Integrated Ball and Check Valve Assembly for Wet-Pipe Maintenance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fire suppression sprinkler systems require a large manifold of piping, leading to a cumbersome and costly assembly process, and necessitate draining the entire system to inspect or maintain the check valve, which increases corrosion risks due to changes in dissolved oxygen levels.
Innovation Solution
A compact control valve assembly integrating a ball valve with a one-way check valve, flow detection switch, and adjustable pressure relief module, allowing for isolation and access to the check valve without draining the system, thereby reducing the footprint and assembly complexity while minimizing corrosion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If separate mounting of test valve, drain valve, pressure relief valve and flow detection switch is used, then each component can be individually accessed, but the system footprint increases and assembly complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the test valve, drain valve, pressure relief valve, and flow detection switch into a single compact assembly mounted on the control valve body. This merging of previously separate components reduces the overall system footprint while maintaining individual accessibility through a unified access point, directly resolving the contradiction between component accessibility and system footprint.
2Area of stationary object
If check valve is positioned in water flow pathway for space efficiency, then system footprint is reduced, but system drainage is required for inspection which increases corrosion risk
Solution Approach 1:
The check valve is nested within the control valve body, positioned in the water flow pathway for space efficiency. The nested configuration allows the check valve to be accessed and inspected through the control valve's bonnet without requiring system drainage, eliminating the corrosion risk while maintaining compact footprint. The check valve is effectively nested within the control valve's internal cavity.
Solution Approach 2:
The control valve bonnet acts as an intermediary access point that enables inspection and maintenance of the check valve without requiring system drainage. By providing this intermediate access mechanism, the design allows technicians to service the check valve while the system remains pressurized and filled with water, thus preventing the corrosion issue that would result from draining and refilling the system.
3Ease of repair
If check valve is removed for inspection, then maintenance can be performed, but the entire system must be drained which is cumbersome and increases corrosion
Solution Approach 1:
The control valve bonnet is designed to be removable as a preliminary action that provides direct access to the nested check valve. This preliminary access mechanism allows inspection and maintenance of the check valve to be performed without requiring the cumbersome step of draining the entire system, significantly reducing maintenance time and eliminating corrosion risks associated with system drainage.
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 integrated valve assembly reduces the system's footprint and assembly time, minimizes corrosion by maintaining consistent oxygen levels, and simplifies maintenance and inspection processes.
Implementation Method 1
A one-way check valve is mounted within the ball and is movable according to a pressure differential across the check valve between a closed position, blocking fluid flow through the ball fluid flow pathway, and an open position, permitting fluid flow through the ball fluid flow pathway
Data Source
AI summary
A combination control and check valve assembly for a wet piping system includes a control valve in the form of a ball valve and a one-way check valve mounted within the flow pathway of the ball valve. A valve actuation assembly is mounted to the valve assembly to selectively rotate the ball valve between the open and closed positions thereof. The valve actuation assembly is mounted to a first side of the valve assembly and rotationally fixed to the ball, whereby rotation of the valve actuation assembly rotates the ball between the open and closed positions. A side opening is formed in a second side of the valve assembly that is angularly spaced from the first side. The side opening is positioned to align with the fluid flow pathway of the ball valve in the closed position thereof to provide access to the check valve.