Fill Station Pressure Regulator With Dual Valve Assemblies
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems lack an efficient method to regulate and control the transfer of high-pressure gas from a bulk storage container to a low-pressure device, such as a paintball gun, ensuring precise pressure adjustment and safe operation.
Innovation Solution
A pressure regulator with a body having high-pressure and regulated-pressure passages, featuring a regulator valve assembly and a fill valve assembly, allows for adjustable output pressure through a movable piston and stepped valve shaft, enabling precise control of gas flow from a high-pressure source to a low-pressure device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a pressure regulator is used to control gas flow from high pressure source to low pressure device, then pressure regulation precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure regulator is divided into separate functional assemblies: a regulator valve assembly with a movable piston for pressure control, and a fill valve assembly with a stepped valve shaft for flow control. Each assembly handles specific tasks, allowing precise pressure regulation through the piston mechanism while maintaining manageable overall device complexity through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
The regulator valve assembly incorporates a movable piston that can be adjusted to different positions to dynamically change the output pressure setting. This dynamic adjustment capability enables precise pressure regulation by allowing the user to move the piston to the desired position, thereby changing the compression of the biasing member and achieving the required pressure output.
2Measurement precision
If a regulator valve assembly with movable piston is used to adjust preset pressure, then pressure adjustment precision is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
An adjusting plug serves as an intermediary mechanism between the user and the movable piston. The adjusting plug can be rotated to move the piston to different positions, providing precise pressure adjustment through a simple rotational motion rather than requiring direct manual positioning of the piston, thus improving ease of operation while maintaining precision.
3Manufacturing precision
If fill valve assembly with stepped valve shaft is used to control gas flow, then flow control precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The valve shaft is designed with different diameters at different sections (stepped configuration), where each section corresponds to a specific flow control function. The first portion with a first diameter controls one aspect of flow, while the second portion with a second diameter controls another aspect. This local differentiation allows precise flow control at each stage without requiring a completely complex valve design.
4Reliability
If dual regulator valve assemblies are disposed on opposing sides of passage, then pressure regulation reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Two regulator valve assemblies are integrated into a single regulator body, with each assembly disposed on opposing sides of a central passage. This merging of multiple pressure regulation mechanisms into one unified device provides redundant pressure control capability, improving reliability through multiple independent regulation paths while maintaining a compact and manageable device structure.
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
Enables safe and precise regulation of gas pressure from a high-pressure source to a low-pressure device, ensuring reliable operation and efficient filling of gas cylinders, like those used in paintball guns, by allowing for adjustable output pressure and manual control of gas flow.
Implementation Method 1
A regulator valve assembly includes a seal, a regulator valve assembly piston, a biasing member and an adjusting plug positioned in the first regulator valve assembly bore
Implementation Method 2
The stepped valve shaft includes a first portion having a first diameter and a second portion having a second diameter. The second diameter can be larger than the first diameter such that when the first portion is positioned in the fill valve assembly seat, a flow path is opened at the fill valve assembly from the inlet to the outlet and when the second portion is positioned in the fill valve assembly seat, a flow path through the valve is closed at the fill valve assembly seat.
Implementation Method 3
The regulator valve assembly can further include a seat and a ball, wherein the ball is disposed on the seat to close the regulator valve assembly.
Data Source
AI summary
A pressure regulator for controlling the flow of gas from a high pressure source to a low pressure device and regulating a pressure to the low pressure device includes a body having a high pressure inlet and a regulated pressure outlet. The body has a series of passages and bores including first and second regulator valve assembly bores and first and second fill valve assembly bores. The first and second regulator valve assembly bores are disposed on opposing sides of one of the passages and the first and second fill valve assembly bores are disposed on opposing sides of one of the passages. A regulator valve assembly includes a seal, a regulator valve piston, a biasing member and an adjusting plug positioned in the first regulator valve assembly bore, and a seal, a seat, a ball, a spring and a plug positioned in the second regulator valve assembly. A fill valve assembly includes a seal, a jam nut, a spring, a valve shaft, and a shaft actuator positioned in the first fill valve assembly bore and a seal, a seat, a ball, a spring and a plug positioned in the second fill valve assembly bore.