Pipe Disconnector Valve Spring Equilibrium Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing system disconnectors for liquid systems are prone to unnecessary opening due to pressure variations in the inlet pressure, leading to dripping and potential backflow of contaminated water from a downstream system into an upstream system, such as drinking water.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating an actuating member with a spring that moves between stops to adjust the medium pressure space, allowing the system to maintain equilibrium and prevent the outlet valve from opening unnecessarily, while also using a shared spring for both the actuating member and the outlet valve body to reduce the number of springs needed and improve accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If multiple springs are used for actuating member and outlet valve body, then individual control is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the spring elements by having the first spring (acting on the actuating member) also act on the outlet valve body through the actuating member. This single spring performs the function of what would traditionally require two separate springs, reducing component count and complexity while maintaining the ability to independently control both the actuating member and outlet valve body through the coupled mechanical relationship.
Solution Approach 2:
The first spring serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as the actuating spring for the actuating member and also serves as the actuating spring for the outlet valve body. This multi-functional spring design reduces the total number of springs needed while maintaining individual control capabilities through the mechanical coupling in the system.
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
This solution effectively prevents unnecessary opening of the outlet valve during pressure variations, minimizing dripping and ensuring that the downstream system remains isolated from the upstream system, even during leaks in the downstream backflow preventer.
Implementation Method 1
the first spring acting on the actuating member (64) simultaneously serves as a spring acting on the outlet valve body (26)
Data Source
AI summary
A system disconnector for physically disconnecting an upstream liquid system from a downstream liquid system by means of an outlet valve (35;135) depending on the pressure difference between the upstream and the downstream liquid system comprises an upstream backflow preventer (48; 148), a downstream backflow preventer (88), and an outlet valve body in the form of a piston (26; 126) arranged between the backflow preventers (48, 88). The pressure difference at the outlet valve body (26; 126) between the inlet pressure and the medium pressure between the backflow preventers counteracts a biasing spring (82; 182) acting in the opening direction of the outlet valve body. An actuating member (64; 164), which is exposed to the inlet pressure on one side and to the medium pressure on the other side is adapted to move between two stops (54, 46; 171, 146) against the power of a spring (86; 182) to compensate for small changes in inlet pressure and prevent dripping of the valve.