Twisted Duckbill Check Valve for Swirling Fluid Mixing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional duckbill check valves lack the ability to effectively mix fluids exiting the valve with other fluids in vessels like tanks or water towers, as they do not provide a consistent swirling motion necessary for blending.
Innovation Solution
A duckbill check valve with a twisted transition part that imparts a torsional flow to fluids, using an elastomer or polyurethane material, ensuring the fluid exiting the valve receives a swirling motion to enhance mixing with other fluids in the vessel.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a conventional straight transition area is used in the check valve, then the valve structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the fluid mixing capability is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The transition area is designed with a twisted or curved configuration instead of a straight path. This curvature imparts a swirling motion to the fluid as it passes through, enhancing mixing capability while maintaining a relatively simple single-piece elastomer construction that is easy to manufacture.
2Productivity
If a twisted transition part is added to impart swirling motion, then the fluid mixing capability is improved, but the valve structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The twisted transition area is integrated into a single elastomer body that includes the inlet end, transition part, and outlet bill as one monolithic structure. This merging of components achieves the desired swirling flow pattern without requiring separate moving parts or complex assemblies, thus limiting the increase in device complexity.
3Loss of energy
If a twisted transition part is used to enhance fluid blending, then the need for energy-consuming pumps is reduced, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The valve structure itself generates the swirling motion and mixing action through its twisted geometry, using the kinetic energy of the flowing fluid rather than requiring external pumps or motors. This self-service approach reduces energy consumption while the single-piece elastomer construction keeps manufacturing relatively simple.
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 twisted design improves fluid blending and mixing, potentially reducing the need for energy-consuming pumps by ensuring a higher ratio of fluid blending, especially effective for mixing hot and cold fluids in tanks.
Implementation Method 1
The transition part is configured to provide fluid exiting the outlet end with a swirling motion. The check valve includes a portion which is twisted about the axis extending from the inlet to the outlet. Thus, as fluid passes through the check valve, the twisted portion of the body will impart a swirling motion and be forced to leave the valve via the torsional twisted lip section of the valve.
Data Source
AI summary
A check valve has an inlet end, a transition part and an outlet end, with a pair of vertically orientated lips. The transition part is twisted about the axis extending from the inlet to the outlet. As fluid passes through the check valve, the twisted portion of the check valve will impart a swirling motion to the fluid as the fluids leaves the check valve via the outlet end.