Magnetic Trigger Valve Assembly for Fast Frangible Opening
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing trigger valves for highly compressed gas cylinders are complex, heavy, bulky, and expensive due to numerous metal parts, making them unreliable and difficult to manufacture, and they fail to open quickly from a wide range of positions.
Innovation Solution
A valve assembly with a frangible member and a magnetic system where a non-magnetic sleeve blocks the magnetic field, allowing a retaining means to be attracted and release the rupturing mechanism, causing the frangible member to rupture and allow fluid flow, featuring a simpler design with fewer moving parts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a complex mechanism with many metal parts is used, then the valve can be opened reliably, but the valve becomes heavy, bulky, and expensive to manufacture
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical retention mechanisms (springs, latches, or magnetic retainers) with a magnetic field-based retention system. A magnet retains the rupturing means in the retracted position, and removing the non-magnetic sleeve allows the magnetic field to attract the retaining means, automatically releasing the rupturing means to strike the frangible member. This eliminates complex mechanical retention components, reducing weight and part count while maintaining reliability.
2Reliability
If a complex mechanism with many metal parts is used, then the valve can be opened reliably, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical retention mechanisms (springs, latches, or magnetic retainers) with a magnetic field-based retention system. A magnet retains the rupturing means in the retracted position, and removing the non-magnetic sleeve allows the magnetic field to attract the retaining means, automatically releasing the rupturing means to strike the frangible member. This eliminates complex mechanical retention components, reducing weight and part count while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a removable non-magnetic sleeve that blocks the magnetic field during normal operation. When the sleeve is removed, the magnetic field is exposed and automatically actuates the release mechanism. This simple extraction-based activation method eliminates the need for complex triggering mechanisms, reducing manufacturing complexity and cost while ensuring reliable operation.
3Ease of operation
If traditional trigger mechanisms are used, then the valve can be activated, but it cannot open quickly from a wide range of positions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical trigger mechanisms with a magnetic field-based retention and release system. The magnet continuously holds the rupturing means in readiness, and simply removing the non-magnetic sleeve immediately allows magnetic attraction to release the rupturing means, which then rapidly strikes the frangible member. This eliminates mechanical trigger linkages and cam mechanisms, enabling activation from any angle and achieving extremely fast opening speeds.
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 results in a lightweight, reliable, and easily manufacturable trigger valve that can be operated from various angles, providing rapid inflation of inflatable objects like evacuation slides with fewer potential failure points.
Implementation Method 1
a magnet that is spaced apart from the retaining means and a non-magnetic sleeve disposed between the magnet and the retaining means. The non-magnetic sleeve is configured to block a magnetic field provided by the magnet... when the non-magnetic sleeve is removed, in use, the magnetic field attracts the retaining means to release the rupturing means
Data Source
AI summary
A valve assembly is provided, the valve assembly comprising a body that defines a fluid flow path between an inlet and an outlet with a frangible member between the inlet and the outlet across the fluid flow path so as to block fluid flow The valve assembly also includes a member for rupturing the frangible member, a spring biasing the rupturing member into contact with the frangible member and a member for retaining the rupturing member away from the frangible member. A magnet is spaced apart from the retaining member, and a non-magnetic sleeve is disposed between the magnet and the retaining member. The non-magnetic sleeve blocks a magnetic field provided by the magnet. Also included is a trigger for removing the non-magnetic sleeve, wherein, when the non-magnetic sleeve is removed, in use, the magnetic field attracts the retaining member to release the rupturing member to cause rupture of the frangible member.