Gas Regulator Servo Valve Pressure Equalization
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gas control devices for gas burners, while incorporating safety valves, main gas valves, and pressure regulators, face inefficiencies in opening times due to the use of diaphragm valves, which hinder quick gas flow regulation.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of membrane valves with coupled drive chambers connected via three-way servo valves allows for pressure equalization, enabling faster opening of the gas control device by filling the main gas valve's drive chamber from the safety valve's drive chamber, thereby reducing opening times.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If membrane valves are used for safety valve and main gas valve, then safety and reliability are improved, but opening time increases due to slower response of diaphragm valves
Solution Approach 1:
The drive chambers of the safety valve and main gas valve are pre-coupled through servo valves, so that when opening is required, the pressure equalization can begin immediately without waiting for sequential pressure buildup. The system is prepared in advance by establishing the pressure communication path through the servo valves, enabling faster response when opening command is given.
Solution Approach 2:
Servo valves are introduced as intermediary components between the drive chambers of the safety valve and main gas valve. These servo valves control the pressure equalization process, allowing the membrane valves to open faster by mediating the pressure transfer between chambers, thus reducing the opening time while maintaining the safety benefits of membrane valve design.
2Speed
If pressure equalization is achieved by coupling drive chambers, then opening speed is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional servo valves
Solution Approach 1:
The servo valves serve multiple functions: they control pressure equalization between drive chambers, regulate gas flow to the membrane valves, and can be integrated with the existing control system of the gas control device. By making the servo valves multi-functional, the additional complexity is justified by the significant improvement in opening speed, and the overall system architecture remains manageable.
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 configuration allows for quicker gas flow release and improved start-up of gas burners by achieving a richer gas/air mixture, enhancing the overall efficiency and speed of gas control devices.
Implementation Method 1
When a gas flow is to be released through the gas control device or through the safety valve and the main gas valve, all the servo valves connected between the drive chambers of the safety valve and the main gas valve are opened. By opening the servo valves, the pressure between the two drive chambers is equalized
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
The regulator (10) has a main gas valve (12) including a drive chamber (25) and a gas outlet chamber (26), and closed or opened against servo pressure prevailing in the drive chamber, where the pressure is caused by the spring force of a spring (24) and the gas outlet pressure prevailing in the outlet chamber. A drive chamber (17) of a safety valve (11) and the drive chamber of the gas valve are coupled with each other under interconnection of servo valves (34) e.g. two-way valves that are respectively opened and closed to release and block a gas stream through the safety and gas valves.