Excess Flow Valve Throttle Channel for Automatic Reopening
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing excess flow valves require manual intervention to return to the valve-opening attitude after resolving an excess flow state due to the maintenance of low pressure on the downstream side, which hinders automatic operation.
Innovation Solution
An excess flow valve design featuring a valve body seated on a valve seat based on fluid pressure differences, equipped with a spring to unseat from the seat after pressure normalization, and a throttle channel to manage flow rates, preventing excessive flow and enabling automatic return.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the excess flow prevention member switches to valve-closing attitude when pressure difference increases, then excess flow is prevented, but the valve body remains seated on the valve seat and cannot automatically return to valve-opening attitude
Solution Approach 1:
The valve body is divided into functionally independent passages: the communication passage for normal high-flow operation and the throttle channel for controlled low-flow return. This segmentation allows each passage to serve its specific purpose without interfering with the other, enabling automatic return while maintaining excess flow prevention.
Solution Approach 2:
The throttle channel acts as an intermediary pathway that mediates between the closed valve state and the open valve state. It provides a controlled route for fluid to gradually equalize pressure differences, serving as a bridge that enables the valve body to automatically return to the open position without requiring manual intervention or maintaining persistent low downstream pressure.
2Reliability
If the downstream pressure is maintained at low pressure after valve closing, then excess flow prevention is ensured, but manual intervention is required to return the valve to open position
Solution Approach 1:
The valve system performs self-service by automatically returning to the open position through the throttle channel mechanism. The controlled fluid flow through the throttle channel naturally equalizes pressure differences, causing the valve body to self-actuate back to the open state without requiring external manual intervention or complex return mechanisms.
3Reliability
If the valve body is seated on the valve seat during excess flow state, then fluid leakage is prevented, but the pressure difference cannot be reduced for automatic return
Solution Approach 1:
The valve body segments fluid pathways into the communication passage for primary flow and the throttle channel for pressure equalization. This allows the valve seat to maintain sealing while the throttle channel provides a separate route for controlled fluid movement that reduces pressure difference, enabling timely automatic return without compromising seal integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The throttle channel enables continuous useful action by maintaining a controlled fluid flow path even when the valve is closed. This continuous flow through the throttle channel gradually reduces the pressure difference, preparing the system for automatic return while the valve remains sealed, thus minimizing idle time and enabling rapid response when conditions normalize.
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 valve body automatically returns to the open position after resolving the excess flow state, maintaining control over fluid flow and preventing undesired actuation during pressure drops, ensuring efficient and automatic operation.
Implementation Method 1
a spring that biases the valve body to cause the valve body to be unseated from the valve seat
Implementation Method 2
a valve body that is housed in the valve chamber and is seated on and unseated from a valve seat according to a difference between a fluid pressure at the first opening and a fluid pressure at the second opening
Implementation Method 3
a throttle channel connected to the inner passage and facing the first opening; and a channel area of the throttle channel is smaller than a channel area of the communication passage
Data Source
AI summary
This excess flow valve includes: a housing including a valve chamber including a first opening and a second opening; a valve body that is housed in the valve chamber and is seated on and unseated from a valve seat located around the first opening, according to a difference between a fluid pressure at the first opening and a fluid pressure at the second opening; and a spring that biases the valve body to cause the valve body to be unseated from the valve seat. The valve body includes: an inner passage connected to the second opening; a communication passage connected to the inner passage and connected to the first opening via the valve chamber; and a throttle channel connected to the inner passage and facing the first opening. The channel area of the throttle channel is smaller than the channel area of the communication passage.