Self-Closing Flow Valve Using Fluid-Jet Plug Rotation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fluid valves require external mechanisms for opening and closing, leading to complex designs prone to leakage and inconsistency, especially in applications like toilets, and electronic flowmeters are expensive and difficult to maintain.
Innovation Solution
A self-closing valve apparatus with minimal moving parts that operates under fluid pressure, using a rotatable valve plug and wing mechanism to control fluid flow, allowing for adjustable fluid volume and actuation speed, and is designed for low-viscosity fluids like water and blood, reducing leakage and maintenance costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional valves use external mechanisms to open and close, then the valve can control fluid flow, but the device complexity increases and reliability decreases due to many moving parts
Solution Approach 1:
The valve plug unit automatically closes after allowing a predetermined amount of fluid to pass through, using the fluid pressure itself to actuate the closing mechanism. The wing component rotates under fluid pressure to trigger the automatic shutdown, eliminating the need for external actuation mechanisms and reducing moving parts.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces complex external mechanical actuation systems with a streamlined mechanical feature that operates directly under fluid pressure. The valve uses a simplified plug rotation mechanism instead of traditional multi-component actuation systems, reducing complexity while maintaining control functionality.
2Ease of operation
If toilets use alternating high- and low-pressure chambers to open and close a diaphragm, then the valve can flush without a tank, but the system becomes prone to leaking and inconsistent flushing
Solution Approach 1:
The valve automatically controls the flushing operation by using fluid pressure to actuate the plug unit. The system self-regulates the opening and closing based on the predetermined fluid amount, eliminating the need for complex pressure chamber alternation mechanisms while ensuring consistent flushing performance.
3Measurement precision
If electronic flowmeters are used to measure fluid flow, then the measurement precision improves, but the cost increases and ease of repair decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The valve determines the predetermined fluid amount through mechanical means based on the rotation of the plug unit and wing component under fluid pressure. This mechanical measurement approach eliminates the need for expensive electronic flowmeters while maintaining sufficient precision for the application, reducing both cost and complexity.
4Stability of the object's composition
If the valve operates under the same fluid pressure, then the consistency of fluid release improves, but the actuation mechanism requires precise design for low-viscosity fluids
Solution Approach 1:
The actuation mechanism is specifically designed with local optimizations for low-viscosity fluids. The wing component and plug unit geometry are tailored to respond appropriately to fluid pressure characteristics of low-viscosity fluids like water, milk, and blood, ensuring reliable actuation while maintaining fluid release consistency.
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 solution provides a cost-effective, reliable, and robust mechanism for controlling fluid flow, ensuring consistent release without leakage, suitable for various fluid pressures and viscosities, and adaptable to different applications.
Implementation Method 1
the bypass outlet nozzle configured and arranged such to direct a fluid jet stream at a surface of the wing that is fixedly connected to the stem of the valve plug unit to thereby rotate the wing from a first position to a second position
Implementation Method 2
This can be accomplished in a cost-efficient manner using a mechanical feature that operates under the same fluid pressure of the valve
Data Source
AI summary
A valve body including an inlet pipe, an outlet pipe, a valve body, a flow channel formed in the valve body. A valve plug unit has a stem, a wing, and a plug arranged along a longitudinal access of the valve plug unit, the plug being arranged to be rotatable in a plug housing formed in the flow channel. A bypass inlet is arranged in the outlet pipe to facilitate fluid flow to and from the reservoir. A bypass outlet nozzle is arranged in a wall of the chamber, the bypass outlet nozzle configured and arranged such to direct a fluid jet stream at a surface of the wing that is fixedly connected to the stem of the valve plug unit to thereby rotate the wing from a first position to a second position, the bypass outlet nozzle being fluidically connected to the reservoir via a bypass.