Integrated Pressure Relief Valve for Irrigation Surge Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Irrigation Low Pressure Systems (LPS) tubes are prone to damage from overpressure and pressure surges, requiring separate pressure reducing and relief valves that increase costs and maintenance, with existing solutions reacting slowly to pressure rises and not preventing surge buildup.
Innovation Solution
A single pressure regulating and pressure releasing valve with a spring-biased plug that integrates pressure reduction and relief functions, allowing continuous flow and opening a relief path when pressure exceeds set points, anticipating and preventing downstream pressure rises.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate pressure reducing valves and pressure relief valves are used, then pressure protection function is provided, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines a pressure reducing valve and a pressure relief valve into a single integrated valve assembly. The pressure reducing valve includes a reducing valve body with inlet and outlet ports, while the pressure relief valve is integrated with a shared inlet port connecting to the same outlet line. This merging eliminates the need for separate valve installations, reducing system complexity while maintaining both pressure reduction and pressure relief functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated valve assembly performs multiple functions: pressure reduction through the reducing valve mechanism and pressure relief through the relief valve mechanism. Both valves share common components such as the inlet port connection and outlet line, allowing a single device to provide comprehensive pressure protection and regulation for the irrigation system.
2Reliability
If traditional pressure reducing valves are used, then pressure reduction is achieved, but response time to pressure surges is slow
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure relief valve is positioned to monitor pressure at the outlet line and can activate before pressure surges cause damage. The relief valve's inlet port connects directly to the outlet line, allowing it to detect pressure increases immediately and open to relieve excess pressure before it can surge through the system and damage irrigation tubes.
3Reliability
If separate valves are installed for pressure reduction and relief, then comprehensive pressure control is achieved, but installation and maintenance costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
By integrating the pressure reducing valve and pressure relief valve into a single assembly with shared inlet ports and outlet connections, the system reduces the number of separate components that need to be installed, configured, and maintained. This single integrated unit simplifies installation procedures and reduces maintenance requirements compared to managing two separate valve systems.
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 integrated valve effectively reduces pressure and vents excess pressure, preventing damage to LPS tubes by anticipating and eliminating pressure surges, reducing installation and maintenance costs, and providing faster response times compared to traditional systems.
Implementation Method 1
a spring configured to bias the plug from the closed position to the open position
Implementation Method 2
the plug having an actuation surface exposed to a pressure at the outlet port such that the pressure at the outlet port displaces the plug against the bias of the spring toward the closed position
Data Source
AI summary
A pressure regulating and pressure relief valve, has a valve body defining an inlet port, outlet port, valve seat and pressure relief opening. A pressure regulating plug is displaced during a first portion of a motion from an open position, which provides a continuous flow path from the inlet port to the outlet port, to a closed position in which the plug is closed against the valve seat to obstruct the continuous flow path. A spring biases the plug to the open position. An actuation surface is exposed to a pressure at the outlet port that displaces the plug against the spring bias toward the closed position. Further displacement of the plug beyond the closed position during a second portion of the motion that is beyond a range of the first portion of the motion, opens a relief flow path from the outlet port through the pressure release opening.