Two-Part Non-Return Valve for Low Pressure Loss
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional backflow preventers in the fire service area suffer from high pressure loss and weight due to a large, complex design that covers the main flow channel, requiring significant differential pressure to open and having a cumbersome size that cannot be easily gripped or handled by firefighters.
Innovation Solution
A system separator with a backflow preventer featuring a two-part valve body that divides the main flow channel into outer and inner channels, allowing the valve body to move between closed and open positions based on pressure differences and a spring element, enabling efficient flow with a slim, lightweight design that can be operated with one hand.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a cup-shaped valve body is used to seal the inlet and open drain ports, then backflow prevention is achieved, but flow loss increases and pressure differential required to open the valve increases
Solution Approach 1:
The valve body is divided into two separate components: a valve disc for sealing the inlet and a separate mechanism for opening drain ports. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently, reducing flow loss while maintaining backflow prevention functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The drain port opening function is extracted from the cup-shaped valve body design. Instead of using a large cup-shaped body that covers the flow channel, the invention uses a compact valve disc with separate drain port control, removing the unnecessary bulk that caused flow loss.
2Reliability
If a cup-shaped valve body with radial expansion is used, then sealing is achieved, but the housing outer diameter increases making the device heavy and difficult to handle
Solution Approach 1:
The valve assembly is segmented into a compact valve disc and separate housing components. This eliminates the need for a large radially expanding cup-shaped body, significantly reducing the housing outer diameter and overall device weight while maintaining effective sealing through the valve disc design.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing mechanism transitions from radial expansion (cup-shaped body extending outward) to axial compression (valve disc moving perpendicular to the flow direction). This dimensional change allows sealing to be achieved without increasing the housing outer diameter, making the device more compact and easier to handle.
3Reliability
If the valve body simultaneously controls drain port release and inlet closing, then backflow prevention is achieved, but the valve body design becomes large and complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The valve system is segmented into separate functional components: a valve disc for inlet control and a separate mechanism for drain port control. This segmentation simplifies each individual component's design while achieving the combined functionality of backflow prevention through coordinated operation of the simplified parts.
Solution Approach 2:
The complex multi-functional cup-shaped valve body is deconstructed by extracting and separating the drain port control function from the inlet sealing function. This results in simpler, more manageable components that are easier to manufacture and maintain while achieving the same backflow prevention outcome.
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 design reduces pressure loss and weight, allowing the backflow preventer to open at lower pressure differences, providing a compact and efficient solution that prevents backflow while maintaining high flow rates and ease of handling.
Implementation Method 1
The spring element can, for example, be designed as a compression spring that elastically pushes the valve body towards the inlet
Implementation Method 2
The valve body is movable between its closed and open positions by a pressure difference in the main flow channel, particularly between its inlet and outlet, and/or by the force of a spring element
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a non-return valve, in particular for fire service use comprising a housing which surrounds a main flow conduit; and a valve seat inside the housing on the main flow conduit; and a valve body which is movable relative to the valve seat, in order in a closed position to shut off the main flow conduit together with the valve seat and in an open position to free the main flow conduit; the valve body being movable by a pressure difference in the main flow conduit and/or by the force of a spring element alternately between the closed position of the valve body and the open position of the valve body. The invention relates to a non-return valve, in particular for fire service use comprising a housing which surrounds a main flow conduit; and a valve seat inside the housing on the main flow conduit; and a valve body which is movable relative to the valve seat, in order in a closed position to shut off the main flow conduit together with the valve seat and in an open position to free the main flow conduit; the valve body being movable by a pressure difference in the main flow conduit and/or by the force of a spring element alternately between the closed position of the valve body and the open position of the valve body.