Hydrogen Tank Shut-Off Valve With Nested Control Valve Layout
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing shut-off valves for hydrogen tank systems require significant installation space and experience high wear due to continuous opening and closing, making them unsuitable for integration into the limited space of a pressurized gas tank cylinder neck.
Innovation Solution
A miniaturized shut-off valve design with a main valve and control valve, utilizing a solenoid to assist opening and a spring for closing, featuring a multi-piece valve member and fluidic throttling connections to control pressure, reducing wear and space requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a non-powered self-closing shut-off valve is designed with a control valve and main valve, then the valve can be opened reliably, but the installation space requirement increases due to large strokes required for both valves
Solution Approach 1:
The control valve is nested within the main valve structure, with the control valve piston positioned inside the main valve's valve chamber. This nesting arrangement allows both valves to share common structural elements and space, enabling the control valve to operate within the space constraints of the main valve without requiring additional external space.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a radial magnetic field generated by a magnet arranged circumferentially around the control valve piston's movement path. This radial field configuration allows the magnetic actuator to exert force efficiently in a compact radial space rather than requiring extended axial space, reducing the overall stroke length and installation space requirement.
2Ease of operation
If the main valve is opened by pressure drop in the control chamber, then the valve can open automatically, but continuous opening and closing leads to increased wear of plastic or elastomeric seats
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional plastic or elastomeric valve seat with a metal-to-metal seating arrangement between the main valve's valve member and the valve seat. This substitution of material significantly increases wear resistance and extends the service life of the valve, making it suitable for frequent opening and closing operations while maintaining automatic opening capability through pressure differential control.
3Ease of operation
If large strokes are realized to ensure proper valve operation, then the valve can open and close completely, but the magnetic actuators must be large and/or multiple, increasing costs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a radial magnetic field generated by a magnet arranged circumferentially around the control valve piston's movement path. This radial field configuration allows the magnetic actuator to exert force efficiently in a compact radial space rather than requiring extended axial space, reducing the overall stroke length and actuator size requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The magnetic actuator serves dual functions: it actuates the control valve piston to control the opening/closing sequence, and simultaneously provides holding force to keep the main valve open during the open state. This merging of functions eliminates the need for separate actuators for each function, reducing the number of magnetic actuators required and simplifying the overall system.
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 design allows for secure, low-wear operation with reduced installation space, enabling integration into the cylinder neck of a pressurized gas tank and minimizing component load.
Implementation Method 1
a solenoid for acting on a first armature, which is connected to the control valve piston or forms the control valve piston, and a second armature, which is connected to the valve member of the main valve
Implementation Method 2
the magnetic force creates a holding force, which in the event of a complete pressure equalization at the valve member of the main valve, keeps it securely open against a spring force acting on the valve member
Implementation Method 3
Opening the control valve relieves the control chamber. This also relieves the valve member of the main valve. The main valve can then be opened by means of the spring force of a spring or the magnetic force of a magnetic actuator
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a shut-off valve (1) for hydrogen tank systems, comprising—a main valve (2) having a reciprocally movable valve member (3) which is formed of one or more pieces and interacts at one end with a valve seat (4) and delimits at the other end a control chamber (5),a control valve (6) having a reciprocally movable control valve piston (7) for opening and closing a housing-side control valve seat (8) via which the control chamber (5) can be connected to at least one pressure-regulating region (9, 10), anda solenoid (11) for acting on a first armature (12), which is connected to the control valve piston (7) or forms the control valve piston (7), and a second armature (22), which is connected to the valve member (3) of the main valve (2).The invention also relates to a hydrogen tank system comprising a shut-off valve (1) according to the invention.