Multidirectional Vent Limiting for Orientation-Independent Fluid Regulators
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vent limiting devices for indoor fluid regulators require vertical installation due to gravity operation, increasing installation costs and complexity, and necessitating vent away piping, which complicates safety and reliability.
Innovation Solution
Development of multidirectional vent limiting devices that operate independently of installation orientation, utilizing mechanical structures and transducers to identify operational states and parameters, allowing for vertical, horizontal, or other non-vertical orientations without the need for vent away piping.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional vent limiting devices are used, then vent away piping is required to ensure safety, but installation cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the vent limiting function from the external piping system and integrates it directly into the regulator assembly. The vent limiting device is incorporated as an integrated component within the regulator housing, eliminating the need for separate vent away piping while maintaining safety functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The vent limiting device is merged with the regulator body to form a single integrated assembly. The limiting mechanism, including the poppet, spring, and vent port, is combined with the regulator's existing structure, reducing the number of separate components and simplifying installation.
2Reliability
If conventional vent limiting devices are used, then vent away piping is required, but installation cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the vent limiting function from the external piping system and integrates it directly into the regulator assembly. The vent limiting device is incorporated as an integrated component within the regulator housing, eliminating the need for separate vent away piping while maintaining safety functionality.
3Ease of operation
If conventional vent limiting devices are used, then vertical installation is required due to gravity operation, but installation flexibility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces gravity-dependent mechanical operation with a spring-based mechanism that operates independently of orientation. The spring-loaded poppet system uses elastic force rather than gravitational force to control venting, allowing installation in any orientation including horizontal and angled positions.
Solution Approach 2:
The vent limiting mechanism uses a dynamic spring-loaded system that automatically adjusts to operational conditions regardless of orientation. The spring force dynamically balances against pressure differential to control the vent port, providing orientation-independent operation.
4Adaptability or versatility
If multidirectional vent limiting devices are used, then installation flexibility is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The regulator assembly is designed with universal multi-functionality, integrating the vent limiting device, regulator mechanism, and limiting control into a single unit that performs multiple functions. This multi-functional design achieves orientation independence without proportionally increasing complexity, as the same structural elements serve multiple purposes.
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
The multidirectional vent limiting devices reduce installation costs and simplify the operation of fluid regulators by eliminating the need for vent away piping, ensuring safety and reliability across various orientations while providing visual and data-based indicators of operational states.
Implementation Method 1
a spring positioned within the housing and biased in a first direction by a force generated by the flowing fluid. The spring opposes the force generated by the flowing fluid, and the poppet is biased toward the open position by the spring
Implementation Method 2
A multidirectional vent limiting device includes a housing, a poppet, a stem, a spring, and a transducer. The transducer is shaped and configured to identify a position of the poppet and the stem
Implementation Method 3
The transducer is shaped and configured to identify a pressure differential across the poppet
Data Source
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AI summary
Multidirectional vent limiting devices for use with fluid regulators are described. In some examples, a vent limiting device includes a housing (102) having an interior surface (308), a fluid inlet (322), a fluid outlet (330), and a first fluid passageway (324) in fluid communication with and located between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet. The interior surface includes a first sealing surface (326) that defines a portion of the first fluid passageway. In some examples, the vent limiting device further includes a stem (108) and a poppet (106). In some examples, the stem is rigidly coupled to the interior surface of the housing. In some examples, the poppet includes a second sealing surface (348) that defines a portion of the first fluid passageway, and a radial bore (352) that defines a second fluid passageway (356) in fluid communication with and located between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet. In some examples, the poppet is slidable along the stem between an open position and a closed position. In some examples, the second sealing surface contacts the first sealing surface when the poppet is in the closed position to close off the first fluid passageway.