Multi-Stage Valve Apparatus for Low to High Pressure Object Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing technologies face challenges in efficiently passing objects from a low pressure area to a high pressure system while maintaining pressure integrity in the high pressure system.
Innovation Solution
A valve apparatus with multiple containment areas and fluid communication channels, including adjustable pressure in the second containment area, and flapper valves with actuation and linkage assemblies to manage fluid pressure and facilitate object passage from a low pressure area to a high pressure system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single valve is used to pass objects from low pressure to high pressure area, then the device complexity is low, but the reliability of pressure control deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The single valve is divided into two separate valves: a first valve controlling flow from the low pressure area to the intermediate pressure area, and a second valve controlling flow from the intermediate pressure area to the high pressure area. This segmentation allows independent control of each pressure transition, improving overall pressure control reliability while maintaining reasonable device complexity.
2Productivity
If pressure in the second containment area is increased to pass objects, then the productivity of object passage is improved, but the safety of the system deteriorates due to potential accidental opening
Solution Approach 1:
An intermediate pressure area is introduced between the low pressure area and the high pressure area. This intermediate area acts as a buffer zone, allowing objects to be transferred through pressure steps rather than directly against the full pressure differential. The first valve controls the low to intermediate pressure transition, and the second valve controls the intermediate to high pressure transition, preventing accidental opening while maintaining efficient object passage.
3Reliability
If multiple containment areas and valves are used, then the reliability of pressure control is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The high pressure area is extracted from the direct path between low and intermediate pressure areas by introducing a separate high pressure containment area. The second valve connects the intermediate pressure area to this separated high pressure area, allowing independent control of the final pressure transition. This extraction improves pressure control reliability by isolating the high pressure control function while maintaining manageable device complexity through modular arrangement.
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 efficient and safe passage of objects by controlling fluid pressure across containment areas, ensuring the valve apparatus operates within predetermined pressure ranges to prevent accidental opening and maintain safety and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a valve disposed between the fluid in the second containment area at the selective fluid pressure and the fluid in the first containment area at the first fluid pressure
Implementation Method 2
the second containment area in fluid communication with the first containment area
Data Source
AI summary
A valve apparatus that includes a first containment area having a fluid disposed therein at a first fluid pressure and a second containment area disposed below the first containment area having a fluid disposed therein at a selective fluid pressure where the selective fluid pressure can be increased and decreased, the second containment area in fluid communication with the first containment area. The valve apparatus also includes a valve disposed between the fluid in the second containment area at the selective fluid pressure and the fluid in the first containment area at the first fluid pressure. The valve apparatus includes a third containment area disposed below the second containment area having a fluid disposed therein at a third fluid pressure wherein the third fluid pressure is higher than the first fluid pressure, the second containment area in fluid communication with the third containment area. Furthermore, the valve apparatus includes a second valve disposed between the fluid in the third containment area at the third fluid pressure and the fluid in the second containment area at the selective fluid pressure. A method for passing an object through the valve apparatus from a low pressure area to a high pressure system.