Integrated Gas Sampling Valve for Sealed Pressurized Transfer

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing gas sampling apparatuses in the oil and gas industry face challenges in efficiently collecting, transporting, and analyzing pressurized gas samples, particularly in environments where maintaining a secure seal and facilitating fluid communication are crucial.

Innovation Solution

A valve assembly for a gas sampling apparatus comprising a valve body, core valve, and core valve carrier, which are biased to closed positions and can be displaced to allow controlled fluid communication, ensuring a secure seal and efficient sample handling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If gas sampling is performed using conventional methods (syringe, needle, stopcock), then gas can be transferred to GC/MS, but the system is complex, requires multiple components, and creates contamination risks

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontamination riskVSAvoidnumber of components
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple separate components (syringe, needle, stopcock, valves) into a single integrated gas sampling valve assembly. The valve body integrates the sampling port, injection port, and internal valve mechanisms into one unit, eliminating the need for separate components and reducing potential contamination points while maintaining the same gas transfer function to GC/MS.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The gas sampling valve is designed to perform multiple functions within a single device: sampling gas from the headspace, controlling gas flow direction, injecting gas into the GC/MS system, and preventing backflow. This multi-functionality replaces what previously required multiple separate components, reducing complexity while improving reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of operation

If gas sampling valve is left open to atmosphere, then gas can be accessed, but ambient air contaminants the sample and compromises analysis

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegas accessibilityVSAvoidambient air contamination
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The valve assembly acts as an intermediary between the sealed container headspace and the GC/MS system. It provides controlled access to the gas sample without requiring the valve to be open to the atmosphere, allowing gas transfer while blocking ambient air from entering and contaminating the sample.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The valve system maintains an inert or controlled atmosphere within the sampling and injection ports, preventing ambient air from contacting the sample. The sealed design with controlled openings ensures that gas sampling occurs without exposure to contaminating ambient air, preserving sample integrity for analysis.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #39Inert atmosphere (Inert environment)

3Productivity

If multiple valves are used for gas sampling and injection, then gas can be directed to GC/MS, but the system becomes complex and harder to operate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegas transfer efficiencyVSAvoidoperational simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple valve functions are merged into a single integrated gas sampling valve assembly. The device incorporates sampling, flow control, and injection capabilities in one unit with a unified operation mechanism, maintaining efficient gas transfer to GC/MS while eliminating the complexity of multiple separate valves and their coordination.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Ease of manufacture

If gas sampling port is exposed to atmosphere, then sampling is simple, but backflow of atmospheric air into sample occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesampling simplicityVSAvoidsample composition integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The valve assembly serves as an intermediary barrier between the atmospheric environment and the sample. It allows simple sampling operations while preventing backflow of atmospheric air into the sample through its controlled opening and closing mechanism, preserving sample composition integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 solution enables secure containment of pressurized gases and efficient fluid communication, enhancing the collection, transportation, and analysis of gas samples, particularly in industrial applications like oil and gas exploration and natural gas storage.

Implementation Method 1

a core valve, wherein a pin of the core valve the core valve is biased to a first, closed position; and a core valve carrier, wherein a body of the core valve carrier is biased to a first, closed position

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectBiasing force: Spring

Data Source

PatentEP4384797B1Gas sampling valve apparatus and method
Publication Date: 2026.04.22 STRATUM RESERVOIR US LLC
  • EP4384797B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4384797B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4384797B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5

AI summary

A valve assembly for a gas sampling apparatus. In one embodiment, the apparatus may comprise a valve body; a core valve, wherein a pin of the core valve the core valve is biased to a first, closed position; and a core valve carrier, wherein a body of the core valve carrier is biased to a first, closed position; wherein the pin of the core valve and the body of the core valve carrier may individually be displaced from their biased, first closed positions.