Heated Bond-Release Valve for Fast Non-Pyro Actuation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Pyrovalves in fluid feed systems require specialized handling, strict regulatory compliance, and limited design flexibility due to their use of pyrotechnic charges.
Innovation Solution
A thermally activatable valve using a bonding material secured by a heater that melts at a controlled temperature to release the valve element, allowing fast response times without pyrotechnic charges.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If pyrovalves are used in fluid feed systems, then fast response time and low leak rate are achieved, but specialized handling, strict regulatory compliance, and limited design flexibility are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the pyrotechnic charge from the valve system, extracting the hazardous component while retaining the fast response capability through an alternative heating mechanism. The valve uses an electric heater to melt a low-melting-point alloy seal instead of using explosive decomposition, thereby eliminating the need for specialized pyrotechnic handling and regulatory compliance while maintaining rapid actuation.
2Speed
If pyrovalves are used in fluid feed systems, then fast response time and low leak rate are achieved, but specialized handling, strict regulatory compliance, and limited design flexibility are required
Solution Approach 1:
The valve design employs a universal heating mechanism that can be integrated into various fluid feed system configurations without requiring pyrotechnic-specific constraints. The electric heater and low-melting-point alloy seal combination provides a versatile actuation method that adapts to different valve sizes, flow rates, and system architectures, thereby enhancing design flexibility while maintaining fast response performance.
3Speed
If a bonding material with low melting temperature is used to secure the valve element, then fast response time is achieved, but the bonding strength at normal operating temperature must be sufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes a low-melting-point alloy (such as galinstan or eutectic tin-indium-gallium) as the bonding material, which remains solid and maintains sufficient bonding strength at normal operating temperatures but melts rapidly when heated by the electric heater. This parameter-based solution allows the valve element to be securely held in the closed position during normal operation while enabling fast actuation when the melting point threshold is reached through controlled heating.
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
Eliminates the need for specialized handling and regulatory compliance while providing fast response times comparable to pyrovalves.
Implementation Method 1
At least one heater is adjacent the valve seat and operable to heat the bonding material at least to a temperature at which the bonding material releases the valve element
Implementation Method 2
the valve includes a diamond-containing thermal-conduction element between the at least one heater and the valve seat
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
AI summary
A valve (20) includes a valve body (22) that defines a flow passage (24), a valve seat (28) in the flow passage (24), a valve element (30) that is initially in a closed position with respect to the valve seat (28) to block flow through the flow passage (24), a bonding material (32) that secures the valve element (30) in the closed position, and at least one heater (34) adjacent the valve seat (28) and operable to heat the bonding material (32) at least to a temperature at which the bonding material (32) releases the valve element (30) to move to an open position with respect to the valve seat (28) to open flow through the flow passage (24)