Protective Valve Ring Structure for Oxygen Cylinder Fire Containment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Oxygen gas cylinders pose a risk of ignition and fire due to contaminates and adiabatic compression, particularly with shut-off valves used for highly oxidized gases, leading to destructive outcomes.

Innovation Solution

A protective valve ring made of incombustible and heat-absorbing material with internal shaping to redirect and absorb potential gas leaks and flames, attached to the cylinder valve to prevent fire propagation and protect inflammable parts.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a shut-off valve is used for controlling flow of pressurized oxygen gas, then gas flow control is achieved, but particle impact ignition and fire risk increase due to high gas speed and adiabatic compression

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegas flow controlVSAvoidignition and fire risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A protective valve ring is introduced as an intermediary component between the shut-off valve outlet and the surrounding environment. This ring serves as a mediator that intercepts and redirects the high-speed oxygen jet and associated flames, preventing direct contact with inflammable parts while allowing controlled gas flow to proceed

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The protective valve ring utilizes the kinetic energy and direction of the high-speed oxygen jet to its advantage by incorporating internal shaping that guides the gas flow in a controlled manner. The harmful high-speed jet is redirected through specific pathways that prevent particle impact on inflammable surfaces while maintaining the necessary gas flow for operational purposes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

2Speed

If adiabatic compression occurs during valve opening, then gas enters non-pressurised areas, but temperature increase leads to ignition of low auto-ignition temperature components

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegas expansion speedVSAvoidgas temperature spike

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The protective valve ring is pre-installed around the valve outlet before operation, creating a protective barrier in advance. The internal shaping and grooves are pre-configured to intercept and manage the thermal and kinetic effects of adiabatic compression before the hot gas can contact inflammable components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Solution Approach 2:

The valve ring acts as a thermal intermediary, absorbing and dissipating the heat generated during adiabatic compression. The material and design of the ring provide a buffer zone that prevents direct thermal contact between the compressed hot gas and surrounding components with low auto-ignition temperatures

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If oxygen gas leaks from the cylinder valve, then gas flow occurs, but flames may propagate to inflammable parts causing fire

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegas flow rateVSAvoidfire propagation

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The internal shaping of the protective valve ring converts the harmful outward-directed flame propagation into a controlled inward flow pattern. The grooves and contours are designed to channel the oxygen jet and flames back toward the valve body or safe discharge paths, transforming the fire hazard into a controlled flow mechanism that maintains productivity while eliminating fire risk

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

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 protective valve ring effectively absorbs heat and redirects flames, reducing fuel availability and preventing fire spread, thus enhancing safety during the handling of oxygen gas cylinders.

Implementation Method 1

The body comprises an incombustible and heat absorbing material

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat absorption: Heat Sink

Implementation Method 2

an internal shaping adapted to guide a potential oxygen gas leak away from inflammable parts of the gas cylinder

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGas flow guidance:

Implementation Method 3

adiabatic compression caused by the opening of the shut-off valve and gas entering non-pressurised areas may lead to increase in temperature of the gas for a moment

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAdiabatic compression: Adiabatic Heating

Data Source

PatentUS11384905B2Protective valve ring

Publication Date: 2022.07.12 GCE HLDG

AI summary

The invention relates to a protective valve ring (1) for an oxygen gas cylinder (3). The protective valve ring (1) comprises a body (4) adapted to enclose an outlet (5) of a cylinder valve (2). The body (2) comprises an incombustible and heat absorbing material, and has an internal shaping adapted to guide any potential oxygen gas leak away from inflammable parts of the gas cylinder (3). The invention also relates to a shut-off valve (2) for controlling flow of a pressurised gas and a method for attaching a protective valve ring (1) to a shut-off valve (2) of an oxygen gas cylinder (3).