Gas Pressure Regulator With Gear-Driven Pressure Indication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional gas pressure regulators are prone to damage due to their susceptibility during transportation and use, and the regulated pressure gauge is delicate and expensive, with the regulated pressure not visible until the cylinder outlet valve is open, leading to inefficiencies in gas delivery.
Innovation Solution
A gas pressure regulator design that eliminates the need for a regulated pressure gauge by using a rotary mechanism's degree of opening to indicate pressure, allowing pre-set regulated pressure visibility before opening the outlet valve, and incorporates a gearing mechanism to display the full range of pressures in a single rotation or less.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If a regulated pressure gauge is used to measure and display the regulated pressure, then the regulated pressure can be displayed, but the gauge is vulnerable to damage and expensive to manufacture
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a visual copy of the pressure information through the indicator mechanism that rotates in proportion to the regulated pressure, displaying pressure information without requiring a physical gauge that is vulnerable to damage
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical regulated pressure gauge with a mechanical indicator system that uses the existing rotation of the regulator mechanism to display pressure information, eliminating the need for a separate delicate gauge
2Loss of information
If the regulated pressure gauge is used, then the regulated pressure can be displayed, but gas is wasted as the user cannot set the pressure before opening the outlet valve
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the user to pre-set the regulated pressure by rotating the indicator mechanism before opening the outlet valve, allowing the system to be configured in advance and immediately deliver gas at the correct pressure when the valve is opened
3Ease of operation
If the hand wheel is turned through multiple complete rotations to provide full range of movement, then the regulator element can be fully adjusted, but the indicator would require multiple rotations to display the full range of pressures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a gear mechanism as an intermediary between the hand wheel and the indicator, allowing the indicator to rotate through a smaller angle than the hand wheel, thus displaying the full pressure range in less than one rotation while maintaining the multi-rotation adjustment 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
This design reduces the risk of damage and manufacturing costs, ensures immediate visibility of the regulated pressure before opening the valve, and maintains the hand wheel's operational simplicity while ensuring accurate pressure delivery.
Implementation Method 1
a spring which bears against the regulator element
Implementation Method 2
The regulated pressure indicator is rotatable through less than a full rotation in response to the hand wheel being rotated through a number of complete rotations
Data Source
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Figure 5
AI summary
A gas pressure regulator comprises a high pressure inlet and a regulator mechanism which is arranged to receive high pressure gas via the high pressure inlet, and deliver gas at a regulated pressure to a regulated pressure outlet. The regulator comprises a regulator element and a rotatable member that rotates to move the regulator element, thereby adjusting the regulated pressure. A gauge arranged to receive high pressure gas and display a measured reading of the pressure of the high pressure gas is also provided along with a regulated pressure indicator which is arranged to display a regulated pressure value related to the degree of rotation of the rotary mechanism. The regulator mechanism has a gear chain between the rotatable member and the indicator so that it requires multiple rotations of the rotatable member to move the regulator element through its full range of movement.