Sensorized Pinch Valve Control Module for Tubing Wear and Fail-Safe Operation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Pinch valves face issues with wear on tubing, space constraints, and lack of fail-safe features, particularly in harsh environments, leading to potential system failures and operational disruptions.
Innovation Solution
A control module for pinch valves incorporating a housing with controllers, sensors, displays, and indicators that include flow sensors, proximity sensors, and tube sensors, allowing for precise control and monitoring, and a mechanical override mechanism to ensure safe operation even in failure scenarios.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a pinch valve is actuated repeatedly to control fluid flow, then flow control functionality is achieved, but wear on the tubing increases leading to potential failure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical pinching action that directly compresses the tubing with a magnetic field-based actuation system. The magnetic field actuates the pinching mechanism indirectly, reducing mechanical stress and wear on the tubing while maintaining effective flow control functionality.
2Volume of moving object
If a pinch valve is designed with compact dimensions to fit small spaces, then space utilization is improved, but access for maintenance and repair becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the pinch valve into modular segments or components that can be easily detached and reattached. This segmentation allows the valve to maintain a compact overall size while enabling individual components to be accessed, removed, and replaced for maintenance purposes without requiring disassembly of the entire valve assembly.
3Device complexity
If a pinch valve operates in harsh environments without fail-safe features, then device complexity is reduced, but system reliability deteriorates during power or air pressure loss
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates fail-safe mechanisms that are pre-configured within the valve structure. These mechanisms automatically activate upon detection of power loss, air pressure loss, or other failure conditions, ensuring reliable safe-state operation without requiring complex external control systems or additional safety equipment.
4Device complexity
If a pinch valve lacks monitoring capabilities, then device complexity is minimized, but detection of valve position and tubing conditions becomes impossible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates sensors and monitoring capabilities that provide real-time feedback on valve position, tubing conditions, and operational status. This feedback system enables the control system to detect and respond to various states and anomalies, improving overall system reliability while maintaining relatively simple implementation through straightforward sensor integration.
Data Source
AI summary
A control module for a pinch valve can include a housing, a controller, a display, one or more indicators and one or more sensors, such as flow sensors, proximity sensors or tube sensors. A control module can support monitoring or operation of one or more pinch valves within a fluid control system. A pinch valve can include one or more control modules and a pinch valve system can include a plurality of pinch valves and a plurality of control modules. A method of controlling a pinch valve can include controlling fluid flow operations based on input from one or more sensors.