Reversible Telescoping Spring Retention for Check Valve Repair
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Solution Overview
Problem
Backflow prevention assemblies are difficult to manufacture, assemble, and repair, leading to time-consuming processes and potential contamination risks, as they require complex sequences and numerous components.
Innovation Solution
A reversible telescoping spring retention assembly is coupled with a valve member, featuring an elongated cylinder and piston with a helical spring, allowing for easy assembly and repair by providing a biasing force and enabling reversible mounting, thus simplifying the process and reducing the number of required components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If traditional BFP assembly components are used, then the assembly provides backflow prevention function, but the assembly is difficult to manufacture, assemble and repair
Solution Approach 1:
The spring retention assembly is divided into separate modular components: a body portion, a piston portion with threaded tab end, and a helical spring. These segmented parts can be manufactured independently and then assembled together, simplifying the manufacturing process while maintaining the complete functional assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring retention assembly is designed with symmetric features (similarly shaped closed end and free end) that allow it to perform multiple functions: providing biasing force, enabling reversible mounting, and facilitating easy disassembly for repair. This universal design reduces the need for multiple specialized components.
2Ease of repair
If traditional BFP assembly components are used, then the assembly provides backflow prevention function, but the repair process is time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The spring retention assembly consists of separable components (body portion, piston portion, spring) that can be easily disassembled and reassembled. The threaded tab end allows for simple screwing and unscrewing operations, enabling quick repair without complex tools or procedures, thus reducing repair time.
Solution Approach 2:
The design allows maintenance personnel to perform repairs using basic threading and spring replacement operations without requiring specialized equipment or complex procedures. The self-contained modular design enables repair personnel to service the assembly independently and efficiently.
3Device complexity
If traditional BFP assembly components are used, then the assembly provides backflow prevention function, but the assembly requires numerous components
Solution Approach 1:
The spring retention assembly merges multiple functions into a single integrated component structure: the body portion and piston portion with threaded tab end combine to form a unified assembly that provides both structural support and spring retention. This reduces the total number of separate components needed in the BFP assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring retention assembly is designed with symmetric features (similarly shaped closed end and free end) that allow it to perform multiple functions: providing biasing force, enabling reversible mounting, and facilitating easy disassembly for repair. This universal design reduces the need for multiple specialized components.
4Reliability
If traditional BFP assembly components are used, then the assembly provides backflow prevention function, but improper fabrication or assembly can lead to contamination or flooding
Solution Approach 1:
The spring retention assembly is designed with reversible mounting capability where the closed end and free end are similarly shaped. This inverted symmetry allows the assembly to be installed and removed in either orientation, reducing the risk of improper installation that could lead to contamination or flooding, while maintaining ease of manufacture.
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 enhances manufacturing efficiency, reduces assembly and repair errors, and minimizes downtime by allowing for easier installation and maintenance of backflow prevention assemblies, ensuring safer and more reliable water supply systems.
Implementation Method 1
A spring couples to the body portion and the piston portion to provide a force to urge the body portion and the piston away from one another
Data Source
AI summary
A valve assembly with a spring retention assembly including an elongated cylinder portion having an open threaded end and a closed end and an elongated piston portion having a free end and a threaded tab end configured to thread through the open threaded end and, thereby, be slideably captured in the cylinder portion. A spring couples to the body portion and the piston portion to provide a force to urge the body portion and the piston away from one another, wherein the closed end and the free end are similarly shaped so that the spring retention assembly can be reversibly mounted to a valve member that can also be reversibly mounted.