Mechanical Pressure Limiting Valve for Hydrogen Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pressure storage systems face challenges in maintaining reliable operational safety during filling processes, with a need for reduced energy losses, minimized valve wear, and simplified piping while preventing overfilling and pressure surges without relying on electrical or electronic components.
Innovation Solution
A purely mechanical pressure check valve unit with a movable piston, spring, and sealing elements, which closes the passage opening at a certain pressure and remains closed to negative pressure, allowing medium extraction via an extraction channel and valve, and incorporating a pressure relief valve to manage pressure increases safely.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If electronic pressure control systems are used to limit filling pressure, then pressure control precision is improved, but device complexity and dependency on electrical components increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces electronic pressure control systems with a purely mechanical pressure limiting valve that uses a spring-loaded piston mechanism to automatically limit filling pressure. The valve body (10) contains a piston (22) that mechanically responds to pressure differential forces, eliminating the need for electronic sensors, controllers, and power sources while maintaining reliable pressure control.
Solution Approach 2:
The pressure limiting valve is designed to automatically regulate pressure without external control systems. The piston (22) self-adjusts its position based on the balance between spring force and pressure differential forces, opening or closing the flow path (13) autonomously to maintain safe pressure levels in the pressure storage tank (S).
2Reliability
If multiple valves and pressure lines are used to prevent overfilling, then operational safety is improved, but piping complexity and valve wear increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple valve functions into a single integrated pressure limiting valve assembly. The valve body (10) integrates the filling valve (28), pressure limiting valve (22), and extraction valve (30) into one compact unit with shared internal passages, eliminating the need for separate valves and reducing piping complexity while maintaining comprehensive safety control.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve body (10) serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a filling valve, pressure limiting valve, and extraction valve. The piston (22) mechanism universally controls both filling and pressure relief operations, while the extraction channel (15) provides additional medium removal capability, making the single component highly versatile.
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
Ensures the downstream pressure accumulator system reaches the desired pressure without upstream influence, maintains safety by preventing pressure surges, allows unhindered filling, and facilitates medium removal, enhancing operational reliability and safety while reducing the complexity of pressure storage systems.
Implementation Method 1
a passage opening (13) arranged between the inlet opening (10) and the outlet opening (11) can be reversibly closed and opened, the passage opening being open by the spring (23) in the unpressurized state
Implementation Method 2
a change in pressure in a storage area (19) of the valve chamber adjoining a second effective piston surface (A2) can be moved axially
Implementation Method 3
at least two sealing elements (41, 42) arranged in the valve chamber are guided in an axially movable manner
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
Pressure shut-off valve unit for a pressure storage vessel (S) for a medium, wherein a valve housing (20) has a valve chamber with an inlet opening (10) and an outlet opening (11) facing the pressure storage vessel (S), a movable piston (22), and at least one spring (23), wherein the piston (22) has at least one axial connecting channel (14) and is guided axially movably by at least two sealing elements (41, 42) arranged in the valve chamber, wherein a first piston action surface (A1) of the piston (22) facing an inlet region (17) of the valve chamber and a sealing element (21) form a valve seat, and wherein by changing the pressure in a storage region (19) of the valve chamber adjacent to a second piston action surface (A2) the piston (22) is axially movable and a passage opening (13) arranged between the inlet opening (10) and the outlet opening (11) can be reversibly closed and opened,wherein the passage opening (13) is held open in the unpressurized state by the spring (23) and wherein a storage area (19) of the valve chamber is connected to an inlet area (17) via a withdrawal channel (15,15a) and a withdrawal valve (30).