Integrated Excess Flow Thermal Valve for Gas Line Shutoff
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing excess flow valves do not effectively address both breakage and excessive temperature conditions in fluid conduits, such as natural gas lines, by simultaneously reducing fluid flow.
Innovation Solution
An excess flow and thermal valve assembly that includes a valve housing with a movable valve for excess flow conditions and an intumescent material for temperature expansion, which together reduce fluid flow through the assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an excess flow valve is used to shut off flow during breakage, then flow reduction during breakage is achieved, but protection during excessive temperature conditions is not provided
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines an excess flow valve mechanism and an intumescent material system into a single integrated valve assembly. The excess flow valve handles breakage conditions while the intumescent material handles excessive temperature conditions, allowing one device to provide both protection functions simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve assembly is designed to perform multiple protective functions: the excess flow valve component addresses conduit breakage, while the intumescent material component addresses excessive temperature. This multi-functional design allows a single device to adapt to different failure modes and provide comprehensive protection.
2Reliability
If a thermal valve is used to reduce flow during excessive temperature, then protection during fire is achieved, but protection during conduit breakage is not provided
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges a thermal response mechanism (intumescent material) with an excess flow valve mechanism into a unified assembly. The intumescent material expands during excessive temperature to close the valve, while the excess flow valve mechanism independently responds to breakage conditions, providing dual protection capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated valve assembly achieves universality by incorporating two distinct protective mechanisms that respond to different failure conditions. The device can adaptively protect against both thermal events and mechanical breakage, making it suitable for comprehensive gas line safety.
3Reliability
If separate excess flow valve and thermal valve are used, then both breakage and temperature protection are provided, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent consolidates separate excess flow valve and thermal valve functions into a single integrated assembly sharing common components such as the valve body, seat, and diaphragm. This merging reduces the number of separate devices needed while maintaining comprehensive protection capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated valve assembly achieves comprehensive protection with reduced complexity by designing a multi-functional system where single components serve dual purposes. The shared valve mechanism responds to both excess flow and thermal conditions, eliminating the need for completely separate valve systems.
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 assembly effectively shuts off or reduces fluid flow in response to both conduit breaks and excessive temperatures, enhancing safety by minimizing gas escape during incidents like line breaks or fires.
Implementation Method 1
an intumescent or intumescent material carried in the valve housing and expandable during excess temperature conditions to reduce flow of fluid through the assembly
Data Source
AI summary
An excess flow and thermal valve assembly includes a valve housing, a valve carried in the housing and displaceable during excess flow conditions to reduce flow of fluid through the assembly, and an intumescent or intumescent material carried in the valve housing and expandable during excess temperature conditions to reduce flow of fluid through the assembly.