Two-Stage Gas Regulator Plug Layout for Compact High-Pressure Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pressure regulators face challenges in efficiently reducing high-pressure gas from sources like compressed gas cylinders to lower, usable pressures while maintaining compactness and simplifying assembly, often exposing multiple components to high pressures and requiring complex configurations.
Innovation Solution
A multi-stage pressure regulator design featuring a valve chamber body with a plug that includes both a piercing element and a first valve seat, allowing high-pressure gas to be directed to the valve seat through a gas pathway, reducing the number of components exposed to high pressure and simplifying assembly by using first and second stage valve elements that can be received through a common opening, with springs and gaskets for sealing and pressure regulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple separate components are used for piercing and valve seating, then the regulator can handle high-pressure gas effectively, but the device complexity and number of components exposed to high pressure increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the piercing element and first valve seat into a single integrated plug component. This plug is received through the common opening and includes both the piercing tip for penetrating gas cylinders and the first valve seat for gas flow control. By merging these functions into one component, the number of separate high-pressure components is reduced while maintaining effective high-pressure gas handling capability.
2Ease of manufacture
If multiple valve elements are received through separate openings, then each valve element can be optimized for its specific function, but the assembly complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a common opening that serves multiple functions: it receives both the plug (with piercing element and first valve seat) and the second valve element, and also provides the pathway for gas flow. This universal opening simplifies the assembly process and reduces manufacturing complexity compared to having separate dedicated openings for each component, while still allowing each valve element to be optimized for its specific function.
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 design effectively reduces high-pressure gas to lower pressures, enhances compactness by minimizing high-pressure exposure, and simplifies assembly by using a common opening for valve elements, ensuring reliable and efficient gas delivery across a range of pressures and temperatures.
Implementation Method 1
a first stage spring can be configured to bias the first stage valve element toward the second end of the valve chamber body and to open the first stage valve
Implementation Method 2
gas pressure in the cavity can urge the first stage valve element to move against the bias of the first stage spring and toward the first end of the valve chamber body to close the first stage valve
Implementation Method 3
A second stage spring can be provided in the second bore and be configured to bias the second stage valve element toward the second valve seat and to close the second stage valve
Data Source
AI summary
A gas regulator includes a valve chamber body that houses two valves of the regulator. Valve elements that move to open and close the two valves are received via a same opening into the valve chamber body, which is closed by a plug. The plug can define a first valve seat as well as a piercing element used to pierce a compressed gas cylinder. A retainer can hold a gasket at a valve seat as well as provide a bore or other support for a valve element and valve element spring.