Natural Gas Regulator with Adjustable Valve Seat
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional gas pressure regulators in natural gas powered vehicles lack external adjustability of set point pressure, relying on manufacturing adjustments based on component tolerancing, which limits dynamic pressure adjustments.
Innovation Solution
A gas pressure regulator design featuring a hollow piston with a spring bias and an externally accessible set point adjustment member with a threaded portion, allowing axial adjustment of the valve seat to dynamically change the set point pressure, along with an optional heater assembly for preheating the gas before engine introduction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If manufacturing adjustments based on component tolerancing are used, then the regulator can be produced with standard manufacturing processes, but the set point pressure cannot be externally adjusted
Solution Approach 1:
The valve seat is made adjustable through a threaded adjustment member that allows axial movement. This transforms the static valve seat position into a dynamic, externally adjustable position, enabling continuous variation of the set point pressure by rotating the adjustment member with a tool.
Solution Approach 2:
A threaded adjustment member is introduced as an intermediary component between the external environment and the valve seat. This mediator allows external adjustment of the set point pressure without requiring disassembly or complex internal mechanisms, simply by rotating the adjustment member with an appropriate tool.
2Manufacturing precision
If tight tolerancing is applied to components, then the set point pressure can be precisely controlled during manufacturing, but the production cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The regulator performs its own calibration and adjustment through the external adjustment mechanism. Instead of requiring tight manufacturing tolerances to achieve precise set point pressure control, the system allows field adjustment and self-calibration, eliminating the need for expensive tight tolerancing while maintaining precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The set point pressure parameter is made variable through the adjustment mechanism. Rather than achieving precise pressure control through fixed manufacturing parameters and tight tolerances, the system allows continuous adjustment of the pressure parameter after manufacturing, reducing production costs while maintaining precision.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the valve seat position is fixed, then the regulator structure is simple, but the set point pressure cannot be dynamically adjusted
Solution Approach 1:
The valve seat position is transformed from a fixed, static position to a dynamic, adjustable position through the threaded adjustment member. This allows the set point pressure to be dynamically adjusted by rotating the adjustment member, which moves the valve seat axially to change the gap spacing.
4Stress or pressure
If the gap spacing between piston and valve seat is reduced, then the set point pressure increases, but the manufacturing tolerancing requirements become tighter
Solution Approach 1:
The threaded adjustment member serves as an intermediary that allows precise control of the gap spacing without requiring tight manufacturing tolerances. By rotating the adjustment member, the valve seat position is precisely adjusted to achieve the desired gap spacing and set point pressure, eliminating the need for tight tolerancing in the base manufacturing.
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
Enables selective and dynamic adjustment of set point pressure, reduces manufacturing tolerancing requirements, enhances versatility, and allows for cost-effective production while providing heated gas to the engine, improving reliability and adaptability.
Implementation Method 1
A spring is configured for biasing the piston in a first position relative to the gas inlet junction
Implementation Method 2
a heater assembly for preheating the gas flowing through the regulator
Data Source
AI summary
A gas pressure regulator includes a body having respective inlet and outlet ports and an interior chamber defining a gas flow path. A hollow piston is moved in relation to a valve seat to create a junction through which gas is directed along the flow path to the outlet port. The piston engages a valve seat, thereby defining relative open and closed positions based on the position of the piston and the pressure of the gas, the piston being axially biased by a spring. The valve seat is attached to an adjustment member having at least one externally accessible feature to enable the axial position of the valve seat to be varied relative to the spring biased piston. In one version, the gas pressure regulator can include a heater assembly extending into the flow path adjacent the outlet port, enabling ported gas to be heated before introduction, e.g., into an engine.