Vented Manhole Cover Valve for Sewer Gas and Rain Intrusion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing manhole cover assemblies fail to effectively vent sewer gas while preventing precipitation from entering and overflowing from sanitary sewers, leading to potential flooding and contamination.
Innovation Solution
A vented precipitation guarding manhole cover assembly featuring a manhole cover with a vent opening and a valve assembly that operates between open and closed positions to allow gas venting while preventing fluid entry into the manhole.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-generated harmful factors
If a manhole cover assembly is designed to vent sewer gas, then gas venting capability is improved, but precipitation can enter and overflow from the sanitary sewer
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a floating valve mechanism that dynamically adjusts its position based on fluid pressure and flow conditions. The valve float rises with water level and automatically closes the vent opening when precipitation enters, while allowing sewer gas to vent when the valve is in its lower position. This dynamic response resolves the contradiction between continuous gas venting and precipitation prevention.
Solution Approach 2:
The floating valve acts as an intermediary element between the vent opening and the external environment. It mediates the conflicting requirements by selectively blocking or opening the passage based on conditions - allowing gas molecules to pass while preventing liquid precipitation from entering the sanitary sewer system.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a valve assembly is added to prevent precipitation entry, then precipitation overflow is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The valve assembly is designed as a self-regulating system that requires no external control mechanisms. The floating valve automatically responds to water level changes and precipitation entry, opening to allow gas venting and closing to prevent overflow. This self-service mechanism minimizes complexity while effectively resolving the precipitation overflow problem.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes hydraulic principles through the floating valve mechanism, where buoyant force automatically actuates the valve closure when precipitation enters the vent opening. This passive hydraulic actuation eliminates the need for complex mechanical actuators, sensors, or control systems, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If the vent opening is kept open for gas venting, then gas venting capability is improved, but fluid can flow into the manhole
Solution Approach 1:
The vent opening transitions from a static open state to a dynamic state controlled by the floating valve. The valve continuously adjusts its position based on real-time conditions, maintaining an open state for gas venting while automatically closing to prevent fluid infiltration, thereby ensuring reliable protection against fluid flow.
4Reliability
If the vent opening is closed to prevent fluid entry, then fluid flow prevention is improved, but gas venting capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Rather than maintaining a fixed closed state, the system employs dynamic control where the valve opens and closes based on conditions. When the vent opening is closed to prevent fluid entry, the floating valve automatically opens to restore gas venting capability, ensuring that gas venting is not permanently deteriorated while maintaining fluid flow prevention reliability.
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 effectively vents sewer gas while preventing precipitation and stormwater overflow, thereby reducing the risk of flooding and contamination around manhole openings.
Implementation Method 1
In response to the fluid at least partially filling the first passage, a valve member moves to the closed position to prevent the fluid from passing through the second passage
Data Source
AI summary
A valve assembly for use with and extending from an underside of a vented manhole cover assembly. The valve assembly is operable between an open position, to enable gas to exit from the manhole, and a closed position, to prevent the flow of the fluid into the manhole. The valve assembly includes a valve body having a first opening and a second opening and a fluid passage extending between the first and second openings. The valve assembly further includes a drain hole extending through the valve body configured to allow fluid drain therethrough. The valve assembly also includes a valve member moveable between the open position and the closed position, such that in response to the fluid entering through the first opening, the valve member moves from the open position to the closed position to prevent the flow of the fluid into the manhole, and wherein in response to fluid draining through the drain hole, the valve member moves from the closed position to the open position.