Gas Cylinder Actuator Safety Device with Sacrificial Flow Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Gas cylinder actuators are prone to damage and safety risks due to overtravel of the stem-piston, leading to potential explosions and costly replacements, as existing safety devices often require deformation or breakage of essential components.
Innovation Solution
A gas cylinder actuator with a flow control element featuring a control tab and a lightened portion that deforms or breaks to create a controlled escape route for overpressurized gas, absorbing stresses without damaging the end face, jacket, or head.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a safety device is implemented to prevent overtravel damage, then safety is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a sacrificial component (the flow control element's lightened portion) that is designed to break or deform under overpressure conditions. This disposable element provides safety functionality at low cost and simple structure, while the main actuator components remain intact and reusable.
2Reliability
If existing safety devices are used, then safety is improved, but replacement costs increase due to component breakage
Solution Approach 1:
The flow control element is designed as a low-cost sacrificial component with a lightened portion that breaks first under overpressure. This ensures that when safety activation occurs, only this inexpensive element needs replacement rather than costly main components like the end face, jacket, or head.
Solution Approach 2:
The safety functionality is segmented into a separate, replaceable flow control element rather than being integrated into the main actuator structure. This allows the safety feature to be independently replaced without affecting the main actuator components.
3Reliability
If the stem-piston overtravel is restricted, then safety is improved, but productivity decreases due to limited stroke
Solution Approach 1:
The flow control element is pre-configured with a lightened portion at a specific location that will break at a predetermined overpressure threshold. This preliminary design allows the actuator to operate freely within normal stroke limits while automatically activating safety protection if overtravel occurs, without requiring continuous monitoring or control intervention.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution provides a safe and reliable mechanism for managing overtravel without deforming or breaking essential components, ensuring controlled gas release and reducing replacement costs.
Implementation Method 1
A gas cylinder actuator with a flow control element featuring a control tab and a lightened portion that deforms or breaks to create a controlled escape route for overpressurized gas
Data Source
AI summary
A gas cylinder actuator with safety device, which comprises:a tubular containment jacket,two opposing heads for closing the tubular jacket, with corresponding sealing elements between the heads and the jacket, a first head provided with a through hole for the passage of a stem-piston, and a second head provided with a gas filling duct,a stem-piston,between the tubular jacket, the heads and the stem-piston there being a chamber for pressurized gas;the second head has a seat for the accommodation of a flow control element of the gas filling duct and corresponding sealing means, the flow control element comprising a tab for controlling a retracting stroke of the stem-piston, the control tab protruding from a body that has a lightened portion for triggering a controlled fracture or deformation in the event the control tab is crushed by the stem-piston.