
Effectively prevents fluid loss by automatically closing when flow stops and remains closed until manually reopened, addressing the vulnerabilities of prior art solutions and providing a cost-effective solution for widespread use.
Implementation Method 1
the lower portion is heavier than said upper portion causing a counterweight
Implementation Method 2
a spring to raise the hitch element
Data Source
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AI summary
A blocking valve (100) has an outer valve body (20) housing a weighted paddle (22), said weighted paddle (22) having a narrow upper portion (28) with a hitch groove (31) and a wider lower portion (27), said weighted paddle (22) rotatable around a horizontal pivot (23), said weighted paddle (22) to lie in a horizontal position during an active flow of liquid and to rotate to a vertical position with said upper portion (28) above said lower portion (27) when said active flow of liquid is stopped; and a locking mechanism (30) to engage with said hitch groove (31) to lock said weighted paddle (22) into a vertical position and to block said active flow of liquid when said active flow of liquid is resumed.