Gas Cylinder Pressure Control for Uniform Stamping Force

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Solution Overview

Problem

Gas cylinder actuators connected to a single pressurized line experience internal pressure drops due to sealing wear, leading to non-uniform forces during stamping operations, resulting in quality issues and necessitating frequent production halts for manual pressure restoration, causing economic losses.

Innovation Solution

An automated apparatus with a pressure sensor, electrically controlled valve, and electronic control unit that monitors and adjusts the pressurized gas flow to maintain optimal pressure in gas cylinder actuators, allowing for automatic pressure restoration without manual intervention and enabling continuous production.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If gas cylinder actuators are connected to a single pressurized gas line, then the system structure is simple and easy to operate, but internal pressure drops occur due to sealing wear causing non-uniform forces and quality problems

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of operationVSAvoidreliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the gas supply system into multiple independent pressure control zones by equipping each gas cylinder actuator with its own pressure sensor and control valve. This segmentation allows independent pressure management for each actuator, preventing pressure drops in one actuator from affecting others, thereby maintaining reliability while preserving operational simplicity through automated control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements feedback control by using pressure sensors to continuously monitor the pressure in each gas cylinder actuator and automatically adjusting the pressure through control valves when deviations are detected. This closed-loop feedback system ensures consistent pressure and force output, eliminating quality problems caused by pressure drops while maintaining ease of operation through automation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If manual pressure restoration is performed when pressure drops occur, then the correct pressure can be restored in gas cylinder actuators, but production must be halted causing economic losses

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovereliabilityVSAvoidproductivity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables the gas cylinder actuator system to self-regulate pressure automatically through integrated pressure sensors and control valves on each actuator. When pressure drops are detected, the system automatically restores pressure without requiring manual intervention or production halts, thereby maintaining both reliability and continuous productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent ensures continuous production by implementing automated pressure monitoring and control systems that maintain optimal pressure in gas cylinder actuators at all times. The system detects and corrects pressure drops instantly, eliminating the need to halt production for manual pressure restoration, thus maintaining uninterrupted useful action and productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Productivity

If automated pressure control systems are implemented, then production can continue without halts and economic losses are minimized, but the device complexity increases with multiple sensors and control valves

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveproductivityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the pressure control function into modular units, with each gas cylinder actuator equipped with its own pressure sensor and control valve. This modular segmentation allows the system to achieve automated pressure control and continuous productivity while managing complexity through standardized, replaceable modules rather than a single complex centralized system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

4Productivity

If pressure drops are not addressed, then production can continue without halts, but quality problems occur due to non-uniform forces from diversified pressures

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveproductivityVSAvoidmanufacturing precision
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses feedback control with pressure sensors monitoring each gas cylinder actuator's pressure in real-time. When pressure deviations are detected, the system automatically adjusts pressure through control valves, ensuring uniform forces are applied during stamping operations. This maintains both continuous productivity and high manufacturing precision by preventing quality problems before they occur.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

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 apparatus effectively maintains consistent pressure in gas cylinder actuators, preventing production halts and ensuring continuous operation by automatically adjusting gas flow, thus minimizing economic losses and maintaining production efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

a sensor (14) for detecting the pressure of the gas that is present in said gas filling line (13)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure detection:

Implementation Method 2

electrically controlled valve means (16) adapted to allow/interrupt the flow of pressurized gas in said gas filling line (13)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectValve control: Valve

Implementation Method 3

an electronic control and management unit (17) connected to said pressure sensor (14) and to the electrically controlled valve means (16) to automate the opening/closing of said valve means (16) in relation to the signals that arrive from said at least one pressure sensor (14)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFeedback control: Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP2908024B1Apparatus for the controlled pressurization of gas cylinder actuators
Publication Date: 2023.09.06 SPECIAL SPRINGS SRL
  • EP2908024B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2908024B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

An apparatus (10) for the controlled pressurization of gas cylinder actuators connected to a single gas filling line, comprising - means (11) for controlling and recovering a pressurized gas flow originating from pressurized gas supply means and directed to a gas filling line (13), - at least one sensor (14) for detecting the pressure of the gas that is present in the gas filling line (13) which is adapted to carry pressurized gas to at least one gas cylinder actuator connected thereto, - electrically controlled valve means (16) adapted to allow/interrupt the flow of pressurized gas in the gas filling line (13), - an electronic control and management unit (17) connected to the at least one pressure sensor (14) and to the electrically controlled valve means (16) to automate the opening/closing of the valve means (16) in dependence on the signals that arrive from the at least one pressure sensor (14).