Modulatable Safety Valve with Dual Spring Armature
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing safety valves in gas-air combustion systems are limited to fully open or fully closed positions, lacking the ability to control gas flow in partially open positions, which is typically managed by separate gas regulating valves.
Innovation Solution
A modulatable safety valve design featuring a magnetic armature with two valve systems, where the second valve's spring constant is higher than the first, allowing continuous control of gas flow through the valve opening by varying the voltage applied to the coil, enabling partially open positions and integrating safety and regulating functions within a single valve.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a conventional safety valve is used with a single valve spring, then the valve can only be fully open or fully closed, but it cannot control gas flow in partially open positions
Solution Approach 1:
The single valve system is segmented into two independent valve bodies (first valve body and second valve body), each with its own valve spring and valve seat. The first valve spring has a lower spring constant for initial opening, while the second valve spring has a higher spring constant for fine control, enabling both safety and regulating functions through segmentation of the valve mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The first valve body and second valve body are nested within the same valve housing, with the first valve positioned to open at lower actuator positions and the second valve positioned to open at higher actuator positions. This nested arrangement allows both valve mechanisms to occupy the same spatial envelope, achieving compact integration without increasing overall device volume.
2Adaptability or versatility
If separate gas regulating valves are used to control partially open positions, then flow control is possible, but construction space is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The safety valve and regulating valve functions are merged into a single integrated valve assembly. Both valve bodies share common components including the actuator mechanism, valve housing, and gas flow path. This merging eliminates the need for separate regulating valve equipment, reducing installation space and system complexity while maintaining both safety and flow control capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The single valve assembly performs multiple functions: the first valve body provides safety shutdown capability, the second valve body provides flow regulation capability, and together they enable partial opening positions for precise gas flow control. This multi-functionality replaces what would traditionally require separate safety valve and regulating valve systems.
3Reliability
If a double safety valve with two independent valve springs is used, then redundant safety is achieved, but the ability to control partially open positions is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The two valve springs are designed with different local qualities - the first valve spring has a lower spring constant optimized for safety shutdown at lower actuator positions, while the second valve spring has a higher spring constant optimized for fine flow control at higher actuator positions. This differentiation of local qualities enables both redundancy and modularity, as each spring-valve combination is optimized for its specific operational role within the overall 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
Enables continuous control of gas flow through the valve opening between closed and fully open positions, providing both safety and regulating functions within a single modular unit, optimizing construction space and functionality.
Implementation Method 1
a magnetic armature that can be moved by a voltage applied to a coil
Implementation Method 2
a first valve spring and a second valve spring. A movement of the armature acts from a closed position of the safety valve at first against a spring force of the first valve spring
Data Source
AI summary
A safety valve (1) has a first valve, and a second valve, a magnetic armature (3) moved by voltage applied to a coil (2). Movement of the armature (3) acts against a spring force of the first valve spring (5) and loosens the first valve body (4) from the first valve seat (6). The movement of the armature (3) subsequently acts against a spring force of the second valve spring (8) and loosens the second valve body (7) from the second valve seat (9). This frees a valve opening for a flowthrough of the gas flow. The flowthrough amount of the gas flow through the valve opening can be continuously controlled as a function of the voltage applied to the coil (2) between a closed position and a fully open position even in partially open positions.