Integrated Regulator Tap for NO/N2 Gas Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for storing and distributing NO/N2 gas mixtures face issues with high-pressure hazards, hose-related risks, additional regulator size and installation delays, and material compatibility leading to degradation of gas passage and expansion elements.
Innovation Solution
A stainless steel valve with integrated regulator (RDI) that expands gas to low pressure (1-10 bar) and includes a flow meter with calibrated orifices for adjustable flow rates, minimizing hazards and size while ensuring compatibility and reducing installation time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a hose is used to connect the regulator to the tap, then the regulator can be positioned separately, but the hose creates a risk of injury to users due to high pressure and may contain gas volume that leads to NO2 formation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the regulator and tap into a single integrated unit where the regulator is built directly into the tap body. This eliminates the need for connecting hoses, thereby removing the hazards associated with high-pressure hoses while maintaining regulator positioning functionality through direct integration.
2Volume of moving object
If the regulator is fixed to the outlet connection of the valve, then the overall size is reduced, but the installation of the regulator on the bottle takes time and may delay treatment start-up
Solution Approach 1:
The regulator is pre-integrated into the tap body during manufacturing, so that when the tap is installed on the gas cylinder, the regulator is already in place and functional. This preliminary integration eliminates installation time while maintaining the compact size benefits of having the regulator fixed to the valve outlet.
3Ease of manufacture
If non-stainless steel materials are used for the RDI, then manufacturing costs may be reduced, but the materials are incompatible with stored mixtures and degradation of gas passage and expansion elements occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent specifies that the RDI shall be made of stainless steel, ensuring homogeneous material composition throughout the device. This material selection ensures compatibility with stored gas mixtures, prevents degradation of gas passages and expansion elements, and maintains reliability while being manufacturable through standard stainless steel fabrication processes.
4Device complexity
If the outlet flow and pressure are controlled by the same mechanism, then the device complexity is reduced, but the outlet flow cannot be adjusted independently of pressure and vice versa
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the control functions into separate mechanisms: one mechanism controls outlet pressure while another independent mechanism controls outlet flow. This segmentation allows independent adjustment of each parameter while maintaining manageable device complexity through modular control architecture.
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 solution reduces user exposure to high pressure, eliminates hose-related risks, and allows for flexible flow rate adjustments, enhancing safety and efficiency in NO delivery systems.
Implementation Method 1
the gas must undergo an expansion before its administration to the patient so as to reduce its pressure
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a system for storing and distributing a gaseous mixture formed of NO/N2, comprising a container (6) containing an NO/nitrogen mixture equipped with an in-built pressure regulator (8) with an internal passage (22) for gas made of stainless steel and means for regulating the expansion of the gas collaborating with an expansion valve (27) and a valve seat (28) made of stainless steel. A first outlet coupling (21a) referred to as a 'pressure' outlet delivers the gas at low pressure and a second outlet coupling (21b) associated with a flow meter device comprising calibrated orifices and a flow rate selection member delivers the gas at several different flow rates. The invention also relates to an installation for distributing a gas containing NO to a patient comprising a ventilator (1) delivering a gas containing oxygen and to a system for storing and distributing a gaseous mixture formed of NO/N2 according to the invention.