Dual Poppet Pressure Relief Valve With Two-Stage Cracking Pressure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Pressure relief valves in subsea environments suffer from poor reliability due to corrosion, fouling, and single-point failures, which can lead to catastrophic failures when internal pressure exceeds external pressure, especially in deep-sea applications where quick pressure relief is critical.
Innovation Solution
A dual poppet pressure relief valve design with two stages, each with its own cracking pressure value, arranged in series with an enclosed cavity, allowing the first stage to relieve pressure into the cavity and the second stage to relieve it further into the environment, featuring an adjustment nut for setting cracking pressures and independent operation of poppets to prevent single-point failures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single poppet pressure relief valve is used, then the device complexity is low, but the reliability is poor due to single-point failure
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure relief valve is divided into two independent stages: a first stage with a first poppet and spring, and a second stage with a second poppet and spring. Each stage can operate independently to relieve pressure, eliminating the single-point failure problem while maintaining a compact integrated structure.
2Reliability
If corrosion resistant materials and seals are used, then the reliability improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The valve is segmented into two independent stages with separate poppets, springs, and sealing surfaces. This segmentation provides redundant protection against corrosion and fouling, as failure of one stage does not compromise the other stage's ability to function.
3Reliability
If a dual stage valve is used, then the reliability is improved by preventing single-point failure, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Two independent pressure relief stages are merged into a single integrated valve body, sharing common components such as the valve body, adjustment mechanism, and sealing surfaces. This merging achieves redundant reliability while controlling overall device complexity through component sharing.
Solution Approach 2:
The first and second stages are nested within each other in a compact arrangement, with the first poppet and second poppet positioned concentrically or in close proximity, allowing both stages to occupy minimal space while maintaining independent operation.
4Reliability
If the cracking pressure is set low for safety, then the internal pressure protection is improved, but the pressure differential management becomes insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure relief function is segmented into two stages with different cracking pressures. The first stage operates at a lower cracking pressure for initial pressure relief, while the second stage operates at a higher cracking pressure for managing larger pressure differentials, providing comprehensive pressure protection across multiple ranges.
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
The dual poppet design enhances the reliability of pressure relief by ensuring that if one stage fails, the other can protect the internal equipment, and allows for safe evacuation, backfilling, and venting operations without risking single-point failures, effectively managing high-pressure differentials in subsea environments.
Implementation Method 1
a first spring applying a closing force to the first poppet valve
Implementation Method 2
a second spring applying a closing force to the second poppet valve
Implementation Method 3
the first valve relieves pressure above the first cracking pressure value from an enclosed housing into the enclosed cavity, and the second stage valve relieves pressure above the second cracking pressure value from the enclosed cavity into an outside environment
Data Source
AI summary
A pressure relief valve is disclosed with a first stage valve that is in series with a second stage valve, with an enclosed cavity between the first stage valve and the second stage valve. The first stage valve relieves pressure from an enclosure into the enclosed cavity between the stages, when the pressure is above a cracking pressure of the first stage valve. The second stage relieves pressure from the enclosed cavity when the pressure is above the cracking pressure of the second stage valve.