Bi-Directional Gas Regulator With Live Tank Refill Check Valve
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current pressure reducing regulators for High-Pressure gas tanks in adverse environments, such as underwater or confined spaces, lack the ability to dynamically adjust and replenish the gas supply in real-time, leading to limited air availability and increased risk of user error and equipment failure.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a Secondary High-Pressure Gas IN Port with a one-way check valve on the First Stage regulator, allowing for direct and simultaneous connection of an external High-Pressure gas source to refill the tank while maintaining the regulator's functionality, eliminating the need for additional hoses and manual switching, and ensuring uninterrupted gas supply.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single High-Pressure gas IN port is used on the First Stage regulator, then the regulator structure remains simple, but the gas supply cannot be replenished in real-time and the user must terminate operation to replace the tank
Solution Approach 1:
The First Stage regulator is designed with a second High-Pressure gas IN port in addition to the primary port connected to the user's tank. This allows the regulator to perform multiple functions: normally reducing tank pressure to intermediate levels, and alternatively accepting external high-pressure gas supply to replenish the tank in real-time. The check valve ensures the secondary port only allows gas flow into the chamber, preventing backflow while enabling the replenishment function.
2Productivity
If the tank is replaced with a fresh tank, then the gas supply is replenished, but the user must terminate operation and return to surface safety which is time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables preliminary replenishment of the gas tank by connecting an external high-pressure gas source to the second gas IN port before the tank is completely depleted. This allows the user to extend the operational duration of the tank supply without returning to the surface, as the external source pre-refills the tank through the regulator system.
Solution Approach 2:
The regulator system maintains continuous gas supply reduction functionality while simultaneously accepting external gas replenishment. The check valve ensures that the secondary gas port only allows inward flow, preventing interference with the primary pressure reduction function. This enables uninterrupted operation where the tank can be replenished without terminating the user's activity.
3Reliability
If a second High-Pressure gas IN port with check valve is added, then real-time replenishment is enabled, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A check valve is introduced as an intermediary component in the second High-Pressure gas IN port. This check valve acts as a one-way flow controller that allows external gas to enter the High-Pressure chamber for replenishment while preventing any backflow into the external supply line. This simple intermediary device ensures reliable operation and prevents potential hazards without requiring complex control systems.
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
This solution enables continuous, real-time replenishment of the gas supply, reducing user error and equipment complexity, maintaining seamless operation of the regulator, and allowing for automatic pressure adjustment without additional monitoring, thereby ensuring a reliable and efficient breathing gas delivery system.
Implementation Method 1
a second High-Pressure gas IN Port with a one-way check valve that allows for the connection of an alternative High-Pressure gas source, such as a High-Pressure umbilical gas line
Implementation Method 2
a second High-Pressure gas IN Port with a one-way check valve that allows for the connection of an alternative High-Pressure gas source
Implementation Method 3
a regulator system of pressure reducing stages. Said a multiple stage system allows the reduction of a constantly varying High-Pressure gas source, to be adjusted downward to a constantly varying Low-Pressure
Data Source
AI summary
An attachable, detachable pressure reducing regulator for use with a primary high-pressure gas source, wherein the high-pressure chamber of said regulator includes a secondary gas IN portal, with a one-way valve, through which the primary container source may be refilled from an external gas source, via the high-pressure chamber of the said regulator, either independently of or concurrently during its use as a pressure reducing regulator.