Hydraulic Trigger Latch Mechanism for Precise Valve Actuation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing isolation valve systems lack an efficient mechanism to ensure precise actuation of hydraulic valves, particularly in applications requiring remote operation and reliable state changes.
Innovation Solution
A hydraulic trigger system incorporating a compression spring with a latch sleeve, a piston rod with a groove section, and a ratchet assembly that progressively moves the piston rod downward, allowing the latch collet to lock and then release the spring force to actuate a hydraulic valve from one position to another.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional isolation valve system is used, then the valve can provide isolation protection, but the actuation precision and reliability are insufficient for remote operation requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The compression spring is pre-compressed by the ratchet assembly before actuation is needed. The latch collet holds the spring in a compressed state, storing potential energy ready for immediate release. This preliminary compression ensures that when actuation occurs, the valve responds reliably and precisely without delay.
Solution Approach 2:
The latch collet acts as an intermediary mechanism between the ratchet assembly and the compression spring. It controls the release of stored spring energy, allowing precise timing of the actuation event. The latch collet engages with the groove section to hold the spring compressed, then releases it to trigger the valve with high precision and reliability.
2Reliability
If the latch collet continuously supports the groove section, then the spring force remains locked, but the valve cannot actuate when needed
Solution Approach 1:
The latch collet transitions from a static locked position to a dynamic released position. The ratchet assembly progressively moves the piston rod downward, and at a predetermined point, the latch collet is no longer supported by the groove section, causing it to release. This dynamic transition enables reliable state change while maintaining ease of operation through automatic triggering.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates a feedback mechanism where the ratchet assembly's progressive movement of the piston rod provides positional information. When the piston rod reaches a predetermined position, the latch collet becomes unsupported and automatically releases, creating a feedback-driven actuation response that ensures reliable state change with simple operation.
3Speed
If the ratchet assembly moves the piston rod rapidly, then actuation speed increases, but the precision of spring force control decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The ratchet assembly progressively and precisely compresses the spring before rapid actuation. This preliminary compression phase allows for controlled, precise positioning of the piston rod, ensuring the spring is compressed to the exact predetermined distance. When release occurs, the pre-compressed spring provides rapid actuation speed while maintaining precision through the controlled release mechanism.
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 system ensures reliable and precise actuation of hydraulic valves by utilizing the ratchet assembly and latch collet mechanism to control the spring force, ensuring the valve changes states only when a predetermined count is reached, enhancing operational reliability and precision.
Implementation Method 1
a compression spring having a latch sleeve... the latch collet locks a spring force of the compression spring... causing the compression spring to release and provide a push force
Data Source
AI summary
A system includes a compression spring having a latch sleeve, a piston rod including a groove section, and a ratchet assembly that progressively moves the piston rod in a downward direction. A latch collet on the latch sleeve sits on the groove section of the piston rod in a first position of the system. The latch collet locks a spring force of the compression spring as the ratchet assembly progressively moves the piston rod in the downward direction. The latch collet becomes unsupported from the groove section when the piston rod has progressively moved a predetermined distance, causing the compression spring to release and provide a push force that actuates a hydraulic valve from the first position to a second position.