Indexable Valve Alignment for Accessible Plumbing Installation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional valves in plumbing systems face challenges with threaded connections that make it difficult to predict the final position, leading to accessibility issues with actuation devices and potential loosening or damage to sealing components, resulting in leaks and pressure loss.
Innovation Solution
An indexable valve system that allows for indexing the valve body to a desired location before installation, using alignment protrusions and a collar to prevent rotation, ensuring the actuation device is accessible and minimizing connection loosening through controlled rotation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional threaded connections are used to install valves, then the valve can be securely connected to plumbing components, but the final position of the valve becomes unpredictable and the actuation device may be blocked by surrounding components
Solution Approach 1:
The valve body is provided with indexable features (flats or protrusions) that allow the installer to pre-position the valve at the desired orientation before threading it onto the plumbing component. This preliminary positioning action ensures the actuation device will be accessible after installation, eliminating the need to rotate the valve afterward which could compromise the threaded connection or seal.
2Ease of operation
If the valve is rotated during operation of the actuation device, then the valve can be opened and closed, but the threaded connection may loosen or internal sealing components may be damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The valve design separates the functions of flow control and positioning. The valve body is indexed to a fixed orientation during installation, while the internal valve mechanism (ball, gate, or other closure element) is independently actuated. This segmentation allows the actuation device to operate the closure mechanism without requiring rotation of the entire valve body, thereby preventing loosening of threaded connections or damage to sealing components.
3Reliability
If the actuation device is positioned for optimal flow control, then the valve function is improved, but the actuation device may be difficult to access due to surrounding components
Solution Approach 1:
The valve body incorporates asymmetric indexable features (such as a single flat or protrusion at a specific angle) that guide the valve to a predetermined orientation during installation. This asymmetric design ensures the actuation device is positioned in an accessible location while maintaining optimal alignment for flow control, resolving the conflict between functional optimization and accessibility.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention broadly comprises an indexable valve which is slidable inserted into an alignment collar, such that the indexable valve and the alignment collar can index the location of the valve body relative to an installation surface. This allows an actuation device for the valve control to be placed in a preferred or predetermined location prior to installation. This may allow for the actuation device to be accessed even when the indexable valve is installed with limited clearance, such as next to an adjacent indexable plumbing system, within a pump box, or in other limited clearance situations.