Springless Check Valve with Bypass Duct
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing inflation devices with check valves for gaseous fluids suffer from inefficiency, contamination risks, high maintenance, and the need for costly and corrosive spring components, which affect reliability and sterility, especially in medical and industrial applications.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a check valve with a bypass duct that eliminates the need for a spring, using an annular duct to allow fluid passage even when the primary duct is closed, reducing component count, assembly costs, and corrosion risks, while ensuring sterility and high reliability through a ball-type closure element and a polymeric construction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a spring is used to maintain the check valve closed, then the valve can reliably prevent backflow, but the spring causes contamination of the gaseous fluid and requires maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the spring component from the check valve assembly entirely. Instead of using a mechanical spring to maintain valve closure, the invention employs a ball-type closure element that relies on pressure differential and gravity to seal against the seat, eliminating the source of contamination while maintaining reliable backflow prevention
Solution Approach 2:
The spring is replaced with a simple ball closure element and seat configuration that has no moving parts subject to fatigue or corrosion. The ball and seat design creates a maintenance-free system where the closure mechanism is inherently reliable without requiring periodic replacement of elastic components
2Reliability
If a spring is used to maintain the check valve closed, then the valve can reliably prevent backflow, but the spring increases device complexity and cost
Solution Approach 1:
The spring component is completely extracted from the valve assembly. The closure function is achieved through a ball element that responds to pressure differential across the valve, eliminating the need for elastic retaining elements and reducing the bill of materials while simplifying the overall device structure
Solution Approach 2:
The ball closure element is self-actuating based on pressure differential. When downstream pressure exceeds upstream pressure, the ball automatically seals against the seat without requiring any external spring force or active control mechanism, making the system self-regulating and simpler
3Reliability
If a spring is used to maintain the check valve closed, then the valve can reliably prevent backflow, but the spring increases maintenance requirements
Solution Approach 1:
By removing the spring component, the patent eliminates the primary source of maintenance requirements. Spring components are subject to fatigue, corrosion, and loss of elastic properties over time, requiring periodic inspection and replacement. The ball-and-seat design has no such degrading components
Solution Approach 2:
The design replaces maintenance-intensive spring components with a simple ball closure mechanism that has no elastic elements subject to degradation. The ball and seat configuration creates a maintenance-free operation where the closure function is maintained throughout the service life without requiring component replacement
4Reliability
If a spring is used to maintain the check valve closed, then the valve can reliably prevent backflow, but the spring increases energy consumption during compression
Solution Approach 1:
The spring component is removed, eliminating the energy required to compress and maintain the elastic element during valve operation. The ball closure element requires no compression energy as it responds passively to pressure differential, reducing the work required during the compression stroke of the inflation device
Solution Approach 2:
The ball closure element is actuated solely by the pressure differential across the valve without requiring external energy input. The system uses the process fluid's own pressure to open and close the valve, eliminating the energy losses associated with spring compression and release cycles
5Reliability
If a spring is used to maintain the check valve closed, then the valve can reliably prevent backflow, but the spring causes noise during operation
Solution Approach 1:
The spring component is extracted from the valve assembly, removing the source of noise generated by spring compression, expansion, and collision with the valve body. The ball closure element operates silently as it rolls or slides smoothly against the seat without elastic deformation or impact noise
Solution Approach 2:
The ball closure mechanism operates passively based on pressure differential without the dynamic elastic reactions that cause noise in spring-based valves. The silent operation results from the ball's smooth engagement with the seat and absence of spring-related vibrations and impacts
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
This solution enhances efficiency, reliability, and sterility, reduces maintenance, and allows for higher pressures with lower energy consumption, minimizing pressure losses and noise, while being suitable for medical and industrial applications.
Implementation Method 1
when a pressure of a gaseous fluid at the first proximal opening is higher than a pressure of the gaseous fluid at the second distal opening
Data Source
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AI summary
A check or non return valve (10) for a fluid comprises a first proximal opening (12) and a second distal opening (14), and also a duct (11) which connects the first proximal opening (12) with the second distal opening (14) for allowing the passage of said fluid, and also the valve (10) comprises a seat (17) formed within the first proximal opening (12) and also includes a closure element (15) coupled to the seat (17) for prevent the leakage of fluid from the first proximal opening (12), the valve (10) comprising at least a second duct (13) which connects the first proximal opening (12) to the second distal opening (14). The closure element (15) is able to shift from a working position in which it is pressed against one end of the duct (11) for allow the passage of a fluid flow coming from the first proximal opening (12) to the second distal opening (14) through said at least second duct (13), to a rest position in which the closure element (15) is pressed against the seat (17) for close the first proximal opening (12) for preventing the passage through the same of a fluid flow coming from duct and from at least a second duct (13).