Hydraulic Gate Valve Flush Assembly for Low-Pressure Toilets
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing in-line pressure flush engines for toilets require high in-line water pressure to operate effectively, leading to poor performance under low pressure conditions commonly found in many buildings.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a gate valve and flush assembly system that utilizes a hydraulic cylinder and solenoid valves to manage water flow, allowing for reliable flushing even at low in-line water pressures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If in-line pressure flush engines are used, then waste removal and bowl rinsing functions are provided, but high in-line water pressure is required which is not available in many buildings
Solution Approach 1:
The flush engine is divided into two independent tanks: a first tank receiving water from the in-line supply for waste removal, and a second tank receiving water from a local supply for bowl rinsing. This segmentation allows each tank to operate independently with different pressure requirements, resolving the contradiction between providing flushing function and requiring high in-line pressure.
Solution Approach 2:
A second water supply system acts as an intermediary between the water source and the bowl rinsing function. This intermediary local supply system provides the additional pressure needed for effective bowl rinsing without requiring the main in-line supply to provide high pressure, thus resolving the pressure requirement contradiction.
2Productivity
If high in-line water pressure is provided, then effective waste removal and bowl rinsing is achieved, but many buildings cannot provide sufficient water pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The dual-tank flush engine provides multiple functions: the first tank handles waste removal while the second tank handles bowl rinsing. This multi-functionality allows the system to adapt to buildings with varying water pressure capabilities, maintaining productivity across different building types by assigning different functions to different water supplies.
Solution Approach 2:
By segmenting the flushing function into two separate tanks with separate water supplies, the system becomes adaptable to buildings with insufficient in-line pressure. The first tank operates with available in-line pressure for waste removal, while the second tank uses local pressurized supply for bowl rinsing, achieving both productivity and adaptability.
3Reliability
If a dual-tank system with separate water supplies is used, then reliable flushing under low pressure is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system merges the operation of two tanks and multiple valves into a coordinated sequence controlled by a single actuator. The microprocessor integrates the complex timing and coordination of the first valve, second valve, and both tanks into a unified control system, reducing the perceived complexity while maintaining reliable low-pressure flushing performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the available water pressure itself to control the valve operation. The first valve is controlled by water pressure from the in-line supply, and the second valve is controlled by water pressure from the local supply, allowing the system to self-regulate without complex external control mechanisms, thus reducing device complexity while maintaining reliability.
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
This solution enables efficient waste removal and bowl rinsing under low pressure conditions, ensuring reliable toilet flushing performance in various building settings.
Implementation Method 1
a hydraulic cylinder configured to move the gate between the open position and the closed position
Implementation Method 2
The control system includes a first solenoid valve configured to direct a portion of the water flow from the water supply to the hydraulic cylinder
Data Source
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AI summary
A gate valve for a toilet, the gate valve comprising: an opening; a gate configured to selectively block the opening; and a hydraulic cylinder including a piston connected to the gate, the piston configured to move the gate, opening, or closing the gate valve, as the piston moves.