Dual-Valve Vacuum Pump for HVAC Backflow Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vacuum pumps for HVAC systems fail to effectively prevent the re-entry of atmospheric air and contaminants into the system after maintenance, leading to inefficiencies and potential damage from backflow.
Innovation Solution
A vacuum pump design incorporating a dual-valve system, comprising a ball valve and a check valve, which are adjustable between open and closed states to control airflow and prevent reverse airflow when the motor is deactivated, ensuring a robust seal and maintaining a vacuum in the HVAC system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single valve is used in existing vacuum pumps, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability of preventing reverse airflow and contaminants re-entry deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the valve system into two separate valves: a first valve (ball valve) positioned upstream and a second valve (check valve) positioned downstream. This segmentation allows each valve to perform a specific function - the ball valve provides manual control and isolation, while the check valve automatically prevents backflow. By separating these functions into distinct components rather than using a single complex valve, the system achieves higher reliability in preventing contaminants re-entry while maintaining manageable device complexity through functional specialization.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the pump is deactivated to maintain vacuum, then energy consumption is reduced, but the risk of reverse airflow and contaminants re-entry increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a check valve (second valve) that is pre-configured to automatically close and prevent backflow when the pump shuts down. This preliminary protective mechanism is already in place before motor deactivation occurs, ensuring that when the motor stops consuming energy, the check valve immediately engages to block any reverse airflow or contaminants from re-entering the HVAC system through the inlet port, thus eliminating the harmful effect that would otherwise occur during pump deactivation.
3Reliability
If valves are positioned in series within the fluid pathway, then the prevention of contaminants re-entry is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines two different valve types (ball valve and check valve) into a single integrated valve assembly that is positioned within the fluid pathway of the trestle. This merging of multiple valve functions into one compact assembly structure achieves reliable prevention of debris and oil re-entry by having both valves work in series, while simultaneously managing device complexity through a unified assembly design rather than separate distributed components. The integrated assembly streamline the structure and reduce the number of separate mounting locations needed.
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 dual-valve system effectively prevents the re-entry of debris and oil into the HVAC system, maintaining a vacuum and ensuring the system is ready for recharging with refrigerant, enhancing operational efficiency and system integrity.
Implementation Method 1
a first valve positioned within the fluid pathway and including a ball and a shaft coupled to the ball, and a second valve positioned within the fluid pathway in series with the first valve. Rotation of the shaft rotates the ball to adjust the first valve between an open state, in which an airflow induced by the pump is drawn through the inlet port, and a closed state, in which a reverse airflow through the inlet port is prevented
Implementation Method 2
the second valve including a ball moveable along a plurality of ribs formed in the fluid pathway to adjust the second valve between an open state, in which an airflow induced by the pump is drawn through the inlet port, and a closed state, in which a reverse airflow through the inlet port is prevented when the motor is deactivated
Implementation Method 3
a pump coupled to the motor to receive torque therefrom... an airflow induced by the pump is drawn through the inlet port... maintaining a vacuum in the HVAC system
Data Source
AI summary
A vacuum pump includes a motor, a pump coupled to the motor to receive torque therefrom, and a trestle including an inlet port, an outlet port, and a fluid pathway therebetween, the outlet port being fluidly connected to the pump. The vacuum pump also includes a first valve positioned within the fluid pathway and adjustable between an open state, in which an airflow induced by the pump is drawn through the inlet port, and a closed state, in which a reverse airflow through the inlet port is prevented, and a second valve positioned within the fluid pathway in series with the first valve and adjustable between an open state, in which the airflow induced by the pump is drawn through the inlet port, and a closed state, in which the reverse airflow through the inlet port is prevented when the motor is deactivated.