Line Valve Auto-Actuation to Prevent Blocking in Fluid Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Line valves in fluid distribution networks often become blocked due to long periods of inactivity, requiring frequent manual maintenance, which is labor-intensive, costly, and logistically challenging, especially for valves located in hard-to-reach areas.
Innovation Solution
A system for automatic operation and maintenance of line valves using a gear motor assembly, electronic processing and control unit, and radio-frequency transceiver to perform cyclic maintenance operations, including partial closing and reopening, with sensors for monitoring and reporting to a remote operation center, allowing for independent programming and energy autonomy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual periodic maintenance is performed on line valves, then valve blocking is prevented, but labor costs and time consumption increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service maintenance by automatically actuating valves through wireless communication between a base unit and hand-held transceivers, eliminating the need for manual intervention while maintaining valve operational reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical operation with an automated electronic control system that uses wireless radio frequency communication to actuate valves, substituting human labor with an automated mechanical-electronic system
2Reliability
If manual maintenance is performed on remotely located valves, then valve functionality is maintained, but accessibility and operational difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces wireless radio frequency transceivers as intermediaries between the operator and the valve mechanism, allowing remote actuation without physical access to the valve location, thus maintaining reliability while improving ease of operation
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces the need for physical mechanical access to valves with wireless electronic actuation, substituting manual mechanical operation with remote electronic control through transceivers
3Reliability
If frequent valve actuation is performed to prevent blocking, then valve reliability is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements periodic valve actuation based on pre-programmed schedules stored in the base unit, allowing reliable maintenance while optimizing energy consumption by acting only when necessary according to the schedule
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
Enables periodic maintenance without physical access to valves, reducing manpower and costs, improving maintenance efficiency, and providing real-time monitoring and reporting for proactive maintenance, while ensuring energy independence.
Implementation Method 1
a gear motor assembly for each line valve to be operated, the gear motor assembly being associated with the rotation driver of the corresponding line valve and aimed at manipulating it in one direction or the other
Implementation Method 2
a radio-frequency transceiver for each line valve and aimed at communicating with a remote operation center in order to send thereto a report concerning the outcome of each single rotating manipulation performed on the rotation driver of the respective line valve
Data Source
AI summary
The method includes periodical controlled operation of line valves (Vs) installed in fluid distribution networks to prevent them from blocking due to long periods of inactivity. The operation includes one or more partial rotations of closing and subsequent reopening, necessary to avoid blocking. In the system (1) that implements the method, each line valve (Vs) is provided with a gear motor assembly (2), capable of manipulating, in one direction or the other, the corresponding rotation driver (Cr). A functional check of the line valve (Vs) and of the geared motor group (2) is also provided together with the controlled manipulation.