Independent Double Safety Valve for Solenoid Failure Shutoff
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing double shutter safety valves fail to effectively interrupt fluid flow when one or both solenoids become inactive, leading to potential overpressure issues due to the interconnected operation of the shutters.
Innovation Solution
A double safety valve design with independent shutters operated by separate solenoids, ensuring each shutter can close independently, even if one solenoid fails, and incorporating a mechanism to maintain closure via fluid pressure when solenoids are inactive.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If two shutters are connected and operate jointly to shut off pressurized fluid, then the valve structure is simplified, but the reliability decreases when solenoids become inactive
Solution Approach 1:
The valve is divided into two independent shutter assemblies, each with its own solenoid, sealing element, and control chamber. The shutters are no longer mechanically connected but operate independently through separate electromagnetic actuators. This segmentation ensures that failure of one solenoid does not affect the other shutter's ability to close and maintain seal.
Solution Approach 2:
A fluid communication channel connects the two control chambers, allowing pressurized fluid to act as an intermediary force. When one solenoid fails, the pressurized fluid flowing through the communication channel exerts force on the second shutter's sealing element, ensuring it remains sealed even without active solenoid control.
2Reliability
If the second shutter is kept open by fluid pressure to allow flow, then the safety function is improved for overpressure conditions, but the harmful effect occurs when solenoids are inactive and fluid should be prevented from passing
Solution Approach 1:
The control mechanism is inverted: instead of active solenoids holding shutters open and requiring deactivation to close, the system uses passive sealing where shutters remain closed by default and open only when solenoids actively pull them open. The communication channel between chambers ensures that pressurized fluid actively maintains the sealed position rather than requiring active control to maintain closure.
Solution Approach 2:
The pressurized fluid itself serves the dual function of both the controlled medium and the control agent. The fluid's own pressure, flowing through the communication channel, automatically maintains the sealed position of the shutters without requiring external control energy, while still allowing overpressure relief when both solenoids are active.
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 reliable fluid flow interruption and safety by maintaining closure in case of solenoid failure, while allowing compact and easy operation with tightness and bypass control capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
The shutters are preferably operated by means of solenoids present at opposite faces of the valve body and fixed to it
Implementation Method 2
the pressurized fluid is usually adapted to operate on the first shutter so as to keep it in a closed position... the pressurized fluid acts on the second shutter so as to push it into an open position
Data Source
AI summary
A double safety valve includes a valve body having an inlet opening for a pressurized fluid and an outlet opening, both communicating with connected chambers within the valve body which connection may be shut-off by shutters activated by corresponding electric coils. The shutters are placed along a common longitudinal axis opposite to each other, and activated independently for shutting off the connections between the chambers and the openings in favour of the fluid flow, that is to say pressurized fluid acting on the shutters so that the shut-off is maintained when the shutters are deactivated. Each shutter is kept in a shut-off position also by the fluid coming from the inlet openings acting on a first end of the shutter inside the corresponding electric coil.