Dome Pressure Regulator Venting for Automatic Gas Line Shut-Off
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dome pressure regulators lack a quick and automatic mechanism to close the control valve, especially in response to changing gas temperatures or rapidly increasing volume flows, which can lead to embrittlement or bursting of the gas line.
Innovation Solution
An electronic control unit is used to control the venting valve, allowing for quick and automatic closure of the control valve by venting the first pressure chamber, with optional temperature and volume flow sensors to detect threshold values and trigger the shut-off, and an electrically controllable 2/2-way solenoid valve for rapid venting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the first pressure chamber is fluidly connected to the gas inlet and gas outlet via valves, then the pressure chamber can be pressurized with control pressure, but the pressure chamber cannot be vented quickly and automatically
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure chamber system is segmented into two separate chambers (first and second pressure chambers) divided by a flexible diaphragm. This segmentation allows independent control of each chamber - the first chamber can be vented through the vent valve while the second chamber maintains pressure for normal operation, enabling automatic shut-off without compromising the overall pressure control system
Solution Approach 2:
A flexible diaphragm acts as an intermediary between the first and second pressure chambers. The diaphragm transmits force from the pressurized second chamber to the valve body while allowing the first chamber to be vented independently. This intermediary mechanism enables automatic shut-off functionality without directly coupling the venting system to the main pressure control path
2Speed
If the dome pressure regulator lacks quick venting capability, then the structure remains simple, but the regulator cannot react quickly to changing gas temperatures or rapidly increasing volume flows
Solution Approach 1:
The manual or pressure-based venting mechanism is replaced with an electronically controlled solenoid vent valve. This substitution enables rapid, automated response to changing conditions (temperature, flow rate) through electronic sensing and control, dramatically increasing the response speed without requiring complex mechanical linkages or additional pressure control systems
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from static pressure control to dynamic control by incorporating sensors that continuously monitor temperature and flow rate, with electronic control that adjusts the vent valve in real-time. This dynamic approach allows the regulator to respond quickly to changing operating conditions while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure
3Reliability
If the valve opening is closed only by pressure in the second chamber, then the control mechanism is simple, but automatic shut-off functionality is not available for safety or maintenance purposes
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides self-service automatic shut-off capability through electronic sensors and control that automatically detect dangerous conditions (excessive temperature, abnormal flow rates) and trigger the vent valve to close the valve opening. This eliminates the need for manual intervention while maintaining the simplicity of the basic pressure control mechanism, enhancing safety without complicating normal 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
Enables effective and automatic shut-off of the gas line to prevent embrittlement and bursting by reacting to temperature and volume flow changes, providing a simple and compact design with integrated protection against damage.
Implementation Method 1
the venting valve is designed as an electrically controlled 2/2-way solenoid valve
Implementation Method 2
the valve body (9) is connected to the diaphragm (7) such that a movement of the diaphragm (7) is transmitted to the valve body (9)
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a dome pressure regulator (1) for regulating gas pressure and/or gas flow in a gas line, comprising at least one housing (2), wherein the housing (2) has at least one gas inlet (3) for connection to an inlet-side section of the gas line and at least one gas outlet (4) for connection to an outlet-side section of the gas line, at least two pressure chambers (5, 6) in the housing (2), wherein the pressure chambers (5, 6) are separated from each other by a flexible diaphragm (7), wherein the first pressure chamber (5) can be pressurized with an adjustable control pressure and wherein the second pressure chamber (6) is fluidly connected to the gas outlet (4), at least one control valve (8) with a movable valve body (9) for opening and closing a valve opening (10) through which the gas inlet (3) can be connected to the gas outlet (4), wherein the valve body (9) is connected to the diaphragm (7).such that a movement of the diaphragm (7) is transmitted to the valve body (9) in order to regulate the gas pressure at the gas outlet (4) according to the adjustable control pressure in the first pressure chamber (5), at least one vent valve (11) for venting the first pressure chamber (5), and an electronic control unit (12), wherein the vent valve (11) is designed to be controllable via the control unit (12) for venting the first pressure chamber (5).