Internal Relief Valve Apparatus for Loading Regulators
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Solution Overview
Problem
Pressure-loaded fluid regulators lack an internal relief valve, leading to unwanted activation of over pressure protection devices due to temperature variations, necessitating external relief valves that increase costs and complexity, and are not suitable for hazardous applications due to frequent venting of process fluid.
Innovation Solution
An internal relief valve apparatus with a pressure offset is integrated into the loading regulator, providing a substantial deadband between the lock-up condition of the main regulator and the bleed condition, allowing the relief valve to activate only at a pressure significantly higher than the lock-up pressure, thus minimizing unwanted venting and enabling the use of over pressure protection devices without external relief valves.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an internal relief valve is integrated into a spring-loaded regulator, then unwanted activation of over pressure protection devices is prevented, but this solution cannot be applied to pressure-loaded regulators
Solution Approach 1:
The relief valve assembly is merged with the loading diaphragm assembly, where the relief valve seat is positioned on the loading diaphragm plate and the relief valve plug is integrally formed with or attached to the loading diaphragm. This integration allows the relief valve to function within the pressure-loaded regulator structure without requiring separate external components, thereby enabling pressure-loaded regulators to prevent unwanted activation of over pressure protection devices.
2Reliability
If an external relief valve is added to pressure-loaded regulators, then unwanted activation is prevented, but installation complexity and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The relief valve assembly is merged with the loading diaphragm assembly, where the relief valve seat is positioned on the loading diaphragm plate and the relief valve plug is integrally formed with or attached to the loading diaphragm. This integration eliminates the need for external relief valves, reducing installation labor, piping requirements, manufacturing complexity, inventory needs, and maintenance efforts.
3Measurement precision
If the relief valve activates at the lock-up pressure, then pressure control is precise, but frequent venting occurs causing fluid loss and operational issues
Solution Approach 1:
The relief valve is designed to activate at a pressure threshold that is substantially greater than the lock-up pressure of the main regulator. This parameter change creates a deadband between the lock-up pressure and the relief valve activation pressure, preventing frequent venting while maintaining pressure control. The relief valve only activates when outlet pressure exceeds the internal relief valve setting, which occurs above the lock-up pressure threshold.
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
This solution reduces unnecessary venting and activation of over pressure protection devices, making pressure-loaded regulators suitable for hazardous applications by controlling the bleed point to align with the main regulator's lock-up condition, thereby minimizing fluid loss and operational issues.
Implementation Method 1
The relief valve plug is to move away from the relief valve seat to a bleed position to allow the flow of fluid between the first chamber and the second chamber in response to an outlet pressure substantially greater than a pressure at which the loading regulator enters a lock-up condition
Data Source
AI summary
An example loading regulator having an internal relief valve apparatus includes a body having a loading diaphragm disposed between a first casing and a second casing. The first casing and a first side of the loading diaphragm define a first chamber and the second casing and a second side of the loading diaphragm define a second chamber. A relief valve assembly is coupled to the loading diaphragm. The relief valve assembly includes a relief valve seat having an aperture that forms a passageway to fluidly couple the first chamber and the second chamber and a relief valve plug movably coupled to the relief valve seat. The relief valve plug is to move away from the relief valve seat to a bleed position to allow the flow of fluid between the first chamber and the second chamber in response to an outlet pressure substantially greater than a pressure at which the loading regulator enters a lock-up condition.