Remote Drainage Valve Assembly With Sensor-Guided Deaeration
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Manual drainage and deaeration of hydraulic systems are inefficient and risky, requiring operators to travel between distant points, leading to incomplete processes and potential system damage.
Innovation Solution
A valve assembly with a controller and sensor system that remotely controls drainage or deaeration by setting a valve to open or close, using a transceiver to receive control signals and analyze sensor data to determine completion, allowing for automated and accurate fluid or air diversion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual drainage or deaeration is performed by operators traveling between points, then the system can be drained or deaerated, but the process is time-consuming and inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical operation of valves with an automated electronic control system. The valve assembly controller receives control signals and automatically actuates the valve, eliminating the need for operators to physically travel to each drainage or deaeration point. This substitution of mechanical manual operation with electronic automation directly resolves the contradiction by maintaining drainage functionality while eliminating travel time.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service drainage or deaeration through automated control. The valve assembly can be remotely actuated without requiring operator presence at the valve location, and the sensor system automatically monitors the process to determine when drainage is complete, allowing the system to service itself without continuous human intervention.
2Reliability
If manual drainage is performed, then fluid can be removed, but the process is incomplete and causes scalding risks to operators
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a sensor system that provides feedback about the drainage process. The sensor monitors the mouth piece to detect when fluid has been completely removed, providing real-time information to the control system. This feedback mechanism ensures complete drainage while allowing operators to remotely monitor the process, eliminating the need for direct contact with hot fluid and thus preventing scalding risks.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor system acts as an intermediary between the drainage process and the operator. Instead of operators directly observing or contacting the fluid at the mouth piece, the sensor serves as a mediator that detects fluid presence and transmits this information to the control system, allowing indirect monitoring that eliminates exposure to scalding hazards while ensuring complete drainage.
3Reliability
If manual deaeration is performed, then air can be removed, but the process is incomplete and causes air circulation and pump damage
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor system provides feedback to detect when air has been completely removed from the hydraulic system. By monitoring the mouth piece during deaeration, the sensor can identify when the transition from air to fluid occurs, signaling complete deaeration. This ensures thorough air removal, preventing the harmful effects of air circulation and pump damage while eliminating the need for repeated manual operations.
4Reliability
If multiple drainage or deaeration operations are repeated manually, then the system can be properly serviced, but system downtime increases
Solution Approach 1:
The automated control system replaces manual repeated operations with a single remote actuation command. The valve assembly controller manages the entire drainage or deaeration process, including opening the valve, monitoring progress through sensor feedback, and closing the valve when complete, all without requiring operator intervention at each step. This eliminates the need for repeated manual operations and minimizes system downtime.
Solution Approach 2:
The automated system enables continuous monitoring and control of the drainage or deaeration process without interruption. The sensor continuously detects fluid or air presence, and the control system continuously manages valve position, ensuring the process completes in a single continuous operation rather than requiring multiple repeated manual interventions, thus maximizing system operational time.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a valve assembly (100) for drainage or deaeration of a hydraulic system (114), The valve assembly (100) comprising: a valve (102) comprising a first side (104) and a second side (106), the first side (104) is configured to be connected to the hydraulic system (114) and the second side (106) is connected to a mouth piece (108), wherein the valve (102) is configured to be set in an open state or in a closed state, wherein, upon the valve (102) is set in the open state, fluid in the hydraulic system (114) is free to pass the valve (102) from the first side (104) to the second side (106); a valve assembly controller (110) comprising a transceiver (202) configured to receive a control signal indicating a start of drainage or deaeration of the hydraulic system (114) and a valve assembly control circuit (204) configured to execute: a valve control function (210) configured to set the valve (102) in the open state or closed state; and a drainage or deaeration function (212) configured to, based on the control signal, instruct the valve control function (210) to set the valve (102) in the open state; and a sensor (112) configured to monitor the mouth piece (108) to obtain sensor data pertaining to fluid leaving the mouth piece (108) upon the valve (102) is set in the open state.