Non-Refillable Cylinder Valve Retention With Safe Gas Venting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing non-refillable cylinders face safety risks due to the potential removal and replacement of valves, which can lead to dangerous gas releases during use, transport, and disposal, and current safety measures are complex, ineffective, or externally vulnerable to tampering.
Innovation Solution
A non-refillable cylinder design with an internally positioned retaining means and a one-way valve that securely attaches to the container body, featuring a movable spool and venting means to ensure the valve cannot be removed and allows safe gas release in case of damage or tampering.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If external blocking cups are welded to the container body to prevent valve removal, then valve security is improved, but the system becomes vulnerable to tampering and damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the traditional approach by placing the blocking cup internally within the container body rather than externally on it. The blocking cup is positioned inside the container body at the valve outlet, where it physically obstructs valve removal from the interior side, making it inaccessible to external tampering while maintaining effective valve security.
Solution Approach 2:
The blocking cup is nested within the container body structure, specifically positioned inside the container body at the valve outlet. This nesting arrangement allows the blocking cup to be integrated into the container body's internal geometry, providing security functionality while being protected by the container body itself against external damage and tampering.
2Strength
If high tightening torques and anti-unscrewing adhesives are used to secure the valve, then initial valve attachment is improved, but the system remains vulnerable to valve removal attempts
Solution Approach 1:
The blocking cup acts as an intermediary mechanical element between the valve and the container body. Instead of relying solely on the adhesive bond between the valve and container body, the blocking cup provides a separate mechanical obstruction that physically prevents valve removal, adding a redundant security layer that addresses the insufficiency of adhesive-only solutions.
3Reliability
If special valve construction with break-off ends is used to prevent removal, then valve security is improved, but the system allows insertion of shorter valves and remains complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the security function from the valve itself and places it in a separate blocking cup component within the container body. Instead of modifying the valve construction to include break-off ends, the blocking cup is positioned in the container body to prevent valve removal, simplifying the valve design while maintaining security functionality.
Data Source
AI summary
A non-refillable cylinder that includes a hollow container body designed to hold pressurized gas, with a port for gas release. A one-way valve is securely coupled to the port through a threaded clamping portion. The valve is designed with a specially shaped end that prevents its removal from the container body. The valve is movable between a pressurization position, where it prevents gas leakage, and a safety position, where the valve remains securely in place. Venting features are provided to allow the safe escape of gas from the container when the valve is in the safety position, mitigating risks during damage or tampering.