Low-Restriction Shut-Off Valve With Excess Flow Closure
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gas storage and distribution systems face issues with high flow-restriction and cavitation due to excess flow valves, and LNG systems lack excess flow closure functionality provided by LP gas systems.
Innovation Solution
A low-restriction shut-off valve with an actuator assembly that includes a cylindrical body expandable by pressurized fluid, actuating a movable stem to control fluid flow while providing excess flow closure protection with minimal restriction, using a mounting assembly and biasing elements for efficient operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If excess flow valves are used in gas storage and distribution systems, then excess flow closure protection is provided, but high flow-restriction and cavitation occur
Solution Approach 1:
The valve is divided into two separate functional components: an excess flow valve providing closure protection and a low-restriction valve maintaining flow capacity. This segmentation allows each component to optimize its specific function without compromising the other, eliminating the harmful flow disruption and cavitation effects.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the excess flow closure functionality with a low-restriction valve design into a single integrated system. The two valves are positioned in parallel within the flow path, merging the safety function with the flow efficiency function to simultaneously achieve protection and minimal restriction.
2Ease of operation
If gate or ball valves are used in LNG applications, then primary shutoff function is provided, but excess flow closure functionality is lacking
Solution Approach 1:
The valve system is designed to perform multiple functions: primary shutoff operation and excess flow closure protection. By integrating both functionalities into a single system, the valve becomes universal and adaptable to different operational requirements, eliminating the need for separate valves for each function.
3Reliability
If traditional excess flow valves are used, then excess flow closure is achieved, but flow-restriction increases
Solution Approach 1:
The flow path is segmented into two parallel channels: one through the excess flow valve for safety closure and another through the low-restriction valve for maintaining flow capacity. This segmentation ensures that the excess flow closure function does not compromise the overall flow productivity of the system.
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 minimizes flow disruption and cavitation, offers higher excess flow capacity than traditional valves, and ensures valve integrity by sealing fluid in case of downstream piping damage, while maintaining low flow-restriction and efficient operation.
Implementation Method 1
an inlet formed in the cylindrical body. The inlet is adapted to receive pressurized fluid from a pressure source; the cylindrical body expands or contracts responsive to the pressurized fluid received from the pressure source, thereby actuating the movable stem
Data Source
AI summary
A valve including a control assembly that is configured to control fluid flow through the valve, The control assembly includes a driving element and a valve member. The driving element is rotatable about an axis between a first operating state in which the driving element maintains contact between the valve member and a valve seat and a second operating state in which the driving element does not maintain contact between the valve member and the valve seat. The valve member is rotatable about the axis independent of the driving element when the driving element is in the second operating state.