Rotatable Valve Carousel for Tool-Less Sewage Check Valve Service
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional consumable check valves in marine sanitation systems are prone to failure due to regular use, exposure to cleaning agents, and material issues, leading to leakage and unpleasant odors, requiring frequent replacement and difficult maintenance procedures that involve handling raw sewage.
Innovation Solution
A serviceable valve carousel system that allows for the removal and replacement of worn check valves without tools, maintaining sewage connection, and preventing leakage or exposure to residual waste, utilizing a rotatable valve carousel and port adapters for easy access and fluid-tight seals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional consumable check valves are used in marine sanitation systems, then the system can maintain basic valve function, but the valves are prone to failure from regular use, exposure to cleaning agents, and material deformation, leading to leakage and unpleasant odors requiring frequent replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The valve assembly is segmented into modular components including a valve body, removable valve elements (check valves, solenoid valves), and port adapters. This segmentation allows individual valve elements to be replaced independently without replacing the entire assembly, reducing maintenance time while maintaining reliability through easy replacement of failed components.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve assembly incorporates universal features including multiple port adapters (elbow, tee, straight configurations), both check valves and solenoid valves in a single assembly, and standardized connection interfaces. This multi-functionality allows a single assembly to serve multiple purposes and accommodate different installation configurations, reducing the frequency of maintenance interventions.
2Device complexity
If conventional check valves are used, then the system structure remains simple, but the valves require frequent replacement involving difficult maintenance procedures and handling of raw sewage
Solution Approach 1:
The valve elements (check valves, solenoid valves) are designed as removable and replaceable components that can be extracted from the valve body without disassembling the entire assembly or handling raw sewage. The service port allows valve elements to be removed in a controlled manner, significantly improving maintenance ease while maintaining reasonable system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
A service port and removable valve cap act as intermediaries between the user and the valve elements. This intermediary mechanism allows valve replacement without direct exposure to raw sewage and without requiring complex disassembly procedures, making maintenance easier while keeping the overall system structure relatively simple.
3Productivity
If conventional inline check valves are used, then the system maintains basic functionality, but the outlet orifice deforms and gapes, causing residual waste to leak back into the toilet bowl creating unpleasant odors
Solution Approach 1:
The valve assembly incorporates both passive check valves that automatically respond to pressure changes and an active solenoid valve that can be dynamically controlled. This dynamic capability ensures the outlet remains sealed when not in use, preventing waste leakage and odors while maintaining sanitation system performance during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system includes a service port and removable valve cap that allow for proactive maintenance and replacement of valve elements before failure occurs. This beforehand preparation prevents leakage and odor problems by enabling timely replacement of worn valves, thus cushioning against the harmful effects of valve degradation.
4Reliability
If frequent valve replacement is performed, then valve reliability is maintained, but maintenance time and exposure to sewage increase
Solution Approach 1:
The service port and removable valve cap serve as protective intermediaries during maintenance operations. They allow valve elements to be replaced without direct exposure to raw sewage, reducing the harmful effects of sewage contact while enabling frequent replacements to maintain valve reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
Valve elements can be extracted through the service port in a controlled manner without requiring complete disassembly of the assembly or exposure to sewage-filled areas. This extraction mechanism enables frequent maintenance while minimizing sewage exposure, thus maintaining reliability without increasing harmful exposure.
Data Source
AI summary
A serviceable valve carousel system may include a valve carousel housing having a valve carousel receiver, a valve service port, an integrated first port adapter, and an integrated second port adapter. A rotatable valve carousel may be rotatably disposed within the valve carousel housing. The rotatable valve carousel may include a substantially cylindrical portion, a removable valve lumen, a valve cap receiver, and a removable valve cap having a substantially radiused portion compatible with a substantially radiused portion of the substantially cylindrical portion of the rotatable valve carousel. The rotatable valve carousel is rotatable between a first state that allows fluid communication through a removable valve at least partially disposed within the removable valve lumen and a second state that allows the removable valve cap and removable valve to be removed and replaced via the valve service port without use of tools while maintaining a sewage connection.