Vacuum Suction Valve Control Arrangement for Weak Negative Pressure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional control arrangements for suction valves in negative pressure sewage systems face issues with reliability, clogging, unclear valve positions, and dependence on prevailing negative pressure, leading to potential flooding and freezing risks, especially under weak vacuum conditions.
Innovation Solution
A control arrangement featuring two membranes forming a unit, with a second chamber adjustable via an external element, allowing for precise dynamic pressure control and manual actuation, ensuring reliable operation and preventing liquid penetration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If conventional control arrangements use time control independent of negative pressure strength, then the control structure remains simple, but the volume of waste water sucked off becomes smaller under weak negative pressure leading to potential flooding
Solution Approach 1:
The control arrangement dynamically adjusts the suction duration based on the prevailing negative pressure conditions. The second chamber's pressure-loaded surface area can be adjusted to modify the force balance on the first membrane, allowing the system to adapt its operation to varying vacuum strengths rather than using fixed time control
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the effective pressure-loaded surface area of the second chamber through adjustment elements that move the sealing element position. This parameter change allows the force acting on the first membrane to be modified, enabling reliable operation across different negative pressure conditions
2Device complexity
If conventional control arrangements use fixed time control, then the control mechanism remains simple, but opening times become shorter under low vacuum reducing suction effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The opening time and suction duration are dynamically adjusted based on negative pressure strength. The adjustable second chamber allows the force balance to change with operating conditions, ensuring adequate opening times even under low vacuum conditions where fixed time control would fail
3Adaptability or versatility
If conventional control arrangements allow second valve opening at low negative pressure, then the valve can open under various conditions, but waste water may freeze in the frost area of the pipe
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the pressure threshold for valve opening by adjusting the second chamber's effective surface area. This ensures that the negative pressure is sufficient to overcome the spring force and open the second valve only when conditions are appropriate, preventing premature opening that would cause waste water to freeze in cold pipe sections
4Measurement precision
If conventional control arrangements use complex adjustment mechanisms, then precise dynamic pressure control is possible, but the device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The second chamber serves multiple functions: it provides counter-pressure to the first membrane, allows for adjustable force balance through its pressure-loaded surface, and enables both automatic and manual control modes. This multi-functionality achieves precise pressure control without proportionally increasing structural complexity
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
Enhances operational reliability by allowing precise adjustment and manual control of the suction valve, reducing the risk of flooding and freezing, while maintaining system functionality across varying negative pressures.
Implementation Method 1
a first chamber (72) connected to the suction valve (22), which can be subjected to negative pressure or atmospheric pressure
Implementation Method 2
a back pressure built up by accumulated waste water acts on it, which acts on a gap between a release membrane and a back pressure membrane
Implementation Method 3
A vacuum generator, such as a vacuum pump, maintains a vacuum in the collection tank and piping system
Implementation Method 4
a spring element (75) which acts on the second holder (76) in the direction of the second partition (30)
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a control arrangement (10) for a vacuum-operated suction valve, designed for a vacuum wastewater system, comprising a first valve (32) and a second valve (34), the position of which determines whether the suction valve can be operated, allowing accumulated wastewater to be extracted via the wastewater system. To switch the first valve, which is functionally connected to the second valve, a back pressure built up by accumulated wastewater acts upon it. This pressure acts on a space (52) between a release diaphragm (36) and a pressure diaphragm (38), which together form the first valve.