Piston Dosing Valve Simultaneous Opening for Tank Emptying
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing piston dosing systems face difficulties in efficiently emptying the product storage container, especially at smaller pitch circle diameters, as they require additional valves at the tank bottom, which can be impractical or impossible, and lack a reliable alternative for emptying during emergencies or cleaning processes.
Innovation Solution
A device with a piston metering unit that includes a simultaneous control mechanism for the intake and outlet valves, allowing both to be opened simultaneously via a separate control fluid supply, eliminating the need for an additional outlet valve at the tank bottom and enabling emptying without rotating the container, even in stationary positions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If an additional outlet valve is installed at the tank bottom for emptying, then the product storage container can be emptied, but the device complexity increases and it becomes impractical or impossible at smaller pitch circle diameters
Solution Approach 1:
The existing intake and outlet valves, originally designed for dosing operations, are made multi-functional by enabling them to serve as emptying valves when activated simultaneously. This eliminates the need for a separate emptying valve at the tank bottom, reducing device complexity while maintaining the emptying function.
Solution Approach 2:
The emptying function is merged with the existing dosing valve system. By combining the emptying function with the intake and outlet valves that already exist in the system, the patent avoids adding separate components, thereby reducing overall device complexity while achieving the emptying capability.
2Ease of manufacture
If the container must rotate to access the bottom valve for emptying, then the valve can be accessed, but the system cannot empty in stationary positions and requires rotation mechanism
Solution Approach 1:
The dosing valves are given the additional function of enabling emptying operations. By making the existing valves multi-functional, the system can perform emptying without requiring rotation or additional mechanisms, thereby improving operational flexibility while maintaining ease of emptying.
Solution Approach 2:
The emptying function is extracted from the rotation mechanism and integrated into the valve system. This allows emptying to be performed independently of container rotation, enabling the system to empty in stationary positions and improving adaptability to different operational scenarios.
3Ease of operation
If separate control lines are used for each valve, then each valve can be controlled independently, but the system complexity and tubing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The control lines for the intake and outlet valves are merged into a single common control line. By combining the control pathways, the system reduces tubing requirements and control system complexity while maintaining the ability to control each valve independently through selective activation.
Solution Approach 2:
The common control line serves multiple functions: it controls both the intake valve and outlet valve during dosing operations, and it simultaneously controls both valves during emptying operations. This multi-functionality reduces the overall control system complexity while maintaining ease of operation.
4Ease of manufacture
If additional emptying components are added to the system, then the emptying capability is improved, but the hygiene and cleanability of the system deteriorates due to more connection points
Solution Approach 1:
The emptying function is merged with the existing dosing valve system, eliminating the need for separate emptying components and their associated connection points. By reusing existing components, the patent maintains hygiene and cleanability while improving emptying capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The existing valves and control lines are made multi-functional to perform both dosing and emptying operations. This eliminates the need for additional components that would create more connection points and potential contamination risks, thereby maintaining high hygiene standards and cleanability.
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 allows for efficient and hygienic emptying of the product storage container, minimizing product loss, facilitating emergency operations, and reducing system complexity by eliminating the need for external tubing and additional valves, while ensuring safe and rapid switching between metering and emptying modes.
Implementation Method 1
an emptying device is provided, by means of which the intake valve and the outlet valve can be opened simultaneously... the intake valve and the outlet valve can be acted upon simultaneously with a control fluid
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a device (1) for metering a filling product into a container to be filled, comprising a piston metering unit (2) comprising a metering piston (22) guided in a metering cylinder (20) for metering a predetermined volume of filling product into the container to be filled, and with an intake valve (3) and an outlet valve (4) which can be alternately controlled by supplying a control fluid to enable the intake and discharge of the filling product, wherein an emptying device (5) is provided by means of which the intake valve (3) and the outlet valve (4) can be opened simultaneously.