Fluid Pressure Control Device for Analyzer Gas Calibration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current gas calibration systems for chemical analyzers, such as blood gas analyzers, face issues with high shipping costs due to hazardous pressurized fluid canisters, excessive waste of gas due to mechanical pressure regulators, and high maintenance costs, particularly because they require refrigeration and liquid mixing systems, which increase complexity and error sources.
Innovation Solution
A fluid pressure control device that uses a pressurized fluid inlet, valves, and pressure measurement devices to maintain a substantially constant pressure, eliminating the need for mechanical pressure regulators by employing a two-way and three-way valve system with an electronic controller to manage gas flow from a lower-pressure canister, ensuring efficient gas usage and reducing waste.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stress or pressure
If mechanical pressure regulators are used to control gas pressure, then gas pressure can be maintained within desired range, but system cost increases and gas is wasted due to CO2 diffusion and minimum pressure requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical pressure regulator with an electronic pressure control system consisting of a solenoid valve, electronic controller, and pressure sensor. The electronic system precisely controls pressure by opening/closing the solenoid valve based on real-time pressure feedback, eliminating the need for mechanical regulators and their associated CO2 diffusion losses through seal diaphragms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback control mechanism where a pressure sensor continuously monitors the pressure downstream of the solenoid valve, and the electronic controller adjusts the solenoid valve opening based on the difference between actual and target pressure. This closed-loop feedback system maintains stable pressure while preventing gas waste by avoiding the minimum pressure thresholds required by mechanical regulators.
2Stress or pressure
If mechanical pressure regulators are used, then pressure control is achieved, but shipping costs increase due to hazardous goods classification at high pressures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the operating pressure parameter from high pressure (exceeding 30 psi) to low pressure (below 30 psi) by using a pressure reducing valve and electronic control system. This parameter change allows the system to maintain adequate pressure for calibration while avoiding hazardous goods classification, thereby reducing shipping costs.
3Stress or pressure
If mechanical pressure regulators are used, then pressure regulation is achieved, but maintenance requirements increase due to periodic purging and CO2 diffusion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical pressure regulator with an electronic control system using a solenoid valve and electronic controller. This substitution eliminates the mechanical seals and diaphragms that cause CO2 diffusion and require periodic purging, thereby reducing maintenance requirements while maintaining pressure regulation functionality.
4Stress or pressure
If high-pressure canisters are used, then gas supply pressure is sufficient, but shipping costs approach or exceed the cost of the canister itself
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the pressure parameter from high pressure to low pressure operation. By using a pressure reducing valve and electronic control, the system can deliver sufficient pressure for calibration from low-pressure canisters, making the canister cost significantly lower than high-pressure alternatives while avoiding hazardous shipping classifications.
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 effectively reduces shipping costs, minimizes gas waste, and lowers maintenance requirements by maintaining a stable pressure range (2-5 psi) using a more cost-effective and simpler system, thereby improving the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of gas calibration for chemical analyzers.
Implementation Method 1
a first pressure measurement device detecting a fluid pressure downstream of the first valve
Implementation Method 2
The first valve may be a solenoid valve
Data Source
AI summary
A fluid pressure control device, including a pressurized fluid inlet, a first valve in fluid communication with the pressurized fluid inlet and controlling the flow of fluid from the pressurized fluid inlet, a first pressure measurement device detecting a fluid pressure downstream of the first valve, and a controller electrically coupled to the first valve. The first pressure measurement device causes the controller to operate the first valve such that a fluid downstream of the first valve is maintained at a substantially constant pressure.