Watertight Check Valve Structure for Leak-Free Backflow Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional check valves for fluid distribution systems, particularly those used in water distribution systems like hydrants, are bulky, expensive, and prone to leaks, leading to property damage and water loss due to their complex design and potential for rapid closure causing water hammer and pressure spikes.

Innovation Solution

A check valve design featuring a valve body with an annular structure and a cross member, supported by a position block, which houses a pivot pin and includes valve members that rotate between open and closed positions, eliminating the need for external seals and reducing the risk of leaks by maintaining a watertight structure from end to end.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If a typical check valve uses pivot pins extending through the valve body wall, then the valve can be manufactured and assembled, but it creates potential leak paths between the interior cavity and exterior

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovemanufacturabilityVSAvoidleak prevention

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the pivot pin from the valve body wall entirely and relocates it to extend only from the position block. This extraction eliminates the leak path through the valve body wall while maintaining the pivot pin's essential function of supporting valve member rotation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The position block serves as an intermediary component that mediates between the valve body and the pivot pin. By positioning the pivot pin on the position block rather than extending it through the valve body, the position block acts as a mediator that eliminates the direct leak path while still providing pivot pin support.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Device complexity

If a check valve is designed to be compact and simple, then installation cost and complexity are reduced, but conventional designs still suffer from leak paths and water hammer issues

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural simplicityVSAvoidleak prevention and water hammer mitigation

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the problematic elements (pivot pins extending through the valve body wall) while retaining the essential functionality through alternative means (pivot pin supported only by the position block), achieving both simplicity and reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the spatial parameters of the pivot pin configuration - specifically, the pivot pin no longer extends through the valve body wall but is positioned only on the position block. This parameter change eliminates leak paths while maintaining structural simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If the check valve closes rapidly to prevent backflow, then backflow prevention is effective, but it causes water hammer and pressure spikes that can damage system components

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebackflow preventionVSAvoidwater hammer and pressure spike damage

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates a cushioning mechanism that provides gradual closure of the valve members. This beforehand cushioning prevents rapid closure by designing the valve to close in a controlled manner, thereby preventing water hammer and pressure spikes while still effectively preventing backflow.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

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 design provides a compact, cost-effective solution that prevents backflow and minimizes water loss, reduces the risk of leaks, and mitigates water hammer by ensuring a watertight structure and controlled closure, thus protecting against property damage and system failures.

Implementation Method 1

a pair of valve members, each valve member of the pair of valve members positioned within the valve body and configured to rotate between an open position and a closed position

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRotational motion:

Implementation Method 2

a pivot pin positioned within the valve body and extending through the position block and each valve member of the pair of valve members, the pivot pin being supported only by the position block

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical support:

Implementation Method 3

maintaining a watertight structure from end to end

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhysical containment: Physical Containment

Data Source

PatentUS11841087B2Watertight check valve

Publication Date: 2023.12.12 MUELLER INT LLC

AI summary

A check valve can include a valve body defining a valve bore, the valve body comprising an annular body and a cross member secured to and extending in a radial direction across the valve bore from the annular body on one side of the valve body to the annular body on an opposite side of the valve body, the valve bore at the cross member divided into more than one portion by the cross member; a position block extending from the cross member; a pair of valve members, each valve member of the pair of valve members positioned within the valve body and configured to rotate between open and closed positions; and a pivot pin positioned within the valve body and extending through the position block and each valve member of the pair of valve members, the pivot pin being supported only by the position block.