Gas Cylinder Valve Check-Seat Design for Authorized Refilling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gas cylinder valves do not allow refilling by end consumers while enabling refilling by authorized providers, and they often require complex assembly and have space constraints.
Innovation Solution
A valve design with a check-valve seat that is resiliently urged against the body, opening the gas passage when a refill differential pressure reaches a predetermined threshold, allowing authorized refilling while preventing unauthorized refilling, and incorporating an excess flow valve to manage gas flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a check-valve with spring finger detents is used to prevent refilling, then refilling prevention is achieved, but the available cross area for the check-valve spring is restricted and assembly becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the spring finger detents from the check-valve assembly and extracts the refilling prevention function to a separate excess flow valve mechanism. This allows the check-valve spring to have adequate cross area and simplifies assembly by eliminating the complex interaction between spring fingers and detents.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the refilling prevention function into separate components: the check-valve for one-directional flow control and the excess flow valve for refilling prevention. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently, improving manufacturability while maintaining reliability.
2Reliability
If a check-valve with spring finger detents is used to prevent refilling, then refilling prevention is achieved, but lateral space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the refilling prevention function from the check-valve assembly and implements it in the excess flow valve, which utilizes the existing lateral space more efficiently. This reduces the overall lateral space requirement compared to traditional spring finger detent designs.
3Reliability
If the check-valve seat is resiliently urged against the body with a spring, then the gas passage opens at predetermined pressure threshold, but the spring occupies space and adds complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the check-valve spring serve multiple functions: it provides the resilient urging force for pressure threshold control and simultaneously acts as the excess flow valve closing member. This multi-functionality reduces device complexity by eliminating separate components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the check-valve spring with the excess flow valve closing member into a single component. This combination reduces the number of parts and simplifies the overall valve mechanism while maintaining reliable pressure threshold control.
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 effectively prevents unauthorized refilling while optimizing gas flow during authorized refilling by adjusting the pressure differential with a check-valve spring and diffusing flow radially around the housing, ensuring secure and efficient refilling operations.
Implementation Method 1
the check-valve seat is resiliently urged against the body and configured to move away from the body so as to open the gas passage when subjected to a refill differential pressure reaching a predetermined threshold
Implementation Method 2
The check-valve comprises a spring located in the housing and resiliently urging the check-valve seat against the body
Implementation Method 3
the check-valve seat is resiliently urged against the body and configured to move away from the body so as to open the gas passage when subjected to a refill differential pressure reaching a predetermined threshold
Data Source
AI summary
A valve for a gas tank, comprising a body comprising an engaging portion for sealingly engaging with a gas tank, a gas inlet, a gas outlet, and a gas passage fluidly connecting the gas inlet and the gas outlet; a shut-off device in the gas passage; a check-valve comprising a check-valve seat in the gas passage; a check-valve obturator configured for contacting the check-valve seat and thereby closing the gas passage in the presence of a refill gas flow from the gas outlet to the gas inlet; wherein the check-valve seat is resiliently urged against the body and configured to move away from the body so as to open the gas passage when subjected to a refill differential pressure reaching a predetermined threshold.