Gas Cylinder Valve with Nested Pilot Closure for Compact Flow Shut-Off
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing valve technologies fail to provide a compact and efficient solution for industrial compressed gas applications, particularly for gas cylinders.
Innovation Solution
The valve is designed with a compact and efficient solution for industrial compressed gas applications, particularly for gas cylinders.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a valve with main seat and pilot seat configuration is used to achieve controlled opening and automatic closing, then the valve provides slow-opening and automatic closing functions, but the valve construction becomes bulky radially and is not suitable for gas cylinders with limited neck diameter
Solution Approach 1:
The pilot closing element is nested inside the main closing element, with the pilot seat positioned within the main closing element structure. This nested arrangement allows the pilot valve mechanism to be integrated within the main valve body, significantly reducing the radial footprint while maintaining both controlled opening and automatic closing functions
Solution Approach 2:
The main closing element and pilot closing element are combined into a single integrated shut-off device structure. The first compression spring is positioned between these two elements, and the second compression spring is concentric inside the first spring, merging multiple functional components into a compact unified structure that fits within the limited space of gas cylinder valve bodies
2Reliability
If two compression springs are used with the first spring between main and pilot closing elements and the second spring concentric inside the first, then the valve achieves proper sequencing of opening/closing operations, but the radial space requirement increases
Solution Approach 1:
The second compression spring is positioned concentrically inside the first compression spring, creating a nested spring arrangement. This configuration allows both springs to occupy the same radial space rather than requiring separate radial zones, enabling proper sequencing of valve operations without increasing the overall radial dimensions of the shut-off device
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of arranging the two compression springs side-by-side in the radial direction, the invention positions them along the axial dimension with the second spring nested within the first. This dimensional reorganization maintains the functional sequencing provided by the two-spring system while minimizing radial space occupation
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 provides a compact and efficient solution for industrial compressed gas applications, particularly for gas cylinders.
Implementation Method 1
a first compression spring operatively mounted between the pilot closing element and the main closing element
Implementation Method 2
a second compression spring configured for biasing the main closing element towards the main seat
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
The invention is directed to a valve (2) for a fluid, comprising: a body (4) with an inlet (6), an outlet (8) and a passage (10) fluidly interconnecting the inlet (6) and outlet (8); a shut-off device (12) housed in the body (4) and configured for selectively opening and closing the passage (10), the shut-off device (12) comprising a main seat (20), a main closing element (18) forming a channel (18.1, 18.2) extending there through and a pilot seat (24), a pilot closing element (22) housed in the main closing element (18), a first compression spring (26), and a second compression spring (28); an actuating device (14) of the shut-off device (12). The second compression spring (28) is operatively mounted between the main closing element (18) and the body (4) and the first compression spring (26) is stronger than the second compression spring (28).