Plug Rotary Valve Assembly for Automatic Tank Overfill Shut-Off
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid storage systems lack a reliable automatic shut-off mechanism to prevent overfilling, especially in unpredictable rainwater harvesting systems where liquid levels can exceed storage tank capacity, risking property damage.
Innovation Solution
A rotary shut-off valve with a float assembly that controls a plug valve to automatically open or close based on liquid levels, using a shaft and plug mechanism to seal openings in the valve body, ensuring liquid flow is stopped when the tank reaches maximum capacity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a manual shut-off valve is used, then the system is simple, but it cannot automatically prevent overfilling when liquid levels exceed storage tank capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The float assembly automatically detects liquid level and actuates the plug valve without external intervention. The float rises with liquid level and through mechanical linkage (shaft portion) closes the valve plugs in openings, creating a self-regulating system that prevents overfilling reliably without complex electronic controls
Solution Approach 2:
The shaft portion acts as a mechanical intermediary transmitting motion from the float assembly to the plug valve. This simple mechanical linkage converts the vertical float movement into rotational motion that positions the plugs in or out of the openings, achieving automatic control without complex mechanisms
2Reliability
If the valve uses multiple plugs and openings, then sealing reliability improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The valve uses multiple separate plugs (first plug, second plug) positioned in separate openings in the valve body. Each plug independently seals its respective opening, providing redundant sealing paths. This segmentation increases sealing reliability while keeping each individual plug simple in structure
Solution Approach 2:
The single shaft portion serves multiple functions: it transmits float motion, rotates to position both plugs simultaneously, and controls the opening/closing of multiple flow paths. This multi-functionality achieves reliable multi-point sealing without proportionally increasing structural complexity
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 rotary shut-off valve effectively prevents overfilling by reliably controlling liquid flow into storage containers, protecting against property damage by automatically shutting off when the tank reaches maximum capacity, even in unpredictable liquid input scenarios.
Implementation Method 1
a float assembly portion, the float assembly portion including a float portion and a pair of float arms connected to, and extending from, the float portion
Data Source
AI summary
A rotary valve and float assembly for controlling a flow of liquid into a container including a plug valve portion and a divider portion. The plug valve portion including a set of plugs that seal against a set of openings in the divider portion when the rotary valve is in a closed position. Movement of the rotary valve between open and closed positions is controlled by the movement of the float assembly in the container. The float assembly typically moves according to a liquid level within the container.