Swivel Float Air Vent Valve for Adjustable Outlet Orientation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air vent valves in heating circuits face limitations and operational issues due to a fixed orientation of the air release opening, which can lead to damage from contaminated air and sediment evacuation, especially in confined or sensitive areas, and pose difficulties during assembly and maintenance.
Innovation Solution
A float air vent valve with a swivel joint allowing the air release opening to be oriented in any direction, enabled by a plug connected to a float and supported by a coil spring, which can be adjusted without disassembling the device, facilitating easy orientation and maintenance access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the air release opening is fixed in a predetermined direction, then the valve structure is simple and rigid, but the valve cannot be oriented to avoid damaging sensitive areas and has limited adaptability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by introducing a swivel joint that allows the air release opening to be rotated and oriented in different directions. The cover element can be adjusted angularly relative to the valve body through the swivel joint mechanism, transforming the fixed structure into a dynamically adjustable one. This enables the valve to adapt to different installation positions and avoid directing air flow toward sensitive areas while maintaining structural integrity.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the air release opening faces upwards or transversely in fixed orientation, then the valve assembly is straightforward, but the release opening may orient exactly towards problematic areas causing damage from contaminated air evacuation
Solution Approach 1:
The swivel joint mechanism enables dynamic orientation adjustment of the air release opening, allowing installers to direct the release opening away from sensitive areas such as electrical panels or equipment. The adjustable design provides flexibility to orient the opening in safe directions while maintaining ease of installation through a straightforward swivel and lock mechanism.
3Ease of repair
If the closure cover, valve body, and fitting body are rigidly connected as a single piece, then the assembly is structurally sound, but disassembly for maintenance is difficult and may require stopping heating circuit operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the valve into separable components: the valve body, the cover element, and the fitting body can be disassembled from one another. The swivel joint and threaded connections allow the cover element to be removed independently for maintenance of internal components such as the plug and float mechanism, while the valve body remains connected to the heating circuit, enabling maintenance without complete disassembly or system shutdown.
4Ease of operation
If the release opening is oriented in a fixed predetermined direction, then the manufacturing and assembly process is simple, but the valve cannot be adjusted to facilitate maintenance access
Solution Approach 1:
The swivel joint mechanism provides adjustable orientation that facilitates maintenance access by allowing the air release opening to be positioned in directions that provide clear access to the valve interior. The cover element can be rotated to orientations that expose internal components for easier inspection and maintenance while maintaining a relatively simple assembly process through standardized threading and coupling mechanisms.
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 flexible orientation of the air release opening to avoid damaging sensitive areas and simplifies assembly and maintenance, allowing for efficient air evacuation without stopping the heating circuit operation, while preventing fluid leakage and improving accessibility for cleaning and component replacement.
Implementation Method 1
A plug (9) is included in the cover element (6), whose front type is supported, via a coil spring (10), to move between a lifted closure position and a lowered opening position
Implementation Method 2
a float (5) that is mobile along the longitudinal axis X... A plug (9) is included in the cover element (6), the function of which is to enable, or disable, the air venting through the air release opening (8). The plug (9) is operatively connected to the float (5)
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
A float air vent valve for a de-aerator device for a heating circuit comprises a valve body (3) defining a cavity (4) that extends along a longitudinal axis (X), a float (5) slidably housed in the cavity (4), a cover element (6) for superiorly closing the valve body (3) provided with an air release opening (8) transversal with respect to the longitudinal axis (X), said cover element (6) including a plug (9) for said air release opening (8) operatively connected to the float (5). The cover element (6) and the valve body (3) comprise a first connecting portion (12) and a second connecting portion (13), respectively, which together define a swivel joint (14) preventing a relative axial movement between the cover element (6) and the valve body (3), parallel to the longitudinal axis (X), and allowing, even during the operation of the heating circuit, an angular adjustment of the cover element (6) around the longitudinal axis (X) and relative to the valve body (3) for orienting in a desired manner the air release opening (8). The first connecting portion (12) and the second connecting portion (13) define together an annular holding seat (17) for housing holding means (18) suitable for preventing the above-mentioned relative axial movement and for allowing the angular adjustment of the cover element (6) during the operation of the valve (1). Furthermore, the first connecting portion (12) and the second connecting portion (13) define together an annular sealing seat (21) for sealing means (22).