Multifunctional Gas Valve with Fixed Flange Mounting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gas containers are at risk of overfilling and explosion due to improper adjustment of fittings, which can lead to loss of float functionality and failure of safety mechanisms, especially in permanently installed gas tanks where users may inadvertently alter the position of fittings, compromising safety and leading to dangerous overpressure.
Innovation Solution
A single-piece body for the multifunction valve with immovably fixed positions, incorporating a safety valve with a fusible sealing device that melts at critical temperatures to ensure complete gas release in case of fire, preventing explosion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If fittings are individually attached to the gas holder by being screwed into a flange, then the fittings can be adjusted using suitable tools, but the position of the fittings can be changed by the user, causing floats to be locked and safety mechanisms to fail
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the fill stop valve, extraction valve, and level indicator into a single integrated multifunction valve assembly that is permanently fixed to the gas holder. This merging eliminates the ability for users to individually adjust fittings while maintaining all necessary functions, thereby preventing float lockage and ensuring reliable operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The multifunction valve is pre-assembled and factory-sealed as an integrated unit before installation on the gas holder. This preliminary assembly ensures that all components are correctly positioned and sealed, preventing any subsequent adjustment or manipulation that could compromise float functionality or safety mechanisms.
2Device complexity
If a multifunction valve without a safety valve is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the gas container becomes dangerous in the event of a fire as it can explode due to heat
Solution Approach 1:
The safety valve is integrated into the multifunction valve assembly as a combined unit, merging multiple functions (filling, extraction, level indication, and safety relief) into a single compact device. This approach maintains safety functionality while minimizing overall device complexity and space requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The multifunction valve serves multiple purposes: it controls gas filling, enables gas extraction, indicates liquid level, and provides safety relief through the integrated safety valve. This multi-functionality ensures comprehensive safety and operational control without requiring separate independent valves for each function.
3Reliability
If the safety valve is arranged vertically in front of the closing valve, then the gas pressure can be controlled, but the overall height of the valve assembly increases considerably
Solution Approach 1:
The safety valve is repositioned from a vertical arrangement to a horizontal arrangement on the flange. This dimensional change allows the safety valve to function effectively for pressure control while significantly reducing the overall height of the valve assembly, enabling a more compact and space-efficient design.
Solution Approach 2:
The safety valve is positioned asymmetrically on the flange rather than vertically aligned with the closing valve. This asymmetric placement optimizes the spatial arrangement, allowing effective pressure control functionality while minimizing the vertical dimension of the assembly and improving overall compactness.
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
Enhances safety by preventing overfilling and explosion risks through fixed valve positions and a temperature-sensitive safety mechanism that ensures complete gas evacuation during a fire, reducing installation complexity and enhancing user safety.
Implementation Method 1
a sealing device which melts when a critical temperature is exceeded, so that all of the gas can flow out of the gas container
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed is a multifunctional valve for a gas vessel, comprising a fill stop valve, an outlet valve and a fill level indicator, the fill stop valve and the fill level indicator each being provided with a float. The disclosed multifunctional valve is characterized in that the fill stop valve, the outlet valve and the fill level indicator are fixedly mounted on a common flange and form a multifunctional element that is fastened to the gas vessel.