Coupling Device Safety Valve for Bellows Pressure Regulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing coupling devices for incompressible fluid transfer risk bellows breakage and fluid leakage due to excessive pressure when contracting bellows to shut off fluid supply, as they lack effective pressure regulation mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A coupling device with a safety valve that discharges incompressible fluid when pressure reaches a predetermined level, combined with a biasing force generating mechanism to control bellows contraction and expansion, preventing excessive pressure buildup and bellows deformation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If air pressure is supplied to the air chamber to contract the bellows and shut off fluid supply, then the fluid supply is stopped, but the bellows may be deformed excessively and broken due to excessive fluid pressure buildup
Solution Approach 1:
A relief valve is provided in advance in the bellows to release excessive fluid pressure before it can cause bellows breakage. The relief valve opens when fluid pressure exceeds a predetermined threshold, preventing catastrophic failure of the bellows structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the pressure parameter by providing a controlled pressure release mechanism. The relief valve maintains fluid pressure within safe operating limits by opening at a predetermined pressure threshold, thus preventing excessive pressure buildup that would deform or break the bellows.
2Ease of operation
If the bellows is contracted to shut off fluid supply, then fluid flow is controlled, but the device complexity increases due to the need for pressure regulation mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The relief valve operates automatically based on fluid pressure conditions without requiring external control. When fluid pressure exceeds the predetermined threshold, the relief valve self-activates to release pressure, eliminating the need for complex external pressure regulation systems while maintaining safe operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The relief valve utilizes hydraulic principles to automatically regulate fluid pressure. The valve is designed to open at a predetermined pressure threshold, using the fluid's own pressure to activate the pressure release mechanism, thereby simplifying the overall device structure while maintaining effective pressure control.
3Productivity
If air pressure is supplied to contract the bellows, then the bellows contracts to stop fluid flow, but the loss of incompressible fluid occurs when bellows breakage happens
Solution Approach 1:
The relief valve is provided in advance to prevent bellows breakage by releasing excessive fluid pressure before it can cause catastrophic failure. This preventive measure ensures continuous, safe fluid transfer operations and prevents loss of incompressible fluid that would result from bellows rupture.
Solution Approach 2:
The relief valve acts as a protective sacrificial component that prevents damage to the more expensive and critical bellows structure. By providing a simple pressure release mechanism, the system avoids catastrophic fluid loss and maintains productivity through continuous safe operation.
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
Prevents bellows breakage and fluid leakage by regulating pressure and safely discharging excess fluid, ensuring reliable operation during fluid transfer operations.
Implementation Method 1
a safety valve configured to discharge the incompressible fluid within the supply passage to the outside when the pressure of the incompressible fluid within the supply passage reaches or exceeds a predetermined level
Implementation Method 2
a biasing force generating portion configured to generate a biasing force in a direction to distance the moving portion from the plug device and contract the bellows portion
Implementation Method 3
a bellows portion arranged downstream of the valve portion and having therein an expandable and contractible supply passage for supplying the incompressible fluid from the plug device to the supply tube
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a coupling device including a cylindrical housing portion, a valve portion that turns into an open state by contact with the plug device, a bellows portion having therein an expandable and contractible supply passage for supplying incompressible fluid from the plug device to a supply tube, a moving portion being movable to be brought into contact with or distanced from the plug device fitted inside one end side of the housing portion, a first pressure chamber generating a biasing force in a direction to distance the moving portion from the plug device and contract the bellows portion, and a safety valve for discharging the incompressible fluid within the supply passage to the outside when the incompressible fluid within the supply passage reaches or exceeds a predetermined level.