Integrated Release Valve Actuation for Compact High-Pressure Inflation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing release valves for inflatable structures, such as life rafts, are bulky and heavy due to separate housings for the actuator and flow chamber, occupying significant space and weight, and often require complex mechanisms to function reliably under high pressure.
Innovation Solution
A compact release valve design where the actuator and biasing device are integrated within the flow chamber, allowing the actuator to move through the chamber to open the valve, with a spring-driven mechanism and a frangible disc for fluid release, and an activation mechanism using a handle and retaining member to actuate the valve.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the actuator and biasing device are housed separately from the flow chamber, then the mechanism can be actuated reliably, but the release valve occupies significant space and adds weight
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the actuator, biasing device, and flow chamber into a single integrated housing structure. The actuator moves within the flow chamber rather than being housed separately, eliminating the need for multiple discrete components and reducing overall valve volume while maintaining actuation reliability through the integrated design.
2Reliability
If the actuator and biasing device are housed separately from the flow chamber, then the mechanism can be actuated reliably, but the release valve adds significant weight
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the actuator, biasing device, and flow chamber into one integrated assembly, the patent reduces the total number of parts and associated mounting hardware, thereby reducing overall weight while preserving the reliable actuation mechanism through the integrated design.
3Reliability
If a frangible disc is used to seal the inlet, then the valve can withstand high pressure without leakage, but the disc must be broken to release fluid
Solution Approach 1:
The frangible disc automatically breaks when the actuator moves to the release position, eliminating the need for separate disc-breaking mechanisms. The system serves itself by using the actuator's movement to both open the valve and break the seal, simplifying the overall device while maintaining pressure containment reliability.
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 results in a more compact, lightweight, and reliable release valve that can withstand high pressures without leakage, with reduced complexity and increased usability, allowing for efficient fluid release from compressed sources.
Implementation Method 1
The biasing device may comprise a spring acting on the actuator via a projection extending from the actuator to bias the actuator to the actuated position.
Implementation Method 2
The valve member may comprise a frangible disc sealingly closing the inlet to the flow chamber in the unactuated position. The actuator may further comprise a cutter configured to break the disc in the release position to allow fluid to flow from the inlet.
Data Source
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AI summary
There is provided a release valve for releasing fluid from a source of compressed fluid for inflating an inflatable structure, comprising: a housing comprising an inlet for coupling to a source of compressed fluid, and an outlet; a flow chamber disposed within the housing and forming part of a flow path from the inlet to the outlet; a valve member configured to move to a release position to permit fluid to flow from the inlet to the flow chamber; and an actuator and a biasing device, wherein the actuator and the biasing device are disposed in the flow chamber, the actuator configured to move through the flow chamber from an unactuated position to an actuated position to move the valve member to the release position.