Valve-Free Liquid Transfer via Pneumatic Pressure Differential

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional liquid transfer apparatuses often contaminate liquids due to residual substances in pipelines and valves, which is problematic in fields requiring high purity, such as chemical testing laboratories.

Innovation Solution

A liquid transfer apparatus utilizing a pressure difference mechanism without valves, employing high-pressure air to prevent contamination and precise control of liquid volume transfer through a system comprising an output terminal device, receiving terminal device, connecting pipeline, and control device, ensuring that the liquid transfer path does not pass through joints or valves.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If traditional valves are used to control liquid transfer, then liquid flow control is achieved, but liquid contamination occurs due to residual substances and valve corrosion

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveliquid flow controlVSAvoidliquid contamination

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention removes valves entirely from the liquid transfer path, extracting the contaminating element from the system. Liquid transfer is achieved through pressure differential created by controlled air injection and release, eliminating the need for mechanical valves that cause contamination.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The mechanical valve system is replaced with a pneumatic control system. Air is injected into the receiving container to create positive pressure that prevents liquid backflow, and then released to create negative pressure that draws liquid forward, substituting mechanical flow control with pneumatic pressure control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If high-pressure air is used to prevent liquid backflow, then contamination is prevented, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveliquid backflow preventionVSAvoidair pressure maintenance

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The air pressure is applied periodically rather than continuously. Air is injected to create positive pressure during the transfer phase to prevent backflow, then released to create negative pressure for the next transfer cycle, reducing overall energy consumption compared to continuous pressurization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses the released air pressure to create negative pressure that automatically draws liquid forward in the receiving container, making the pressure release phase productive rather than wasteful. The same pressure mechanism serves dual purposes: preventing backflow during transfer and enabling the next transfer cycle.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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 solution prevents contamination and allows precise control of liquid transfer, maintaining low vapor pressure within the transfer path, ensuring the integrity of subsequent transfers and meeting strict purity requirements.

Implementation Method 1

the first pressurizing member is connected to the first storage container to fill the first storage container with high-pressure air

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure difference: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 2

the air pressure adjusting member is connected to the second storage container to adjust the air pressure inside the second storage container

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure difference: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 3

the pressure difference between the inside of the first storage container and the inside of the second storage container is sufficient to drive the liquid in the first storage container to flow into the connecting pipeline and to enter the second storage container

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure gradient: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentUS11236866B2Liquid transfer apparatus

Publication Date: 2022.02.01 CHIANG TE MING

AI summary

A liquid transfer apparatus comprises an output terminal device, a receiving terminal device, a connecting pipeline, and a control device. The output terminal device includes a first pressurizing member for filling the first storage container with high-pressure air. The receiving terminal device includes an air pressure adjusting member for adjusting the air pressure inside the second storage container. When the liquid transfer apparatus is in a non-transferring state, the air pressure inside the second storage container is high enough to prevent the liquid in the first storage container flow into the connecting pipeline. And when the liquid transfer apparatus is in a transferring state, the pressure difference between the inside of the first storage container and the inside of the second storage container is sufficient to drive the liquid in the first storage container to enter the second storage container.