Gas Cylinder Pressure Regulator With Restriction-Based Flow Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pressure regulators for gas cylinders are complex, expensive, and prone to failure due to the need for sophisticated flow sensors and position detectors, resulting in low reactivity and reliability in determining the remaining usage time.
Innovation Solution
A pressure regulator design that includes a flow restriction downstream of a pressure sensor, allowing for the determination of gas flow rate without requiring flow sensors or position detectors, using a pressure sensor to measure pressure upstream of the flow restriction and a control unit to calculate remaining usage time based on gas flow and pressure data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a pressure regulator is designed to provide a constant low pressure output for patient comfort, then the output pressure stability is improved, but the system cannot detect when gas is depleted in the reservoir bag
Solution Approach 1:
A flow restriction element is introduced as an intermediary component between the reservoir bag and the pressure regulator outlet. This restriction creates a pressure differential that allows the sensor to detect gas depletion while the pressure regulator maintains stable output pressure for patient comfort
Solution Approach 2:
The system is segmented into distinct functional zones: a high-pressure zone in the reservoir bag, a flow restriction element creating a pressure differential, and a low-pressure zone at the regulator outlet. This segmentation allows simultaneous achievement of stable output pressure and gas depletion detection
2Measurement precision
If a sensor is placed at the outlet of the pressure regulator to monitor pressure, then the pressure monitoring accuracy is improved, but the sensor cannot distinguish between pressure changes due to flow adjustments and gas depletion
Solution Approach 1:
The flow restriction element acts as a mediator that translates gas depletion conditions into detectable pressure changes at the sensor location, while allowing the sensor to continue monitoring pressure accurately for flow adjustments
Solution Approach 2:
The flow restriction element changes the pressure parameter distribution in the system, creating a specific pressure differential pattern that indicates gas depletion while maintaining accurate pressure monitoring capability at the outlet
3Productivity
If the pressure regulator allows high flow rates for rapid anesthesia induction, then the productivity is improved, but the system cannot determine remaining usage time of the gas cylinder
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor provides feedback about pressure conditions to the control unit, which calculates remaining usage time based on the pressure differential created by the flow restriction element and the current flow rate
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical determination of gas remaining (by weighing or visual inspection) is replaced by an electronic sensing system that uses pressure differential measurements and flow rate data to calculate remaining usage time
4Reliability
If a flow restriction element is introduced to enable gas depletion detection, then the gas depletion detection capability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The flow restriction element is implemented as a simple, inexpensive component (such as a capillary tube or orifice) that can be easily manufactured and integrated without significantly increasing overall device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The flow restriction element serves multiple functions: it enables gas depletion detection, maintains pressure differential for sensor operation, and does not significantly impede patient breathing flow, thereby reducing the need for additional separate components
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
Provides a reliable and cost-effective solution for determining gas flow and remaining usage time by eliminating the need for complex sensors, ensuring accurate flow detection and preventing potential failures, while maintaining simplicity and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a flow restriction, in particular a capillary tube, is introduced into the line between the reservoir bag and the outlet of the pressure regulator
Implementation Method 2
A sensor, in particular a pressure sensor, is provided which serves to detect the pressure at the outlet of the pressure regulator
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5
AI summary
The invention is directed to a pressure regulator (2) for a gas cylinder, comprising a gas inlet (6), a gas outlet (8) and a gas passage (10) fluidly connecting the gas inlet (6) with the gas outlet (8); a pressure reducer (14) located in the gas passage (10), downstream of the gas inlet (6); a flow selector (18) located in the gas passage (10), downstream of the pressure reducer (14); a pressure sensor (28) located in the gas passage (10) between the flow selector (18) and the gas outlet (8); and a flow restriction (30) located in the gas passage (10) and downstream of the pressure sensor (28).