Hydrogen Torch One-Way Valve with Low-Force High-Pressure Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gas cylinder valves are not suitable for hydrogen energy handheld torches due to high opening forces, poor sealing performance, and weight/size constraints, especially under high-pressure hydrogen conditions.
Innovation Solution
A one-way cylinder opening valve designed for hydrogen energy handheld torches, featuring a valve body, valve core assembly, spring, spring chamber, and sealing ring, which utilizes a non-metallic material for sealing and provides a sealing force through a spring, ensuring reliable sealing, miniaturization, and lightweight design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional gas cylinder valve is used, then sealing performance may be adequate, but the valve size and weight become too large for handheld torch applications
Solution Approach 1:
The valve is divided into multiple functional components: valve body, valve core assembly, spring chamber, and sealing ring. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently, reducing overall size and weight while maintaining sealing performance through specialized sealing structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a flexible sealing ring made of elastomeric material that can deform to conform to the sealing surface. This flexible sealing mechanism achieves reliable sealing with a much smaller and lighter structure compared to traditional rigid sealing valves.
2Reliability
If a large-size sealing structure is used, then sealing performance may be maintained, but the opening force becomes too large for easy operation
Solution Approach 1:
The valve core assembly features a curved sealing surface that works with the flexible sealing ring. This curved geometry distributes the sealing force more evenly, maintaining sealing performance while reducing the peak opening force required to overcome the seal.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the material parameters by using elastomeric sealing materials with specific durometer ratings that balance sealing force requirements with opening force. The spring force is also optimized to provide adequate sealing without creating excessive opening force.
3Ease of operation
If a small-size sealing structure is used, then opening force is reduced, but the gasket becomes easily crushed and sealing performance is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible sealing ring is designed with optimal thickness and material properties to resist crushing forces while maintaining flexibility. The elastomeric material's inherent elasticity allows it to recover from compression without permanent deformation, preserving sealing performance in a compact design.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve assembly combines rigid components (valve body, valve core) with flexible elastomeric sealing materials. This composite structure allows the rigid parts to provide structural support while the flexible sealing ring maintains sealing integrity under compression with minimal opening force.
4Weight of stationary object
If the valve is miniaturized for handheld torch, then weight and size are reduced, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible sealing ring compensates for minor manufacturing tolerances through its elastic deformation capability. This allows the miniaturized valve to achieve reliable sealing without requiring extremely tight manufacturing precision, facilitating cost-effective production of compact valves.
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 valve achieves reliable sealing and low opening forces, suitable for high-pressure hydrogen conditions, while maintaining a lightweight and miniaturized design, effectively addressing the challenges faced by traditional valves.
Implementation Method 1
the spring provides a sealing force for the valve core assembly
Implementation Method 2
the sealing lip and the valve core assembly are sealed by means of a principle of compressing a non-metallic material to reach a sealing specific pressure of the non-metallic material
Data Source
AI summary
A one-way cylinder opening valve suitable for a hydrogen energy handheld torch is provided and includes a valve body, a valve core assembly, a spring, a spring chamber, and a sealing ring. The spring chamber is connected to the valve body, the valve core assembly and the spring are arranged in the spring chamber, a valve body sealing lip is arranged on the valve body, and the sealing lip and the valve core assembly are sealed by means of a principle of compressing a non-metallic material to reach a sealing specific pressure of the non-metallic material, and the spring provides a sealing force for the valve core assembly; the sealing ring is arranged on an outer side of the valve body, so as to ensure sealing between the valve body and a gas cylinder. A through hole is provided in the spring chamber and used as a hydrogen inlet, and a hydrogen intake hole and a central flow channel of a valve core are provided in the valve core assembly. An external force needed to open the cylinder opening valve is greater than a sealing force provided by the spring for the valve core assembly and an upward medium force applied to the valve core assembly in an under-pressure state, hydrogen enters a central through hole in the valve body through the hydrogen inlet, the spring chamber, the hydrogen intake hole and the central flow channel of the valve core, and flows out via the central through hole, so as to realize hydrogen discharging.