Asymmetric Spring Piston Valve Reduces Gas Flow Noise
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pressure reduction valves in gas supply devices experience noise due to vibrations caused by reflected waves from the secondary side flow path, which are not effectively mitigated by current designs.
Innovation Solution
A pressure reduction valve design featuring a piston with a spring force distribution that deviates from the center to the outlet side, increasing sliding resistance and reducing piston vibrations, achieved by positioning the spring contact to overlap or be angled relative to the outlet, thereby reducing noise from reflected waves.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the spring force is applied at the center of the piston, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the piston vibrations caused by reflected waves are not effectively reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The spring force application point is deliberately positioned asymmetrically relative to the piston center, specifically offset toward the outlet side. This asymmetric configuration creates a stabilizing effect that reduces piston vibrations caused by reflected waves, thereby reducing noise while maintaining manufacturing simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The reflected waves that cause harmful vibrations are not blocked but rather their effect is converted into a stabilizing force through the asymmetric spring positioning. The spring offset creates a restoring moment that utilizes the pressure differential to dampen vibrations, transforming the harmful vibration effect into a beneficial stabilizing mechanism
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the spring contact is positioned to overlap the outlet, then the sliding resistance increases and vibrations are reduced, but the spring structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The spring is positioned asymmetrically with its contact point offset from the piston center toward the outlet. This asymmetric arrangement naturally increases sliding resistance and reduces vibrations without requiring additional components or complex mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The spring contact positioning introduces a spatial dimension consideration by overlapping with the outlet region. This dimensional adjustment in the radial direction creates the desired friction effect to reduce vibrations while maintaining a simple spring structure
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 design effectively reduces piston vibrations and associated noise by enhancing sliding resistance, improving the noise reduction performance of the pressure reduction valve.
Implementation Method 1
a spring (330) that applies, to the piston (320), a force acting toward the space (CB)
Implementation Method 2
pressure reduction valve reducing pressure of a gas supplied from a primary side flow path to a secondary side flow path
Implementation Method 3
increase the sliding resistance of the piston (320) which slides within the cylindrical portion (315)
Data Source
AI summary
The pressure reduction valve includes: a cylindrical portion, a piston and a spring. The cylindrical portion includes an inlet communicating with the primary side flow path and an outlet communicating with the secondary side flow path. The piston fitted into the cylindrical portion is slidable along an axis direction of the cylindrical portion within the cylindrical portion, and defines, within the cylindrical portion, a space communicating with the inlet and the outlet. The spring applies, to the piston, a force acting toward the space. The outlet is displaced in one direction from the center of the piston when seen in the axis direction. The force applied to the piston by the spring is distributed so as to deviate from the center of the piston to the side of the outlet.