Mechanical Valve Actuation for Auto-Reset Fluid Level Protection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing mechanical systems for fluid level control in devices, such as aircraft, require manual resetting after maintenance, which can lead to improper operations if not properly restored to normal settings, risking system damage or failure.

Innovation Solution

A mechanical activation system with a rotatable first device and a pivotable second device, utilizing cam surfaces and an operator actuation mechanism, automatically adjusts to prevent fluid levels from reaching critical values and allows for easy refilling, ensuring the system returns to a safe operational state without manual intervention.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual resetting is required after maintenance, then the system can be overridden for maintenance operations, but the system may not return to normal operational settings, risking improper operations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemaintenance operationVSAvoidsystem operational setting

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically detects when the fluid level reaches a critical threshold and self-corrects by actuating the valve to prevent further depletion, eliminating the need for manual monitoring and resetting while ensuring reliable return to safe operational settings

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The mechanical linkage continuously monitors the fluid level and provides feedback through the cam surface interaction, automatically triggering the valve actuation when the threshold is reached, ensuring the system returns to safe settings without manual intervention

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If automatic threshold detection is implemented, then the system can prevent fluid depletion, but the system complexity increases with additional mechanical components

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefluid level controlVSAvoidmechanical system structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces electronic sensors and control systems with a purely mechanical threshold detection mechanism using cam surfaces and linkages, achieving automatic fluid level monitoring and control without complex electronic components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The cam surface acts as a mechanical intermediary that translates the fluid level position into a triggering action for the valve, simplifying the detection mechanism by using geometric interaction rather than complex sensing and actuation systems

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS10969803B2Mechanical activation system

Publication Date: 2021.04.06 CIRCOR INTERNATIONAL INC

AI summary

A mechanical activation system including a first mechanical device mechanically connectable to and controllable by an external device, with a rotational orientation of the first mechanical device controllable by the external device, the rotational orientation representative of a parameter of the external device. The first mechanical device and second mechanical device having interacting surfaces for controlling a valve for preventing the parameter of the external device from reaching a critical value. An operator actuation device interacts with a surface of the first mechanical device, permitting a single operator input that is automatically resettable by the system.