Measuring Needle Non-Return Valve Leakage Prevention

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing devices for measuring pressure or temperature in fluid systems do not effectively prevent leakage from the measuring hose after the measurement is completed, posing risks to workers and compromising the working environment, and they do not facilitate a flush-through process for air removal and zero-point calibration.

Innovation Solution

A complete measuring needle device with a non-return valve and a lock washer mechanism that ensures direct shut-off between the measuring hose and probe, allowing for flush-through and preventing medium leakage, featuring a reset spring and gasket system to maintain tightness during measurement and disconnection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the non return valve remains in open position during flush-through, then air removal and calibration are enabled, but the valve must be reliably closed afterward to prevent leakage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflush-through capabilityVSAvoidsealing reliability after flush-through
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The non-return valve is designed as a dynamic component that automatically transitions between open and closed positions based on pressure differential. During flush-through, pressure differential keeps it open; after measurement, pressure equalization causes automatic closing, ensuring reliable sealing without manual intervention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The non-return valve performs self-service by automatically closing itself after the flush-through or measurement process. The pressure differential mechanism enables the valve to switch states autonomously, eliminating the need for manual operation while maintaining reliable sealing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Productivity

If the measuring needle is removed from the measuring nipple without automatic shut-off, then the measuring process is simple, but unintentional leakage occurs posing injury risk to workers

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasuring speedVSAvoidunintentional leakage and injury risk
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The spring-loaded ball and non-return valve are pre-positioned to automatically activate when the measuring needle is removed. The ball is preliminarily loaded on the spring, and the non-return valve is preliminarily positioned to close, so they immediately seal the outlets upon removal, preventing leakage before the operator can react.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The pressurized medium that could cause harm through leakage is converted into a beneficial force that drives the sealing mechanism. The pressure differential caused by medium flow automatically opens the non-return valve during measurement and closes it after measurement, turning the potentially harmful pressure into a self-regulating safety feature.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

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 eliminates leakage risks, enhances worker safety, improves measurement reliability, and allows for effective air removal and calibration, ensuring the measuring system is ready for new measurements without medium leakage to the environment.

Implementation Method 1

the non return valve in opened position is shorted and that fluid is flushed through the complete measuring needle backwards

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure differential: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 2

a reset spring and gasket system to maintain tightness during measurement and disconnection

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP2545353B1Measuring needle with non return valve function
Publication Date: 2019.06.12 IMI HYDRONIC ENG INT SA
  • EP2545353B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2545353B1 patent drawingFigure 2~2c
  • EP2545353B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A device for measuring of pressure or temperature in a heating or cooling system and where the device is a measuring needle complete (1) build up of a measuring needle housing (6) with one in a cavity (20) spring-loaded non return valve (8), where the non return valve in measuring position has an open communication from the probe (10) via the measuring needle housing and a hose nipple via a hose to a measuring instrument and where this open communication is closed immediately as soon as the measuring is completed and the measuring needle (1) is removed from the measuring nipple and by this immediate closing a leakage is prevented from the, after measuring, enclosed fluid that exists in the complete measuring needle (1) and the measuring hose (5).