Automatic Back-Pressure Valve With Pneumatic Pressure Stabilization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Manual back-pressure valves in supercritical fluid chromatographic systems lack precision in pressure control and stability, leading to pressure fluctuations that affect instrument performance.

Innovation Solution

An automatic back-pressure valve with a dual adjustment mechanism using compressed air pressure and adjustable spring compression, featuring a conical ceramic element and ejector rod spring system, allowing for precise control of system pressure and reduced fluctuations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a manual back-pressure valve with spring adjustment is used, then the device complexity is low, but the pressure control precision is insufficient and pressure fluctuations occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepressure control precisionVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the traditional manual mechanical spring adjustment system with an automatic pneumatic control system. Compressed air pressure acts on a diaphragm to automatically regulate the back-pressure valve opening, eliminating the need for manual spring adjustment and providing precise, stable pressure control without the fluctuations inherent in manual mechanical systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a pneumatic control mechanism where compressed air pressure is applied to a diaphragm. This pneumatic system automatically adjusts the valve opening based on pressure differential, providing precise and stable pressure control. The pneumatic actuation replaces the manual mechanical adjustment, achieving both high precision and automatic operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

2Reliability

If the back-pressure valve opening is adjusted to control pressure, then the pressure control function is achieved, but pressure fluctuations are caused due to quick fluid passage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepressure stabilityVSAvoidpressure control operation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the system continuously monitors the pressure differential across the diaphragm. When system pressure exceeds the setpoint, the diaphragm automatically adjusts the valve opening to release excess pressure. When pressure drops below the setpoint, the spring closes the valve. This continuous feedback loop maintains stable pressure without manual intervention, eliminating the fluctuations caused by manual adjustment delays.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The back-pressure valve is designed to automatically regulate pressure without manual operation. The compressed air pressure on the diaphragm and the spring force work together to self-adjust the valve opening based on real-time pressure conditions. The system serves itself by automatically detecting pressure deviations and correcting them, eliminating the need for manual monitoring and adjustment that causes pressure fluctuations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Extent of automation

If compressed air pressure is used to control the piston rod, then automatic pressure control is achieved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautomatic pressure controlVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses compressed air pressure acting on a piston rod to automatically control the back-pressure valve. The pneumatic system provides automatic pressure regulation without manual intervention. The compressed air pressure, combined with the spring force, creates a balanced system that automatically adjusts the valve opening based on pressure differential, achieving high automation while maintaining relatively simple device structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

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 automatic back-pressure valve provides stable and precise pressure control, reducing pressure fluctuations and enabling quick stabilization of system pressure, with enhanced resistance and versatility.

Implementation Method 1

an ejector rod spring 2... the ejector rod spring 2 presses the ejector rod 3, the ejector rod 3 pushes the conical ceramic element 12 for sealing

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpring: Spring

Implementation Method 2

the ejector rod spring 2 presses the ejector rod 3... to adjust the amount of compression of the ejector rod spring 2

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 3

a piston rod spring 9... the piston rod spring 9 presses the piston rod 4

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpring: Spring

Implementation Method 4

the piston rod spring 9 presses the piston rod 4... to change the amount of compression of the ejector rod spring 2

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 5

the pressure of the compressed air of an inlet A is adjusted to compress the piston rod 4... a back-pressure valve opening pressure value can be set by adjusting the pressure of the compressed air

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure: Pressure Increase

Implementation Method 6

the ejector rod 3 pushes the conical ceramic element 12 for sealing... the conical ceramic element 12 is withdrawn from the sealing base 14

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSealing:

Data Source

PatentUS11015717B2Automatic back-pressure valve for use in supercritical fluid chromatographic system
Publication Date: 2021.05.25 JIANGSU HANBON SCI & TECH CO
  • US11015717B2 patent drawing

AI summary

An automatic back-pressure valve comprises a spring support (1), an ejector rod spring (2), an ejector rod (3), a piston rod (4), a guide band (5), a cylinder body (6), an O-ring seal ring A (7), an O-ring seal ring B (8), a piston rod spring (9), a cylinder cover (10), a guide sleeve (11), a conical ceramic element (12), a seal ring (13), a sealing base (14), a valve body (15), a screw (16) and a positioning sleeve (17).