Gas Flow Regulator Weight Reduction via Pneumatic Actuation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gas flow rate regulator equipment for low-thrust rocket engines faces challenges in miniaturization, as it is difficult to reduce size and weight effectively while maintaining efficiency, due to limitations in motor dimensions, gear train volumes, and auxiliary component sizes, which are not satisfactorily addressed by current designs like U.S. Pat. No. 6,233,919.
Innovation Solution
A gas flow rate regulator device featuring a valve member with an actuator, where movement is controlled by pressure differences between a proximal and distal surface, utilizing an amplification chamber with constant and variable flow rate lines, and actuators like piezoelectric or magnetostrictive components, allowing for reduced weight and size by decoupling actuator dimensioning from gas flow rate.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If conventional electric motor and gear train systems are used for flow rate regulation, then reliable flow control is achieved, but device weight and volume cannot be sufficiently reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the conventional electric motor-gear train mechanical system with a pneumatic system using gas pressure differential to actuate the valve member. This substitution eliminates heavy mechanical components while maintaining reliable flow control through pressure-based actuation, directly resolving the contradiction between weight reduction and control reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses pneumatic principles by introducing an amplification chamber that utilizes gas pressure differential (between proximal and distal surfaces of the valve member) to control valve actuation. This pneumatic approach replaces electromagnetic and mechanical transmission systems, achieving both weight reduction and reliable flow regulation through fluid pressure control.
2Volume of moving object
If motor dimensions are minimized, then device size is reduced, but force generation becomes insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the counterweight principle by balancing forces on the valve member through pressure differential across its surfaces. The gas pressure acting on the distal surface (through the amplification chamber) counterbalances the pressure on the proximal surface, enabling control of the valve with minimal actuator force while maintaining small actuator dimensions.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the physical parameters of the actuation system by using gas pressure instead of electromagnetic force. By controlling the pressure differential across the valve member surfaces, the system achieves sufficient actuation force with a significantly reduced actuator volume, resolving the contradiction between size and force capability.
3Force
If gear trains are used for force amplification, then sufficient actuation force is achieved, but device volume and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the gear train transmission mechanism from the system by directly using gas pressure differential to actuate the valve member. This removal of the mechanical transmission component eliminates the associated volume and weight while maintaining sufficient actuation force through the pneumatic amplification chamber, directly resolving the contradiction between force capability and device volume.
4Ease of operation
If multiple ducts are provided in the valve body for pressure control, then flow rate regulation is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the pressure control functions into a single amplification chamber that acts on the valve member. Instead of requiring multiple separate ducts for different pressure controls, the invention combines the pressure amplification and valve actuation functions into one integrated chamber, reducing structural complexity while maintaining full flow rate control capability.
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 enables significant weight and size reduction in gas flow rate regulators, achieving efficient control of gas flow with minimal actuator size and eliminating the need for transmission mechanisms, while maintaining performance even with cryogenic gases.
Implementation Method 1
actuators like piezoelectric or magnetostrictive components
Implementation Method 2
actuators like piezoelectric or magnetostrictive components
Implementation Method 3
movement of the valve member is controlled by the resultant firstly of pressure in the duct upstream from the valve member acting on a proximal surface of the valve member, and secondly of a control pressure applied to a distal surface of the valve member
Data Source
AI summary
A device for regulating flow rate of a gas in a duct, the device including a valve member having an actuator, the valve member being configured in such a manner as to shut off the duct selectively, wherein movement of the valve member is controlled by the resultant firstly of pressure in the duct upstream from the valve member acting on a proximal surface of the valve member, and secondly of a control pressure applied to a distal surface of the valve member of area greater than that of the proximal surface of the valve member, the control pressure being established in an amplification chamber having a feed line and an emptying line, one of the feed and emptying lines presenting a flow rate that is constant and the other presenting a flow rate that is variable and that is controlled by an actuator.