Gas Flow Warning System for Pressurized Reservoirs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current pressurized gas systems lack effective alarm devices that can detect malfunctions downstream of the regulator, including disconnections, leaks, and blockages, and fail to provide advance warnings for gas cylinder exhaustion, with existing solutions being limited in their ability to communicate warnings to remote users and automatically respond to pressure changes.
Innovation Solution
A gas flow warning alarm device with a flow sensing and error signal generating subassembly that detects gas flow rate violations, producing audible, visible, and broadcast alarms, and a method for automatically opening a reserve gas cylinder when the primary reservoir pressure falls below a predetermined limit, along with a motorized reservoir changing device and a universal valve coupler for seamless integration with various gas reservoirs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a cylinder pressure sensor is used to detect gas exhaustion, then the alarm can provide advance warning of gas depletion, but the sensor is ineffective at detecting downstream malfunctions such as disconnections, leaks, and blockages
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies multi-functionality by combining a pressure sensor and a flow sensor into a single alarm device. The pressure sensor detects upstream conditions (cylinder exhaustion), while the flow sensor detects downstream conditions (disconnections, leaks, blockages). This allows one device to perform multiple detection functions that were previously required to be separate systems.
2Device complexity
If alarm warnings are communicated only through local audible and visual indicators, then the alarm device remains simple, but remote users cannot be alerted to system malfunctions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses wireless communication modules as intermediaries to transmit alarm signals from the local alarm device to remote user devices. This allows the alarm information to be conveyed over distance without significantly increasing the complexity of the core sensing mechanism, bridging the gap between simple local detection and remote notification.
3Device complexity
If manual monitoring of gas supply status is required, then the system remains simple to implement, but timely response to pressure changes and malfunctions cannot be ensured
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements automatic feedback mechanisms where the sensors continuously monitor pressure and flow conditions, and the alarm device automatically triggers warnings when predetermined thresholds are exceeded. This eliminates the need for manual monitoring while ensuring immediate detection and notification of malfunctions, reducing response time significantly.
4Device complexity
If existing alarm devices are used that only monitor upstream pressure, then the device complexity is low, but downstream malfunctions remain undetected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies multi-functionality by combining a pressure sensor and a flow sensor into a single alarm device. The pressure sensor detects upstream conditions (cylinder exhaustion), while the flow sensor detects downstream conditions (disconnections, leaks, blockages). This allows one device to perform multiple detection functions that were previously required to be separate systems.
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 provides comprehensive detection and warning of gas flow malfunctions, ensures timely replacement of gas cylinders, and enables remote monitoring and control of pressurized gas systems, enhancing safety and operational efficiency by alerting remote users to system status and allowing automatic response to pressure changes.
Implementation Method 1
a gas flow sensor to sense a gas flow rate
Implementation Method 2
an error signal generator operatively connected to the gas flow sensor. The gas flow sensor is configured to actuate the error signal generator upon detecting a gas flow rate that violates the predetermined limit
Implementation Method 3
The indicator mechanism is activatable by an error signal to produce perceptible alarm indications
Data Source
AI summary
A gas supply warning and communication system to generate and communicate alarm signals indicating gas pressure and gas flow malfunctions in a pressurized gas system, and to open a reserve gas reservoir in the event of certain types of malfunction. The system stores, transmits, and makes available for download, gas pressure, gas flow, and oxygen concentration data, and information regarding the status of the system. The system also accepts commands for modification of system function from users of remote devices. A software product encoding methods for operating the gas supply warning and communication system. A motorized reservoir changing device including a universal valve coupler, and methods for operating a reservoir valve with the reservoir changing device. A gripper tube for secure connection of gas lines linking components of a pressurized gas system.