Non-simmer Relief Valve with Decoupled Spring Force
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Solution Overview
Problem
Pressurized fluid systems face issues with simmering due to insufficient spring force maintaining a bubble-tight seal near the setpoint pressure, leading to environmental contamination, product loss, and hazards, and existing solutions like rupture disks are prone to misalignment and fragment issues, requiring costly maintenance and downtime.
Innovation Solution
A valve assembly with a normally closed valve member and a mechanically collapsible member that decouples the spring force from fluid pressure, maintaining a seal even when pressure is near the setpoint, eliminating simmering and reducing the need for rupture disks by allowing the entire spring force to maintain the valve closed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a spring loaded valve member is used to maintain a bubble-tight seal, then the valve can remain closed at normal operating pressures, but the spring force becomes insufficient near the setpoint pressure causing simmering
Solution Approach 1:
A rupture disk is introduced as an intermediary element between the pressurized fluid and the valve member. The rupture disk isolates the valve member from fluid pressure until the setpoint is reached, at which point the disk ruptures and allows full fluid pressure to act on the valve member, ensuring reliable opening without simmering
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from relying solely on spring force to maintain the seal to using a rupture disk mechanism that replaces the mechanical spring-based pressure balancing system with a fracture-based release mechanism, eliminating the force limitation of the spring
2Reliability
If a rupture disk is used to isolate the valve from fluid pressure, then the valve member can be kept decoupled from inlet pressure, but pressure buildup between upstream and downstream devices alters the differential pressure and raises the set point
Solution Approach 1:
Pressure indicators are implemented to provide feedback on pressure buildup between the rupture disk and the valve assembly. When the intermediate pressure reaches an undesirably high level, the feedback signal triggers maintenance action to replace the rupture disk, restoring proper differential pressure and set point accuracy
3Reliability
If a rupture disk is used to relieve overpressure, then the valve can open at the correct setpoint, but the rupture disk can separate and fragments can interfere with valve operation
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful fragments are extracted or removed from the system by designing the rupture disk to rupture into small particles that are carried away by the fluid flow itself, preventing them from interfering with valve operation while maintaining the beneficial controlled opening function
4Measurement precision
If maintenance action is required to replace the rupture disk, then the set point accuracy can be restored, but substantial effort and downtime are required
Solution Approach 1:
The rupture disk is designed as a disposable component that is intentionally sacrificed to protect the more expensive and complex valve assembly. By using a low-cost, easily replaceable rupture disk, the overall system maintenance time and cost are reduced compared to repairing or replacing the entire pressure relief valve
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 solution effectively prevents simmering and reduces maintenance needs by ensuring a bubble-tight seal and eliminating the need for rupture disks, minimizing environmental contamination and downtime, while allowing easy reset and replacement of the collapsible member.
Implementation Method 1
A biasing member applies a bias force to the valve member to retain the valve member against the valve seat
Implementation Method 2
the fluid pressure is sufficient to overcome the spring bias force on the valve member, moving the valve member to the open position
Data Source
AI summary
A relief valve assembly to relieve overpressure of a pressurized fluid. In accordance with some embodiments, the assembly comprises a housing with an inlet and an outlet to form a conduit for a pressurized fluid. A normally closed valve member is axially displaceable within the housing to engage a valve seat to prevent a flow of the pressurized fluid along the conduit. A biasing member applies a bias force to the valve member to retain the valve member against the valve seat. A piston within the valve member contactingly engages the pressurized fluid. A mechanically collapsible member resists axial movement of the piston responsive to said contacting engagement of the pressurized fluid. The piston and collapsible member decouple the bias force supplied by the biasing spring member upon the valve member from a force upon the valve member applied by the pressurized fluid, thereby maintaining a bubble-tight seal.