Pressurized Fluid Valve With Pressure Variation Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing valve systems for pressurized fluid bottles, particularly those used for medical gases, face challenges in providing immediate and accurate feedback on gas withdrawal rates and detecting potential leaks or misuse, leading to delayed user information and lack of critical alerts.
Innovation Solution
The valve system incorporates a data storage and processing unit that analyzes pressure variations to detect gas withdrawal and differentiate between medical ventilator usage and leaks, displaying relevant information quickly and automatically, and includes a position sensor to regulate flow and pressure, enabling immediate feedback on usage and potential leaks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple successive pressure measurements are performed to calculate and display reliable autonomy information, then measurement precision is improved, but response time deteriorates (delayed display of 30-60 seconds)
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs a limited number of pressure measurements (e.g., 3-5 measurements) rather than continuous successive measurements, providing sufficiently reliable autonomy information while reducing calculation time from 30-60 seconds to a few seconds, thus balancing measurement precision with response time
Solution Approach 2:
The system pre-calculates and stores pressure variation thresholds and autonomy calculation parameters during system initialization or calibration phases, so that during operation only simple comparisons and lookups are needed, dramatically reducing real-time processing delays
2Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If pressure variation threshold detection is implemented to detect gas withdrawal, then detection capability is improved, but false detection of leaks may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies different pressure variation thresholds for different detection scenarios: a first threshold for detecting gas withdrawal through the valve and a second, distinct threshold for detecting leaks, allowing accurate differentiation between normal operation and abnormal conditions without false positives
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors pressure variations and provides real-time feedback to the user through visual or audible alerts when thresholds are exceeded, allowing operators to verify detections and take appropriate actions, thereby improving overall system reliability through human-in-the-loop verification
3Device complexity
If the valve body integrates multiple functions (flow regulation, pressure reduction, withdrawal detection), then device complexity is reduced, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the flow regulator, pressure reducer, and withdrawal detection system into a single valve body structure, eliminating the need for separate external components and reducing overall system complexity while maintaining adequate manufacturing precision through modular internal component design
Solution Approach 2:
The valve body is designed as a multi-functional unit that simultaneously performs flow regulation, pressure reduction, and withdrawal detection functions, allowing a single component to replace multiple separate devices, thereby simplifying the overall system architecture while meeting manufacturing precision requirements through standardized production processes
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 solution allows for rapid and accurate indication of gas withdrawal, distinguishing between medical ventilator usage and leaks, thereby enhancing user awareness and safety by providing immediate and relevant information on gas usage and potential issues.
Implementation Method 1
a pressure sensor intended to measure the pressure within the storage volume of a bottle of fluid connected to the valve
Implementation Method 2
the data storage and processing acquisition unit is configured to measure the variation of the signal representative of the fluid pressure on the basis of the signal supplied by the pressure sensor and to compare this variation of the signal measured at a determined draw-off threshold
Data Source
Figure 1~5
Figure 6~9
AI summary
The invention relates to a valve for a pressurized fluid cylinder comprising a draw-off circuit (3, 11), a data-acquisition, -storage and -processing member (7), at least one display (8), and a pressure sensor (10) for measuring the pressure within the storage space of a fluid cylinder (2) connected to the valve (1). When the variation of the signal representing the fluid pressure measured by the pressure sensor (10) is greater than a specific draw-off threshold, the data-acquisition, -storage and -processing member (7) is designed to detect the drawing-off of gas and, in response, to control the displaying on the display (8) of at least one item of information concerning the draw-off.