Liquid Degassing Device with Float Valve for Bubble Separation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing liquid dispensing systems fail to accurately measure liquids containing significant gas bubbles, as small gas bubbles can bypass check valves and interfere with measurement accuracy.

Innovation Solution

A degassing device with a first chamber and a floating body that maintains a shutter in a closed position until gas accumulates, allowing gas to vent while preventing it from reaching the outlet, ensuring only liquid is dispensed, and a second chamber providing pressure feedback to control the system.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a check valve is used to prevent gas from reaching the measuring device, then large gas masses are blocked, but small gas bubbles still bypass the valve and reach the measuring device

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegas blocking effectivenessVSAvoidliquid measurement accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system is divided into separate functional chambers: a first chamber for liquid passage with a check valve, and a second chamber specifically designed as a gas accumulation chamber. This segmentation allows the check valve to handle large gas masses while the second chamber captures and isolates small gas bubbles that would otherwise reach the measuring device, thereby resolving the contradiction between gas blocking effectiveness and measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The second chamber acts as an intermediary element between the first chamber and the measuring device. It serves as a buffer zone that intercepts and accumulates gas bubbles, preventing them from reaching the measuring device. This intermediary chamber resolves the contradiction by providing an additional protective layer that enhances measurement precision without compromising the check valve's gas blocking function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the discharge duct is kept closed to prevent gas from reaching the outlet, then liquid flows normally, but accumulated gas needs a release path

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveliquid flow continuityVSAvoidgas venting mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The discharge duct is equipped with a float-operated valve that automatically opens and closes based on gas accumulation levels. When gas accumulates in the second chamber, the float rises and automatically opens the discharge duct to vent the gas. When gas is vented and the chamber refills with liquid, the float descends and automatically closes the duct. This self-service mechanism maintains liquid flow continuity while providing automatic gas release without complex external control systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses changes in the physical state and position of the float element in response to gas accumulation to control the discharge duct. As gas accumulates, the float's position changes from lower to upper, triggering the automatic opening of the discharge duct. This parameter-based control simplifies the gas venting mechanism while ensuring reliable liquid flow continuity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If the inlet duct terminal is positioned higher than the outlet duct initial end, then gas is more effectively prevented from reaching the outlet, but the structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegas separation effectivenessVSAvoidduct configuration
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The inlet duct terminal is positioned at a higher elevation than the outlet duct initial end, creating a gravitational potential difference that favors liquid flow while preventing gas from reaching the outlet. This elevation difference establishes a natural flow path where liquid can drain effectively while gas, being less dense, accumulates in the upper second chamber. This simple gravitational-based solution achieves effective gas separation without requiring complex mechanical or electronic control systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #12Equipotentiality

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 solution effectively separates gas from liquid, preventing gas from reaching the outlet and allowing precise measurement of the liquid dispensed, ensuring high accuracy and preventing liquid return.

Implementation Method 1

a floating body arranged in the first chamber and fixed to the shutter body to push the latter towards the position for closing the discharge duct

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectBuoyancy: Archimedes' Principle (Buoyancy)

Implementation Method 2

If at a given instant a certain quantity of gas enters the first chamber through the inlet duct, it is separated from the liquid and it tends to accumulate in the upper part of the degassing device

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDensity difference: Density Gradient

Data Source

PatentEP3546044B1System for dispensing liquids
Publication Date: 2022.08.31 FLEXBIMEC INT
  • EP3546044B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3546044B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3546044B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A degassing device (100) for liquids is described, comprising: a first chamber (110) provided with an inlet duct (130) and an outlet duct (135) for a liquid, a discharge duct (235) suitable to place the first chamber (110) in communication with the external, a shutter body (260) moveable between an opening position and a closing position of the discharge duct (235), and a floating body (265) arranged in the first chamber (110) and fixed to the shutter body (260) to push the latter towards the position for closing the discharge duct (235).