Safety valve for pressurizing device
By combining the design of heat release elements and electric pyrotechnic devices, the problems of large size and many parts in existing safety valve devices are solved, and a compact and flexible safety valve structure is achieved, which is suitable for pressurization devices.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- AUTOLIV DEV AB
- Filing Date
- 2024-11-05
- Publication Date
- 2026-05-29
AI Technical Summary
Existing safety valve devices are large in size and have many parts, making them difficult to integrate and reduce the number of components.
The design combines a heat release element with an electric pyrotechnic device, which helps maintain the closing element in a closed state, reducing parts and gaps and achieving a more compact safety valve structure.
This design achieves a compact safety valve, reducing the number of parts and clearances, improving responsiveness and flexibility, and making it suitable for static or mobile pressurization devices.
Smart Images
Figure CN122122415A_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This invention relates generally to a safety device for pressurization devices such as tanks or distribution networks. Such devices can be static or mobile and can store or distribute gases or liquids. They can be installed on vehicles, for example, to store and / or distribute hydrogen. Background Technology
[0002] As is known in the prior art, safety valves are mostly passive. Document DE8702136 discloses such a device that can be further activated upon command. However, this system is bulky and requires many parts. Therefore, the present invention aims to reduce the size of the device to make it easier to integrate and to reduce the number of its parts. Summary of the Invention
[0003] The purpose of this invention is to overcome the shortcomings of the prior art mentioned above, and specifically to propose a more compact safety valve.
[0004] Therefore, a first aspect of the present invention relates to a safety valve for a pressurizing device, the safety valve comprising:
[0005] - Valve housing, which is arranged to connect the safety valve to the pressurization device.
[0006] - A transfer channel, which is arranged in fluid communication with the pressurization device.
[0007] -Emission channel,
[0008] - A closing element, which is arranged to close the transfer channel when it is in the closed state, and to release the passage between the transfer channel and the discharge channel when it is in the discharge state.
[0009] - Electric pyrotechnic devices
[0010] - A heat release element, which is arranged to hold the closing element in a closed state below a predetermined activation temperature, and to release the closing element above the activation temperature.
[0011] The key feature is that a heat release element is arranged between a closing element and an electro-pyrotechnic device, such that the electro-pyrotechnic device participates in holding the closing element in a closed state. In other words, the safety valve is arranged such that when the heat release element has released (or no longer holds) the closing element, pressure in the pressurizing device can release the passage between the transfer channel and the discharge channel, which was initially closed or sealed by the closing element. For example, the safety valve is designed to protect a hydrogen storage tank at a nominal pressure of approximately 700 bar. However, depending on the tank's construction, it may not be configured to ensure the entire pressure range; when the pressure exceeds a predetermined value, such as 150, 180, or 200 bar, the valve may simply be configured to discharge the tank. Typically, according to this embodiment, the electro-pyrotechnic device participates in wedging (or holding) the heat release element, thus combining at least two functions related to heat release: wedging in its non-operating position and disengaging in its operating position. Fewer parts and less clearance are needed to combine these two functions, resulting in a more compact safety valve.
[0012] The present invention can then be defined individually or in combination by the following features.
[0013] According to one implementation, the electric pyrotechnic device can keep the closing element in a closed state.
[0014] According to one implementation, the electric pyrotechnic device can contact a heat release element to keep the closing element in a closed state.
[0015] According to one embodiment, the electric pyrotechnic device can block at least one degree of freedom of a closed element in a closed state via a heat release element. According to one embodiment, by blocking the translational degree of freedom of the heat release element, the electric pyrotechnic device can block at least one translational degree of freedom of a closed element in a closed state.
[0016] According to one embodiment, the electric pyrotechnic device can form a stop or obstruction to the movement of a closed element in a closed state via a heat release element. Specifically, the electric pyrotechnic device can form a stop or obstruction to the axial or translational movement of the closed element in a closed state via a heat release element. In other words, the electric pyrotechnic device can form a stop or obstruction to the movement (preferably translational or axial) of the heat release element. According to this embodiment, the heat release element forms a spacer inserted between the electric pyrotechnic device and the closed element in a closed state.
[0017] According to one embodiment, a heat release element (directly or indirectly) is placed on the electric pyrotechnic device to keep the closing element in a closed state.
[0018] According to one embodiment, the electric pyrotechnic device may include a bracket or seat that receives a heat release element to hold a closing element in a closed state.
[0019] According to one embodiment, the electric pyrotechnic device can withstand the force applied by a closing element in a closed state via a heat release element. Specifically, the electric pyrotechnic device can withstand the axial force applied by a closing element in a closed state.
[0020] According to one implementation scheme, the heat release element will directly transmit the force applied by the closed element in the closed state to the electric pyrotechnic device.
[0021] According to one embodiment, the electric pyrotechnic device is attached to the valve housing. Specifically, the electric pyrotechnic device is attached to the valve housing by means of a flush-mounted connection. According to this embodiment, the force exerted on the heat release element by the closing element is borne by attaching the electric pyrotechnic device to the valve housing.
[0022] According to one implementation, when the closing element is in the closed state, the heat release element only contacts the electric pyrotechnic device and the closing element.
[0023] According to one embodiment, the closure element can be a slider or a fragile element. In other words, the closure element can be a movable element, such as a slider, needle, valve, or a fragile element arranged to deform, crack, or split. In other words, when the closure element is no longer supported, it can be moved or plastically deformed to release the passage between the transfer channel and the discharge channel.
[0024] According to one embodiment, the heat release element can be a thermistor bubble arranged to rupture above a predetermined activation temperature. In other words, the heat release element is a heat-triggered element, commonly referred to as a thermistor bubble. Such an element can be formed from a housing or bubble containing liquid, which is arranged to rupture under the action of expansion of the liquid or an increase in pressure inside the housing when the temperature is above a predetermined temperature. When the heat release element ruptures, the support for the closure element is no longer guaranteed, and the pressurization device can be vented.
[0025] According to one embodiment, the valve housing may include at least one exchange port, which is separate from the discharge and transfer channels and arranged to place a heat release element in fluid communication with the environment outside the safety valve. The exchange port ensures that the temperature around the safety valve is rapidly applied or sensed by the heat release element.
[0026] According to one embodiment, the electric pyrotechnic device may include or may be an electric pyrotechnic igniter arranged in direct contact with a heat release element. According to this embodiment, the number of parts is further reduced and valve responsiveness is improved.
[0027] According to one implementation scheme, the safety valve may include:
[0028] - A piston, which is arranged to move between a non-operating position and an operating position.
[0029] - The electric pyrotechnic device is an electric pyrotechnic igniter arranged to move a piston from a non-operating position to an operating position upon receiving an electric ignition pulse. In this embodiment, the piston is a movable transfer element arranged between the electric pyrotechnic igniter and a heat release element to transfer the force and / or pressure generated by the electric pyrotechnic igniter to the heat release element.
[0030] According to one embodiment, the piston can be in direct contact with the heat release element. According to this embodiment, the valve responsiveness is improved.
[0031] According to one embodiment, the electric pyrotechnic device, heat release element, and closing element can be arranged coaxially along the electrical connection pin axis of the electric pyrotechnic device. According to this embodiment, the valve size is reduced.
[0032] According to one implementation, the heat release element and the closing element can be arranged coaxially along a discharge axis that is separate from the electrical connection pin axis of the electric pyrotechnic device.
[0033] According to one embodiment, the electric pyrotechnic device may include an actuator housing arranged to interface with a valve housing. This embodiment allows for greater flexibility in valve manufacturing. In fact, the same valve housing can be used for both the active valve and the purely passive valve according to the invention.
[0034] According to one implementation, the actuator housing can be mated to the valve housing via a threaded interface or interference fit.
[0035] According to one embodiment, the actuator housing and the electric pyrotechnic device can form an actuator sub-assembly. This embodiment also allows for more flexible valve manufacturing.
[0036] According to one embodiment, the safety valve may include a deformable wedge element arranged to participate in retaining a heat release element. This embodiment optimizes the heat release element and facilitates assembly. In effect, the deformable wedge element allows for compensation of assembly clearances and / or manufacturing tolerances of various components in the safety valve and / or movement or deformation of components during the life of the safety valve. The deformable wedge element may take the form of an O-ring or flat seal, a conical gasket, or any other shape compatible with the function. The deformable wedge element may be made of metal and / or natural or synthetic rubber and / or EPDM. The wedge element may be integral with the piston, assembled onto the piston, or on the piston itself. The wedge element may also be a spring. Attached Figure Description
[0037] Other features and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of embodiments thereof, which are provided by way of example but are not limited thereto in any way, and are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:
[0038] [ Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of a safety valve according to a first embodiment of the present invention is shown. Figure 1 The cross-section is taken along the axis of the electrical connection pin of the electric pyrotechnic device;
[0039] [ Figure 2 It shows Figure 1 A safety valve in which the piston is in its operating position and the closing element is released;
[0040] [ Figure 3 A cross-sectional view of a safety valve according to a third embodiment of the present invention is shown. Figure 2 The cross-section is taken along the axis of the electrical connection pin of the electric pyrotechnic device; Detailed Implementation
[0041] Figure 1 A safety valve 1 for a pressurization device is shown, the safety valve comprising:
[0042] - Valve housing 3, which is arranged to connect safety valve 1 to the pressurization device.
[0043] - Transfer channel 8, which is arranged in fluid communication with the pressurization device.
[0044] -Emission channel 7,
[0045] - Closing slider 6, which is arranged such that when it is in the position as Figure 1 The closed state shown indicates that transfer channel 8 is closed, and it is arranged such that when it is in such a closed state... Figure 2 The discharge state shown indicates the passageway between the transfer channel 8 and the discharge channel 7.
[0046] - An electric pyrotechnic device 2, comprising an electric igniter 21 and a piston 23, the piston being arranged to move between a non-operating position and an operating position when the electric igniter 21 is ignited.
[0047] - Heat release element 4, which is composed of a fragile bubble 42 containing liquid 41, is arranged to hold the closing slider 6 in a closed state below a predetermined activation temperature and to release the closing slider 6 above the activation temperature.
[0048] The closing slider 6 can be translated along the axis of the transfer channel 8. A seal between the closing slider 6 and the transfer channel 8 is provided by an O-ring seal 61. The closing slider 6 is also wedged into along its translational axis by a flexible wedge element 62, which can be in the form of an O-ring with suitable rigidity.
[0049] A heat release element 4 is arranged between the closing slider 6 and the piston 23 of the pyrotechnic device 2, such that the pyrotechnic device 2 participates in holding or wedging the closing slider 6 in a closed state. Therefore, when pressure is applied to the closing slider 6, it cannot move normally due to the pressure present in the pressurizing device, as it is held in place by the heat release element 4 and the pyrotechnic device 2, particularly the piston 23. In other words, the heat release element 4 rests on the pyrotechnic device 2 to hold the closing slider 6.
[0050] In the illustrated embodiment, in addition to the electric pyrotechnic igniter 21 and piston 23, the electric pyrotechnic device 2 also includes an actuator housing 22, which is arranged to dock with the valve housing 3. This embodiment allows the electric pyrotechnic device 2 to be attached to a standard safety valve 1, which is not equipped with the active mode according to the invention. Alternatively, the valve housing 3 can be specifically designed to directly receive the pyrotechnic device 2 without the actuator housing 22, to further reduce the number of parts. When the safety valve 1 includes the actuator housing 22, the following two assembly options are conceivable:
[0051] - Before assembling the piston 23 and the electric igniter 21, assemble the actuator housing 22 to the valve housing 3, or
[0052] - Assemble the piston 23 and the electric igniter 21 onto the actuator housing 22 to form an actuator sub-assembly, which can then be assembled onto the valve housing 3.
[0053] Safety valve 1 is configured to operate in either active or passive mode.
[0054] In passive mode, when a predetermined temperature is reached, for example, the fragile bubble 42, made of glass, bursts under the pressure or expansion of the liquid 41. The temperature outside the safety valve 1 is transferred to the liquid 41 via the exchange port 5. Once burst, the fragile bubble 42 no longer supports the closing slider 6, which can be translated under the pressure present in the transfer channel 8 (in... Figure 1 (Move upwards from the center), thereby releasing the passage between transfer channel 8 and emission channel 7.
[0055] In active mode, when an electric ignition signal is applied to the pyrotechnic device 2 via at least one connecting pin 210, and particularly to the pyrotechnic igniter 21, pressure or force (directly or indirectly) is applied to the piston 23, causing the piston 23 to move toward the fragile bubble 42 (that is, in... Figure 1 (Moves downwards), thereby causing the fragile bubble 42 to burst. Once the fragile bubble 42 bursts, as in passive mode, the closing slider 6 is no longer supported, and the closing slider can be translated under the pressure present in the transfer channel 8 (in... Figure 1 (Move upwards), thereby releasing the passage between transfer channel 8 and emission channel 7. Figure 2 The image shows the state of safety valve 1 after operation in active mode.
[0056] The electric igniter 21 in this embodiment can be sealed (i.e., it does not release gas), or it can generate and release gas. In the first case, the electric igniter 21 is arranged to deform, in particular expand or bulge, in the direction of movement of the piston 3, and therefore it is an electric igniter 21 that directly moves the piston 23. In the second case, the gas generated and released by the electric igniter 21 causes the piston 23 to move.
[0057] It should be understood that, according to the present invention, the electric pyrotechnic igniter 21 is a device comprising at least one connecting pin 210, at least one pyrotechnic material, at least one housing containing said at least one pyrotechnic material, and at least one ignition element (typically a resistance bridge) connected to said at least one connecting pin 210 and arranged to ignite the pyrotechnic material. Protective caps may be added to these elements, particularly when the housing is made of a metallic material.
[0058] Figure 3 The implementation scheme shown is similar to Figure 1 The illustrated implementation scheme excludes the piston. Elements common to both methods will not be described in detail.
[0059] exist Figure 3 In the illustrated embodiment, the electric igniter 21 directly participates in maintaining the heat release element 4. As in previous embodiments, the electric igniter 21 may be hermetically sealed or not. This embodiment further reduces the overall size of the safety valve 1 and the number of its parts. In this embodiment, it may be advantageous that the electric igniter 21 has a protective cap whose shape matches a portion of the shape of the heat release element 4 to optimally retain or wed the heat release element.
[0060] Industrial applications
[0061] The safety valve and its manufacture according to the present invention are suitable for industrial applications.
[0062] It should be understood that various modifications and / or improvements, which will be obvious to those skilled in the art, can be made to the different embodiments of the invention described herein without departing from the scope of the invention. Specifically, the closing slider can be replaced by a membrane designed to rupture under pressure present in the transfer channel when not supported by a heat release element. Other types of heat release elements may also be considered.
Claims
1. A safety valve (1) for a pressurizing device, the safety valve comprising: - Valve housing (3), which is arranged to connect the safety valve (1) to the pressurizing device. - Transfer channel (8), which is arranged to be in fluid communication with the pressurization device. -Emission channel (7). - A closing element (6), which is arranged to close the transfer channel (8) when it is in a closed state, and is arranged to release the passage between the transfer channel (8) and the discharge channel (7) when it is in a discharge state. - Electric pyrotechnic device (2). - A heat release element (4) is arranged to hold the closing element (6) in the closed state when the temperature is below a predetermined activation temperature, and to release the closing element (6) when the temperature is above the activation temperature. The feature is that the heat release element (4) is arranged between the closing element (6) and the electric pyrotechnic device (2), such that the electric pyrotechnic device (2) participates in keeping the closing element (6) in the closed state.
2. The safety valve (1) according to claim 1, wherein the closing element (6) is a sliding element or a fragile element.
3. The safety valve (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the heat release element (4) is a thermosensitive bulb arranged to rupture at a temperature higher than the predetermined activation temperature.
4. The safety valve (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the valve housing (3) includes at least one exchange port (5), the at least one exchange port being separate from the discharge passage (7) and the transfer passage (8) and being arranged to place the heat release element (4) in fluid communication with the environment outside the safety valve (1).
5. The safety valve (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the electric pyrotechnic device (2) includes or is an electric pyrotechnic igniter (21) arranged to be in direct contact with the heat release element.
6. The safety valve (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, the safety valve comprising: - Piston (23), the piston being arranged to move between a non-operating position and an operating position. - The electric pyrotechnic device (2) is an electric pyrotechnic igniter (21) which is arranged to move the piston (23) from the non-operating position to the operating position under an electric ignition pulse.
7. The safety valve (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the piston (23) is in direct contact with the heat release element (4).
8. The safety valve (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the electric pyrotechnic device (21), the heat release element (4) and the closing element (6) are arranged coaxially along the axis of the electric connection pin (210) of the electric pyrotechnic device (2).
9. The safety valve (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the heat release element (4) and the closing element (6) are arranged coaxially along a discharge axis separate from the axis of the electrical connection pin (210) of the electric pyrotechnic device (2).
10. The safety valve (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the electric pyrotechnic device (2) includes an actuator housing (22) arranged to dock with the valve housing (3).