Mechanical Float Valve for Negative-Pressure Pipeline Drainage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid discharge devices with float valves have complex structures, high maintenance costs, and low reliability due to frequent opening and closing of solenoid valves, leading to damage and inefficiency.
Innovation Solution
A negative pressure pipeline opening-and-closing device using a mechanical system with a buoyant member and blocking member, where the buoyant member, comprising two floats and a connection rod, drives the blocking member to open or close the liquid outlet port based on liquid level changes, reducing the need for electrical components and enhancing reliability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an electronically controlled drainage device with solenoid valve is used, then the liquid level can be dynamically balanced, but the solenoid valve is frequently opened and closed causing damage and low reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the electronically controlled solenoid valve with a purely mechanical float valve system. The float valve uses buoyancy force from floating balls to mechanically open or close the drainage hole, eliminating the need for electrical components and frequent valve actuation. This mechanical substitution resolves the contradiction by improving reliability through elimination of electronic failure points while maintaining simple structure through direct mechanical action.
Solution Approach 2:
The float valve system is self-regulating and requires no external power source or control system. The floating balls automatically respond to liquid level changes, opening or closing the drainage hole based on buoyancy forces. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for complex electronic control circuits and solenoid valves, thereby improving reliability while keeping the device结构简单.
2Ease of operation
If a float switch and magnetic valve are connected in series with power source, then automatic liquid discharging can be achieved, but the structure becomes complicated and maintenance cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes all electrical components (power source, float switch, magnetic valve) from the drainage system, retaining only the essential mechanical float valve structure. This extraction achieves automatic liquid discharging through pure mechanical means while dramatically simplifying the overall device structure and reducing maintenance requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a simplified mechanical copy of the automatic control function that traditionally requires electrical components. Instead of copying the electrical control circuitry, it implements the same automatic liquid level response through mechanical buoyancy forces acting on floating balls that directly control the drainage hole opening and closing.
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 mechanical system reduces maintenance costs, prolongs service life, and provides a simple structure with a long control stroke and high reliability, ensuring efficient liquid discharge and preventing air from entering the pipeline.
Implementation Method 1
a buoyant member connected to the blocking member. The buoyant member comprises two floats and a connection rod connected to the two floats
Data Source
AI summary
A negative pressure pipeline opening-and-closing device includes a blocking member and a buoyant member. The buoyant member comprises two floats and a connection rod connected to the two floats. The liquid reservoir is provided with a guide therein, and the guide confines the two floats, the blocking member and the liquid outlet port in the same vertical line. A limiting member is arranged between the two floats and is fixed to an inner wall of the liquid reservoir. A maximum distance between the limiting member and a top wall of a lower float of the two floats is smaller than a maximum distance between a top wall of an upper float of the two floats and a top wall of the liquid reservoir. The negative pressure pipeline opening-and-closing device can replace an existing electrically controlled valve. Therefore, the cost is reduced, the maintenance is convenient and service life is prolonged.