Valve Position Indicator with Toothed Axle Disc
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing valve position indicators suffer from inaccurate positioning and complexity in setting, making them unsuitable for automated systems and requiring tailor-made solutions for different valve types.
Innovation Solution
A valve position indicator with a main rotation axle and a gear wheel system, featuring a toothed main axle disc that cooperates with a gear wheel to provide discrete signals for open and closed positions, allowing easy adaptation and accurate indication of valve positions using mechanical or electronic means.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a linear movement indicator is used to indicate valve position, then the indicator can be simple in structure, but the positioning accuracy deteriorates and the reading becomes uncertain
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the linear mechanical movement system with a rotational mechanical system. The indicator needle rotates around a pivot point to indicate valve position, rather than moving linearly up and down. This substitution maintains structural simplicity while significantly improving positioning accuracy and reading certainty, as the rotational mechanism provides stable, repeatable positions for indicating full open and full closed states.
2Loss of information
If an ODO-meter type rotation counter is used to indicate valve stem rotations, then the indicator can show rotation count, but the operation complexity increases for setting exact positions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential information needed for valve position indication - specifically the discrete states of full open and full closed - rather than tracking every rotation count. The indicator needle directly shows these end positions without requiring the user to count rotations or perform complex setting operations, thereby eliminating unnecessary operational complexity while retaining the critical position information.
3Device complexity
If a toothless main axle is used to provide on/off indicator behavior, then the indicator can be simple, but the measurement precision deteriorates for intermediate positions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by making the main axle partially toothed rather than completely toothless or completely toothed. The toothed portion engages with the gear wheel to provide precise positioning at critical points (full open and full closed positions), while the toothless portion allows free rotation for intermediate positions. This localized application of teeth provides high measurement precision exactly where needed without unnecessarily complicating the overall structure.
4Measurement precision
If a valve position indicator is designed for a specific valve type, then the indication accuracy can be optimized, but the adaptability deteriorates to other valve types
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the indicator mechanism with universal characteristics that allow it to function accurately with different valve types. The rotational indicator system with adjustable needle positioning can accommodate various valve stem configurations and rotation requirements. The mechanism can be calibrated for different full-open and full-closed positions, making it adaptable to multiple valve types while maintaining indication accuracy through proper adjustment rather than requiring valve-specific design.
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 enables easy and accurate setting of valve positions, reduces the number of rotations required for position indication, and can be adapted to various valve types, providing a simple and reliable method for indicating fully opened or closed states, suitable for both manual and automated systems.
Implementation Method 1
a gear wheel (26) comprising a plurality of teeth evenly distributed along its circumference, said main axle disc (19) further comprising along part of its circumference a toothless portion substantially not interfering with said gear wheel (26), such that said at least one tooth (22) provides a rotation of said gear wheel (26)
Data Source
AI summary
A valve position indicator/method comprising a main rotation axle operably connected with a valve. Repositioning the valve provides rotation of the main axle with a main axle disc with at least one tooth for cooperation with a gear wheel. The main axle disc has a toothless portion substantially not interfering with the gear wheel. The at least one tooth provides a rotation of the gear wheel and the toothless portion provides no rotation of the gear wheel upon rotation of the main axle disc. The gear wheel is on a secondary axle with an indication means.