Microwave-Activated Pressure Vessel Valve for Reliable Fire Venting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing safety systems for pressure containers in vehicles are not cost-effective, lightweight, or space-efficient, and lack reliable activation mechanisms for releasing pressure during thermal events like vehicle fires.
Innovation Solution
A thermally activatable safety valve system incorporating a microwave transmitter component to heat a thermally activatable opening element, such as a glass ampoule or fusible solder, to trigger pressure release, with remote activation capabilities and a delay device for safety, reducing the need for additional components and installation space.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional safety valves with glass ampoules, fusible solder, or shape-memory metals are used, then the safety valve can release pressure during thermal events, but the system becomes costly, heavy, and space-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the thermal activation function from complex mechanical opening elements (glass ampoules, fusible solder) and replaces it with a microwave transmitter that remotely activates a simple thermal element. This removes unnecessary complexity while maintaining the pressure release function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical thermal activation mechanisms (glass ampoules that break, fusible solder that melts) with an electromagnetic field-based microwave transmitter system. This substitution reduces mechanical complexity and improves reliability by eliminating fragile components.
2Ease of operation
If additional components are added to enable remote activation of the safety valve, then remote pressure release is achieved, but installation space and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the microwave transmitter and the thermal activation element into a single integrated safety valve assembly. This combination eliminates the need for separate remote activation components, reducing installation space and costs while enabling remote pressure release capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The microwave transmitter serves multiple functions: it acts as both the remote activation mechanism and the heat source for thermal activation. This multi-functionality reduces the number of components needed, thereby reducing installation space and overall system cost.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a delay device is added for safety during remote activation, then personnel safety is improved, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The delay device is integrated into the microwave transmitter control circuitry, providing a predetermined safety delay before activation. This preliminary timing action ensures personnel safety without requiring separate complex safety systems, as the delay function is built into the existing activation mechanism.
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
Facilitates quick and reliable pressure release from pressure containers without additional components, reducing installation space and costs, while allowing remote activation and providing a safe delay for personnel retreatment during thermal events.
Implementation Method 1
A thermally activatable safety valve system incorporating a microwave transmitter component to heat a thermally activatable opening element
Implementation Method 2
In the case of thermal activation, usually at a trigger temperature of approximately 110° C. and more, the opening elements change their shape or are destroyed
Data Source
AI summary
A thermally activatable safety valve has at least one microwave transmitter and microwave transmitter component. The microwave transmitter and/or the microwave transmitter component is designed to heat at least one thermally activatable opening element.