Hydraulic-Assisted Pneumatic Valve Control for Low-Force Operation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Pneumatic valve control devices require significant operator effort to open the pneumatic drain valve, making them inconvenient to operate.
Innovation Solution
A pneumatic valve control device comprising an air cylinder with a first piston and a hydraulic cylinder with a second piston, connected by a partition channel, where the piston rod is connected to a tappet valve that jacks up the first piston, and a locking and releasing mechanism allows for easy operation by releasing the first piston to open the pneumatic drain valve.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a pneumatic button is used to drive the pneumatic drain valve, then the valve can be opened and closed, but the operator must push the button with large force and large stroke, making it inconvenient to operate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a hydraulic cylinder connected to the air cylinder through a partition channel. When water enters the hydraulic cylinder, it automatically pushes the piston to jack up the first piston in the air cylinder, compressing air without requiring manual force. This hydraulic-pneumatic combination resolves the contradiction by eliminating the need for large manual pushing force while maintaining the valve opening function
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the incoming water itself as the power source to automatically jack up the first piston through the hydraulic cylinder. The water flow that would otherwise be wasted is converted into useful mechanical work, making the system self-serving and eliminating the need for external manual force input
2Ease of operation
If a hydraulic cylinder is added to automatically jack up the first piston, then operation becomes labor-saving, but the device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The hydraulic cylinder and air cylinder are merged into a single integrated assembly sharing a common piston rod and connected through a partition channel. This merging reduces the number of separate components and simplifies the overall structure while maintaining the automatic labor-saving operation function
Solution Approach 2:
The first piston in the air cylinder serves dual functions: it acts as a pneumatic control element for the drain valve and simultaneously as a hydraulic piston that can be jacked up by water pressure. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, resolving the complexity issue while maintaining ease of operation
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 device allows for labor-saving and convenient operation of the pneumatic drain valve, improving the overall performance by automating the process of opening and closing the valve with minimal user effort.
Implementation Method 1
a hydraulic cylinder provided with a second piston 22 and a liquid inlet 25 and a liquid outlet 26
Implementation Method 2
A partition 3 is arranged between the hydraulic cylinder 2 and the air cylinder 1, and a partition channel 31 is arranged on the partition 3
Implementation Method 3
an air cylinder provided with a first piston 12 and an air outlet 13
Implementation Method 4
a volume of the air bag is increased to drive an overflow pipe to rise
Implementation Method 5
a locking and releasing mechanism 4 configured to lock and release the first piston 12
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4
AI summary
A pneumatic valve control device includes an air cylinder. The air cylinder includes a first piston; an air outlet; and a locking and releasing mechanism configured to lock and release the first piston when the first piston is pushed up. The device also includes a hydraulic cylinder. The hydraulic cylinder includes a second piston; an air vent disposed on a first side of the second piston; and a liquid inlet and a liquid outlet disposed on a second side of the second piston. The device also includes a partition disposed between the hydraulic cylinder and the air cylinder; a partition channel disposed on the partition; a piston rod connected to the second piston and configured to pass through the partition channel; and a tappet valve connected to the piston rod and configured to leave the partition channel in response to an upward movement of the piston rod.