Oxygen Pipe Warning Pin for Slag Return Valve Closure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing display devices for gas-conveying lines, particularly oxygen gas pipes, do not effectively indicate dangerous situations, such as the risk of ignition, making it difficult for operators to notice potential hazards like slag return safety devices, which can lead to unsafe conditions.
Innovation Solution
A display device with a sliding pin mechanism that uses residual oxygen gas pressure to visibly indicate the closure of the outlet valve, combined with a heat sensor and recoil springs, ensures the pin is pushed outward, providing a clear warning through visual or acoustic signals, and is integrated with a slag return safety device to prevent unnoticed gas flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a display device is added to indicate dangerous situations, then safety awareness is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The display device utilizes the existing residual pressure in the oxygen gas line itself to drive the pin indicator, eliminating the need for external power sources or complex electronic systems. The system serves itself by using its own operational state (pressure) to generate the warning signal.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention employs pneumatic principles by using the residual pressure of the oxygen gas to directly move the pin through a through-bore in the pipe wall. This mechanical pneumatic actuation provides a simple, reliable display mechanism without electrical components.
2Loss of information
If the pin is designed to project significantly outward for visibility, then warning effectiveness is improved, but the risk of gas leakage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The seal is applied locally at the critical interface between the pin and the pipe wall, specifically at the lower end of the pin facing the cavity. This localized sealing ensures gas tightness only where needed, while allowing the pin to project outward for visibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The seal acts as an intermediary element between the pin and the cavity, preventing direct gas leakage while allowing the pin to move freely for indication purposes. The seal mediates between the need for visibility and the need for gas containment.
3Productivity
If the pin is positioned flush with the pipe wall during normal operation, then aerodynamic flow is improved, but visibility of the warning state is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The pin transitions from a static flush position during normal operation to a dynamic extended position when warning is needed. This dynamic behavior allows the pin to maintain aerodynamic efficiency during normal flow while providing visible warning when pressure changes occur.
Solution Approach 2:
The pin alternates between two states: retracted (flush with wall) during normal operation and extended (projecting outward) during warning conditions. This periodic positioning between operational states optimizes both flow efficiency and warning visibility.
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 provides a simple, reliable, and automatic visual or auditory warning of the outlet valve's closure, ensuring operators are immediately alerted to potential dangers without the need for additional electrical or electronic measures, enhancing safety by preventing unnoticed gas flow and slag return into the lance holder.
Implementation Method 1
the oxygen gas pipe is designed to lock, and is equipped with a heat sensor
Implementation Method 2
whose opening part under the pin is connected to the cavity, which is under residual pressure from the oxygen gas, when the heat sensor responds by closing the outlet valve
Implementation Method 3
an outlet valve that can be initiated against a primary recoil spring, and an inlet valve that is blocked in case of gas supply failure
Data Source
AI summary
When using oxygen gas pipes 3, situations can arise, in particular due to slag return and similar dangers, in which the operator must initiate safety measures. Slag return safety devices are known which, in such a case, ensure that the gas flow is stopped by melting a cap 35 of a heat sensor 5. The response of this outlet valve 6 of the slag return safety device can be recognized, for example, by the fact that the inlet pressure of the existing oxygen gas 4 is used to push pins 21 located in the wall 19 of the oxygen gas pipe 3 beyond the outside 27 of the oxygen gas pipe 3, so that they cannot be overlooked as a warning signal. The movement of the pins 21 can be used to activate further signal systems 30 in order to provide additional indications of this movement optically and/or acoustically.