Double-Walled Gas Valve Unit for Marine Fuel Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vessel gas systems for marine internal combustion engines are bulky and require extensive space, leading to increased installation costs and reduced flexibility in piping configurations, which complicates engine control and inert gas flushing procedures.
Innovation Solution
A mini gas valve unit is introduced, splitting the hardware into two locations and integrating a block and bleed configuration with sensors and inert gas flushing valves, allowing for reduced size and increased flexibility in piping, enabling efficient gaseous fuel delivery and simplified inert gas flushing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional gas valve unit is used in a vessel gas system, then the system meets safety requirements and provides reliable fuel delivery, but the system occupies excessive space and increases installation complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a nested structure where the inner wall forms a containment space within the outer wall, creating a double-walled configuration. This nesting approach allows the gas valve unit to maintain safety functions (leak detection, containment) while reducing the overall footprint compared to conventional single-walled designs with separate safety components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple safety functions and operational components into a single integrated gas valve unit structure. The double-walled design merges containment, leak detection, and valve operation functions into one compact unit, eliminating the need for separate safety systems and reducing total system volume.
2Reliability
If double-walled piping is applied to meet marine safety regulations, then safety and leak detection are improved, but the system becomes more complex and requires more space
Solution Approach 1:
The double-walled piping structure nests the inner wall within the outer wall, creating a compact configuration that provides leak detection capability (by monitoring the space between walls) without requiring separate external containment structures. This reduces overall system complexity compared to conventional designs.
Solution Approach 2:
The double-walled structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides mechanical strength, enables leak detection through the inter-wall space, and maintains safety containment. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate safety systems, simplifying the overall piping system.
3Speed
If the gas valve unit is positioned closer to the engine, then engine control dynamics are improved, but piping configuration becomes more challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The compact nested double-walled structure allows the gas valve unit to be positioned close to the engine without requiring excessive piping length. The reduced volume of the valve unit itself enables closer installation while maintaining manageable piping configurations.
4Reliability
If extensive inert gas flushing procedures are required, then system safety is maintained, but operation time and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The nested double-walled structure contains the fuel delivery system within a confined space that can be efficiently flushed with inert gas. The compact inter-wall space requires less flushing time and volume compared to larger conventional systems, while maintaining safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The system design allows for simplified inert gas flushing where the inert gas can be introduced and circulated through the compact double-walled structure more efficiently. The reduced volume enables faster purging and safety verification, reducing operational time while maintaining safety standards.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a double walled gas valve unit (3) for controlling the gaseous fuel flow in particular within a vessel gas system (1). The gas valve unit (3) comprises a housing (23) providing an outer wall of the double walled gas valve unit (3) and comprising a fuel gas inlet (23A), a fuel gas outlet (23B), and an inert gas inlet (55), a fuel line (21) fluidly connected to the fuel gas inlet (23A) and the fuel gas outlet (23B) and extending within the housing (23), thereby forming an inner wall of the double walled gas valve unit (3), wherein the fuel line (21) comprises a flow control valve (37) and a block valve (39A), a flushing line (53), and a flushing valve system (59). The flushing line (53) is fluidly connected to the inert gas inlet (55), the flushing line (53) is fluidly connected via the flushing valve system (59) to a storage side access point (25A) of the fuel line (21) and to an engine side access point (25B, 25B') of the fuel line (21), and the storage side access point (25A) is fluidly positioned between the fuel gas inlet (23A) and the block valve (39A) and the engine side access point (25B, 25B') is fluidly positioned between the block valve (39A) and the fuel gas outlet (23B).