Hydrogen Shut-Off Valve Using Pilot Control for High-Pressure Reliability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing check valves for controlling hydrogen flow from pressurized tanks lack robust and reliable mechanisms to manage high pressures and ensure safe, efficient flow control.
Innovation Solution
A shut-off valve system comprising a main valve, a servo valve, a coil, and a tension spring, which cooperates to move the main valve between blocking and release positions using a combination of pneumatic pressure forces and mechanical tensile forces provided by the tension spring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a check valve is used to control hydrogen flow from a pressurized tank, then flow control is achieved, but robust and reliable control under high pressure is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
A servo valve is introduced as an intermediary component between the control signal and the main valve. The servo valve receives control signals and translates them into precise movements of the main valve, enabling reliable control under high pressure conditions by decoupling the control mechanism from the high-pressure flow path.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces purely mechanical valve actuation with an electromechanical system. A coil generates electromagnetic force to actuate the servo valve, which then controls the main valve position. This substitution enables more precise and reliable control compared to traditional mechanical systems, especially under varying pressure conditions.
2Speed
If a main valve is used to block hydrogen flow, then flow blocking is achieved, but quick and reliable movement between positions is difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The servo valve acts as a mediator that amplifies control signals and enables rapid, precise positioning of the main valve. By using the servo valve to control the pressure differential across the main valve, the system achieves both quick response and reliable positioning without requiring direct high-force actuation on the main valve.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes pneumatic principles by controlling pressure differentials across the main valve to achieve rapid movement. The servo valve modulates the pressure supply to the main valve, creating unbalanced forces that quickly move the main valve between open and closed positions while maintaining reliable positioning.
3Force
If a tension spring is used to provide tensile force on the main valve, then valve movement is assisted, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The tension spring functions as a counterweight element that provides a restoring force on the main valve. When the servo valve moves the main valve to the open position, the tension spring stores energy; when the servo valve releases, the spring returns the main valve to the closed position. This reduces the force requirements on the electromagnetic actuator and simplifies the overall control system.
Solution Approach 2:
The tension spring enables periodic oscillation and return motion of the main valve. By providing a restoring force, the spring allows the valve to oscillate between open and closed positions in response to periodic control signals, enabling rhythmic flow control without requiring continuous actuation power.
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
Enables robust and reliable control of hydrogen flow, ensuring safe and efficient operation by effectively managing high pressures and facilitating quick and reliable movement of the main valve between positions.
Implementation Method 1
The coil (105) is configured to move the servo valve (103) from a first servo valve position to a second servo valve position when the coil (105) is energized with electrical current
Implementation Method 2
The tension spring (107) mechanically couples the servo valve (103) to the main valve (101) and provides a tensile force on the main valve (101) to move the main valve (101) from a first main valve position to a second main valve position
Implementation Method 3
the proposed check valve combines a pneumatic pressure force generated by a pressure difference within the check valve with a mechanical force provided by the tension spring
Data Source
Figure 1a~1c
Figure 1d~1f
Figure 2
AI summary
The invention relates to a shut-off valve (100) for controlling a pressurized gas flow from a pressurized gas vessel (109) into a chamber (111) in a system, the shut-off valve (100) comprising a main valve (101), a pilot valve (103), a coil (105) and a tension spring (107); when the coil is energized, it moves the pilot valve from a first pilot valve position into a second pilot valve position; in the first pilot valve position, the pilot valve gas-tightly seals a control channel (115) in the main valve between a control chamber (117) of the shut-off valve and the chamber (109) in the system, and in the second pilot valve position, the pilot valve opens the control channel; the tension spring mechanically couples the pilot valve to the main valve in order to move the main valve from a first main valve position into a second main valve position when the pilot valve moves into the second pilot valve position; in the first main valve position, the main valve gas-tightly seals a main channel (123) that connects the pressurized gas vessel to the chamber in the system, while in the second main valve position, the main valve opens the main channel (123).