Solar Fail-Safe Valve Actuator with Emergency Battery Backup
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Solution Overview
Problem
Motor-operated valves in solar systems face operational failures due to power disconnections, short circuits, or limited solar power supply, rendering them uncontrollable and potentially hazardous.
Innovation Solution
A solar fail-safe device comprising a solar panel module, an actuator unit, and a control unit that charges batteries and switches to emergency power when the primary power is insufficient, allowing the actuator to move the valve to a preset position even during power outages.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If a motor-operated valve is used in a solar system, then automation and productivity are improved, but reliability deteriorates when power failure or short circuit occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-charging batteries with emergency electricity before power failure occurs. The solar panel continuously charges the battery during normal operation, so that when power failure or short circuit occurs, the pre-charged battery can immediately activate the actuator to move the valve to a safe position, ensuring reliable emergency operation without manual intervention
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a battery as an intermediary energy storage device between the solar panel and the actuator. This battery serves as a mediator that stores energy during normal conditions and releases it during emergencies, bridging the gap between intermittent solar power and reliable actuator operation, thereby maintaining system reliability even when primary power fails
2Reliability
If emergency fail-safe mechanism is added to the actuator, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the emergency power supply function into the existing actuator structure by integrating a battery directly within the actuator unit. The control unit automatically switches between normal power and emergency power without requiring separate emergency mechanisms, thereby achieving reliable emergency operation while minimizing additional structural complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The actuator is designed with multi-functionality by incorporating both normal operation mode and emergency fail-safe mode within a single device. The same actuator structure performs both routine valve control and emergency safety functions, eliminating the need for separate emergency mechanisms and reducing overall device complexity
3Use of energy by moving object
If solar panel is used as power source, then energy efficiency is improved, but reliability deteriorates when solar power supply is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies preliminary action by continuously charging the battery with solar power during periods when solar energy is available. This pre-charging ensures that sufficient emergency electricity is stored before power failure occurs, enabling the actuator to operate reliably during emergencies even when solar power supply is intermittent or limited
Solution Approach 2:
The battery serves as an intermediary energy storage device that decouples the intermittent solar power supply from the continuous operation requirements of the actuator. During normal operation, the battery stores excess solar energy; during power limitation or failure, it releases stored energy to maintain reliable actuator operation, thereby bridging the gap between variable solar input and stable system performance
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
Enables the valve to be operated in emergency modes, ensuring safety by moving to a preset position using pre-charged emergency electricity, allowing multiple operations and preventing accidents from uncontrolled valve states.
Implementation Method 1
a solar panel module producing electricity from solar energy
Data Source
AI summary
A solar fail-safe device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is capable of operating a valve by using sunlight and operating the valve in an emergency in which electricity is not supplied to an actuator unit moving the valve. A solar fail-safe device may include a solar panel module producing electricity from solar energy, an actuator unit including an actuator moving a valve by using electricity as a power source, and a fail-safe part moving the valve by using emergency electricity with which the fail-safe part is pre-charged, and a control unit receiving the electricity produced from the solar panel module to charge a first and a second battery and to supply the electricity to the actuator unit. The actuator may move the valve by using the emergency electricity when a voltage at which the electricity is applied from the control unit is less than a predetermined value.