Dual Valve Gas Pressure Equalization System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Gas supply systems face issues with particle generation and adiabatic heating during re-pressurization, particularly due to the use of slow acting valves which are fragile and prone to leaks, and the difficulty in determining the opening of these valves.
Innovation Solution
A gas pressure equalization system utilizing a fast acting valve and a flow restrictor to control the re-pressurization rate, reducing adiabatic heating and particle impingement by maintaining a stable pressure differential between upstream and downstream sections of the gas supply line, with indicators to confirm valve positions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If slow acting valves are used to gradually re-pressurize the gas supply line, then adiabatic heating and particle impingement are reduced, but the valve durability decreases and leakage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The re-pressurization function is segmented between two valves: a fast acting valve for rapid response and a slow acting valve for controlled pressure equalization. This segmentation allows each valve to operate in its optimal performance range, with the fast valve providing durability and the slow valve controlling harmful thermal and particle effects.
Solution Approach 2:
A flow restrictor is introduced as an intermediary component between the upstream and downstream sections of the gas supply line. This restrictor mediates the pressure differential, allowing the fast acting valve to open quickly while still limiting the rate of gas flow to prevent adiabatic heating and particle impingement.
2Productivity
If fast acting valves are used for rapid re-pressurization, then system productivity increases, but adiabatic heating and particle generation occur
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the valve functions by using a fast acting valve for rapid opening action while pairing it with a flow restrictor that acts as a throttling element. This segmentation enables the valve to achieve fast response for productivity while the restrictor controls the gas flow rate to prevent harmful adiabatic heating and particle generation.
Solution Approach 2:
The flow restrictor serves as an intermediary element that decouples the valve opening speed from the gas flow rate. It allows the fast acting valve to open rapidly for high productivity while maintaining a controlled, gradual pressure increase that prevents adiabatic heating and particle impingement on line walls.
3Temperature
If slow acting valves are used to control pressurization rate, then adiabatic heating is reduced, but the valve is fragile and difficult to operate
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the control functions by assigning temperature control to the flow restrictor while operation simplicity is assigned to the fast acting valve. The restrictor passively controls the pressurization rate to prevent adiabatic heating, while the valve provides easy, reliable operation with clear position indicators.
Solution Approach 2:
The flow restrictor acts as an intermediary that passively controls the gas flow rate and resulting temperature profile without requiring complex valve mechanisms. This allows the use of a simple, robust fast acting valve with clear position indicators, eliminating the fragility and operational difficulty of traditional slow acting valves.
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 system effectively reduces adiabatic heating and particle impingement on the gas supply line walls, enhances valve durability, and ensures precise control over re-pressurization, maintaining system stability and preventing leaks.
Implementation Method 1
a high velocity gas flow may increase in temperature due to, for example, adiabatic heating
Implementation Method 2
maintaining a stable pressure differential between upstream and downstream sections of the gas supply line
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2C
Figure 3A~3D
AI summary
An aircraft gas transport system (110) includes a high pressure gas supply line (115) having a supply valve (120). The gas transport system also includes an equilibrium gas line (150) joined at junctions with the high pressure gas supply line upstream and downstream from the supply valve, and in flow communication with the high pressure gas supply line. The equilibrium gas line has an equilibrium valve (140) and a flow restrictor (135). The equilibrium valve has an exit orifice (173), and the flow restrictor is offset from the exit orifice of the equilibrium valve. A method for pressurizing a gas transport system (110) after a flow of gas through the gas transport system has been prevented (400) comprises: opening (410) an equilibrium valve (140) while maintaining a supply valve (120) closed to allow a flow of gas (GFA) through a flow restrictor (135) that controls a rate of change of a pressure downstream of the equilibrium valve; determining (420) that the pressure downstream of the equilibrium valve or supply valve is stabilized; and opening (430) the supply valve to provide a flow of gas (GFB) through the supply valve at an operating pressure.