Mechanical Valve Actuation for Remote Emergency Gas Shut-Off
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Emergency control valves, particularly those in domestic gas supply lines, are difficult for laypeople and those with physical disabilities to operate, and existing solutions like solenoid-based actuators pose risks due to the potential for fire or explosion, and are not easily retrofittable to existing installations.
Innovation Solution
A purely mechanical actuation system using an environmentally sensitive actuator, such as a heat-sensitive or sacrificial element, to remotely operate a valve without electricity, allowing automatic shut-off in emergency situations, with a remote actuation device connected to the valve via a cable, enabling operation through environmental triggers like heat, fire, or pressure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a solenoid-based actuator is used to make operating an ECV easier, then the ease of operation is improved, but the risk of fire or explosion increases due to electrical components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces electrical solenoid-based actuation with a purely mechanical actuation system. The mechanical actuator uses a cable-driven mechanism with a handle that can be operated manually or automatically through environmental triggers (such as heat-sensitive elements or fusible links) without any electrical components, thereby eliminating the fire/explosion risk while maintaining ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanical transmission system consisting of a cable and actuator mechanism that connects the user's input (or environmental trigger) to the valve operation. This mechanical intermediary allows remote operation without direct contact with the valve while avoiding electrical components that could pose safety risks in gas environments.
2Ease of operation
If a solenoid-based actuator is used to improve ease of operation, then the ease of operation is improved, but the device complexity increases due to electrical components and retro-fit requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex electrical solenoid-based actuation systems with a simpler purely mechanical actuation mechanism. The mechanical actuator uses basic components such as a cable, handle, and environmental trigger elements that can be easily retro-fitted to existing valve installations without requiring electrical wiring or complex control systems.
3Ease of operation
If remote actuation is implemented to assist with remote valve operation, then the ease of operation is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional actuation mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a cable as a mechanical intermediary to transmit force from a remotely located handle to the valve actuator. This simple cable-driven mechanism enables remote operation without requiring complex electrical wiring, sensors, or control systems, thereby achieving remote actuation with minimal increase in device complexity.
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
Enables safe and accessible remote operation of emergency control valves, particularly for individuals with physical impairments, without the risk of electrical ignition, ensuring automatic shut-off in emergency conditions, and can be retrofitted to existing installations.
Implementation Method 1
the actuation system further includes an environmentally sensitive actuator arranged to operate the actuation cable
Implementation Method 2
activated by one or more of: heat, fire, smoke, pressure (e.g. from an explosion), vibration (e.g. from an earthquake), humidity, flood or freezing
Data Source
AI summary
An actuation system for a valve assembly is provided, the actuation system includes an actuation unit arranged to engage with an operating member of a valve to drive rotation of the operating member; and a remote actuation device arranged at a distance from the actuation unit and coupled to the actuation unit by an actuation cable, the actuation cable being operable to engage the actuation unit to drive rotation of the operating member; wherein the actuation system further includes an environmentally sensitive actuator arranged to operate the actuation cable; and wherein the remote actuation device includes a manual input element arranged to operate the actuation cable.