Through-flow Valve Arrangement Anti-siphoning Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid distribution piping systems face contamination risks due to backflow of external, potentially contaminated fluids when pressure drops, leading to contamination of the distribution system and potential distribution of contaminated water.
Innovation Solution
A valve device with a housing body and a movable valve member that switches states based on pressure differences, featuring an upper ridge member to prevent reflux by allowing ambient air to flow into the system, thus maintaining system integrity and preventing fluid reflux.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional anti-siphoning valve arrangement is used, then protection against contaminated fluid backflow is achieved, but the device complexity increases with multiple vacuum valve units and movable parts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple vacuum valve units into a single integrated valve device with one movable valve member. The housing body contains both the first channel (for fluid flow) and second channel (for air flow), with a single valve member controlling both channels. This merging reduces the number of movable parts while maintaining the anti-siphoning function through pressure differential operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The single valve member serves multiple functions: it controls fluid flow in the first channel and air flow in the second channel simultaneously. The valve member's position determines whether the system is in normal operation mode or anti-siphoning mode, providing multi-functionality with a single component rather than requiring separate valve units for each function.
2Reliability
If more valve units are used to ensure reliable anti-siphoning protection, then reliability improves, but manufacturing costs and production complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple valve functions into a single manufacturable unit. The housing body is designed as one piece containing both channels, and the valve member is a single component that replaces multiple separate valve units. This reduces the number of manufacturing steps, assembly operations, and quality control checkpoints, thereby lowering production costs while maintaining reliability.
3Reliability
If ambient air is allowed to flow into the system during pressure drops, then system purity is maintained by preventing backflow, but the risk of introducing contaminants increases
Solution Approach 1:
The second channel acts as an intermediary pathway that allows air to enter the system during pressure drops. This dedicated air flow channel is separated from the main fluid channel, providing a controlled interface with the ambient environment. The channel design and valve member configuration ensure that air flow occurs only when needed and through a defined path, minimizing contaminant introduction risk while maintaining system purity.
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 valve device effectively prevents fluid reflux, maintains system purity, and allows for a physically smaller and simpler design with fewer movable parts, reducing production costs and ensuring effective anti-siphoning even under sub-ambient pressure conditions.
Implementation Method 1
switching between a first state and a second state dependent on a pressure difference (ΔP) between said first ambient pressure level (P A60:1) and said second pressure level (PF60:1)
Implementation Method 2
The housing body comprises an upper ridge member which co-operates with the movable valve member to separate an upper space of the input side from an upper space of the output side
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
The invention discloses a valve arrangement (70) adapted for connection to a fluid supply piping system (35, 72) having a fluid supply pressure level (PF60:1) for supplying a first fluid and adapted for connection to a fluid outfeed conduit (74, 40). The valve arrangement (70) is adapted to provide protection against a reflux of a first fluid from the outfeed conduit when the pressure level (PF60:1) in the fluid supply piping system (35, 72) suddenly drops. The valve arrangement (70) comprises a housing (100, 200) having an input (210), an output (220) and a housing body (100, 200 230). The housing body (100, 200 230) comprises a first channel (105) which may be provided with a ridge member (460), a bore (122) and a valve member (131). The valve member (131) is movable inside the bore (122) and is adapted to rest against a valve seat (140, 241) in a closed position and it may be adapted to rest against the ridge member (460) in an open position. A second fluid, from the environment, can enter through the bore (122) and continue into the fluid supply piping system (35, 72) when the valve member (131) is in the open position. The ridge member (460) may have a position and a size such that the reflux of the first fluid from the outfeed conduit (35, 72) is reduced while preserving the flow of the first fluid during normal condition when the valve member (131) is in the closed position.