Redundant Float Valve Array for Tilted Fill-Level Shutoff
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing float-controlled valve arrays in humidification devices for respiratory devices are prone to overfilling and fluid transportation issues due to positional deviations, which can lead to undesirable fluid accumulation and transport, especially during tilting.
Innovation Solution
The valve array design features two float bodies with buoyancy volume sections arranged orthogonally to the buoyancy axis, allowing each float body to independently detect fluid levels in different regions and ensure closure of the duct when the maximum filling height is reached, even in tilted positions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the buoyancy axis is tilted away from the gravitational direction during device tilting, then the float body position deviates from the correct filling level detection, but the device structure allows tilting operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a single float body arranged along the buoyancy axis to two float bodies arranged side by side orthogonally to the buoyancy axis. This dimensional change allows the float bodies to detect filling levels in different spatial regions simultaneously, compensating for positional deviations caused by tilting and maintaining detection accuracy regardless of device orientation
Solution Approach 2:
Each float body is positioned to detect filling levels in specific local regions of the filling volume. The first float body detects in one region while the second float body detects in another region, allowing the system to maintain accurate filling level detection across different tilting positions by having specialized detection points distributed in space
2Device complexity
If a single float body is used to control valve closure, then the device structure is simple, but overfilling cannot be prevented when the device is tilted
Solution Approach 1:
The single float body control mechanism is segmented into two independent float bodies, each capable of independently closing the valve. This segmentation provides redundancy, ensuring that if one float body fails to detect the filling level correctly due to tilting, the other float body can still prevent overfilling, thereby enhancing reliability without excessive complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a redundant float body system that acts as a safety backup. The second float body serves as a protective measure against the potential failure or incorrect operation of the first float body, especially during tilting conditions, ensuring that overfilling is prevented under all operational scenarios
3Shape
If the two float bodies are arranged one above the other along the buoyancy axis, then they can differ in size with main and reserve functions, but the filling levels for closure differ considerably
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the arrangement from vertical stacking along the buoyancy axis to horizontal positioning side by side orthogon to the buoyancy axis. This dimensional repositioning allows both float bodies to respond to filling levels at similar heights, ensuring that they trigger valve closure at comparable filling quantities while maintaining their redundant functionality
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
Prevents overfilling and fluid transport by ensuring reliable fluid level detection and duct closure, maintaining optimal fluid quantity within the device regardless of positional changes, thus preventing undesired fluid accumulation and transport.
Implementation Method 1
The buoyancy volume section of each float body, which by interaction with a fluid quantity ensures or essentially ensures the buoyancy force which is necessary for shifting the associated float body into the buoyancy position
Implementation Method 2
the valve body formation is displaceable relative to the valve seat formation between a closure position, in which the duct is closed through physical abutment of the valve body formation against the valve seat formation
Data Source
AI summary
A float-controlled valve array including a valve assembly having a conduit, a valve seat formation through which the conduit passes, and a valve body formation which is movable between a closed position in which the conduit is closed and an open position in which a flow through the conduit is possible; the valve array further including a first and a second float body having a first and a second buoyancy volume portion, respectively, wherein the first and the second float bodies are articulated pivotally on a first and a second joint, respectively, so that during specified normal operation, each float body is movable along a buoyancy axis between a lowered position and a buoyant position, and wherein the first float body and the second float body are each coupled to the valve body formation in such a way that the valve body formation is in the closed position when at least one of the float bodies is in the buoyant position, and is in the open position when both float bodies are in the lowered position; the buoyancy volume portions of the two float bodies are mutually spaced apart at a distance orthogonal to the buoyancy axis in the lowered position, wherein at least one joint is located in a body spacing region between the two buoyancy volume portions.