Breathing Apparatus Pressure Reducer with Balanced Poppet Closing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pressure reducing systems for breathing apparatuses, such as those described in US4041978 and US7171980, face issues with unstable operation under high respiratory gas demands and risk unwanted gas delivery if pressurized, particularly due to the design of the valve poppet and balancing chamber configurations.
Innovation Solution
A pressure reducing system with a valve poppet and balancing chamber configuration that includes a passage extending beyond the abutment interface, allowing gas to pressurize the balancing chamber for stable operation, and an actuator mechanism to ensure the poppet closes under negative pressure, with optional spring assistance for downstream configurations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the valve poppet is designed with a balancing chamber that requires gas penetration to close the valve, then the valve can be opened for gas flow, but the system risks unwanted continuous gas delivery if pressurized while open
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by providing a passage that extends beyond the abutment interface to allow gas to penetrate and pressurize the balancing chamber before the valve poppet closes. This ensures the chamber is pre-pressurized to prevent unwanted continuous gas delivery, addressing the reliability issue while maintaining ease of operation.
2Device complexity
If the passage inside the valve poppet is limited in length, then the valve structure remains simple, but the balancing chamber cannot be sufficiently pressurized to ensure stable valve closing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extends the passage in a dimensional sense by having it extend beyond the abutment interface, allowing the passage to reach further into the system to access the balancing chamber. This dimensional extension enables sufficient pressurization for stable valve closing without significantly increasing overall valve complexity.
3Ease of operation
If the valve poppet is positioned to allow gas flow to the mouthpiece, then breathing function is enabled, but the balancing chamber cannot be pressurized to compensate for pressure forces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary passage that extends beyond the abutment interface, serving as a mediator between the gas supply and the balancing chamber. This passage allows pressure balancing to occur independently while maintaining the gas flow path to the mouthpiece, resolving the contradiction between breathing function and pressure balancing.
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
Ensures stable gas delivery under varying pressures and prevents unwanted gas flow even if the system is pressurized, maintaining reliable operation and preventing continuous gas delivery.
Implementation Method 1
The conduit thus allows the pressure in the balancing chamber to be balanced with the pressure at the valve inlet
Implementation Method 2
Negative pressure induced by the user's breathing allows the movement of a diaphragm
Implementation Method 3
There is an opposing helical spring that exerts an additional action directly on the stem of the valve poppet to press it against an inlet hole of the valve
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 4
AI summary
Pressure reducing system for a breathing apparatus comprising: i) a conduit (2) for supplying a breathable gas under pressure; ii) a mouthpiece (3) for inspiration of the breathable gas by a user; iii) a valve poppet (43) operatively interposed between the conduit (2) and the mouthpiece (3); said valve poppet (43) being movable between a closed position, in which it prevents the passage of the breathable gas from the conduit (2) to the mouthpiece (3), and at least one open position in which it permits the passage of the breathable gas from the conduit (2) to the mouthpiece (3); said conduit (2) comprising an abutment (20) against which the valve poppet (43) abuts in the closed position and from which it is distanced in said at least one open position; said abutment (20) defining an annular interface (21) which in the closed position is in contact with the valve poppet in order to perform a sealing action that prevents the passage of the breathable gas from the conduit (2) to the mouthpiece (3); iv) a balancing chamber (44) that defines a pressure balancing zone (440), said valve poppet (43) being at least in part interposed between the abutment (20) and the balancing chamber (44); the valve poppet (43) defining a passage (430) that places the conduit (2) and the pressure balancing chamber (44) in fluid communication; A section of said passage (430), in at least one of said open positions: - extends in the supply conduit (2) beyond said interface (21); - is surrounded by said abutment (20).