Fluid Regulator Isolated Loading Chamber Design
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid pressure regulators are affected by external pressure fluctuations, leading to inaccurate and unreliable process fluid injection rates due to the influence of environmental pressures on the pre-set pressure setting, which can cause damage from over-pressurization in case of seal failure.
Innovation Solution
The fluid regulator design includes a sealed loading chamber and a blowout prevention apparatus that isolates the loading chamber from external pressures and fluid flow, using a sensor guide with seals and a vent flow path to vent pressure to the atmosphere in case of seal failure, preventing damage and maintaining a pre-set pressure reference independent of external conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the loading chamber is open to external environment, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability deteriorates due to influence from external pressure fluctuations
Solution Approach 1:
The regulator is divided into separate chambers: a loading chamber isolated from external pressures and a sensing chamber exposed to process fluid. This segmentation allows the loading chamber to maintain a stable reference pressure independent of environmental fluctuations, thereby improving reliability without excessive complexity
Solution Approach 2:
A sensor guide with integrated seals acts as an intermediary structure between the loading chamber and sensing chamber. The sensor guide provides both mechanical guidance for the sensor and fluid sealing to isolate the loading chamber, achieving isolation functionality without adding separate complex sealing mechanisms
2Reliability
If seals are used to isolate the loading chamber, then the reliability is improved, but the risk of over-pressurization damage increases in case of seal failure
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor guide includes a vent flow path that preemptively provides a pressure relief mechanism. If seals fail and pressure builds up in the loading chamber, the vent flow path allows excess pressure to escape to the atmosphere through a vent port, preventing catastrophic over-pressurization damage before it occurs
Solution Approach 2:
The vent flow path and vent port serve as a pre-established safety mechanism that cushions against the harmful effects of seal failure. By providing a pressure relief path in advance, the system protects itself from the consequences of seal failure without requiring complex pressure sensors or active control systems
3Measurement precision
If the loading chamber is isolated from the sensing chamber, then the measurement precision is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional seals and venting mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor guide merges multiple functions into a single component: it provides mechanical guidance for the sensor, creates the seal between loading and sensing chambers, and incorporates the vent flow path. This consolidation achieves chamber isolation and pressure relief functionality without the complexity of separate components for each function
4Reliability
If a vent flow path is added to prevent over-pressurization, then the reliability is improved, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase due to seal placement constraints
Solution Approach 1:
The vent flow path is designed to be inherently self-regulating based on pressure differential. The geometry of the vent flow path and positioning of seals are predetermined during design to ensure proper function without requiring high-precision assembly variations, reducing manufacturing precision requirements while maintaining reliability
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
This design enhances the accuracy and reliability of fluid pressure regulation by isolating the loading chamber from external pressures, preventing damage from over-pressurization and maintaining consistent process fluid injection rates, even under fluctuating environmental conditions.
Implementation Method 1
The sensor guide is disposed between the sensing chamber and the loading chamber and has at least one seal to fluidly isolate the loading chamber from the sensing chamber
Implementation Method 2
The sensor guide has a vent flow path between the sensing chamber and the loading chamber to vent the sensing chamber during a failure condition of the at least one seal
Implementation Method 3
a filter is disposed adjacent an outlet of the vent port to prevent the ingress of particulate into the vent flow path
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
Fluid regulators are described. An example regulator includes a regulator body defining a sensing chamber between an inlet and an outlet of a fluid flow passageway of the fluid regulator. A bonnet is coupled to the regulator body and defines a loading chamber disposed adjacent the sensing chamber. The loading chamber is substantially sealed relative to the sensing chamber and an environment surrounding the fluid regulator. A sensor guide is disposed between the sensing chamber and the loading chamber and has at least one seal to fluidly isolate the loading chamber from the sensing chamber. The sensor guide has a vent flow path between the sensing chamber and the loading chamber to vent the sensing chamber during a failure condition of the at least one seal.