Dual-Stage Fluid Flow Control Apparatus with Feedback Seal

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Solution Overview

Problem

Dual-stage pneumatic control devices in hydrocarbon production facilities experience excessive natural gas bleed and low operational sensitivity due to the lack of feedback mechanisms, leading to inefficient gas usage and larger device sizes.

Innovation Solution

A dual-stage fluid flow control apparatus with a signal stage relay featuring a supply plug and exhaust seat with a seal providing feedback pressure, and an amplifier stage relay that moves a relay member to adjust seat loads for proportional or snap-acting outputs, reducing transition bleed and enabling four operational modes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a dual-stage pneumatic control device is used to improve operational sensitivity and gain, then the control precision is improved, but the transition bleed of natural gas increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperational sensitivityVSAvoidnatural gas bleed

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a feedback mechanism where the output of the amplifier stage is fed back to the signal stage through a feedback port. This feedback allows the system to self-regulate and reduces the transition bleed by ensuring that the control action is proportional to the input signal, thereby improving operational sensitivity while minimizing natural gas consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs dynamic control by allowing the relay member to move between different positions (seating the exhaust seat before the supply plug) based on the input signal. This dynamic adjustment enables the system to maintain high gain and sensitivity while reducing transition bleed through proportional control action.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Measurement precision

If a dual-stage pneumatic control device is used to achieve higher output sensitivity, then the control response is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoutput sensitivityVSAvoiddevice structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the signal stage and amplifier stage into a single integrated relay device. The relay member serves dual functions by controlling both the exhaust seat and supply plug, and the feedback mechanism is incorporated within the same device structure. This merging reduces overall device complexity while maintaining high output sensitivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The relay member is designed to perform multiple functions: it controls the exhaust seat closure, manages the supply plug positioning, and responds to feedback signals. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, thereby simplifying the device structure while achieving high control response.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Loss of substance

If additional relays or diaphragms are added to reduce transition bleed, then the gas consumption is reduced, but the device size increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegas consumptionVSAvoiddevice size

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of substanceVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent integrates the feedback mechanism and transition bleed reduction features within the existing relay structure. The relay member itself performs the function of reducing transition bleed by sequentially seating the exhaust seat before the supply plug, eliminating the need for additional relays or diaphragms. This keeps the device compact while reducing gas consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The relay device is designed to automatically reduce transition bleed through its inherent feedback mechanism and sequential seating action of the relay member. The system self-regulates the gas flow without requiring external control elements, thereby maintaining a compact size while minimizing gas consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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 solution achieves high gain, low transition bleed, and compact size, eliminating the need for additional relays or diaphragms, while maintaining sensitivity and reducing gas consumption, thus improving control precision and cost-effectiveness.

Implementation Method 1

a seal operatively coupled to the supply plug such that the seal provides a feedback area to apply a fluid pressure feedback force to the exhaust seat

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid pressure feedback: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 2

an amplifier stage relay that moves a relay member to adjust seat loads for proportional or snap-acting outputs

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure differential control: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentEP2370700B1Apparatus to control fluid flow

Publication Date: 2015.03.25 FISHER CONTROLS INT LLC

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AI summary

Apparatus to control a fluid flow are disclosed. An example fluid flow control apparatus described herein includes a signal stage comprising a signal stage relay having a supply plug being operatively connected to a valve seat at a first end and an exhaust seat at a second end and a seal operatively coupled to the supply plug such that the seal provides a feedback area to apply a fluid pressure feedback force to the exhaust seat.