Triangular Blade Check Valve for Low-Turbulence Backflow Closing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing check valves for medical and industrial applications face issues with turbulence, noise, and inefficiency due to external energy dependencies, material limitations, and manufacturing costs, particularly in gaseous and viscous media applications.
Innovation Solution
A blade-type check valve design featuring triangular-shaped blades with integrated swivel joints and a polygonal configuration, allowing for automatic opening and closing without external energy, minimizing resistance and turbulence, and ensuring durability and safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If an eccentric blade is used in the check valve, then the valve can achieve automatic opening and closing function, but it causes turbulences downstream and vibrations with undesirable noise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by positioning the pivot axis of the blade offset from the center of the valve body. This eccentric positioning enables the blade to automatically open and close in response to flow direction changes. The asymmetric design is intentional and resolves the contradiction by optimizing the opening/closing mechanism while managing the resulting turbulence through proper blade geometry and positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs curved surfaces and rounded edges on the blade design to reduce turbulence. Instead of sharp corners and straight edges, the blade features smooth contours that guide fluid flow more effectively, minimizing vortex formation and downstream turbulence while maintaining the automatic valve function.
2Reliability
If several laminas are placed around a polygonal frame with bending edges increasing thickness to the center, then mutual support and sealing are provided, but the available space in the center is too narrow and the lower edge cannot withstand pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the valve structure into multiple discrete laminas arranged around a polygonal frame. Each lamina is a separate element that can independently support and seal, providing distributed structural integrity. This segmentation allows the valve to maintain reliability through mutual support while preserving central flow space.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies varying thickness strategically - the laminas have increased thickness at their attachment points to the polygonal frame for structural support and sealing, while maintaining thinner profiles in regions where flow space is needed. This local quality variation optimizes both structural reliability and flow capacity.
3Reliability
If protruding parts of laminas and hinges are present, then the valve can close properly, but they interfere with the bloodstream causing turbulences and increasing the risk of blood clots and thromboses
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates sharp edges and protruding corners by designing all blade surfaces with smooth, curved contours. The laminas and hinges are shaped to present streamlined surfaces to the fluid flow, reducing turbulence and preventing blood cell damage or clot formation while maintaining effective sealing through the curved geometry.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent removes traditional hinge mechanisms and protruding fastening elements that cause turbulence. Instead, the laminas are integrated into the structure with minimal protrusions, and the closing function is achieved through the blade geometry itself rather than mechanical hinges, thereby eliminating the harmful factors.
4Reliability
If a pyramidal case with several trapezoidal through bores and movable laminae pressed into closing position by torsion springs is used, then the valve can function, but the available cross section for flow is relatively narrow and there is high device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes torsion springs and complex mechanical actuation mechanisms from the design. The valve function is achieved through passive blade geometry and flow-induced motion, eliminating the need for energy-storing elements and reducing device complexity while maintaining reliable operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses multiple discrete laminas that can be independently positioned and controlled. This segmentation allows for optimized flow paths around each lamina, maximizing the effective cross-sectional area for fluid flow while maintaining valve functionality through the collective action of the segmented elements.
5Reliability
If swivel joints and torsion springs are used in high quantity, then the valve can achieve closing function, but abrasion occurs and service life is limited due to fatigue
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates torsion springs and reduces the number of swivel joints by integrating the closing mechanism into the blade structure itself. This removal of fatigue-prone components directly addresses the service life issue while maintaining the closing function through alternative geometric and structural means.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the structural support, sealing, and actuation functions into integrated blade elements rather than using separate components. This merging eliminates multiple joints and springs, reducing abrasion points and fatigue sources, thereby extending service life while maintaining reliable closing function.
6Ease of operation
If an elastic slotted nipple is used, then the valve can open and close based on pressure, but it always exerts force on segments for closure giving rise to turbulences downstream
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses curved blade surfaces and rounded edges to guide fluid flow smoothly during opening and closing transitions. This curvature eliminates the sharp directional changes caused by slotted nipple geometry, reducing turbulence generation while maintaining pressure-responsive automatic operation.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using an elastic slotted nipple that actively pushes segments closed, the patent inverts the approach by using flow direction and blade geometry to passively guide closure. The fluid flow itself provides the closing force through proper geometric arrangement, eliminating the need for active elastic forces that create turbulence.
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 achieves maximum flow rates with minimal resistance and turbulence, ensuring safety and durability while being cost-effective and suitable for various applications, including medical and industrial uses.
Implementation Method 1
automatically opening and closing without external energy, only by means of the current of the gaseous and/or liquid medium
Implementation Method 2
giving rise to no or only a minimum of resistance or turbulences
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a blade-type check valve for gaseous and liquid media, to be used in medical technologies as well as in waste water technology with at least three triangular blades, grouped in round configuration at the edges of a polygonal bore of a valve ring or housing, with the number of blades corresponding to the number of faces of the bore. At least at one of the three sides, the valve blades feature an integrated joint, which may also consist of fabric, whereas the two other sides of the valve blades form an articulated lock. The valve can be installed in any position and closes automatically, actuated by the backflow respectively return flow of the medium, without external energy.