Fast opening low force poppet valve

Abstract

The valve includes a body, an inlet configured to receive pressurized gas, an outlet configured to receive pressurized gas from the inlet, and a region configured to receive pressurized gas from the inlet. The valve further includes a plug having a longitudinal axis and configured to be controllably moved within the body along the longitudinal axis. The plug is movable between a sealing position and at least one non-sealing position. The plug in the sealing position forms a first seal and a second seal with the body, the first seal being between the inlet and the outlet, and the second seal being between the inlet and the region. The plug in the sealing position is biased toward the sealing position by the pressurized gas. The plug in the at least one non-sealing position is biased away from the sealing position by the pressurized gas.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present application relates generally to poppet valves, and more particularly to poppet valves that are configured to open quickly with low opening forces and to be used at high pressures. [Background technology]

[0002] In a traditional direct acting poppet valve (e.g., a valve having a plug that is movable axially relative to an orifice to open or close the valve), upstream high pressure gas exerts a force on the movable plug to keep the valve closed. The large force exerted to open the valve limits the pressures and diameters at which the poppet valve can be operated. Some alternative valve designs use pilot plugs, which increase the range of pressures and diameters at which the valve can be operated, but have slower opening times due to restricted flow through the pilot orifice. Some other alternative valve designs use radial seals, which cause friction and variation, thereby limiting their ability to handle high surface speeds and high pressures. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] U.S. Patent No. 8,336,849 Summary of the Invention [Means for solving the problem]

[0004] In certain aspects described herein, the valve comprises a body, an inlet configured to receive pressurized gas, an outlet configured to receive pressurized gas from the inlet, and a region configured to receive pressurized gas from the inlet. The valve further comprises a plug having a longitudinal axis and configured to be controllably moved within the body along the longitudinal axis. The plug is movable between a sealing position and at least one non-sealing position. The plug in the sealing position forms a first seal and a second seal with the body, the first seal being between the inlet and the outlet, and the second seal being between the inlet and the region. The plug in the sealing position is biased toward the sealing position by the pressurized gas. The plug in the at least one non-sealing position is biased away from the sealing position by the pressurized gas.

[0005] In certain other embodiments described herein, the valve comprises an inlet configured to receive pressurized gas, a primary outlet configured to receive pressurized gas from the inlet, and a vent outlet configured to receive pressurized gas from the primary outlet. The valve further comprises a plug assembly configured to be controllably adjusted between at least three configurations including a first configuration that prevents pressurized gas from flowing to the primary outlet and / or the vent outlet. The at least three configurations further include a second configuration, different from the first configuration, in which the plug assembly allows pressurized gas to flow from the inlet to the primary outlet and prevents pressurized gas from flowing to the vent outlet. The at least three configurations further include a third configuration, different from the first and second configurations, in which the plug assembly allows pressurized gas to flow from the primary outlet to the vent outlet.

[0006] In certain other aspects described herein, the plasma compression system is configured to receive and contain the plasma within a volume at least partially surrounded by a circulating metal liquid medium and to controllably compress the liquid medium surrounding the plasma, thereby reducing the volume and compressing the plasma. The system includes a plurality of actuators configured to apply an impact to the liquid medium. The system further includes at least one valve in fluid communication with a source containing compressed gas and at least one actuator of the plurality of actuators. The at least one valve includes a plug and has a closed state in which the plug is seated by gas pressure from the source and / or by a spring of the at least one valve, and an open state in which the plug is driven open by gas pressure from the source. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1A] 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an exemplary single stage compression drive according to certain embodiments described herein. [Figure 1B] FIG. 1B is a schematic diagram illustrating an exemplary control system for the compression drive of FIG. 1A. [Figure 2A] 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an exemplary valve with a movable plug in a closing position according to certain embodiments described herein. FIG. [Figure 2B] 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an exemplary valve with a movable plug in a closing position according to certain embodiments described herein. FIG. [Figure 3A] FIG. 2B is a diagram illustrating a schematic of all forces due to compressed gas pressure from an inlet of the exemplary plug of FIG. 2A in a sealed position. [Figure 3B] FIG. 2B is a diagram illustrating a schematic illustrating the net force due to compressed gas pressure from an inlet of the example plug of FIG. 2A in a sealed position. [Figure 3C] FIG. 2C is a diagram illustrating a schematic of all forces due to compressed gas pressure from an inlet of the example plug of FIG. 2B in a sealed position. [Figure 3D]FIG. 2C is a diagram illustrating a schematic illustrating the net force due to compressed gas pressure from an inlet of the example plug of FIG. 2B in a sealed position. [Figure 4A] 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an exemplary valve having a piston portion and a moveable plug with a second face seal comprising a floating seal, according to certain embodiments described herein. [Figure 4B] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an exemplary floating seal, according to some embodiments described herein. [Figure 5A] 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an exemplary plug having a piston portion in a non-sealing position according to certain embodiments described herein. [Figure 5B] 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an exemplary plug having a ring portion in a non-sealing position according to certain embodiments described herein. [Figure 6A] 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an exemplary valve according to certain embodiments described herein, the plug comprising a ring portion and a third plug portion. [Figure 6B] 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an exemplary valve according to some embodiments described herein, wherein the plug comprises a piston portion and the volume is at least partially surrounded by a movable portion of the floating seal and at least partially by a second plug portion. [Figure 7A] FIG. 5B is a schematic diagram showing the example plug of FIG. 5A, where the plug and body are configured to trap and compress a portion of the pressurized gas to brake movement of the plug away from the sealed position, according to some embodiments described herein. [Figure 7B] FIG. 5C is a schematic diagram showing the example plug of FIG. 5B, where the plug and body are configured to trap and compress a portion of the pressurized gas to brake movement of the plug away from the sealed position, according to some embodiments described herein. [Figure 8A] 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example operation sequence of an example valve according to some embodiments described herein. [Figure 8B]1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example operation sequence of an example valve according to some embodiments described herein. [Figure 8C] 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example operation sequence of an example valve according to some embodiments described herein. [Figure 8D] 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example operation sequence of an example valve according to some embodiments described herein. [Figure 8E] 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example operation sequence of an example valve according to some embodiments described herein. [Figure 8F] 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example operation sequence of an example valve according to some embodiments described herein. [Figure 8G] 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example operation sequence of an example valve according to some embodiments described herein. [Figure 8H] 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example operation sequence of an example valve according to some embodiments described herein. [Figure 9A] 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an exemplary valve with a moveable plug in a closed position according to certain embodiments described herein. [Figure 9B] 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an exemplary valve with a moveable plug in a split position according to certain embodiments described herein. [Figure 10A] 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of another exemplary valve including a movable plug in a closed position according to certain embodiments described herein. [Figure 10B] 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of another exemplary valve including a moveable plug in a split position according to certain embodiments described herein. [Figure 11A] 11 is a schematic diagram illustrating a portion of an example operating sequence of another example valve with at least one vent, according to some embodiments described herein. [Figure 11B]11A-11C are schematic diagrams illustrating a portion of an example operating sequence of another example valve with at least one vent, according to some embodiments described herein. [Figure 11C] 11A-11C are schematic diagrams illustrating a portion of an example operating sequence of another example valve with at least one vent, according to some embodiments described herein. [Figure 11D] 11A-11C are schematic diagrams illustrating a portion of an example operating sequence of another example valve with at least one vent, according to some embodiments described herein. [Figure 11E] 11A-11C are schematic diagrams illustrating a portion of an example operating sequence of another example valve with at least one vent, according to some embodiments described herein. [Figure 12A] FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram illustrating a portion of an example operating sequence of another example valve including a plug assembly configured to be controllably adjusted between at least three configurations, according to some embodiments described herein. [Figure 12B] FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram illustrating a portion of an example operating sequence of another example valve including a plug assembly configured to be controllably adjusted between at least three configurations, according to some embodiments described herein. [Figure 12C] FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram illustrating a portion of an example operating sequence of another example valve including a plug assembly configured to be controllably adjusted between at least three configurations, according to some embodiments described herein. [Figure 12D] FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram illustrating a portion of an example operating sequence of another example valve including a plug assembly configured to be controllably adjusted between at least three configurations, according to some embodiments described herein. [Figure 13] 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an exemplary valve with a gas brake according to certain embodiments described herein. [Figure 14A]FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an exemplary valve with an independent plug-driven accumulator in a sealed configuration according to certain embodiments described herein. [Figure 14B] FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an exemplary valve with an independent plug actuated accumulator in a split-open configuration according to certain embodiments described herein. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0008] The embodiments described herein provide a valve having a closed state in which a movable plug of the valve is seated by upstream pressure (e.g., from an accumulator) and / or by a spring, and an open state in which the valve plug is driven open by upstream pressure (e.g., from an accumulator).

[0009] The embodiments described herein provide poppet valves that are configured to operate at high pressures (e.g., in the range of 15 MPa to 60 MPa), have high flow rates (e.g., large flow paths), and open rapidly (e.g., opening times from fully closed to fully open range from 1 millisecond to 4 milliseconds) with minimal variation (e.g., less than 50 microseconds difference in opening times between cycles of the valve). For example, one poppet valve of a plurality of poppet valves symmetrically positioned at equal positions about the longitudinal axis of the plasma compression system may have an opening time difference of less than 50 microseconds with other poppet valves of the plurality of poppet valves (e.g., valve opening times within ±25 microseconds of each other). The embodiments described herein are configured to receive and contain a plasma in a volume at least partially surrounded by a circulating metal liquid medium (e.g., a rotating metal liquid core having a diameter of 3 meters in a pressure vessel having dimensions greater than 9 meters by 9 meters by 5 meters) and to controllably compress the liquid medium surrounding the plasma, thereby reducing the volume and compressing the plasma. The system can include a number of compression drivers configured to impact the liquid medium, which can include at least one source of pressurized gas and a number of poppet valves configured to controllably release the pressurized gas to collapse the volume inward (e.g., to push a piston into the liquid medium or to release pressurized gas into the liquid medium). In embodiments, the pressurized gas does so by exerting a force on an implosion driver configured to implode the liquid medium into the spiral cavity. The implosion driver can include a pusher piston in the pusher piston bore that is pushed by the pressurized gas toward the liquid medium, or other means for imploding the liquid medium into the spiral cavity without the use of a pusher piston.

[0010] FIG. 1A is a schematic cross-sectional view of an exemplary single stage compression drive 10 according to some embodiments described herein. FIG. 1B is a schematic illustrating an exemplary control system 12 for the compression drive 10 of FIG. 1A. The compression drive 10 is configured to use a pressurized compressed fluid (e.g., gas, helium, argon, dry steam, other fluids configured to surround a plasma and / or compress a liquid medium to be compressed) to send a pressure pulse to an annular gap 20 to actuate an implosion drive 22 contained within a rotor 24 disposed around the liquid medium. The compression drive 10 of FIG. 1A includes a generally cylindrical valve housing 30 and an accumulator 40 configured to provide the compressed fluid. The valve housing 30 is fixedly attached at one end to an outer surface of the vessel wall 26 and at the other end to the accumulator 40. The accumulator 40 includes a pressure vessel 42 that contains the pressurized compressed fluid. 1A, each compression driver 10 includes an individual accumulator 40, while in other embodiments, multiple compression drivers 10 share a single accumulator 40. For example, there may be one accumulator 40 for each compression driver 10 or a single accumulator 40 for all compression drivers 10.

[0011] In some embodiments, the compression drive 10 further comprises a pressure relief tank 50 configured to receive compressed fluid from the annular gap 20 after the pressure pulse actuates the implosion drive 22. The pressure relief tank 50 is fluidly connected to the opening in the vessel wall 26 by a compressed fluid return conduit 52. The compressed fluid return conduit 52 comprises an annular passageway extending longitudinally between the opening 28 in the vessel wall 26 and the pressure vessel 42, and a plurality of manifolds extending longitudinally along the exterior of the pressure vessel 42 to an opening 54 at the distal end of the pressure relief tank 50.

[0012] The compression drive 10 of FIG. 1A further comprises a drive valve 60 in fluid communication with the opening 28 in the vessel wall and the accumulator 40, and a rebound valve 70 located at a distal end of the compressed fluid return conduit 52 near the opening 28 in the vessel wall, and is in communication with a controller (not shown) programmed to open the rebound valve 70 to allow the pressure relief tank 50 to receive compressed fluid at the end of a compression operation. The controller may comprise control circuitry (e.g., at least one microprocessor) and a computer readable memory encoded with instructions executable by the control circuitry for operating the compression drive 10. As illustrated generally by FIG. 1B, the control system 12 may further comprise a drive valve pilot mechanism 82, a rebound valve pilot mechanism 84, a valve lockout 85 for the drive valve 60, and pressure relief valves 86, 88 at the accumulator 40 and the pressure relief tank 50, respectively.

[0013] For example, the control system 12 may be configured to control the opening and closing of the drive valve 60 and the rebound valve 70 over the four phases of a compression shot. During the pre-shot phase, both the drive valve 60 and the rebound valve 70 are closed and the pressure vessel 42 is filled with high pressure compressed fluid. During the compression phase, the drive valve 60 is opened (while the rebound valve 70 remains closed) and compressed fluid from the accumulator 40 is discharged directly into the annular gap 20, which generates a sudden pressure pulse in the annular gap 20 and provides a motive force for the implosion drive 22, which collapses the liquid medium and compresses the plasma. During the rebound recovery phase, the drive valve 60 remains open and the rebound valve 70 remains closed, causing the liquid medium to rebound and allowing a portion of the compressed fluid to flow back into the pressure vessel 42. In the energy dissipation phase, the drive valve 60 is closed and the rebound valve 70 is opened, allowing the remainder of the compressed fluid to flow from the annular gap 20 through the rebound valve 70 and through the compressed fluid return conduit 52 to the pressure relief tank 50. As a result, the pressure in the annular gap 20 decreases to a level at which the implosion drive 22 can be reset for the next compression shot. Once the pressures are equalized, the control system 12 closes the rebound valve 70 to keep the system reset and begin preparation for the next compression shot.

[0014] 2A and 2B are schematic cross-sectional views of two exemplary valves 100 (e.g., actuated valves 60) with a movable plug 150 in a closed position according to some embodiments described herein. The exemplary valves 100 of FIGs. 2A and 2B utilize multiple face seals to facilitate more rapid opening of the valve 100 and / or to allow for the elimination of the use of a pilot orifice, as compared to conventional valves (e.g., valves in automotive piezoelectric fuel injectors), i.e., conventional valves that have different seal diameters, form hydraulic or pneumatic amplifiers, use either tight clearance or radial seals to reduce leakage flow, and utilize a pilot orifice for actuation.

[0015] 2A and 2B, the valve 100 comprises a body 110, an inlet 120 configured to receive pressurized gas, an outlet 130 configured to receive the pressurized gas from the inlet 120, and a region 140 (e.g., a chamber) configured to receive the pressurized gas from the inlet 120. For example, the inlet 120 and the outlet may each be 5000 mm 2 ~30000mm 2 (For example, 7500 mm 2 ~20000mm 2). The valve 100 further comprises a plug 150 having a longitudinal axis 152 and configured to be controllably moved within the body 110 along the longitudinal axis 152. The plug 150 is movable between a sealing position and at least one non-sealing position. The plug 150 in the sealing position forms a first seal (e.g., a first face seal 164) and a second seal (e.g., a second face seal 166) with the body 110. The first seal is between the inlet 120 and the outlet 130, and the second seal is between the inlet 120 and the region 140. The plug 150 in the sealing position is biased toward the sealing position by the pressurized gas, and the plug 150 in the at least one non-sealing position is biased away from the sealing position by the pressurized gas. For example, when the first and second seals rupture (e.g., when the first and second seals are in a first, non-sealing position where pressurized gas begins to break through the first and second seals to flow from inlet 120 to outlet 130 and from inlet 120 to region 140), the pressurized gas urges plug 150 toward a second, non-sealing position where valve 100 is fully open. The pressurized gas exerts a first force on a first surface area of ​​plug 150 in the sealing position, and the pressurized gas exerts a second force on a second surface area of ​​plug 150 when the first and second seals rupture.

[0016] In some embodiments, the plug 150 comprises a first plug portion 154 and a second plug portion 156. The first plug portion 154 is configured to be in mechanical communication with the first body portion 114 of the body 110 to form a first face seal 164 between the inlet 120 and the outlet 130. When the plug 150 is in the blocking position, the first face seal 164 prevents pressurized gas from flowing from the inlet 120 to the outlet 130. The second plug portion 156 is configured to be in mechanical communication with the second body portion 116 of the body 110 to form a second face seal 166 between the inlet 120 and the region 140. When the plug 150 is in the blocking position, the second face seal 166 prevents pressurized gas from flowing from the inlet 120 to the region 140.

[0017] In some embodiments, one of the first plug portion 154 and the first body portion 114 can include a first resilient seal 174 (e.g., including at least one material configured to resiliently deform when a compressive force is applied and return to its undeformed state when the compressive force is removed), and the other of the first plug portion 154 and the first body portion 114 can include a first sealing surface 184 configured to press against the first resilient seal 174. Further, one of the second plug portion 156 and the second body portion 116 can include a second resilient seal 176 (e.g., including at least one material configured to resiliently deform when a compressive force is applied and return to its undeformed state when the compressive force is removed), and the other of the second plug portion 156 and the second body portion 116 can include a second sealing surface 186 configured to press against the second resilient seal 176. For example, each of the first and second elastomeric seals 174, 176 can include at least one elastomeric material configured to withstand temperatures of at least 250 degrees Celsius, examples of which include, but are not limited to, a metal C-seal (e.g., nickel alloy, Inconel 718), an O-ring seal (e.g., silicone), and a pressure-activated seal (e.g., PEEK).

[0018] In some embodiments, first face seal 164 and / or second face seal 166 may comprise a differentially pumped seal in which a small volume between two elastomeric seals at the same sealing surface is pumped to a lower pressure (e.g., a vacuum pressure, a pressure lower than the pressure at inlet 120) while plug 150 is in the sealing position. Differentially pumped seals may be configured to maintain a higher pressure differential between inlet 120 and outlet 130 and / or between inlet 120 and region 140 as compared to a configuration in which a small volume is not pumped to a lower pressure.

[0019] 2A and 2B, the first sealing surface 184 is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 152 of the plug 150 and / or the second sealing surface 186 is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 152. In other embodiments, the first sealing surface 184 and / or the second sealing surface 186 are not substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 152.

[0020] In some embodiments, the plug 150 is substantially symmetrical (e.g., substantially cylindrically symmetrical, rotationally symmetrical, reflective symmetry in at least one plane) about the longitudinal axis 152, while in other embodiments, it is asymmetrical about the longitudinal axis 152. In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 2A, the plug 150 has a longitudinal axis 152 and includes a piston portion 153 extending through an orifice 112 of the body 110 between the inlet 120 and a region 140 (e.g., the region 140 is configured to accommodate movement of the second plug portion 156 from a blocking position to an unblocked position). The piston portion 153 may be substantially cylindrically symmetrical about the longitudinal axis 152 or may have a non-circular cross section in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 152. Illustrative materials for the piston portion 153 include, but are not limited to, titanium alloys, nickel alloys, maraging steels, and carbon composites. The first plug portion 154 (e.g., a first lip) and the second plug portion 156 (e.g., a second lip) can extend radially outward away from the longitudinal axis 152 and the piston portion 153 (e.g., the first lip extends substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 152 from a first end portion of the piston portion 153 and the second lip extends substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 152 from a second end portion of the piston portion 153), with the first and second plug portions 154, 156 on opposite sides of the orifice 112. Although FIG. 2A illustrates the first plug portion 154 and the second plug portion 156 having substantially equal lengths extending from the piston portion 153, in other embodiments, the lengths of the first and second plug portions 154, 156 can differ from one another.

[0021] 2B, plug 150 includes a ring portion 155 having a longitudinal axis 152 that extends through orifice 112 between inlet 120 and region 140 (e.g., configured to accommodate movement of second plug portion 156 from a blocking position to an unblocked position) and substantially surrounds body portion 118 (e.g., substantially cylindrical) of valve 100. Ring portion 155 may be substantially cylindrically symmetric about longitudinal axis 152 or may have a non-circular cross-section in a plane perpendicular to longitudinal axis 152. Example materials for ring portion 155 include, but are not limited to, titanium alloys, nickel alloys, maraging steels, and carbon composites. The first plug portion 154 (e.g., a first lip) and the second plug portion 156 (e.g., a second lip) can extend radially inward from the ring portion 155 toward the longitudinal axis 152 and can be on opposite sides of the orifice 112. Although FIG. 2B illustrates the first plug portion 154 and the second plug portion 156 having substantially equal lengths extending from the ring portion 155, in other embodiments, the lengths of the first and second plug portions 154, 156 can differ from one another. In some embodiments, the ring portion 155 comprises a carbon fiber sleeve configured to provide structural strength while reducing weight.

[0022] In some embodiments, the first plug portion 154 is configured to be pressed against the first body portion 114 along a first perimeter of a first region having a first area, and the second plug portion 156 is configured to be pressed against the second body portion 116 along a second perimeter of a second region having a second area smaller than the first area. As shown in FIG. 2A, the first sealing surface 184 is configured to be pressed against the first elastomeric seal 174 having a first diameter D1 (e.g., forming an outer perimeter of a substantially circular first region of the first plug portion 154 having the first area) that may be substantially circularly symmetric about the longitudinal axis 152, and the second sealing surface 186 is configured to be pressed against the second elastomeric seal 176 having a second diameter D2 (e.g., forming an outer perimeter of a substantially circular second region of the second plug portion 156 having the second area) that may be substantially circularly symmetric about the longitudinal axis 152, that is smaller than the first diameter D1. For example, the first diameter D1 may be in the range of 100 millimeters to 150 millimeters, the second diameter D2 may be in the range of 90 millimeters to 95 millimeters, and / or the difference between the first diameter D1 and the second diameter D2 may be in the range of 1 millimeter to 60 millimeters.

[0023] 2B, the first sealing surface 184 is configured to press against a first elastomeric seal 174 having a first diameter D1 (e.g., forming an inner periphery of a substantially circular first region of the first plug portion 154 having a first area) that may be substantially circularly symmetric about the longitudinal axis 152, and the second sealing surface 186 is configured to press against a second elastomeric seal 176 having a second diameter D2 (e.g., forming an inner periphery of a substantially circular second region of the second plug portion 156 having a second area) that is larger than the first diameter D1, that may be substantially circularly symmetric about the longitudinal axis 152. For example, the first diameter D1 may be in a range of 90 millimeters to 95 millimeters, the second diameter D2 may be in a range of 100 millimeters to 150 millimeters, and / or the difference between the first diameter D1 and the second diameter D2 may be in a range of 1 millimeter to 60 millimeters.

[0024] In some embodiments, portions of plug 150 are pressed against by gas pressure of compressed gas received by valve 100 from inlet 120 (e.g., plug 150 is externally pressurized or internally pressurized), and the resulting net force urges plug 150 toward the sealed position when valve 100 is sealed. In some embodiments, the gas pressure presses against an area of ​​second plug portion 156 (e.g., surrounded by second face seal 166) that is smaller than the area of ​​first plug portion 154 against which the gas pressure presses (e.g., surrounded by first face seal 164), thereby reducing the net seating force on plug 150 that would otherwise be applied to plug 150 having only first face seal 164. The reduced seating force may enable the use of a greater variety of actuation mechanisms. Additionally, in some embodiments where the gas pressure in region 140 is low (e.g., substantially lower than the gas pressure at inlet 120), the seating force is reduced, allowing the valve 100 to open very quickly because a significant pressure differential exists across plug 150 once it is open (e.g., not in a sealing position). In some embodiments, the first and second face seals 164, 166 can reduce (e.g., minimize) friction during actuation of the valve 100 and / or variability in the operation of the valve 100 over multiple sealing / unsealing cycles.

[0025] 3A and 3B, for example, diagrammatically illustrate the total and net forces due to compressed gas pressure from the inlet 120 of the example plug 150 of FIG. 2A in the closed position. The first area of ​​the first plug portion 154 and the second area of ​​the second plug portion 156 are both pushed by the gas pressure of compressed gas received by the valve 100 from the inlet 120, but because the first diameter D1 is greater than the second diameter D2, the first area (e.g., the circular area of ​​the first plug portion 154) is greater than the second area (e.g., the circular area of ​​the second plug portion 156), and the net force on the plug 150 (e.g., in the annular area of ​​the first plug portion 154) presses the first plug portion 154 against the first body portion 114 and presses the second plug portion 156 against the second body portion 116. 3C and 3D, respectively, diagrammatically illustrate the total and net forces due to compressed gas pressure from the inlet 120 of the exemplary plug 150 of FIG. 2B in the closed position. The first area of ​​the first plug portion 154 and the second area of ​​the second plug portion 156 are both pushed by the gas pressure of compressed gas received by the valve 100 from the inlet 120, but because the first diameter D1 is smaller than the second diameter D2, the first area (e.g., the annular area of ​​the first plug portion 154) is greater than the second area (e.g., the annular area of ​​the second plug portion 156), and the net force on the plug 150 (e.g., at the annular area of ​​the first plug portion 154) presses the first plug portion 154 against the first body portion 114 and the second plug portion 156 against the second body portion 116. 3A-3D only show forces due to compressed gas pressure from inlet 120, various surfaces may be exposed to pressures due to gas at outlet 130 and / or region 140. However, with valve 100 in a sealed state, these pressures are substantially less than the compressed gas pressure at inlet 120 and do not significantly affect the movement and / or position of plug 150. As described herein, during other phases of operation of valve 100, the gas pressure at plug 150 from outlet 130 and / or region 140 may be comparable to the gas pressure from inlet 120 and may substantially affect the movement and / or position of plug 150.

[0026] In some embodiments, at least one of the first face seal 164 and the second face seal 166 comprises a floating seal 200. For example, the first body portion 114 can comprise a first spring-loaded surface configured to be in mechanical communication with the first plug portion 154 to form the first face seal 164 between the inlet 120 and the outlet 130, and / or the second body portion 116 can comprise a second spring-loaded surface configured to be in mechanical communication with the second plug portion 156 to form the second face seal 166 between the inlet 120 and the chamber 140.

[0027] FIGURE 4A shows a schematic cross-sectional view of valve 100 having plug 150 with piston portion 153 and second face seal 166 with floating seal 200, and FIGURE 4B shows a schematic cross-sectional view of an exemplary floating seal 200 according to some embodiments described herein. As cross-sectional views, FIGURES 4A and 4B do not show all surfaces of body 110, plug 150, or other components. Floating seal 200 of FIGURES 4A and 4B includes fixed portion 202 of second body portion 116, movable portion 204 of second body portion 116, and spring 206 compressed between fixed portion 202 and movable portion 204. Because the first and second plug portions 154, 156 are at a fixed distance from one another, the movable portion 204 is configured to move or "float" to accommodate manufacturing tolerances within the valve 100 by allowing sufficient contact of the first and second plug portions 154, 156 with the first and second body portions 114, 116 to form both the first and second face seals 164, 166. A spring 206 is configured to apply an initial preload to the movable portion 204 against the second plug portion 156.

[0028] In some embodiments, the movable part 204 is sealed with the fixed part 202 (e.g., via a third seal 208 between the fixed part 202 and the movable part 204), and pressurized gas in the inlet 120 presses the movable part 204 against the second plug part 156. For example, the third seal 208 can have a third distance (e.g., radius R3) from the longitudinal axis 152 that is greater than the second distance (e.g., radius R2) of the second elastomeric seal 176 from the longitudinal axis 152 such that the pressurized gas is pressed against an annular region of the movable part 204 between the third seal 208 and the second elastomeric seal 176. In some embodiments, the third distance (e.g., radius R3) of the third seal 208 from the longitudinal axis 152 is less than the first distance (e.g., radius R1) of the first elastomeric seal 174 from the longitudinal axis 152.

[0029] In some embodiments, the pressurized gas is configured to apply a first force to the plug 150 in the sealing position, the first force urging the plug 150 toward the sealing position, and the pressurized gas is configured to apply a second force to the plug 150 not in the sealing position, the second force urging the plug 150 away from the sealing position. Figures 5A and 5B are schematic cross-sectional views of an exemplary plug 150 having a piston portion 153 and an exemplary plug 150 having a ring portion 155, respectively, in a non-sealing position, according to some embodiments described herein. As cross-sectional views, Figures 5A and 5B do not show all surfaces of the body 110, plug 150, or other components. Upon movement of the plug 150 from the sealing position to the non-sealing position (e.g., when the first face seal 164 and the second face seal 166 are released), the inlet 120 is in fluid communication with the outlet 130, and the pressurized gas from the inlet 120 flows into the outlet 130. Additionally, because there is no radial seal between plug 150 and body 110, inlet 120 is also in fluid communication with region 140, and at least a portion of the pressurized gas from inlet 120 flows into region 140 (e.g., leaks between second plug portion 156 and second body portion 116). In some embodiments, leakage can be reduced (e.g., minimized) by making the clearance between second plug portion 156 and second body portion 116 small enough such that a pressure differential exists between inlet 120 and region 140. Because there is a pressure differential across second plug portion 156, but not a similar pressure differential across first plug portion 154, the net force on plug 150 applied while in this non-sealing position continues to move plug 150, further opening valve 100. In some embodiments, the size of the area of ​​second plug portion 156 is configured to provide a predetermined opening speed of plug 150.

[0030] In some embodiments, the valve 100 further comprises an actuator 190 configured to controllably move the plug 150 from the sealed position to simultaneously decouple the first plug portion 154 from the first body portion 114 and the second plug portion 156 from the second body portion 116 (e.g., tearing the first and second face seals 164, 166), thereby simultaneously allowing pressurized gas to flow from the inlet 120 to the outlet 130 and region 140. The actuator 190 can be disposed on the first face seal 164 (e.g., the example shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B ) and / or the second face seal 166, and can be configured to move the plug 150 a small, small distance along the longitudinal axis 152 (e.g., against the net force on the plug 150 by the pressurized gas). Alternatively, the actuator 190 may be positioned to press against another outer surface of the plug 150 (e.g., at a stepped surface of the plug 150 that extends substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 152). Examples of actuators 190 compatible with some embodiments described herein include, but are not limited to, electromagnetic actuators, piezoelectric actuators, magnetic actuators (e.g., using magnetic attraction or repulsion to move the plug 150, where a magnetic field is suddenly generated by a pancake coil), mechanical plungers (e.g., actuated electromagnetically by a solenoid coil or pneumatically by externally applied pressure), and thermal actuators (e.g., an arc to heat a gas near the first face seal 164 or the second face seal 166).

[0031] In some embodiments, the actuator 190 comprises at least one port 192 (e.g., extending through a portion of the body 110) in fluid communication with the first face seal 164 and / or the second face seal 166, the at least one port 192 configured to receive a pneumatic impulse configured to move the plug 150 from the sealed position. For example, the actuator 190 may further comprise a pilot valve and a volume 194 proximate the first face seal 164 and / or the second face seal 166 opposite the inlet 120 of the first face seal 164 or the second face seal 166. The pilot valve may be configured to inject pressurized gas (e.g., a pneumatic impulse) into the volume 194 via the at least one port 192, thereby varying the net force applied to the plug 150 in the sealed position such that the plug 150 in the sealed position is not biased toward the sealed position. In some embodiments, the volume 194 is small and configured to be rapidly pressurized to open the plug 150 .

[0032] FIG. 6A is a schematic cross-sectional view of an exemplary valve 100 in which the plug 150 comprises a ring portion 155 and a third plug portion 196 (e.g., a lip) according to some embodiments described herein. As a cross-sectional view, FIG. 6A does not show all surfaces of the body 110, the plug 150, or other components. The third plug portion 196 at least partially encloses a volume 194 configured to receive pressurized gas from a pilot valve (e.g., via a radial port 192) and be rapidly pressurized to open the plug 150. FIG. 6B is a schematic cross-sectional view of an exemplary valve 100 in which the plug 150 comprises a piston portion 153 and the volume 194 is at least partially surrounded by the movable portion 204 of the floating seal 200 and at least partially surrounded by the second plug portion 156 according to some embodiments described herein. As a cross-sectional view, FIG. 6B does not show all surfaces of the body 110, the plug 150, or other components. In some embodiments, the area of ​​plug 150 exposed to pressurized gas while plug 150 is in the sealed position is controlled such that when pilot pressure is applied in volume 194, the net force on plug 150 allows plug 150 to move from the sealed position toward the non-sealed position.

[0033] 6B, the valve 100 may further comprise at least one spring 210 (e.g., substantially cylindrically wound, helical) in mechanical communication with the plug 150 and configured to controllably move the plug 150 to a sealing position (e.g., to reseal the plug 150 when gas pressure is equal at the inlet 120, outlet 130, and region 140 such that gas pressure no longer acts to open the plug 150). For example, during opening of the valve 100, the at least one spring 210 that can no longer withstand the imbalance of pressures on the plug 150 may reseat the plug 150 in the first and second elastic seals 174, 176.

[0034] In some embodiments, the valve 100 is configured to open quickly and remain open for an extended period of time to completely evacuate the volume upstream of the inlet 120. For example, the at least one spring 210 is configured to apply an initial preload force to the plug 150 prior to application of pressurized gas to the inlet 120 (e.g., after the valve 100 is opened and before the pressurized gas is reintroduced to the inlet 120). For example, the diameters of the first and second resilient seals 174, 176 can be configured such that the initial preload force applied by the spring 210 to the plug 150 is no greater than a force sufficient to hold the plug 150 in a closed position before the pressurized gas is reintroduced to the inlet 120. Increasing pressure within the inlet 120 increases the force applied to the plug 150 such that the combined force of the spring 210 and the pressurized gas is sufficient to apply an appropriate amount of preload force to the first and second resilient seals 174, 176. It is not necessary for the spring 210 to solely seal the valve 100, and therefore the spring 210 may be configured accordingly.

[0035] In some embodiments, the valve 100 further comprises a damping structure configured to reduce the velocity of the plug 150 toward the ends of the range of motion of the plug 150. For example, the plug 150 may have a shape configured to at least partially enclose, with the body 110, a region 220 that contains gas and that decreases in volume as the plug 150 is moved away from the sealed position. By trapping and compressing a portion of the pressurized gas within the region 220, the plug 150 and the body 110 may dampen the movement of the plug 150 away from the sealed position.

[0036] 7A and 7B each illustrate, in accordance with certain embodiments described herein, the example plug 150 of FIGS. 5A and 5B, where the plug 150 and body 110 are configured to trap and compress a portion of the pressurized gas to brake the movement of the plug 150 away from the sealed position. As cross-sectional views, FIGS. 7A and 7B do not show all surfaces of the body 110, plug 150, or other components. As shown in FIG. 7A, the piston portion 153 has an outer dimension (e.g., an outer radius R o and / or outer diameter 2R o ), and the orifice 112 of the body 110 has an inner dimension (e.g., an inner radius R i and / or inner diameter 2R i ) with the outer dimension and / or inner dimension varying along the longitudinal axis 152. For example, the piston portion 153 may have a first value R o1 and the second value R o2 As the plug 150 moves further away from the sealed position (e.g., from the configuration of FIG. 5A to the configuration of FIG. 7A ), the second value of the outer radius R o2 The area of ​​the piston portion 153 having an inner radius R i The gas enters orifice 112 having a diameter of 1 mm and first body portion 114, piston portion 153 and first plug portion 154 trap the gas in region 220 and compress the trapped gas as plug 150 continues to move away from the sealed position. The compressed gas creates a braking force on plug 150 that opposes the movement of plug 150.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 7B, the ring portion 155 has an inner dimension (e.g., an inner radius R o and / or inner diameter 2R o ), and the orifice 112 of the body 110 has an outer dimension (e.g., an outer radius R i and / or outer diameter 2R i), with inner and / or outer dimensions varying along longitudinal axis 152. As plug 150 moves further away from the sealed position (e.g., from the configuration of FIG. 5B to the configuration of FIG. 7B ), the volume of region 220 decreases and the compressed gas within region 220 exerts a braking force on plug 150.

[0038] In some embodiments (e.g., FIGS. 7A and 7B), the damping structure utilizes a first plug portion 154 to trap and / or compress the gas used as a gas brake, while in other embodiments, a second plug portion 156 to trap and / or compress the gas used as a gas brake. In some embodiments, the valve 100 includes an additional damping element (e.g., a spring) configured to absorb residual kinetic energy from further movement of the plug 150.

[0039] 8A-8H are schematic cross-sectional views illustrating an exemplary operational sequence of the exemplary valve 100 according to some embodiments described herein. As cross-sectional views, FIGS. 8A-8H do not show all surfaces of the body 110, plug 150, or other components. The exemplary valve 100 of FIGS. 8A-8H includes a plug 150 including a first plug portion 154, a ring portion 155, and a second plug portion 156 (see, e.g., FIGS. 2B, 5B, 6A, and 7B). In other embodiments, the plug 150 includes a first plug portion 154, a piston portion 153, and a second plug portion 156 (see, e.g., FIGS. 2A, 4A, 5A, 6B, and 7A). The first and second plug portions 154, 156 form a first face seal 164 and a second face seal 166 with the first and second body portions 114, 116, respectively. The exemplary valve 100 of FIGS. 8A-8H further includes a spring 210 in mechanical communication with the plug 150. As shown in FIG.

[0040] 8A is a schematic cross-sectional view of the exemplary valve 100 with plug 150 in a sealed position (e.g., first plug portion 154 and first body portion 114 form a first face seal 164, and second plug portion 156 and second body portion 116 form a second face seal 166). Inlet 120 contains pressurized gas that is prevented from flowing to outlet 130 by first face seal 164 and from flowing to region 140 by second face seal 166.

[0041] 8B is a schematic cross-sectional view of the exemplary valve 100 with the plug 150 not in the sealing position (e.g., the first plug portion 154 is spaced apart from the first body portion 114 and the second plug portion 156 is spaced apart from the second body portion 116). For example, an actuator 190 (not shown in FIGS. 8A-8G ) can move the plug 150 from the sealing position and / or otherwise rupture or unseal the first and second face seals 164, 166 to allow pressurized gas to flow from the inlet 120 to the outlet 130 and from the inlet 120 to the region 140.

[0042] 8C is a schematic cross-sectional view of the exemplary valve 100 with the plug 150 moved further from the closed position (e.g., moved along the longitudinal axis 152 of the plug 150) than in FIG. 8B. In FIG. 8C, the first and second plug portions 154, 156 are farther away from the first and second body portions 114, 116, respectively, than in FIG. 8B, and the flow of pressurized gas from the inlet 120 to the outlet 130 in FIG. 8C is greater than in FIG. 8B. The net force exerted by the pressurized gas on the plug 150 is much greater than the restoring force from the spring 210, such that the plug 150 moves against the restoring force from the spring 210. In addition, the region 220 is at least partially surrounded by the body 110 and the plug 150, with a portion of the pressurized gas within the region 220.

[0043] Figure 8D is a schematic cross-sectional view of the exemplary valve 100 with the plug 150 moved further from the sealed position (e.g., moved along the longitudinal axis 152 of the plug 150) than in Figure 8C. In Figure 8D, the first and second plug portions 154, 156 are further from the first and second body portions 114, 116, respectively, than in Figure 8C, and the body 110 and plug 150 completely surround the region 220 and the gas contained therein. In Figure 8D, the braking force on the plug 150 due to the compressed gas in the region 220 begins to oppose movement of the plug 150 along the longitudinal axis 152 away from the sealed position, while the plug 150 continues to move against the restoring force from the spring 210.

[0044] Figure 8E is a schematic cross-sectional view of the exemplary valve 100 with the plug 150 moved further from the closed position (e.g., moved along the longitudinal axis 152 of the plug 150) than in Figure 8D. In Figure 8E, region 220 has a smaller volume than in Figure 8D, and the damping force due to the compressed gas in region 220 in Figure 8E is greater than in Figure 8D, causing the plug 150 to stop moving along the longitudinal axis 152. In Figure 8E, the pressurized gas in the inlet 120 and outlet 130 has been substantially balanced such that gas flow from the inlet 120 to the outlet 130 has stopped.

[0045] 8F is a schematic cross-sectional view of the exemplary valve 100 with the plug 150 returned along the longitudinal axis 150 toward the sealed position (e.g., in a configuration similar to that of FIG. 8B ). In some embodiments, the valve 100 can further include a closure actuator (not shown), where the spring 210 is sandwiched between the closure actuator and the plug 150, and the closure actuator (e.g., an electromagnetic actuator, a piezoelectric actuator, a magnetic actuator, a mechanical plunger) is configured to controllably return the spring 210 and the plug 150 toward the sealed position (e.g., so that the plug 150 is at or near the sealed position).

[0046] Figure 8G is a schematic cross-sectional view of the exemplary valve 100 with the valve 150 returned to the closed position (e.g., resealed, as shown in Figure 8A). In Figure 8G, pressurized gas can again be introduced into the inlet 120, urging the first and second plug portions 154, 156 against the first and second body portions 114, 116, respectively, to form the first and second face seals 164, 166.

[0047] In some embodiments, to achieve stable re-seating, the valve 100 may include a passage 212 for gas between the second elastomeric seal 176 and the second plug portion 156 to equalize pressure with a larger volume of gas surrounding the plug 150. For example, FIG. 8H is a schematic cross-sectional view of an exemplary valve 100 including a passage 212 (e.g., a gap) between the second plug portion 156 and the second body portion 116 configured to allow gas that would otherwise be trapped in the region between the second elastomeric seal 176 and the second plug portion 156 (e.g., the region represented by the dashed circle in FIG. 8H ) to equilibrate with gas in the region 140. Also for example, the passage 212 may include one or more channels (e.g., grooves, holes) along the sliding surfaces between the second plug portion 156 and the second body portion 116.

[0048] In some embodiments where the valve 100 is a component of a plasma compression system, during a rebound recovery phase of the system when the liquid liner rebounds, a portion of the gas at the outlet 130 is recompressed and returned to the valve 100. In some such embodiments, when the downstream pressure (e.g., at the outlet 130 or outer volume) rises above the upstream pressure (e.g., at the inlet 120 or inner volume), the plug 150 is configured to open and recover the recompressed gas by redirecting it back to the upstream accumulator 40. In some embodiments where the liquid liner oscillates (e.g., rebounds additional times), at least a portion of the recompressed gas may be directed to the pressure relief tank 50. When the upstream and downstream pressures equalize, the at least one spring 210 may reclose the plug 150. In this manner, the valve 100 may be configured to allow the rebounding liquid liner to recompress the gas and return it to the upstream accumulator 40 and / or the pressure relief tank 50.

[0049] 9A and 9B are schematic cross-sectional views of an exemplary valve 100 with a plug 150 in a sealed position and a cracked position, respectively, according to some embodiments described herein. As cross-sectional views, FIGS. 9A and 9B do not show all surfaces of the body 110, plug 150, or other components. The plug 150 in FIGS. 9A and 9B is configured to use an open back cavity concept to allow downstream gas to flow into the outlet 130 (e.g., the outer volume surrounding the plug 150) and pressurize the outlet 130. As the pressure at outlet 130 increases beyond the pressure at inlet 120 such that the net force from the gas pressure overcomes the spring force from at least one spring 210 (not shown in Figures 9A and 9B), the valve 100 is opened (e.g., the plug 150 is moved from the position shown in Figure 9A to the position shown in Figure 9B), thereby allowing gas to flow from the outlet 130 to the inlet 120 (e.g., to the accumulator 40).

[0050] 10A and 10B are schematic cross-sectional views of another exemplary valve 100 with a plug 150 in a sealed position and a split position, respectively, according to some embodiments described herein. As cross-sectional views, FIGS. 10A and 10B do not show all surfaces of the body 110, the plug 150, or other components. The plug 150 in FIGS. 10A and 10B is configured to allow downstream gas to flow into the outlet 130 (e.g., the outer volume surrounding the plug 150) and pressurize the outlet 130 using the concept of a closed back cavity. The exemplary valve 100 in FIGS. 10A and 10B includes a third elastic seal 214 configured to prevent downstream backflow gas from entering the cavity behind the plug 150 (to the right of the plug 150) while the plug 150 is in the sealed position. When the plug 150 is in the split open position, gas passes through the plug 150 to equalize the pressure around the plug 150, thereby allowing the plug 150 to return to the sealed position. The third resilient seal 214 allows an equivalent downstream pressure to generate a greater force on the plug 150 compared to the exemplary valve 100 of Figures 9A and 9B. In some embodiments, the exemplary valve 100 of Figures 10A and 10B provides increased sensitivity to downstream pressure, allowing an increased amount of gas to be collected in the accumulator 40.

[0051] 11A-11E are schematic diagrams illustrating a portion of an example operating sequence of another example valve 100 including at least one vent 230, according to some embodiments described herein. As cross-sectional views, FIGS. 11A-11E do not show all surfaces of the body 110, plug 150, or other components. In some embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 11A-11E, plug 150 includes first plug portion 154, ring portion 155, and second plug portion 156, while in other embodiments, plug 150 includes first plug portion 154, piston portion 153, and second plug portion 156. In a first configuration (e.g., a blocking position, see e.g., FIG. 11A), the first and second plug portions 154, 156 form a first face seal 164 and a second face seal 166 with the first and second body portions 114, 116, respectively, to prevent pressurized gas from flowing from the inlet 120 to the at least one vent 230. In a second configuration (e.g., a first non-blocking position, see e.g., FIG. 11B-11D) different from the first configuration, the plug 150 allows pressurized gas to flow from the inlet 120 to the outlet 130 and prevents pressurized gas from flowing to the at least one vent 230. In a third configuration (e.g., a second non-blocking position, see e.g., FIG. 11E) different from the first and second configurations, the plug 150 allows pressurized gas to flow from the outlet 130 to the at least one vent 230. In some embodiments, the exemplary valve 100 is configured to vent excess downstream pressure from the outlet 130 that reaches the inlet 120 after the exemplary valve 100 opens.

[0052] 11A is a schematic cross-sectional view of an exemplary valve 100 with plug 150 in a closed position (e.g., corresponding to a first configuration) according to some embodiments described herein. First plug portion 154 and first body portion 114 form a first face seal 164, and second plug portion 156 and second body portion 116 form a second face seal 166. Inlet 120 contains pressurized gas, which is prevented from flowing to outlet 130 by first face seal 164 and to region 140 by second face seal 166.

[0053] 11B-11D are schematic cross-sectional views of an exemplary valve 100 with plug 150 in various first unblocked positions (e.g., corresponding to a second configuration) according to some embodiments described herein. In FIG. 11B and FIG. 11C, the valve 100 is fully opened (e.g., the first plug portion 154 is spaced apart from the first body portion 114 and the second plug portion 156 is spaced apart from the second body portion 116) such that the gas flow path between the plug 150 and the body 110 from the inlet 120 to the outlet 130 is substantially unrestricted. In FIG. 11D, the valve 100 is opened, but the gas flow path between the plug 150 and the body 110 from the inlet 120 to the outlet 130 (e.g., region 232) is substantially restricted. For example, the restricted gas flow path may be configured to reduce the flow of gas from the inlet 120 to the outlet 130.

[0054] 11E is a schematic cross-sectional view of the exemplary valve 100 with the plug 150 in a second, non-blocking position (e.g., corresponding to a third configuration) according to some embodiments described herein. In FIG. 11E, the plug 150 is positioned such that there is no fluid communication between the inlet 120 and the outlet 130, and the outlet 130 is in fluid communication with the at least one vent 230. For example, backflow of gas from the outlet 130 is permitted to flow to the at least one vent 230 (e.g., to the pressure relief tank 50).

[0055] 12A-12D are schematic diagrams illustrating portions of an exemplary operational sequence of another exemplary valve 100 including a plug assembly 240 configured to be controllably adjusted between at least three configurations, according to some embodiments described herein. As cross-sectional views, FIGS. 12A-12D do not show all surfaces of the body 110, plug 150, or other components. In some embodiments, the plug assembly 240 includes a plug 150 (e.g., a driving plug, part of the driving valve 60) and a second plug 250 (e.g., a rebound plug, part of the rebound valve 70), both of which are connected to the outlet 130 and operate independently and in parallel with each other. An axial hole (not shown) in the valve 100 may allow vent flow from the outlet 130 to the vent outlet 260 (see, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 8,336,849). 12A-12D, the first plug 150 comprises a first plug portion 154, a ring portion 155, and a second plug portion 156, while in other embodiments, the first plug portion 154, a piston portion 153, and a second plug portion 156. The exemplary valve 100 of FIGS. 12A-12D further comprises an inlet 120 configured to receive pressurized gas, an outlet 130 configured to receive the pressurized gas from the inlet 120, and a vent outlet 260 configured to receive the pressurized gas from the outlet 130.

[0056] 12A-12D, a substantially ring-shaped plug 150 surrounds a substantially cylindrical body portion 270 of the valve 100, the body portion 270 having a longitudinal axis 272 (e.g., substantially parallel and / or collinear with the longitudinal axis 152 of the plug 150), the plug 150 being configured to be controllably moved along the longitudinal axis 272 between at least a first position and a second position. A second plug 250 is substantially ring-shaped and surrounds the substantially cylindrical body portion 270 of the valve 100, the second plug 150 being configured to be controllably moved along the longitudinal axis 272 between at least a third position and a fourth position.

[0057] In FIG. 12A, the plug 150 is in a first position (e.g., a blocking position) and the second plug 250 is in a third position such that the plug assembly 240 is in a first configuration. While the plug assembly 240 is in the first configuration, the inlet 120 can be exposed to pressurized gas (e.g., the accumulator 40 can be filled with pressurized gas) and the plug 150 prevents the pressurized gas in the inlet 120 from flowing to the outlet 130. In FIG. 12B, the plug 150 is in a second position (e.g., an unblocked position) and the second plug 250 is in a third position such that the plug assembly 240 is in a second configuration. While the plug assembly 240 is in the second configuration, the pressurized gas is vented (e.g., flows) from the inlet 120 to the outlet 130. In some embodiments, after the pressurized gas is vented from the inlet 120 to the outlet 130, the plug 150 may be returned to the first position to prevent continued pressurization (see, e.g., FIG. 12C, which appears similar to FIG. 12A but shows a different stage of the operating cycle of the valve 100), while in other embodiments, after the pressurized gas is vented from the inlet 120 to the outlet 130, the plug 150 remains in the second position or is placed in an intermediate position between the first and second positions. In FIG. 12D, the second plug 250 is in a fourth position such that the plug assembly 240 is in a third configuration. While the plug assembly 240 is in the third configuration, the outlet 130 is in fluid communication with the vent outlet 260 (e.g., via a hole not shown in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 12D) such that the pressurized gas is vented (e.g., flows) from the outlet 130 to the vent outlet 260 (e.g., to the pressure relief tank 50).

[0058] After the pressurized gas is discharged from the outlet 130 to the vent outlet 260, the plug assembly 240 may be returned to the first configuration. For example, the plug assembly 240 may include at least one spring configured to controllably move the plug assembly 240 to the first configuration prior to the release of the pressurized gas into the inlet 120. The at least one spring may move the plug 150 from the second position to the first position (e.g., prior to the release of the pressurized gas into the inlet 120) and / or move the second plug 250 from the fourth position to the third position (e.g., to close the vent outlet 260 so that the valve 100 may be reset).

[0059] In some embodiments, the valve 100 further comprises a safety lockout mechanism (e.g., valve lockout 85) configured to prevent the valve 100 from opening (e.g., to physically prevent the plug 150 from moving away from the first position and to seal off the inlet 120, outlet 130, and / or outlet 260 of the valve from pressurized gas). For example, the lockout mechanism may comprise a pin or ratchet / pawl configured to prevent movement. As another example, the lockout mechanism may comprise a valve (see, for example, U.S. Patent No. 6,399,633) for sealing off either the inlet or outlet.

[0060] In some embodiments, the outlet 130 is configured to supply a vacuum pressure (e.g., 1.33×10 -7 kPa(10 -6 Torr), 1.33 × 10 -8 kPa(10 -7 and / or the upstream accumulator 40 is configured to be pumped down to a vacuum level (e.g., less than 1.33×10 -4 kPa(10 -3In other embodiments, a continuous seal step can be used to reduce the pressure differential when operation commands pressurization of the accumulator 40. For example, the step can be sealed off against the plug 150 while the intermediate volume is pumped out independently. In some embodiments having a safety lockout mechanism, a continuous seal step can be incorporated into both the plug 150 and the safety lockout mechanism, and the intermediate volume between the plug 150 and the safety lockout mechanism can be pumped down to reduce the seal pressure differential.

[0061] FIG. 13 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an example valve 100 with a gas brake 280, according to some embodiments described herein. FIG. 13 illustrates a portion of the valve 100 of FIG. 8F. As a cross-sectional view, FIG. 13 does not show all surfaces of the body 110, plug 150, or other components. The gas brake 280 may be used to reduce the speed of impact of the plug 150 against the first and second elastomeric seals 174, 176 (e.g., for damped closure). For example, the gas brake 280 may have a small volume in which a small amount of gas is trapped, and the gas pressure in the volume increases due to compression by the plug 150 moving toward the closed position, slowing the movement of the plug 150 (e.g., in a manner similar to that of braking during opening of the valve 100, as described herein).

[0062] 14A and 14B are two schematic cross-sectional views of an example valve 100 with an independent plug-actuated accumulator 290 in a sealed configuration and a split-open configuration, respectively, according to some embodiments described herein. As cross-sectional views, FIGS. 14A and 14B do not show all surfaces of the body 110, plug 150, or other components. In some embodiments, the example valve 100 of FIGS. 14A and 14B includes a third elastic seal 292 configured to seal a volume 294 (e.g., region 140) that is isolated (e.g., sealed) from at least the inlet 120 and the outlet 130 when the plug 150 is seated (e.g., in a sealed position). The gas pressure in the volume 294 can act to open the plug 150 and can be different than the gas pressure at the inlet 120 and / or the gas pressure at the outlet 130. When the first and second elastomeric seals 174, 176 are breached (e.g., by the plug 150 beginning to open out of position of the first and second elastomeric seals 174, 176), gas is permitted to flow between the volume 294 and the inlet 120 and outlet 130. Independent control of the gas pressure within the volume 294 allows for tighter control of the movement of the plug 150 in the exemplary fast opening valve 100 of Figures 14A and 14B.

[0063] Although conventional terms have been used above to describe the systems and methods of the embodiments for ease of understanding, these terms are intended to be interpreted in the broadest possible and reasonable sense. Although various aspects of the present disclosure have been described with respect to exemplary examples and embodiments, the examples and embodiments disclosed herein should not be construed as limiting. In particular, conditional expressions such as "can," "might," "could," or "may," unless otherwise specified or contradicted by context, are generally intended to indicate that a particular embodiment includes certain features, elements, and / or steps, and other embodiments do not include them. Thus, such conditional expressions are generally not intended to imply that certain features, elements, and / or steps are required in one or more embodiments, or that one or more embodiments necessarily include logic for determining whether these features, elements, and / or steps should be included or performed in any particular embodiment, with or without user input or prompting. In particular, the term "comprises / comprising" should be interpreted as referring to non-exclusive elements, components, or steps, and indicates that a mentioned element, component, or step may be coexistent, shared, or combined with other elements, components, or steps not expressly mentioned.

[0064] It should be understood that the embodiments disclosed herein are not mutually exclusive and that various combinations are possible. Additionally, while the methods and apparatus disclosed herein have been generally described in the context of plasma compression systems, the various embodiments described herein may be incorporated into a variety of other suitable apparatus, methods, and contexts. More generally, it will be understood that the embodiments described herein may be used in a variety of contexts that benefit from having a fast opening, low force poppet valve.

[0065] As used herein, expressions of degree, such as "approximately," "about," "generally," and "substantially," refer to values, amounts, or characteristics that approximate the referenced value, amount, or characteristic and achieve a desired function or result. For example, the terms "approximately," "about," "generally," and "substantially" may refer to amounts that are within ±10%, ±5%, ±2%, ±1%, or ±0.1% of the referenced amount. As another example, the terms "approximately parallel" and "substantially parallel" refer to values, amounts, or characteristics that deviate from strictly parallel by ±10 degrees, ±5 degrees, ±2 degrees, ±1 degree, or ±0.1 degrees, and the terms "approximately perpendicular" and "substantially perpendicular" refer to values, amounts, or characteristics that deviate from strictly perpendicular by ±10 degrees, ±5 degrees, ±2 degrees, ±1 degree, or ±0.1 degrees. The ranges disclosed herein also encompass fully overlapping ranges, partially overlapping ranges, and combinations thereof. The terms "up to," "at least," "greater than," "less than," "between," and the like are inclusive of the recited numbers. As used herein, the meanings of "a / an" and "said" include the plurals unless the context contradicts otherwise. Also, as used herein, the meaning of "in" includes "into" and "on," unless the context contradicts otherwise.

[0066] Although methods and systems are described herein with elements labeled with ordinal adjectives (e.g., first, second, etc.), these ordinal adjectives are used merely as labels to distinguish one element from another (e.g., one signal from another, or one circuit from another), and are not used to dictate the order of the elements or their use.

[0067] The specific example embodiments disclosed herein are intended as examples rather than limitations of aspects of the present invention, and therefore the scope of protection of the present invention described in the specification and claims should not be limited by these examples. The scope of protection of the present invention is intended to include equivalent embodiments. In fact, upon reading the above description, a person skilled in the art will understand that various modifications of the form and details of the present invention are possible in addition to those described in the specification and the accompanying drawings. Such modifications are also intended to be included in the scope of the claims. The scope of protection of the present invention should not be limited by any of the example embodiments disclosed herein, but should be defined only by the claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. The main body and an inlet configured to receive pressurized gas; an outlet configured to receive the pressurized gas from the inlet; a region configured to receive the pressurized gas from the inlet; a plug having a longitudinal axis and configured to be controllably moved within the body along the longitudinal axis; the plug is movable between a sealing position and at least one non-sealing position, the plug in the sealing position forms a first seal and a second seal with the body, the first seal is between the inlet and the outlet, and the second seal is between the inlet and the region, the plug in the sealing position is biased toward the sealing position by the pressurized gas, and the plug in the at least one non-sealing position is biased away from the sealing position by the pressurized gas.

2. The plug is a first plug portion configured to be in mechanical communication with a first body portion of the body to form the first seal between the inlet and the outlet; and a second plug portion configured to be in mechanical communication with a second body portion of the body to form the second seal between the inlet and the region; The valve of claim 1 , comprising:

3. 3. The valve of claim 2, wherein the first seal comprises a first face seal, one of the first plug portion and the first body portion comprising the first seal, and the other of the first plug portion and the first body portion comprising a first seal surface configured to be pressed against the first seal.

4. 4. The valve of claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the second seal comprises a second face seal, one of the second plug portion and the second body portion comprising the second seal, and the other of the second plug portion and the second body portion comprising a second sealing surface configured to press against the second seal.

5. 5. The valve of claim 4, wherein the first sealing surface is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the plug and / or the second sealing surface is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

6. 6. The valve of claim 5, wherein the first plug portion is configured to be pressed against the first body portion along a first perimeter of a first region having a first area, and the second plug portion is configured to be pressed against the second body portion along a second perimeter of a second region having a second area smaller than the first area.

7. 7. The valve of claim 6, wherein the first perimeter is substantially circular and has a first diameter in the range of 90 millimeters to 150 millimeters, and the second perimeter is substantially circular and has a second diameter in the range of 90 millimeters to 150 millimeters.

8. 4. The valve of claim 2 or claim 3, further comprising an actuator configured to controllably move the plug from the sealed position to simultaneously decouple the first plug portion from the first body portion and the second plug portion from the second body portion, thereby simultaneously allowing the pressurized gas to flow from the inlet to the outlet and from the inlet to the region.

9. 9. The valve of claim 8, wherein the actuator is selected from the group consisting of an electromagnetic actuator, a piezoelectric actuator, a magnetic actuator, a mechanical plunger, and a pilot valve.

10. 2. The valve of claim 1, wherein the pressurized gas exerts a first force on a first surface area of ​​the plug in the sealing position and the pressurized gas exerts a second force on a second surface area of ​​the plug in the at least one non-sealing position.

11. 4. The valve of claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the first body portion comprises a first spring-loaded surface configured to mechanically communicate with the first plug portion to form the first seal between the inlet and the outlet, and / or the second body portion comprises a second spring-loaded surface configured to mechanically communicate with the second plug portion to form the second seal between the inlet and the region.

12. 4. The valve of claim 2 or claim 3, further comprising at least one port in fluid communication with the first seal and / or the second seal, the at least one port configured to receive a pneumatic impulse configured to move the plug from the sealed position.

13. 4. A valve as claimed in claim 2 or claim 3, further comprising a passage for gas between the second plug portion and the second body portion to equalise pressure with gas in the region.

14. 10. The valve of claim 1, wherein the plug comprises a ring portion having the longitudinal axis, the ring portion substantially surrounding an interior portion of the body.

15. 2. The valve of claim 1, wherein the plug comprises a piston portion having the longitudinal axis and extending through an orifice in the body, a first lip extending from a first end portion of the piston portion substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, and a second lip extending from a second end portion of the piston portion substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

16. 16. A valve as claimed in claim 14 or claim 15, wherein the plug and body are configured to trap and compress a portion of the pressurised gas to brake movement of the plug away from and / or towards the sealing position.

17. 16. The valve of claim 15, wherein the piston portion has an outer dimension and the body has an inner dimension, and the outer dimension and / or the inner dimension vary along the longitudinal axis.

18. 2. The valve of claim 1, further comprising at least one vent port, wherein the plug prevents the pressurized gas from flowing from the inlet to the at least one vent port when the plug is in the blocking position and when the plug is in a first non-blocking position different from the blocking position, and wherein the plug allows the pressurized gas to flow from the outlet through the at least one vent port when the plug is in a second non-blocking position different from the blocking position and the first non-blocking position.

19. The valve of claim 1 , further comprising at least one spring configured to controllably move the plug to the closed position prior to release of the pressurized gas into the inlet.

20. 20. The valve of claim 19, further comprising a closure actuator, wherein the at least one spring is sandwiched between the closure actuator and the plug, the closure actuator configured to controllably move the at least one spring and the plug such that the plug is in the closed position.

21. an inlet configured to receive pressurized gas; a primary outlet configured to receive the pressurized gas from the inlet; a vent outlet configured to receive the pressurized gas from the primary outlet; a plug assembly configured to be controllably adjusted between at least three configurations, the at least three configurations comprising: a first configuration, wherein the plug assembly prevents the pressurized gas from flowing to the primary outlet and / or the vent outlet; a second configuration, different from the first configuration, wherein the plug assembly allows the pressurized gas to flow from the inlet to the primary outlet and prevents the pressurized gas from flowing to the vent outlet; and a third configuration, different from the first and second configurations, wherein the plug assembly allows the pressurized gas to flow from the primary outlet to the vent outlet. including a valve.

22. 22. The valve of claim 21, wherein the plug assembly includes a piston portion having a longitudinal axis and extending through an orifice of the valve, the piston portion configured to be controllably moved along the longitudinal axis between first, second, and third positions corresponding to the first, second, and third configurations, respectively.

23. 22. The valve of claim 21, wherein the plug assembly comprises a ring portion surrounding a substantially cylindrical body portion of the valve and having a longitudinal axis, the ring portion configured to be controllably moved along the longitudinal axis between first, second, and third positions corresponding to the first, second, and third configurations, respectively.

24. The plug assembly comprises: a substantially ring-shaped driver plug surrounding a substantially cylindrical body portion of the valve, the body portion having a longitudinal axis and configured to be controllably moved along the longitudinal axis between at least a first position and a second position; a substantially ring-shaped repulsion plug surrounding the substantially cylindrical body portion of the valve, the repulsion plug configured to be controllably moved along the longitudinal axis between at least a third position and a fourth position; Equipped with In the first configuration, the drive plug is in the first position and the repulsion plug is in the third position; in the second configuration, the drive plug is in the second position and the repulsion plug is in the third position; and in the third configuration, the repulsion plug is in the fourth position.

22. The valve of claim 21.

25. 25. The valve of any one of claims 21 to 24, wherein the plug assembly comprises at least one spring configured to controllably move the plug assembly to the first configuration prior to release of the pressurized gas into the inlet.

26. 1. A plasma compression system configured to receive and contain a plasma within a volume at least partially surrounded by a circulating metal liquid medium, and to controllably compress the liquid medium around the plasma, thereby reducing the volume and compressing the plasma, comprising: a plurality of actuators configured to apply impacts to the liquid medium; a source containing compressed gas and at least one valve in fluid communication with at least one driver of the plurality of drivers; the at least one valve comprises a plug; a closed state, in which the plug is seated by gas pressure from the source and / or by a spring of the at least one valve; an open state, in which the plug is driven open by the gas pressure from the source.

27. 27. The system of claim 26, comprising a rebound recovery phase in which the liquid medium rebounds and recompresses at least some of the gas back through the at least one valve and back to the source.

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