Pressure stabilizing valve with automatic outlet pressure regulation

Abstract

The application provides a stable pressure valve with automatically adjustable outlet pressure, comprising a main gas flow channel, an adjusting gas flow channel, an adjusting module, a pressure detecting module and a control module, a cutting module and a stable pressure module are arranged on the flow path of the main gas flow channel, the stable pressure module is provided with an adjusting cavity, the control module is used for receiving the outlet pressure signal detected by the pressure detecting module and comparing with a target pressure value, a control signal is sent to the adjusting module according to the comparison result, the adjusting module is used for adjusting the pressure in the adjusting cavity according to the received control signal, and the stable pressure module is used for changing the opening degree of the internal flow path according to the pressure in the adjusting cavity, so as to adjust the outlet pressure to the target pressure value, and the stable pressure valve can significantly reduce gas consumption and improve the economy of the engine.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of gas engine technology, and more particularly to a pressure regulating valve for a natural gas engine, especially a pressure regulating valve with automatically adjustable outlet pressure. Background Technology

[0002] In the fuel supply system of a natural gas engine, the pressure regulator is a key component for stabilizing the gas supply pressure. Currently, the most widely used pressure regulators in the industry are piston-type mechanical pressure regulators. The working principle of this type of pressure regulator is: the medium force generated by the outlet gas pressure acting on the bottom of the piston is balanced with the spring force generated by the adjusting spring, automatically adjusting the flow clearance between the piston head and the valve seat, thereby achieving basic stability of the outlet pressure under different engine operating conditions.

[0003] However, the aforementioned piston-type mechanical pressure regulator has significant performance defects in practical applications. When the engine is under high load and high flow rate demand, its outlet pressure drops significantly by 0.5 to 2.5 bar compared to low load or idle conditions. This pressure drop leads to insufficient actual gas pressure obtained by the engine under high load conditions, resulting in insufficient engine power. Simultaneously, to compensate for the power loss under high load, it is often necessary to increase the overall gas supply pressure of the system. This causes the engine to operate under excessively high gas pressure for most of the time, resulting in incomplete combustion and increased gas consumption. Therefore, existing piston-type mechanical pressure regulators cannot simultaneously meet the power and economic requirements of natural gas engines. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to provide a pressure regulating valve with automatically adjustable outlet pressure, which can solve the problems of insufficient power and high gas consumption of natural gas engines.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the technical solution adopted by the present invention is as follows: The first aspect of the present invention provides a pressure regulating valve with automatically adjustable outlet pressure, comprising: The main airflow channel is equipped with a cut-off module and a voltage stabilizing module along its flow path, and the voltage stabilizing module is provided with an adjustment chamber. An adjustable airflow channel is provided, one end of which is connected to the main airflow channel and the other end of which is connected to the adjusting cavity. An adjustment module, disposed on the adjustment airflow channel, is used to adjust the pressure inside the adjustment chamber; A pressure detection module, used at least to detect the outlet pressure of the pressure regulating module; The control module is electrically connected to both the pressure detection module and the adjustment module. The control module is configured to receive the outlet pressure signal detected by the pressure detection module, compare it with the target pressure value, and send a control signal to the adjustment module according to the comparison result; the adjustment module is configured to adjust the pressure inside the adjustment chamber according to the received control signal; the pressure stabilizing module is configured to change the opening of its internal flow channel according to the pressure inside the adjustment chamber, thereby adjusting the outlet pressure to the target pressure value.

[0006] In one embodiment, the target pressure value is a preset constant value; When the outlet pressure is lower than the constant value, the control module sends a gain signal to the adjustment module, the adjustment module increases the pressure in the adjustment chamber, and the pressure stabilizing module increases the opening of its flow channel, so that the outlet pressure rises to the constant value. When the outlet pressure is higher than the constant value, the control module sends a relief signal to the adjustment module, the adjustment module reduces the pressure in the adjustment chamber, and the pressure stabilizing module reduces the opening of its flow channel, so that the outlet pressure is reduced to the constant value.

[0007] In one embodiment, the pressure detection module includes a first pressure sensor for detecting inlet pressure and a second pressure sensor for detecting outlet pressure; The control module is also configured to trigger an alarm and store an alarm code when the inlet pressure is detected to exceed a preset range.

[0008] In one embodiment, the control module is further configured to: It sends the received inlet pressure signal and outlet pressure signal to the engine control unit; It also receives the target pressure value signal issued by the engine control unit based on the engine operating conditions.

[0009] In one embodiment, the cut-off module is a normally closed solenoid valve; The cut-off module is electrically connected to the control module or engine control unit and is used to open the main airflow channel when an energizing signal is received.

[0010] In one embodiment, the regulating module is a proportional solenoid valve, which outputs regulating pressure proportionally to the magnitude of the current signal sent by the control module.

[0011] In one embodiment, the voltage stabilizing module includes: a valve body with a piston chamber inside; The piston is hollow in the axial direction and is movably disposed within the piston cavity; An adjusting shim is fixedly disposed within the valve body, opposite to the end of the piston, and the flow channel is formed between the end of the piston and the adjusting shim; An adjusting block is movably disposed within the valve body; An adjusting spring is attached to the piston at one end and to the adjusting block at the other end. The adjusting chamber is located on the side of the adjusting block away from the adjusting spring. When the pressure in the adjusting chamber increases, the adjusting block compresses the adjusting spring, increasing the force of the adjusting spring on the piston, pushing the piston to move away from the adjusting shim, thereby increasing the opening of the flow channel.

[0012] In one embodiment, the piston has an axially hollow flow channel, and the adjusting shim includes a closed area and a flow area. The closed area is used to close the flow channel when the piston end contacts the adjusting shim, and the flow area is used to open the flow channel when the piston end separates from the adjusting shim.

[0013] In one embodiment, the adjusting block is axially movably sleeved on the piston, and the adjusting block is in sealing contact with the piston and the side wall of the piston chamber.

[0014] In one embodiment, the pressure regulating valve includes an inlet connector and an outlet connector, which are respectively connected to the inlet and outlet of the main airflow channel.

[0015] The pressure regulating valve with automatically adjustable outlet pressure provided by this invention includes a main airflow channel, a regulating airflow channel, a regulating module, a pressure detection module, and a control module. A cut-off module and a pressure regulating module are provided along the flow path of the main airflow channel. The pressure regulating module has a regulating chamber. One end of the regulating airflow channel is connected to the main airflow channel, and the other end is connected to the regulating chamber. The regulating module is located on the regulating airflow channel and is used to regulate the pressure within the regulating chamber. The pressure detection module is used to detect at least the outlet pressure of the pressure regulating module. The control module receives the outlet pressure signal detected by the pressure detection module, compares it with a target pressure value, and sends a control signal to the regulating module based on the comparison result. The regulating module adjusts the pressure within the regulating chamber according to the received control signal. The pressure regulating module changes the opening of its internal flow channel based on the pressure within the regulating chamber, thereby adjusting the outlet pressure to the target pressure value. This pressure regulating valve achieves on-demand gas supply through closed-loop control of the outlet pressure. It operates at low pressure under low load to avoid gas waste, and increases pressure as needed under high load without requiring an overall increase in system pressure, significantly reducing gas consumption and improving engine economy. Attached Figure Description

[0016] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0017] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a pressure regulating valve with automatically adjustable outlet pressure provided in an embodiment of the present invention, wherein the solid line air path represents the main air flow path and the dashed line air path represents the regulating air flow path. Figure 2 for Figure 1 Sectional view along the AA direction; Figure 3 Control logic diagram of a pressure regulating valve with automatically adjustable outlet pressure provided in an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 4 A comparison curve of flow rate and outlet pressure between a conventional pressure regulating valve and the pressure regulating valve provided in this embodiment of the invention; Figure 5 This is the outlet pressure-time characteristic curve of an embodiment of the present invention under rapid acceleration conditions; Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the pressure regulating module of the pressure regulating valve provided in an embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0018] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention clearer, the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0019] In the description of this invention, it should be understood that the terms “comprising” and “having” as used herein, and any variations thereof, are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, for example, a process, method, system, product, or device that includes a series of steps or units is not necessarily limited to those steps or units that are explicitly listed, but may include other steps or units that are not explicitly listed or that are inherent to such process, method, product, or device.

[0020] It should be understood that the terms "length", "width", "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on the present invention.

[0021] Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Thus, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of that feature. It should be understood that the term "and / or" as used herein is merely a description of the relationship between related objects, indicating that three relationships may exist; for example, A and / or B can represent: A alone, A and B simultaneously, and B alone. In the description of this invention, unless otherwise stated, "a plurality of" means two or more.

[0022] The pressure regulating valve with automatically adjustable outlet pressure provided by the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to specific embodiments.

[0023] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a pressure regulating valve with automatically adjustable outlet pressure provided in an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 for Figure 1 Sectional view along the AA direction. Figure 3 This is a control logic diagram of a pressure regulating valve with automatically adjustable outlet pressure provided in an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 6 Please refer to the structural schematic diagram of the pressure regulating module of the pressure regulating valve provided in the embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1-3 as well as Figure 6The pressure regulating valve with automatically adjustable outlet pressure according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a main airflow channel 1, a regulating airflow channel 2, a regulating module 3, a pressure detection module 4, and a control module 5. The main airflow channel 1 is provided with a cut-off module 6 and a pressure regulating module 7. The pressure regulating module 7 is provided with a regulating chamber 71. One end of the regulating airflow channel 2 is connected to the main airflow channel 1, and the other end is connected to the regulating chamber 71 of the pressure regulating module 7. The regulating module 3 is disposed on the regulating airflow channel 2 and is used to regulate the gas pressure in the regulating airflow channel 2. The pressure detection module 4 is used to detect at least the outlet pressure of the pressure regulating valve. The control module 5... Block 5 is electrically connected to the pressure detection module 4 and the adjustment module 3 respectively. The control module 5 is configured to receive the outlet pressure signal detected by the pressure detection module 4, compare it with the target pressure value, and send a control signal to the adjustment module 3 according to the comparison result. The adjustment module 3 is configured to adjust the pressure output to the adjustment chamber 71 of the pressure stabilizing module 7 according to the received control signal. The pressure stabilizing module 7 is configured to change the opening of its internal flow channel according to the pressure in the adjustment chamber 71, thereby adjusting the outlet pressure of the pressure stabilizing valve to the target pressure value.

[0024] In this embodiment, the main gas flow channel 1 is the primary channel for gas to flow from the inlet to the outlet. A cut-off module 6 and a pressure stabilizing module 7 are sequentially arranged along the gas flow direction on the main gas flow channel 1. The cut-off module 6 controls the on / off of the total gas supply, and the pressure stabilizing module 7 regulates and stabilizes the gas pressure. The regulating gas flow channel 2 is a branch gas path, with one end connected to the main gas flow channel 1 (typically downstream of the cut-off module 6 and upstream of the pressure stabilizing module 7), and the other end connected to the regulating chamber 71 of the pressure stabilizing module 7. The function of the regulating gas flow channel 2 is to direct a portion of the gas from the main gas flow channel 1 to the regulating chamber 71 of the pressure stabilizing module 7, serving as a medium for pressure regulation. The regulating module 3 is located on the regulating gas flow channel 2 and is used to regulate the gas pressure within the regulating chamber 71. The regulating module 3 can employ controllable pressure regulating elements such as a proportional solenoid valve. It receives commands from the control module 5 and can control the pressure output to the regulating chamber 71. The pressure detection module 4 includes at least a pressure sensor for detecting the outlet pressure of the pressure regulating valve. In a preferred embodiment, the pressure detection module 4 also includes a pressure sensor for detecting the inlet pressure. The pressure detection module 4 monitors the pressure signal in real time and transmits the signal to the control module 5. The control module 5 is electrically connected to both the pressure detection module 4 and the regulating module 3. The control module 5 integrates a printed circuit board assembly on which preset control logic runs. The core function of the control module 5 is to receive the outlet pressure signal detected by the pressure detection module 4, compare the signal with the internally stored or externally input target pressure value, and send a corresponding control signal to the regulating module 3 based on the comparison result.

[0025] In this embodiment, the inlet of the pressure regulating valve is connected to the upstream gas source, and the outlet is connected to the engine's gas supply system. The pressure detection module 4 detects the inlet and outlet pressures in real time and sends the pressure signal to the control module 5. For example, when the engine starts, the engine control unit 8 provides 24VDC power to the pressure regulating valve, energizing the solenoid coil of the cut-off module 6. The valve core inside is then attracted by electromagnetic force, and the cut-off module 6 is activated. Gas enters the main airflow channel 1 from the inlet, first passing through the valve port of the cut-off module 6, and then entering the pressure regulating module 7. After passing through the hollow flow channel inside the piston of the pressure regulating module 7, the gas flows out from the outlet and supplies the engine. Simultaneously, since the cut-off module 6 is activated, the gas also reaches the inlet of the regulating module 3. The control module 5 receives the outlet pressure signal detected by the pressure detection module 4 in real time. When the outlet pressure signal decreases (e.g., when the engine transitions from idle to high load), the control module 5 determines that the outlet pressure is lower than a preset constant target pressure value and then triggers a gain signal to be sent to the solenoid coil of the regulating module 3. After receiving the gain signal, the regulating module 3 opens its internal valve core to the corresponding degree according to the magnitude of the gain signal. At this time, a portion of the gas enters the regulating chamber 71 from the main gas flow channel 1 through the regulating gas flow channel 2 and the regulating module 3. The regulating block 72 at the right end of the regulating chamber 71 is pushed by the high-pressure gas, and the rear end of the regulating block 72 contacts the regulating spring 73. The chamber where the regulating spring 73 is located is connected to the atmosphere. The medium force at the front end of the regulating block 72 is greater than the spring force at the rear end, so the regulating block 72 is pushed in the direction of compressing the regulating spring 73. After the regulating spring 73 is compressed, its elastic force increases. The increased elastic force acts on the piston 74, causing the piston 74 to move away from the regulating shim 75, thereby increasing the gap between the head of the piston 74 and the regulating shim 75, that is, increasing the opening of the flow channel of the pressure stabilizing module 7. The increased flow capacity allows more gas to pass through the pressure stabilizing module 7, and the outlet pressure rises accordingly until it returns to the preset constant target pressure value. When the engine transitions from high load to low load or idling, the outlet pressure increases. Control module 5 detects this increase and determines that the outlet pressure exceeds a preset constant target pressure value. It then triggers a relief signal sent to the solenoid coil of adjustment module 3. Adjustment module 3 reduces the opening of the internal valve core based on the magnitude of the relief signal. At this time, the adjustment pressure entering adjustment chamber 71 decreases, reducing the medium force at the front end of adjustment block 72. Under the restoring force of adjustment spring 73, adjustment block 72 moves towards the release spring, reducing the compression and elasticity of adjustment spring 73. Simultaneously, piston 74 moves towards the adjustment shim 75 under the influence of the medium force (outlet pressure) at its bottom, reducing the gap between the piston 74 head and the adjustment shim 75, thus reducing the opening of the flow channel. This reduced flow capacity decreases the amount of combustion gas passing through pressure stabilizing module 7, consequently lowering the outlet pressure and ensuring that the outlet pressure does not exceed the preset constant target pressure value.In this embodiment, control module 5 sends a PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) signal to regulation module 3. The duty cycle of the PWM signal is positively correlated with the regulation pressure output by regulation module 3. When it is necessary to increase the outlet pressure, control module 5 increases the duty cycle of the PWM signal (i.e., sends a gain signal); when it is necessary to decrease the outlet pressure, control module 5 decreases the duty cycle of the PWM signal (i.e., sends a loss signal). Through the above closed-loop control, this embodiment can achieve constant outlet pressure control, effectively eliminating the pressure drop problem of traditional pressure regulating valves under high flow conditions.

[0026] Figure 4 shows a comparison curve of flow rate and outlet pressure between a conventional pressure regulating valve and the pressure regulating valve of the present invention. Figure 4 As can be seen, within the full flow range of natural gas from 0 kg / h to 130 kg / h, the outlet pressure of the traditional pressure regulating valve continuously decreases with increasing flow, dropping from approximately 6.3 bar to approximately 3.8 bar, a pressure drop of up to 2.5 bar. In contrast, the outlet pressure of the pressure regulating valve of this invention remains consistently maintained near the set value of approximately 6.4 bar, with a pressure drop of less than 0.2 bar, showing almost no decrease. This comparative curve demonstrates that this invention, through its closed-loop electronically controlled pressure regulating structure, can actively compensate for pressure loss under full flow conditions, fundamentally eliminating the inherent pressure drop caused by increased flow in traditional mechanical pressure regulating valves, achieving a constant outlet pressure output, and exhibiting significantly superior pressure regulation performance compared to existing technologies. Figure 5 The following is a diagram showing the outlet pressure-time characteristic curve under rapid acceleration conditions according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 5 As shown, during the process of switching the engine from low load to high load, the outlet pressure of the pressure regulating valve of the present invention only fluctuates slightly and remains near the set value without significant pressure drop, indicating that the present invention has excellent pressure regulating performance under transient conditions.

[0027] Existing piston-type mechanical pressure regulators experience a pressure drop of 0.5 to 2.5 bar under high load and high flow conditions, leading to insufficient fuel pressure and reduced engine power. This embodiment addresses this issue by incorporating a control module, a pressure detection module, and an adjustment module to form a closed-loop pressure control system. When a drop in outlet pressure is detected, the control module automatically instructs the adjustment module to increase the flow channel opening of the pressure regulator module, compensating for the pressure loss. This pressure regulator dynamically adjusts the target pressure value according to engine operating conditions. It maintains a lower pressure at low loads or idling speeds to conserve fuel, and actively raises the outlet pressure to a level higher than the idling pressure under high loads, providing stronger engine power output to meet the demands of rapid acceleration, heavy-load hill climbing, and other high-power scenarios. Through precise closed-loop pressure control, this pressure regulator achieves on-demand fuel supply, operating at low pressure under low loads to avoid fuel waste, and increasing pressure as needed under high loads without requiring an overall increase in system pressure. This significantly reduces fuel consumption and improves engine economy.

[0028] In one specific embodiment, the target pressure value is a preset constant value. When the outlet pressure is lower than the constant value, the control module 5 sends a gain signal to the adjustment module 3, the adjustment module 3 increases the adjustment pressure, and the pressure stabilizing module 7 increases the opening of its flow channel, so that the outlet pressure rises to the constant value. When the outlet pressure is higher than the constant value, the control module 5 sends a loss signal to the adjustment module 3, the adjustment module 3 decreases the adjustment pressure, and the pressure stabilizing module 7 decreases the opening of its flow channel, so that the outlet pressure drops to the constant value.

[0029] In this embodiment, the control module 5 internally stores a preset constant target pressure value (e.g., 5.0 bar). Regardless of whether the engine is idling, under medium load, or under high load, the control module 5 strives to maintain the outlet pressure at this constant value. Specifically, the pressure detection module 4 continuously monitors the outlet pressure and feeds it back to the control module 5. The control module 5 calculates the deviation between the actual pressure and the constant target value. When the deviation is positive (actual pressure too high), the control module 5 outputs a loss signal (e.g., reducing current), the regulating module 3 correspondingly reduces the regulating pressure, and the pressure stabilizing module 7 closes the flow channel, reducing the air supply and causing the pressure to drop. When the deviation is negative (actual pressure too low), the control module 5 outputs a gain signal, the regulating module 3 increases the regulating pressure, and the pressure stabilizing module 7 opens the flow channel, increasing the air supply and causing the pressure to rise. For example, at idle, the duty cycle signal from the control module to the regulating module is 50%; when the engine is under high load, the duty cycle signal from the control module to the regulating module rises to 75%; and when the engine decreases from high load to medium load, the duty cycle signal from the control module to the regulating module decreases to 65%.

[0030] Existing traditional mechanical pressure regulating valves can cause a pressure drop of 0.5 to 2.5 bar under high load and high flow conditions. However, the pressure regulating valve in this embodiment, through active adjustment, can maintain the outlet pressure at a constant value under any operating condition, completely eliminating the pressure drop phenomenon. Because the pressure does not drop under high load, the engine can obtain a sufficient supply of fuel gas, avoiding the problem of insufficient power caused by insufficient fuel gas pressure. The target pressure value in this embodiment is constant, and the control algorithm is simple, reliable, and easy to implement.

[0031] In one specific embodiment, the control module 5 is further configured to: send the received inlet pressure signal and outlet pressure signal to the engine control unit 8, and receive the target pressure value command issued by the engine control unit 8 according to the engine operating conditions. In this mode, the roles of the control module 5 and the engine control unit 8 are different; the control module 5 is responsible for collecting and uploading pressure signals, while the engine control unit 8 is responsible for comprehensive judgment and decision-making. Specifically, the control module 5 collects the inlet and outlet pressures through pressure sensors and then sends these pressure signals to the engine control unit 8. The engine control unit 8, combining its own information such as engine speed, accelerator pedal depth, and fuel injection quantity, comprehensively judges the engine's operating conditions and calculates the optimal target pressure value corresponding to those conditions. The engine control unit 8 sends this target pressure value to the control module 5 as a command. Upon receiving the command, the control module 5 executes closed-loop pressure regulation according to the target pressure value. In this embodiment, the engine control unit 8 possesses the most comprehensive engine information, enabling it to make better target pressure decisions and achieve a comprehensive balance between power, economy, and emissions.

[0032] Optionally, the pressure detection module 4 includes a first pressure sensor 41 for detecting the inlet pressure and a second pressure sensor 42 for detecting the outlet pressure. The control module 5 is further configured to trigger an alarm and store an alarm code when the inlet pressure exceeds a preset range. In this embodiment, the first pressure sensor 41 is located at the intake connector or the inlet section of the main airflow channel 1 to monitor the upstream air supply pressure in real time, and the second pressure sensor 42 is located at the outlet connector or the outlet section of the main airflow channel 1 to monitor the gas pressure supplied to the engine. Both sensors are electrically connected to the control module 5. The control module 5 has a preset normal range for the inlet pressure (e.g., a lower limit of 4.0 bar and an upper limit of 8.0 bar). When the control module 5 detects that the inlet pressure value returned by the first pressure sensor 41 is lower than the lower limit or higher than the upper limit, it determines that there is an abnormality in the gas supply system (such as low gas cylinder pressure, pressure reducing valve failure, etc.). At this time, the control module 5 triggers an alarm (e.g., illuminating the fault light, emitting a buzzer, or sending a fault code to the engine control unit 8), and simultaneously stores the fault information (inlet pressure value, occurrence time) in non-volatile memory for subsequent reading and analysis during maintenance. This embodiment can promptly detect abnormalities in the upstream gas supply system, avoiding engine stalling or damage due to gas supply failure. The stored alarm codes can serve as a basis for fault diagnosis, significantly shortening the time for maintenance personnel to troubleshoot problems. The recorded pressure anomaly events can be analyzed afterward, which helps improve the design of the gas supply system.

[0033] Optionally, the cut-off module 6 is a normally closed solenoid valve. The cut-off module 6 is electrically connected to the control module 5 or the external engine control unit 8, and is used to open the main airflow channel 1 when a power-on signal is received. In this embodiment, the cut-off module 6 uses a normally closed solenoid valve, meaning that the valve is closed in the power-off state, preventing gas from passing through. When the engine is off or the system loses power, the valve automatically cuts off the gas supply to prevent gas leakage. When the engine starts, the engine control unit 8 or the control module 5 outputs 24V DC power (or other rated voltage) to the cut-off module 6. The solenoid coil is energized, generating electromagnetic force that overcomes the spring force to lift the valve core, opening the valve and allowing gas to flow from the inlet to the pressure regulating module 7. When the engine is off or the system detects an abnormality (such as gas leakage or overpressure), the control module 5 or the ECU cuts off the power supply, the solenoid valve de-energizes and resets, the valve closes, and the gas supply is cut off. In this embodiment, the cut-off module 6 is a normally closed solenoid valve, which can be controlled simply by switching on and off power, without the need for complex drive circuits.

[0034] Preferably, the regulating module 3 is a proportional solenoid valve, which outputs the regulating pressure proportionally according to the magnitude of the current signal sent by the control module 5. A proportional solenoid valve is a type of solenoid valve that can proportionally adjust the output pressure or flow rate according to the magnitude of the input electrical signal. Unlike ordinary on / off solenoid valves (which can only be fully open or fully closed), a proportional solenoid valve can operate at any opening degree. In this embodiment, the control module 5 calculates a control quantity based on the deviation between the outlet pressure and the target pressure and sends it to the proportional solenoid valve in the form of a current signal. After receiving the signal, the valve core opening of the proportional solenoid valve is proportional to the magnitude of the input signal. The larger the signal, the larger the valve core opening, and the higher the output regulating pressure; the smaller the signal, the smaller the valve core opening, and the lower the output regulating pressure. This enables continuous, stepless change of the regulating pressure, rather than only having a few fixed levels, thereby achieving fine adjustment of the outlet pressure. In this embodiment, the regulating pressure and the control signal have a good linear relationship, resulting in high control accuracy. It can stabilize the outlet pressure within a smaller range near the target value. The response time of the proportional solenoid valve is typically within tens of milliseconds, enabling rapid response to changes in engine operating conditions.

[0035] Please see Figure 6Optionally, the voltage stabilizing module 7 includes a valve body 70, a piston 74, an adjusting shim 75, an adjusting spring 73, and an adjusting block 72. The valve body 70 has a piston chamber inside. The piston 74 is axially hollow and axially movable inside the piston chamber. The adjusting shim 75 is fixedly disposed on the valve body 70 and is disposed opposite to the end of the piston 74. The end of the piston 74 and the adjusting shim 75 form the flow channel. The adjusting block 72 is movably disposed inside the valve body 70. One end of the adjusting spring 73 abuts against the piston 74, and the other end abuts against the adjusting block 72. The adjusting chamber 71 is located on the side of the adjusting block 72 away from the adjusting spring 73. When the adjusting pressure in the adjusting chamber 71 increases, the adjusting block 72 compresses the adjusting spring 73, increasing the force of the adjusting spring 73 on the piston 74, pushing the piston 74 to move away from the adjusting shim 75, thereby increasing the opening of the flow channel. In this embodiment, when pressurized gas is introduced into the regulating chamber 71 through the regulating airflow channel 2, the gas pressure pushes the regulating block 72 to move towards the regulating spring 73, continuously compressing the regulating spring 73. The spring's elastic force increases synchronously, and this increased spring force pushes the piston 74 to move. Consequently, the opening of the flow channel between the piston 74 head and the regulating shim 75 increases, increasing the gas flow and raising the outlet gas pressure. Conversely, when the pressure in the regulating chamber 71 decreases, the regulating spring 73 rebounds, the piston 74 moves in the opposite direction, the flow channel narrows, and the outlet gas pressure decreases. In this embodiment, the piston 74 and the regulating spring 73 work together to achieve the basic mechanical pressure regulation. The structure is stable and durable, with strong pressure resistance. The gas pressure in the regulating chamber 71 acts on the regulating block 72 and is then converted into spring force, resulting in direct force transmission and sensitive adjustment of the opening of the pressure stabilizing module 7.

[0036] In one specific embodiment, the piston 74 has a hollow flow channel extending axially throughout its entire length. One end of the hollow flow channel communicates with the inlet at the piston end, and the other end communicates with the outlet at the piston tail, allowing gas to flow through it. The adjusting shim 75 is fixedly disposed within the valve body 70, opposite to and spaced apart from the end of the piston 74. The adjusting shim 75 is radially divided into a closed area and a flow area. The closed area is located in the central region of the adjusting shim 75 and is used to contact and engage with the end of the piston 74. When the piston 74 moves closer to the adjusting shim 75, the end of the piston 74 contacts the closed area, forming a seal, thereby closing the inlet of the hollow flow channel of the piston 74 and blocking gas flow. The flow area is located around the closed area and has multiple flow holes circumferentially. When the piston 74 moves away from the adjusting shim 75, the piston end separates from the closed area, allowing gas to enter the hollow flow channel of the piston 74 through the flow holes, thus enabling gas flow.

[0037] In this embodiment, when the regulating pressure in the regulating chamber 71 decreases, the compression of the regulating block 72 on the regulating spring 73 decreases, and the force exerted by the regulating spring 73 on the piston 74 decreases. Under the action of the medium force (outlet pressure) at the bottom of the piston 74, the piston 74 moves towards the regulating shim 75. When the end of the piston 74 contacts the closed area of ​​the regulating shim 75, the closed area blocks the inlet of the hollow flow channel of the piston 74, preventing the gas from entering the piston 74, closing the flow channel, and stopping the outlet pressure from rising. When the regulating pressure in the regulating chamber 71 increases, the regulating block 72 compresses the regulating spring 73, increasing the force exerted by the regulating spring 73 on the piston 74, pushing the piston 74 away from the regulating shim 75. The end of the piston 74 separates from the closed area, and the gas enters the hollow flow channel of the piston 74 from the main gas flow channel through the flow hole on the flow area of ​​the regulating shim 75, and then flows towards the outlet. At this time, the flow channel is open, and the gas can flow. The distance between the end of piston 74 and the closed area determines the opening of the flow channel. A larger distance results in a larger opening, a greater gas flow rate through the hollow flow channel, and a higher outlet pressure. Conversely, a smaller distance results in a smaller opening, a lower gas flow rate, and a lower outlet pressure. In this embodiment, the gap between the end of piston 74 and the adjusting shim 75 constitutes a throttling orifice for gas flow. By adjusting the gap between piston 74 and adjusting shim 75, precise control of the outlet pressure can be achieved. This embodiment integrates sealing and flow functions into one compact structure through the closed area and flow area provided on the adjusting shim 75. The piston end directly contacts the closed area to form a seal, eliminating the need for additional sealing elements, reducing the number of parts, and lowering the failure rate.

[0038] In this embodiment, the adjusting block 72 is annular and axially movably fitted onto the piston 74. A sealing device (such as a sealing ring) is provided between the inner ring of the adjusting block 72 and the outer wall of the piston 74 to achieve a sliding seal and prevent gas leakage from the gap between the piston 74 and the adjusting block 72. A sealing device is also provided between the outer ring of the adjusting block 72 and the inner wall of the valve body 70 to isolate the adjusting chamber 71 from the piston chamber, ensuring that the adjusting pressure in the adjusting chamber 71 does not leak into the piston chamber. Through the above sealing arrangement, the adjusting block 72 divides the space inside the valve body into two relatively independent chambers, one side being the piston chamber and the other side being the adjusting chamber 71. The adjusting block 72 can move axially along the piston 74 as the pressure in the adjusting chamber 71 changes, while maintaining a seal with the piston 74 and the valve body 70.

[0039] The pressure regulating valve in this embodiment includes an inlet connector 11 and an outlet connector 12, which are respectively connected to the inlet and outlet of the main airflow channel 1. In this embodiment, the inlet connector 11 is located at the inlet end of the main airflow path and is used to connect to an upstream gas supply pipeline (such as a low-pressure gas pipeline after pressure reduction from a high-pressure gas cylinder). The outlet connector 12 is located at the outlet end of the main airflow path and is used to connect to downstream gas-using equipment (such as an engine's gas injection system or mixer). The inlet connector 11 and outlet connector 12 in this embodiment adopt a standard interface form, facilitating quick and sealed connection to external pipelines.

[0040] The pressure regulating valve with automatically adjustable outlet pressure provided in this embodiment of the invention includes a main airflow channel, a regulating airflow channel, a regulating module, a pressure detection module, and a control module. A cut-off module and a pressure regulating module are provided along the flow path of the main airflow channel. The pressure regulating module has a regulating chamber. One end of the regulating airflow channel is connected to the main airflow channel, and the other end is connected to the regulating chamber. The regulating module is disposed on the regulating airflow channel and is used to regulate the pressure within the regulating chamber. The pressure detection module is used to detect at least the outlet pressure of the pressure regulating module. The control module is used to receive the outlet pressure signal detected by the pressure detection module, compare it with a target pressure value, and send a control signal to the regulating module based on the comparison result. The regulating module is used to adjust the pressure within the regulating chamber according to the received control signal. The pressure regulating module is used to change the opening of its internal flow channel according to the pressure within the regulating chamber, thereby adjusting the outlet pressure to the target pressure value. This pressure regulating valve achieves on-demand gas supply through closed-loop control of the outlet pressure. It operates at low pressure under low load to avoid gas waste, and increases pressure as needed under high load without increasing the overall system pressure, significantly reducing gas consumption and improving engine economy.

[0041] In the above description, the terms "an embodiment," "some embodiments," "example," "specific example," etc., refer to specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described in connection with that embodiment or example, which are included in at least one embodiment or example of the present invention. In this specification, the illustrative expressions of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Furthermore, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments or examples. Moreover, without contradiction, those skilled in the art can combine and integrate the different embodiments or examples described in this specification, as well as the features of different embodiments or examples.

[0042] The above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention, and are not intended to limit it. Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some or all of the technical features therein. Such modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention.

Claims

1. A pressure regulating valve with automatically adjustable outlet pressure, characterized in that, include: The main airflow channel is equipped with a cut-off module and a voltage stabilizing module along its flow path, and the voltage stabilizing module is provided with an adjustment chamber. An adjustable airflow channel is provided, one end of which is connected to the main airflow channel and the other end of which is connected to the adjusting cavity. An adjustment module, disposed on the adjustment airflow channel, is used to adjust the pressure inside the adjustment chamber; A pressure detection module, used at least to detect the outlet pressure of the pressure regulating module; The control module is electrically connected to both the pressure detection module and the adjustment module. The control module is configured to receive the outlet pressure signal detected by the pressure detection module, compare it with the target pressure value, and send a control signal to the adjustment module based on the comparison result. The regulating module is configured to adjust the pressure inside the regulating chamber according to the received control signal; the pressure stabilizing module is configured to change the opening of its internal flow channel according to the pressure inside the regulating chamber, thereby adjusting the outlet pressure to the target pressure value. The regulating module is a proportional solenoid valve, which outputs regulating pressure proportionally according to the magnitude of the current signal sent by the control module. The voltage stabilizing module includes: a valve body with a piston chamber inside; The piston is hollow in the axial direction and is movably disposed within the piston cavity; An adjusting shim is fixedly disposed within the valve body, opposite to the end of the piston, and the flow channel is formed between the end of the piston and the adjusting shim; An adjusting block is movably disposed within the valve body; An adjusting spring is attached to the piston at one end and to the adjusting block at the other end. The adjusting chamber is located on the side of the adjusting block away from the adjusting spring. When the pressure in the adjusting chamber increases, the adjusting block compresses the adjusting spring, increasing the force of the adjusting spring on the piston, pushing the piston to move away from the adjusting shim, thereby increasing the opening of the flow channel.

2. The pressure regulating valve with automatically adjustable outlet pressure according to claim 1, characterized in that, The target pressure value is a preset constant value; When the outlet pressure is lower than the constant value, the control module sends a gain signal to the adjustment module, the adjustment module increases the pressure in the adjustment chamber, and the pressure stabilizing module increases the opening of its flow channel, so that the outlet pressure rises to the constant value. When the outlet pressure is higher than the constant value, the control module sends a relief signal to the adjustment module, the adjustment module reduces the pressure in the adjustment chamber, and the pressure stabilizing module reduces the opening of its flow channel, so that the outlet pressure is reduced to the constant value.

3. The pressure regulating valve with automatically adjustable outlet pressure according to claim 1, characterized in that, The pressure detection module includes a first pressure sensor for detecting inlet pressure and a second pressure sensor for detecting outlet pressure. The control module is also configured to trigger an alarm and store an alarm code when the inlet pressure is detected to exceed a preset range.

4. The pressure regulating valve with automatically adjustable outlet pressure according to claim 3, characterized in that, The control module is also configured to: It sends the received inlet pressure signal and outlet pressure signal to the engine control unit; It also receives the target pressure value signal issued by the engine control unit based on the engine operating conditions.

5. The pressure regulating valve with automatically adjustable outlet pressure according to claim 1, characterized in that, The cut-off module is a normally closed solenoid valve; The cut-off module is electrically connected to the control module or engine control unit and is used to open the main airflow channel when an energizing signal is received.

6. The pressure regulating valve with automatically adjustable outlet pressure according to claim 1, characterized in that, The piston has an axial hollow flow channel, and the adjusting shim includes a closed area and a flow area. The closed area is used to close the flow channel when the piston end contacts the adjusting shim, and the flow area is used to open the flow channel when the piston end separates from the adjusting shim.

7. The pressure regulating valve with automatically adjustable outlet pressure according to claim 1, characterized in that, The adjusting block is axially movably sleeved on the piston, and the adjusting block is in sealed contact with the piston and the side wall of the piston chamber.

8. The pressure regulating valve with automatically adjustable outlet pressure according to claim 1, characterized in that, The pressure regulating valve includes an inlet connector and an outlet connector, which are respectively connected to the inlet and outlet of the main airflow channel.

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